City of Sterling City Council met Sept. 16.
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 on Monday, September 16, 2019. Roll call. Present: Aldermen Retha Elston, Josh Johnson, Joe Martin, John Stauter, Christine Wilen, and Jim Wise. Absent: None.
Also present were City Attorney Tim Zollinger, City Manager Scott Shumard, Finance Director Cindy Von Holten, Superintendent of Building and Zoning Amanda Schmidt, Fire Chief Gary Cook, Police Chief Tim Morgan, and City Clerk Marie Rombouts.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Linda Bell has 40 years of medical experience. She has supported the formation of a union at CGH and was recently let go from her position. She had not received discipline before. She had returned to work with restrictions. CGH sought information from her doctor and then asked for permission from her.
Kathy Harvey from Dixon, is a phlebotomist at CGH and supports the union. She was disciplined for a small error that many others have also made.
Loretta Soresie is a member of Union Local 615 and asked that these workers be respected and stop the harassment.
Tyler Kirk lives in Ward 4. He is a member of the US Steelworkers Union and relies on CGH for medical care. He is standing with them and their right to form a union.
Brandi Barron has worked in electronic medical records for the last 7 years and is a union supporter. She has had no discipline until now. She was warned to not talk about the union on company time which she has not done but was answering unsolicited questions.
Tanja Gruber has worked in Critical Care for 15 years. She does not feel there is a need for a union. Administration is not running an anti-union campaign. She has been ac used of working for administration. She believes in progressive discipline and respects their rights to form a union but does not want the push back.
Kathy Lane implored the City to remain neutral. When items arise on the hospital’s agenda that are of substance they go into closed session. Be open with information.
Mary Popkin is a member of the IEA. Although she knows nothing about medical work, she compared the need for a union to the play “Newsies”, when paperboys first formed a union in 1899.
Alderman Elston made a motion to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda:
A) Minutes of September 3, 2019
B) Bills and Payroll totaling $1,453,974.81
C) Plan Commission minutes of March 21, May 16, June 20, and July 25, all in 2019
D) Partial Pay Request #6 for Dillon Avenue Phase 1 to Twin City Construction in the amount of $247,893.64
E) Partial Pay Request #1 for 2019 Street Contract #1 to Civil Constructors in the amount of $338,104.36
F) Bucket Brigade for PADS Homeless Shelter on October 5, 2019
Motion seconded by Alderman Martin. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Elston, Johnson, Martin, Stauter, Wilen, and Wise. Nayes – None. Motion carried.
Alderman Stauter made a motion to approve the Proclamation marking the 60th Anniversary of Rock River Valley International Fellowship; seconded by Alderman Wilen. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Elston, Johnson, Martin, Stauter, Wilen, and Wise. Mayor Lee read the proclamation into the record and presented to Carol Deibert.
Alderman Elston made a motion to pass Ordinance #2019-09-27 Amending Chapter 66, Article III of the Sterling City Code Establishing a “Do Not Knock” Registry; seconded by Alderman Martin. Chief Morgan stated this does not apply to school age children selling products as fundraisers and registry must be annually to keep the list current. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Elston, Johnson, Martin, Stauter, Wilen, and Wise. Nayes – None. Motion carried.
Alderman Martin made a motion to approve Ordinance #2019-09-28 Amending Chapter 10, Article II, Division 4 Video Gaming Terminals, to conform to Recent Changes in State Law Relating to the Number of Permitted Terminals; seconded by Alderman Elston. Alderman Elston asked how large truck stops are defined. Chief Morgan reported it is based on the amount of fuel that is pumped. Attorney Zollinger stated that truck stops to do not pour alcohol. Alderman Stauter is not in favor of expanding gaming but understands this conforms to state laws. Alderman Martin stated it is a revenue source the City cannot afford to give up. We accept revenue from liquor, why not gambling. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Elston, Johnson, Martin, and Stauter. Nayes – Aldermen Wilen and Wise. Motion carried.
Alderman Wise made a motion to grant permission to the Sterling American Legion to close the alley in the 600 block of Locust/First Avenue for their centennial celebration on October 19; seconded by Alderman Elston. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Elston, Johnson, Martin, Stauter, Wilen, and Wise. Nayes – None. Motion carried.
Manager Shumard reported the Avenue G Bridge will be closed next week. Along with street updates, he reported riverfront paths are waiting for bridges. He is waiting for Republic Waste to work out proposals for recycling. Lawrence Brothers had another fire in the building and someone is contracted to remove the debris. Gary Anderson will submit a proposal next week.
Alderman Johnson enjoyed the Fiesta activities and the riverfront swings are awesome. Alderman Elston posted photos of the riverfront with 1000 views. People are noticing.
Alderman Stauter thanked the Fire Department for the ride in the parade; it was the first time he was able to participate with the City.
Alderman Wise thanked the Fire Department. Wise hopes Whiteside County Airport is able to bring the Warbirds back. They are gaging public support.
Mayor Lee expressed concern that someone from Republic told a citizen that craft bags were necessary for yard waste. Lee clarified that garbage cans with an “X” can also be used.
Regular meeting adjourned at 7:20 pm for a study session on Annexations.
Manager Shumard gave a short presentation on proposed of annexations. Reasons to annex are for Census purposes, control development, and increase the tax base. Reasons to not annex are additional work load, infrastructure needs, and code and law enforcement concerns. Annexation can be for surrounded properties or properties that are contiguous to the City with pre-annexation agreements. There are approximately 30 surrounded properties; 90 with pre-annexation agreements, and 30 that are connected to sewer without pre-annexation agreements. Manager Shumard stated the EAV has finally reached where it was in 2009. Manager Shumard informed Council the City’s tax bill is 27% higher than those currently in the County.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.
http://www.sterling-il.gov/docs/meetings/minutes/cc091619.pdf
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