City of Savanna City Council met July 14.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Chris Lain called the meeting to order on the said date at 7:00 P.M. Notice of the meeting was delivered to all Council members and posted at 333 Chicago Avenue, Savanna, Illinois in accordance with the State of Illinois Open Meetings Act.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Chris Lain led the Council in the pledge of allegiance.
ROLL CALL / ESTABLISH QUORUM:
Mayor Chris Lain declared the establishment of a quorum with members in attendance Mayor Chris Lain, Jim Friedenbach, Jocelyn Boyd, Jeff Griswold, Nick Law, Deb Long, Sara Purdom, Roger Husband, and Pat Sanchez. Non-members in attendance Jared Fluhr with MSA, Public Works Superintendent John Lindeman, Police Chief Jeff Doran, Assistant Fire Chief Scott Wolfe, Comptroller/Treasurer Brittany Hatteberg, City Attorney Phil Jensen, and City Clerk Rhonda Weiss. Entering at 7:25 P.M. were News Media: Mike Nester, Mike Miller, and Colton Ostrum.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
After a brief review, Sara Purdom motioned to approve the Agenda, seconded by Pat Sanchez. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Consideration of the Minutes of the June 23, 2020 Regular Meeting: After a brief review, Sara Purdom motioned to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes from June 23, 2020, seconded by Jocelyn Boyd. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Committee, 06/09/20: Pat Sanchez briefly explained a Request for Funds from the Fire Department for Automated Bay Lights. Assistant Fire Chief Scott Wolfe explained he believes there are more urgent items that need to be addressed, examples include a soft spot and leak in the roof at the Fire Station and finishing the fire alarm system at the department. Mayor Chris Lain stated the other more urgent items would need to be requested as unbudgeted requests for funds after estimates. Pat Sanchez then motioned to remove the request until the necessary estimates can be obtained for the other items and resubmitted to the Finance Committee for consideration and recommendation to the Council, seconded by Nick Law. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Personnel Committee, 06/30/20: Jeff Griswold briefly explained the meeting regarding a severance package for early retirement for Fire Chief Shawn Picolotti and the pay consideration for the incoming Fire Chief. Both will be addressed in more depth during Executive Session later this evening. Roger Husband motioned to approve the Personnel Committee Report, seconded by Sara Purdom. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Finance Committee, 07/14/20: Pat Sanchez reported to the Council on the committee meeting held that morning. All reports were reviewed and approved, as well as a Request for Funds, NPDES Permit/Dues for the Sewer Treatment Plant. Pat Sanchez motioned to Release Funds for NPDES Funds Permit/Dues not to exceed Budgeted amount of $10,000 from Fund 31-Sewer Fund, seconded by Nick Law. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed. Sara Purdom motioned to approve the Finance Committee Report, seconded by Roger Husband. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
WARRANT #3: Bills for the Month of June Totaling $510,039.44: Roger Husband questioned the Hotel/Motel Consultant fee for the month at being more than usual. Roger Husband recommended the check for Brienna Junk be withheld until further clarification on the hours for June 2020. Mayor Chris Lain explained she had gone over the approved hours without permission. Jeff Griswold pointed out a reduction in hours could happen in the upcoming months due to her being on a yearly budget not monthly. Jeff Griswold stated as long as her hours come in at or below budget at the end of the year it would all work out. Mayor Chris Lain agreed the overage will be made up later this year during a slower time to come in at budget for her annual salary. Roger Husband rescinded his recommendation following this discussion. Mayor Chris Lain stated he also had a discussion with her about getting approval before going over her scheduled hours again. Sara Purdom motioned to approve Warrant #3, Bills for the Month of June Totaling $510,039.44, seconded by Jeff Griswold. Roll Call Vote Aye: Jocelyn Boyd, Jeff Griswold, Pat Sanchez, Nick Law, Deb Long, Roger Husband, Jim Friedenbach, and Sara Purdom. Nay: None. Motion passed.
MONTHLY REPORTS: Financial, Police, Fire, and Public Works for June 2020: Mayor Chris Lain also asked City Attorney Phil Jensen to brief the Council on the first month of prosecuting the Ordinance Violations in Court. City Attorney Phil Jensen reported 4 Dismissals, 4 guilty pleas and charged $100 fines, 4 defaulted and were charged $100 fines, and 1 chose a jury trial, scheduled for August 22nd. Police Chief Jeff Doran explained the 4 dismissals were because the persons did comply before the court date. After a brief review of the remaining reports, Pat Sanchez motioned to approve the Financial, Police, Fire and Public Works Monthly Reports for June 2020, seconded by Sara Purdom. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Wacker Road Project Update and Associated Action Items: Jared Fluhr with MSA updated the Council on progress on the Wacker Road Project. The next change orders and payouts will be at the August meeting and were roughed out in his update, with the Roadway $133,000 over the contract, Sanitary Sewer $40,000 over and the Water $21,000 under contract. There are still areas to be replaced for deficient concrete and there are still significant monies being withheld for completion of repairs. Jared also included a tentative plan for GIS Implementation, PASER, and INI Sewer smoke testing that is scheduled to begin in July.
Ordinance, Amending Title 1, Chapter 6, Section 3, Oath and Salary: After a brief discussion, Pat Sanchez motioned to approve Ordinance #2272 Title 1, Chapter 6, Section 3, Oath and Salary which provides council members $50 per Council Meeting and $25 per Special Council Meetings and Committee Meetings, seconded by Jocelyn Boyd. Roll Call Vote Aye: Pat Sanchez, Jim Friedenbach, Sara Purdom, and Jocelyn Boyd. Nay: Nick Law, Deb Long, Roger Husband, and Jeff Griswold. With a tie vote, Mayor Chris Lain cast the deciding Aye vote. Motion passed.
Ordinance, Amending Title 1, Chapter 5, Section 11, Salary: After discussion, Sara Purdom motioned to approve Ordinance #2273 Title 1, Chapter 5, Section 11, Salary which increases the salary of the elected Mayor to $12,000 effective after the next election, seconded by Pat Sanchez. Roll Call Vote Aye: Sara Purdom, Jocelyn Boyd, and Pat Sanchez. Nay: Deb Long, Roger Husband, Jim Friedenbach, Jeff Griswold, and Nick Law. Motion did not pass. City Attorney Phil Jensen pointed out that there has been no pay raise for the Mayor's position since 1985 and is not reasonable compensation. Police Chief Jeff Doran also stated that a portion of his duties would be covered by a City Administrator or Manager and compensated at a much higher rate of $100,000 or better. After further discussion, Nick Law motioned to send this back to the Finance Committee for more information and recommendation, seconded by Roger Husband. Roll Call Vote Aye: Jim Friedenbach, Jeff Griswold, Nick Law, Deb Long, and Roger Husband. Nay: Sara Purdom, Jocelyn Boyd, and Pat Sanchez. Motion passed.
NEW BUSINESS:
Consolidated Grain & Barge Presentation and Possible Action: Mayor Chris Lain tabled this discussion with a lack of attendance by Consolidated Grain & Barge.
Resolution & Use Agreement Authorizing Exclusive Use of a Certain Property in Conjunction with the Cruise in Downtown Savanna: Mayor Chris Lain explained this is a fundraiser for the Savanna Museum and will be for car cruise parking in the parking lot on the west side of the 300 block of Main Street on July 19th from 11 to 3 P.M. Pat Sanchez motioned to approve Resolution #1201 Resolution & Use Agreement Authorizing Exclusive Use of a Certain Property in Conjunction with the Cruise in Downtown Savanna, seconded by Nick Law. Roll Call Vote Aye: Pat Sanchez, Nick Law, Deb Long, Roger Husband, Jim Friedenbach, Sara Purdom, Jocelyn Boyd, and Jeff Griswold. Nay: none. Motion passed.
Resolution & Use Agreement Authorizing Exclusive Use of a Certain Property in Conjunction with the Cruise in Downtown Savanna: Mayor Chris Lain explained this is for parking spots on the east and west side of Main Street in the 400 block for the Savanna Museum and will be for car cruise parking on July 19th from 11 to 3 P.M. Pat Sanchez motioned to approve Resolution #1202 Resolution & Use Agreement Authorizing Exclusive Use of a Certain Property in Conjunction with the Cruise in Downtown Savanna, seconded by Deb Long. Roll Call Vote Aye: Deb Long, Roger Husband, Jim Friedenbach, Sara Purdom, Jocelyn Boyd, Jeff Griswold, Pat Sanchez, and Nick Law. Nay: none. Motion passed.
CITIZENS, COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Nick Law asked if volunteers could mow the grass at L&M Motel to keep the area looking decent, due to owner’s lack of care. Police Chief Jeff Doran replied it was fine and would be encouraged by his department at this time.
Jim Friedenbach asked Public Works Superintendent John Lindeman to send an employee to the 4th Street Pump House on the riverside for excessive overgrowth. John Lindeman stated he will send someone up there to take care of it.
Roger Husband asked Public Works Superintendent John Lindeman to monitor Viaduct Road for the sinking. John Lindeman responded he has notified the state and they are monitoring but he will have engineers come out to evaluate the deterioration of the roadway.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: 5ILS 120/2 (c)(1) Consideration & Discussion of the Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance, Dismissal of Specific Employees or to Hear Testimony on a Complaint Lodged Against an Employee: At 8:28 P.M. Jeff Griswold motioned to leave Regular Session and enter into Executive Session, seconded by Pat Sanchez.
Possible Action on Executive Session: At 9:03 P.M., Jeff Griswold motioned to return to Regular Session and motioned to offer Fire Cheif Shawn Picolotti a severance package equivalent to 5 months medical insurance payment, seconded by Sara Purdom. Roll Call Vote Aye: Nick Law, Jeff Griswold, Sara Purdom, Jim Friedenbach, Roger Husband, and Deb Long. Nay: Pat Sanchez, and Jocelyn Boyd. Motion passed.
The second item is the rate of pay for the new Fire Chief being offered to Assistant Fire Chief Scott Wolfe. Jeff Griswold motioned to approve the rate of pay at a 5% increase to $52,232.36, seconded by Nick Law. Roll Call Vote Aye: Deb Long, Roger Husband, Sara Purdom, Jim Friedenbach, Jocelyn Boyd, Pat Sanchez, Jeff Griswold, and Nick Law. Nay: none. Motion passed.
ADJOURNMENT:
With nothing further, Mayor Chris Lain made a motion to adjourn at 9:11 P.M.
Minutes composed by Rhonda Weiss, City Clerk.
https://www.savanna-il.us/meetingagendas/20200714councilminutes.pdf
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