NW Illinois News

City of Rochelle City Council met Aug. 26.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

The Rochelle City Council met in Regular Session at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall; 420 N. 6th Street; Rochelle, IL 61068.

PLEDGE TO THE FLAG & PRAYER: Prayer was said by City Clerk, Sue Messer.

ROLL CALL: Present on Roll Call were Councilmembers Burke, Gruben, D. McDermott, T. McDermott, Shaw-Dickey, and Mayor Bearrows. A quorum of six were present. Also present were City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh and City Clerk Sue Messer.

PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS, ETC: National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month – September 2019 proclamation was presented to representatives from Sinnissippi.

REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS:

• Mayor – Thanked everyone that worked on the Heritage Festival.

• Appointment of Mike VanHouton to the Utility Advisory Board with a term of August 26, 2019 – July 1, 2020. Motion made Councilor T. McDermott and seconded by Councilor D. McDermott, “I move the council approve the Mayor’s appointment of Mike VanHouton to the Utility Advisory Board with a term to expire July 1, 2020.” Roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Councilor Burke, Gruben, D. McDermott, T. McDermott, Shaw-Dickey, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 6-0.

• Council Members – Councilman Gruben thanked Mayor Bearrows for his presentation to the Post 403 American Legion.

• A Good News Award was presented to staff for their part in the City’s Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival float 

PUBLIC COMMENTARY: Russ Stevens spoke in favor of a dispensary at his location on the south side which is in a TIF Zone.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

Performance Measures. Since the adoption of the 2018 Strategic Plan, staff has placed more focus on policy implementation and evaluation. One of the best ways to gather good data and monitor past performance is through an effective performance measure/metric system. For the past 5 months a committee of employees has been working to develop internal performance measures that our team feels will help enhance our organization's output and enable us to further develop our strategic plan. City Manager Fiegenschuh presented information about the performance measures.

Boundary Waters Trip. On Friday July 19, 2019 Rochelle Police Detective, John Kaltenbach and Attorney Russell Crull (Tess & Crull Law Firm) took six Rochelle High School students to the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) where they canoed, hiked, and fished for four days. For anyone that is not familiar with the BWCAW, it is over one million acres of lakes and forests within Superior National Forest located along the Canada/Minnesota border. The only way to access the BWCAW is by canoe and or hiking as there is no combustion motors allowed. The BWCAW is one of the few places that you can truly experience wilderness camping. There is also a lot of history in the BWCAW as voyageurs years ago travelled some of the same portages while transporting beaver pelts to trade for goods and supplies. During the trip the students were able to experience some things that they otherwise would not be able to. Some students had not been out of Illinois. Some students had never been in a motor boat or caught a fish. Students were able to have positive contact with the police, which by the nature of the job is typically negative. Students made new friends that they might not have made otherwise due to them being in different social groups at school. The group was fortunate to have great weather, good fishing and mosquitoes that were tolerable. There is a sense of accomplishment after being in the wilderness for days without many of the modern conveniences like a house, electricity, cellular devices and motor vehicles. The trip was a great experience and Detective Kaltenbach looks forward to future trips with the youth of the community. Detective Kaltenbach, Attorney Crull and several of the students spoke to the council and shared pictures from the trip.

BUSINESS ITEMS:

1) CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS BY OMNIBUS VOTE with Recommendations:

a) Approve Minutes of City Council Meeting – 8/12/1926

b) Approve Exceptions – 08/07/19-08/19/19

c) Approve Bills – 08/20/19

d) Approve Payroll – 07/29/19-08/11/19

e) Accept and Place on File Minutes of Airport Advisory Board – 4/22/19

f) Accept and Place on File Minutes of Railroad Advisory Board – 5/30/19

g) Approve RTHS Homecoming Parade Request – 9/26/19

h) Approve Request from Rochelle Kiwanis to Hold Annual Peanut Days – 9/6/19-9/7/19

i) Approve Request from Bearrows Real Estate & Auction to Close a Portion of 6th Avenue – 9/28/19

j) Accept and Place on File Financial Statement – July 2019

Motion made by Councilor T. McDermott and seconded by Councilor Burke “I move consent agenda items (a) through (j) be approved by Omnibus vote as recommended.” Roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Councilor Burke, Gruben, D. McDermott, T. McDermott, and Shaw-Dickey. Abstain: Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 5- 0 with 1 Abstain.

2) Resolution Adopting Internal Performance Measures for City Functions. Performance measurement is the process of collecting, analysing and/or reporting information regarding the performance of a group, organization or system. Below is a great illustration of a successful performance measurement system. As with the Vision, Mission and Values statements, I feel it is incredibly important to have council buy in and support. Staff is recommending the Mayor and City Council approve the resolution formally approving the new list of performance measures for 2019- 2020. Motion made by Councilor Shaw-Dickey and seconded by Councilor D. McDermott “I move Resolution R19- 50, a Resolution Adopting Internal Performance Measures for City Functions, be approved.” Roll call was taken. Ayes: Councilor Burke, Gruben, D. McDermott, T. McDermott, Shaw-Dickey, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 6-0.

3) Ordinance Amending Chapter 66 Article III Entitled “Offenses Against Property” -Graffiti. Graffiti is one of the most visible crimes that a community can have. The presence of a first rash of graffiti tends to attract more as a response to the initial "tagging". When this is gang-related, communities may have other crimes that follow. The proposed ordinance, which was discussed at the August 12th council meeting, gives the city leverage to clean damaged property in the event the owner cannot or is unwilling to do so in a timely manner. Police Chief, Eric Higby was available to answer questions. Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott and seconded by Councilor Shaw-Dickey, “I move Ordinance 19-5047, an Ordinance Amending Chapter 66 Article III Entitled “Offenses Against Property”, be approved.” Roll call was taken. Ayes: Councilor Burke, Gruben, D. McDermott, T. McDermott, Shaw-Dickey, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 6-0.

4) Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Fiber Optic Cable Lease Agreement with Ogle County. The proposed resolution authorizes the City Manager to execute a lease agreement with Ogle County in order to provide point to point dark fiber servicer to Ogle County. This fiber will connect the Emergency Operations Center to the Miller House, owned by Ogle County. Jason Bird was available to answer questions. Motion made by Councilor Burke and second by Councilor Shaw-Dickey, “I move Resolution 19-51, a Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Fiber Optic Cable Lease Agreement with Ogle County, be approved.” Roll call was taken. Ayes: Councilor Burke, Gruben, D. McDermott, T. McDermott, Shaw-Dickey, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 6-0.

5) Ordinance Amending Chapter 94 Article IV Entitled “Stopping, Standing, and Parking” – West Side of 2nd Street between 7th Avenue and 8th Avenue, 1st Avenue between 10th Street and 11th Street, Ranger Road and Phil Road. In efforts to promote the health, Safety, and welfare of the City and its residents it is necessary to amend certain portions of its traffic regulations contained within the City code from time to time. Sec. 94-221. – Resident- only parking zones. Residents located on the west side of N. 2nd St. between 7th and 8th Avenues have requested this side of the street be posted as Resident-Only Parking. At times it is difficult for area residents to find parking in front of their properties. This is especially difficult during the baseball season as several ballfields are located just to the east. In addition, vehicles are often parked in this area as their owners visit the Park District office, Rochelle Community Hospital and several area apartment complexes. Sec. 94-224. – Parking prohibited at specified times on designated streets. Residents located on the north side of 1st Ave. between 10th and 11th Street have requested the No Parking restriction be removed. Traffic on 1st Ave has been greatly reduced as it no longer connects to Rt. 38. With this reduction in traffic there is no longer a concern with cars parking on this side of the street and vehicles exiting driveways. While updating signage and checking to ensure signs are accurate with city ordinance, it was discovered that Ranger Road and Phil Road are not listed in Sec. 94-224.- Parking prohibited at specified times on designated streets. Currently both Ranger and Phil Roads are signed as No Parking. It is recommended that Ranger and Phil roads be designated as No Parking by City ordinance and No Parking signs remain in place. Tim Isley was available to answer questions. Motion made by Councilor Gruben and seconded by Councilor Burke, “I move Ordinance 19- 5048, an Ordinance Amending Chapter 94 Article IV Entitled “Stopping Standing, And Parking” for the west side of 2nd Street between 7th Avenue and 8th Avenue, 1st Avenue between 10th Street and 11th Street, Ranger Road and Phil Road, be approved.” Roll call was taken. Ayes: Councilor Burke, Gruben, D. McDermott, T. McDermott, Shaw-Dickey, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 6-0.

6) Ordinance Approving a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Reed Harris and Corliss Baer- PIN 25-17-100-002. With the recent annexation and platting of the Pilot/FlyingJ Travel Center east of I-39 it is necessary for the developer to extend sanitary sewer, forcemain and watermain utilities to serve a portion of the RMU service area north of IL Route 38. Therefore, an alignment has been selected to cross under I-39, as approved by IDOT, run along the southerly line of the Harris Baer property as shown on exhibit 1 of the Purchase Sale Agreement and connect into the existing sanitary sewer main along Dement Road. This sanitary sewer will provide a certain capacity for a portion of the new development north of IL Route 38 and east of I-39. An option agreement currently exists with the City of Rochelle as approved in December 2018 for purchase of property from this tract of land. Engineering staff has been in negotiations with the landowner for some time regarding the purchase of property for construction of sewer and water utilities and a future roadway extension within the area. Due to intended use of the property the owner/seller has agreed to a lesser price per acre more in line with the appraised value. The cost for the purchase is being split as shown below due to the additional width being requested to accommodate a future City street to be constructed within this area beyond that of the sewer and water extension needs. Sam Tesreau was available to answer questions. Motion made by Councilor T. McDermott and second by Councilor D. McDermott, “I move Ordinance 19-5049, an Ordinance Approving a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Reed Harris and Corliss Baer, PIN 25-17-100-002, subject to final review and approval by the owner, be approved.” Roll call was taken. Ayes: Councilor Burke, Gruben, D. McDermott, T. McDermott, Shaw-Dickey, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 6-0.

7) Ordinance Authorizing the Purchase Order and Financing Agreement for the Purchase of One Cardiac Monitor Capable of Defibrillation and the Disposal of One Malfunction Cardiac Monitor for Trade-In Value. The Fire Department is requesting permission to purchase a Zoll 12-Lead Cardiac Monitor. This purchase will replace a Physio-Control Lifepak 12 12-Lead cardiac monitor that has several mechanical issues, including inability to transmit 12-Lead assessments to RCH ED and other provider hospital as dictated by our IDPH Region 1 Standard Medical Orders. Due to the age of the device, we have been unable to have the cardiac monitor serviced by any certified technician, including Physio-Control, and have no viable backup devices. Our Zoll sales representative is willing to extend us terms that will allow us to make a moderate payment in this budget year, with the remaining portion of the purchase price in the 2019 budget year. They are also willing to take our non-functional cardiac monitor as a trade-in. This purchase was anticipated and budgeted, with $5,000 in the FY2019 budget for the FY2019 portion of the device. Fire Chief, David Sawlsville was available to answer questions. Motion made by Councilor T. McDermott and seconded by Councilor D. McDermott, “I move Ordinance 19-5050, an Ordinance Authorizing the Purchase Order and Financing Agreement for the Purchase of One Cardiac Monitor Capable of Defibrillation and the Disposal of One Malfunctioning Cardiac Monitor for Trade-In Value, be approved.” Roll call was taken. Ayes: Councilor Burke, Gruben, D. McDermott, T. McDermott, Shaw-Dickey, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 6-0.

ADJOURNMENT: At 7:35 PM, moved by Councilor D. McDermott and seconded by Councilor T. McDermott, “I move the Council adjourn.” Motion passed by voice vote without dissent.

https://www.cityofrochelle.net/2019-city-council-meeting-minutes/6876-08-26-2019-city-council-meeting-minutes-1/file.html