City of Sterling City Council met May 20.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor Charles L. “Skip” Lee called a meeting of the Sterling City Council to order at 6:30 pm. Roll call. Present: Aldermen Retha Elston, Mackenzie Hopping, Joe Martin, John Stauter, and Jim Wise. Absent: Alderman Christine Wilen.
Also present were City Attorney Matt Cole, City Manager Scott Shumard, Financial Services Director Cindy Von Holten, Superintendent of Building and Zoning Amanda Schmidt, Superintendent of Public Works Brad Schrader, Fire Chief Gary Cook, Police Chief Tim Morgan, and Assistant City Clerk Monique Castillo.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Alderman Elston made a motion to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda:
A) Approval of Minutes from May 6, 2019
B) Bills and Payroll totaling $1,703,836.00
C) Partial Pay Request #3 for Fischer Excavating on the Douglas Park Neighborhood Drainage Project in the amount of $80,654.37
D) Partial Pay Request #4 for Fischer Excavating on the Douglas Park Neighborhood Drainage Project in the amount of $632,958.21
E) Avenue G Bridge Change Order #1 in the amount of $80,985.00
F) St Jude Rides to hold a bucket brigade on May 18, 2019
G) Rock River Hospice and Home to hold a bucket brigade on June 1, 2019
H) 2019-2020 MICA Insurance Renewal Premium for F/Y 2019/2020 in the amount of $568,274.00
The motion was seconded by Alderman Martin, Voting: Ayes - Alderinen Elston, Hopping, Martin, Stauter, and Wise. Nayes - None. Motion carried.
Alderman Stauter made a motion to approve Ordinance #2019-05-16 Authorizing the Sale of Surplus Property and make an invitation to bid thereon for property located at Douglas Park Subdivision (PIN #11-19-278-028). The motion was seconded by Alderman Elston.
Manager Shumard noted this property was deeded to the City. There have been several complaints regarding yard maintenance, unfortunately property is landlocked with no access to maintain. An interested party approached the City with an intent to purchase the property. It was determined, this would be the best process to sell.
Attorney Cole noted while there are several options to sell a property, the bid process would be the easiest and best option as there is already a specific party in mind, there is not another interested party and this is a special need case.
Schrader also noted there is a list of complaints and with this property being landlocked, there is not much we, the City, can do to maintain it.
Voting: Ayes - Aldermen Hopping, Martin, Stauter, Wise and Elston. Nayes - None. Motion carried.
By consensus, Mayor Lee removed Business Item 8B; Award bid for Lynn/LeFevre Roundabout and Douglas Park Drainage. Manager Shumard received notification that the grant he applied for was denied and he is requesting additional time to raise his concerns to State Legislators. There will be a special meeting prior to May 30, 2019, to consider this item at that time.
Alderman Martin made a motion to award the Bid for Sterling Market to Porter Brothers in the amount of $951,418.95. The motion was seconded by Alderman Hopping.
Shumard noted this is the last block in the CBD TIF District to be completed and this project will be an excellent addition to the district. Shumard also noted there are a few code enforcement issues that still need to be worked out. Once these issues are resolved, it will take approximately 4-6 weeks for this project to be completed.
Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Martin, Stauter, Wise, Elston and Hopping. Nayes - None. Motion carried.
Schmidt reported Rock Island Economic Growth Corporation still has grant funding available to homeowners for home repairs, which are based on income guidelines. Schmidt also noted other grants available through Rock Island Economic Growth Corporation that are more need based. This would be for homeowners that require accessibility updates, such as ramps.
Alderman Stauter requested an update from Schmidt on mowing practices. Schmidt noted it is very wet! Public Works will be mowing vacant lots while Gaumer will tend to those with homes on them.
Alderman Elston was pleased to announce she has been utilizing the City App for several issues and gets immediate responses. She also thanked Public Works for a great job with the Clean and Green program.
Mayor Lee praised the Police, Fire and Public Works departments for their assistance in bringing Corporal Krebs home.
Mayor Lee noted he along with Manager Shumard and Alderman Wise, met with Senator Gary Anderson with regard to the Riverfront redevelopment project.
Mayor Lee also mentioned the upcoming Memorial Day celebration at Grandon Civic Center on Monday, May 27, 2019.
Manager Shumard pushed the study session presentation to be heard prior to adjournment to Executive Session.
Shumard introduced John Morris, Peoria Riverfront Museum Coo, presenting via Skype. Morris introduced Kate Schureman and Ruth Bittner as advocates that have been with him throughout the entire journey in making the Peoria Riverfront Museum what it is today - a safe and enjoyable place for all to visit.
Morris, Schureman and Bittner shared stories and offered some very helpful tips if we consider a similar path. They discussed how the area was not the ideal setting for residents at night, the importance of gathering an assessment to determine the needs and wants of the community, and the importance of patience as this was a long project that at times they feared would not find a completion date.
Alderman Elston made a motion to move to "Closed Session" at 8:22 pm to discuss personnel matters as covered under subsection (2) of SILCS 120/2(c).
The motion was seconded by Alderman Hopping. Voting: Ayes - Aldermen Elston, Hopping, Martin, Stauter and Wise. Nayes - None. Motion carried.
Alderman Wise made a motion to adjourn the Closed Session and reconvene the regular Council meeting at 9:28 pm.
The motion was seconded by Alderman Elston. Voting: Ayes - Aldermen Hopping, Martin, Stauter, Wise and Elston. Nayes - None. Motion carried. Open meeting reconvened.
Alderman Wise made a motion to Amend City Manager compensation to 3.82%, retroactive to May 1, 2019. The motion was seconded by Alderman Hopping.
Voting: Ayes - Aldermen Wise, Elston, Hopping, Martin and Stauter. Nayes - None. Motion carried.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 9:29 p.m.
http://sterling-il.gov/docs/meetings/minutes/cc052019mc.pdf
Alerts Sign-up