City of Savanna City Council met July 28.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Chris Lain called the meeting to order on the said date at 7:01 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 Public Works Superintendent John Lindeman, Police Chief Jeff Doran, Assistant Fire Chief Scott Wolfe, Comptroller/Treasurer Brittany Hatteberg, City Attorney Phil Jensen, News Media: Mike Nester, Mike Miller, and Colton Ostrum, Joe Saltow, Alex Didato, Stephanie and Rodney East, Steve Haring, Jube Manderico, and City Clerk Rhonda Weiss.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Mayor Chris Lain asked to remove Consolidated Grain & Barge Presentation and Possible Action at their request for now. After review, Pat Sanchez motioned to approve the Agenda, seconded by Sara Purdom. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Consideration of the Minutes of the July 14, 2020 Regular Meeting: After a brief review, Pat Sanchez motioned to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes from July 14, 2020, seconded by Deb Long. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Committee, 07/28/20: Pat Sanchez reported the Finance Committee has made a recommendation of $12,500 annual pay for the elected position of Mayor. Pat Sanchez motioned for City Attorney Phil Jensen to draft the Ordinance to set the Mayor’s Salary to $12,500 and review every four years at an election and have it ready for review at the August 11, 2020 meeting, seconded by Roger Husband. Roll Call Vote Aye: Jocelyn Boyd, Jeff Griswold, Pat Sanchez, Nick Law, Deb Long, Roger Husband, Jim Friedenbach, and Sara Purdom. Nay: None. Jeff Griswold also asked City Attorney Phil Jensen if a City Administrator is hired in the future, could the salary be readjusted down. City Attorney Phil Jensen responded an elected officials’ salary cannot be increased or decreased during an elected term in accordance with Illinois State Constitution but could be changed with the next election. Sara Purdom motioned to approve the Finance Committee report, seconded by Deb Long. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Building & Public Property/Health & Safety 07/28/20: Roger Husband reported on the meeting held earlier this evening. The Committee would like to proceed with the teardown of 3 fire damaged homes at 118 5th Street, 1712 Portland Avenue, and 1143 Chicago Avenue. The residence at 320 Adams Street will be handled by City Attorney Phil Jensen at this time. The Committee would like to use Budgeted Funds of $15,000 and the remaining budget for Demo Reimbursement of $7,500 to remove all 3 of the buildings. If any requests are received until the end of the current budget year, the funds will be found to reimburse citizens. Jeff Griswold asked if after demolition the original owner retains ownership or will they relinquish ownership. City Attorney Phil Jensen responded unless the owner files a court action to stop the City, the City will obtain the title after the teardown. Roger Husband motioned to utilize Budgeted Funds of $15,000 and balance of demo reimbursement funds $7,500 to tear down 118 5th Street, 1712 Portland Avenue, and 1143 Chicago Avenue, seconded by Jeff Griswold. Roll Call Vote Aye: Nick Law, Deb Long, Roger Husband, Sara Purdom, Jocelyn Boyd, and Jeff Griswold. Nay: Pat Sanchez and Jim Friedenbach. Motion passed. Pat Sanchez motioned to approve the Building & Public Property/Health & Safety Committee report, seconded by Nick Law. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Citizen Letter Regarding Walking Trail: The citizens included in the letter are requesting the use of city property by the water tower as a walking trail. Stephanie & Rodney East stated she has researched grants to cover maintenance costs. She also has people interested in making and maintaining the trails. This property by Water Tower Rd and Weber Streets is approximately 30 acres, but they do not have a specific plan set up at this point and are looking for Council approval to proceed. Public Works Superintendent John Lindeman also stated there are limitations for use linked to the donation of the property as a wildlife sanctuary. Roger Husband clarified the Council is not necessarily opposed, but there is not a true plan for review at this time and suggested it move to the committee. Pat Sanchez motioned to send this suggestion to Building & Public Property Committee for research on viability and restriction, seconded by Jocelyn Boyd. 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.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Wacker Road Project Update and Associated Action Items: Public Works Superintendent John Lindeman reported Sjostrom will be returning to begin the replacement of faulty sections. He believes they will be working on one side at a time.
NEW BUSINESS:
Letter of Inducement West Carroll Primary School: Mayor Chris Lain stated this request by the school is to replace sections of the sidewalk at the primary school. TIF Funds can be obtained by the City from taxes not collected by the school and this would be good public relations to allow some of the funds to be returned to the school district. After further discussion, Roger Husband motioned to approve the Letter of Inducement for West Carroll Primary School, seconded by Nick Law. Roll Call Vote Aye: Jim Friedenbach, Sara Purdom, Jocelyn Boyd, Jeff Griswold, Pat Sanchez, Nick Law, Deb Long, and Roger Husband. Nay: none. Motion passed.
Heartland Pet Welfare, Request for Waiver of Kennel License Fee: Mayor Chris Lain clarified this is an annual waiver for Heartland Pet Welfare. After discussion, Jim Friedenbach motioned to approve the waiver of the annual kennel fee of $100 for Heartland Pet Welfare, seconded by Sara Purdom. 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.
Consolidated Grain & Barge Presentation and Possible Action: Mayor Chris Lain removed at the request of Consolidated Grain & Barge.
Acceptance of Resignation of Fire Chief Shawn Picolotti Effective 07-31-20: After discussion, Pat Sanchez motioned to accept with regret the resignation and retirement of Fire Chief Shawn Picolotti effective July 31, 2020, seconded by Sara Purdom. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Appointment/Swearing In Fire Chief Scott Wolfe: Mayor Chris Lain stated the appointment will be voted on tonight, but the actual swearing in will take place tomorrow at City Hall. After discussion, Pat Sanchez motioned to approve the appointment of Scott Wolfe as Fire Chief for the remainder of the term ending April 30, 2021, and effective 8/3/20, 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.
CITIZENS, COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Jeff Griswold asked Police Chief Jeff Doran to investigate lawn mowers on 3rd, 4th, and 5th Street at night. It appears they are using them as vehicles not necessarily mowing properties. Police Chief Jeff Doran responded he will investigate further.
Sara Purdom asked Police Chief Jeff Doran to investigate reports of furniture being left in the lawn at 18 Walnut Street, also 1010 Vine Street the camper seems to still be dumping sewer into the gutter. Police Chief Jeff Doran will also investigate the reports.
Roger Husband asked Public Works Superintendent John Lindeman about work at the Wacker Road water tower. Public Works Superintendent John Lindeman responded it is scheduled maintenance.
ADJOURNMENT:
With nothing further, Mayor Chris Lain made a motion to adjourn at 8:13 P.M.
https://www.savanna-il.us/meetingagendas/20200728councilminutes.pdf
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