City of Dixon City Council met July 16.
Here is the minutes as provided by the council:
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arellano at 5:30pm.
Roll Call
Councilman Considine, Marshall, Marx, Venier, and Mayor Arellano answered Roll Call. Absent: None. The Pledge of Allegiance was cited. Reverend Marilyn Nolan gave the invocation.
Work Session
Water Meter Project – Financing & Monthly Billing: Becky Fredericks, Finance Director, gave a powerpoint presentation explaining the current billing process, projected billing process, fees, expenses, benefits of monthly billing. Discussion ensued regarding increases of government cost, accuracy of new meters, and that the Ordinance will have to be changed to reflect any changes. Financing options of the project was discussed.
Strike – Approval to Switch from Quarterly to Monthly
Billing for City Water Service
The consensus from the council was that they were in favor of the change to monthly billing. Decided to wait to vote on the change until the ordinance has been updated.
Approval of Minutes
Councilman Marshall moved that the minutes of the Regular Session Council Meeting of Monday, July 2, 2018 be accepted and placed on file. Seconded by Councilman Marx. Voting Yea: Marx, Venier, Considine, Marshall, and Mayor Arellano. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried.
Approval of Total Labor and Outside Claims
Council received clarifications on some bills. Councilman Marx moved that the total labor and outside claims in the amount of $225,827.76 be approved and ordered paid. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Voting Yea: Marx, Venier, Considine, Marshall, and Mayor Arellano. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried.
Visitor/Public Comment
Maureen Broers addressed the council on the property at 407 S Dixon. Went into detail on the condition of the property, and how some landlords do not do repairs on their rentals. Building Supervisor, Paul Shiaras, explained that the property is still in the legal process for foreclosure. That once the court date has passed the City will be able to address the property.
Department Reports
Police Chief Steve Howell and Public Works Director/Assistant Manager Matt Heckman reported on the Petunia Festival. Police: Was a great event. Tuesday and Friday they had a range of 5000 to 7500 people. The festival grounds, parade, and fireworks were uneventful on the law enforcement side of things. The law enforcement included DPD officers and Lee County deputies. There were 254 total calls, 112 traffic, 23 arrests and they weren’t related to the fest. The DPD had 470 more overtime hours than last year, total approximately $21,000 overtime pay, which does not include Lee County’s hours. Public Works: 3 of the 4 departments were involved with the fest. Hours by department: 2 for Cemetery Properties; 6.5 for Water (meters for carnival and dog pool); 218 for Street (traffic control and cleanup) total of 49 overtime hours approximately $5,300 of overtime pay. There were smooth transitions other than complaints on the Peoria Bridge confusion on when open and when closed. Councilman Venier added comments: He thought the communications were great, incident response was phenomenal. There was an issue on River and Hennepin with the condition of the road from the vendors. Peoria Avenue Bridge, if closed during the whole fest, they may look at having more opportunities of things to go there. Asked about supplementing with outside paid security, for downtown or the Regan Run or the parade. Festival will be from Wednesday to Sunday next year.
City Manager Report
City Manager Danny Langloss reported: 1) Had a second meeting with the splash pad donors and Duane Long, they are dialing in on the project. Hope to open the beginning of next summer. The Park District is looking for additional donation and grants. This project also includes paving parking, bathrooms which the project will approximately be $350,000. 2) Build Grant: the applications are due on Thursday. They have letters of support coming from government officials, it will be the fourth and final phase of the riverfront master plan. 3) would like to tip his cap to Paul and Jeremy on what they have done to the 4th Street property that we have no control over. 4) Petunia Fest: thanked all the departments for their extra work on the fest, being able to work and festival duties. 5) He and the Mayor had a meeting with Republic Services this past week. The US exports of recycling to China has shut down. There is a crisis in the garbage industry, with significant costs to the industry. They are asking communities to renegotiate their contracts, that would raise the costs to consumers approximately $.53/month. Republic is willing to do a presentation. Education to the consumer on what is recyclable, when it is not recyclable it contaminates the load and cost more to recycle.
Council Reports
Mayor Arellano – 1) Governor Rauner was at the Dixon High School regarding a School Resource Officer bill that is going through Springfield. 2) Mayor will be on military duty in August, and expecting birth of child. Will not be able to preside over the meetings. 3) Rockin’ on the Rock is August 4th. 4) Liquor license B is maxed out, he has gotten a lot of interest for that license group. He may be bringing an addition to the council. Note, there is one open at the moment, but it is spoken for. 5) The council needs to work on the city manager evaluation framework & process. It is due once a year, and his is up in October. 6) Had an individual approach him regarding a Peace Walk through Page Park over to the Riverfront. It was asked if the Peoria Bridge could be closed for them. Maybe just a quick escort could be arranged, or if the side walk would be enough.
Councilman Considine – 1) Nothing to add. His comments were covered on the Petunia Festival.
Councilman Marshall – 1) Petunia Fest: as a business he had an issue with the petunia board and their lack of communication with the businesses.
Councilman Marx – None
Councilman Venier – 1) Petunia Fest: Was thankful that all came together to remedy the situation, and the errored on the side of safety of our people. Impressed with the Crabtree property on Boyd how well it has moved forward. 2) Working relationship with Slim N Hanks on their River Street property. It is back to the prior condition. 3) The council had a Reagan Home tour that needs to be rescheduled.
Board & Commissions Reports
Minutes on file: Plan Commission & Veteran’s Memorial Park. The Monthly Building Report is also on file.
ORD# 3105 – Annexing Certain Territory to the City of Dixon
(628 Palmyra Rd)
Mayor noted that with the annexation of this property there is potential for other annexations to follow. City Manager noted that he spoke with the owners and since this was initiated by the City, there was no need for them to attend the meeting tonight. Mayor also noted that the Lee County Liquor Code doesn’t have as much flexibility as the City, since this process took them into a new cycle he is waiving the fee they paid to the County. Councilman Considine moved that an Ordinance Anexing certain territory to the City of Dixon, Lee County, Illinois (628 Palmyra Road) be passed. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Voting Yea: Marx, Venier, Considine, and Mayor Arellano. Abstain Vote: Marshall. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried.
Award Bid for the Depot Avenue Water Main Materials Bid
to Water Products Company
Assistant Manager explained that this was our second bidding process noted that since they reworked the boring bid changes needed to be made to the materials bid. Discussion ensued regarding the exact locations and when the boring bids are due. Councilman Venier moved to award the water main materials bid to Water Products Company in the amount of $195,546.22 for the Depot Avenue Project. Seconded by Councilman Marshall. Voting Yea: Marx, Venier, Considine, Marshall, and Mayor Arellano. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried.
Executive Session
At 7:39pm Councilman Marshall move that the Regular Council Meeting of Monday, July 16, 2018 adjourn into Executive Session to discuss the purchase or sale of real property pursuant to Section 2(c)(5) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Voting Yea: Marx, Venier, Considine, Marshall, and Mayor Arellano. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried.
Reconvene Meeting
Councilman Marshall moved that the Regular Council Meeting of Monday, July 16, 2018 reconvene into Open Session. Seconded by Councilman Considine. Voting Yea: Marx, Venier, Considine, Marshall, and Mayor Arellano. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried.
Adjournment
Councilman Considine moved that the Regular Council Meeting of Monday, July 16, 2018, be adjourned to meet in Regular Session on Monday, August 6, 2018 at 5:30 pm in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Seconded by Councilman Marx. Voting Yea: Marx, Venier, Considine, Marshall, and Mayor Arellano. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried.
The meeting adjourned at 8:34pm.
https://www.discoverdixon.org/index.php?option=com_docman&view=download&alias=2093-07-16-2018-city-council-meeting-minutes&category_slug=2018-city-council-minutes&Itemid=627
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