City of Savanna City Council met Sept. 8.
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 Public Works Superintendent John Lindeman, Police Chief Jeff Doran, Fire Chief Scott Wolfe, Comptroller/Treasurer Brittany Hatteberg, City Attorney Phil Jensen, News Media: Mike Nester, Mike Miller, Colton Ostrum, Scott Stefanc, Regina Vesely, Cassie Wurster, and City Clerk Rhonda Weiss.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Mayor Chris Lain stated everyone should have received an Amended Agenda sent out earlier in the day. After a brief review, Jeff Griswold motioned to approve the Amended Agenda, seconded by Pat Sanchez. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Consideration of the Minutes of the August 25, 2020 Regular Meeting: After a brief review, Sara Purdom motioned to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes from August 25, 2020, seconded by Jocelyn Boyd. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Hotel/Motel Committee, 09/02/20: Sara Purdom reported on the meeting. Hotel/Motel Tax is only down 15% from last year and down 7% from 2018, attributable to the Explore Savanna Marketing Director. In the last seven days, the Explore Savanna website has reached 30,000 people. In the last 30 days, the reach was 81,000 people; even during a pandemic, the numbers are good. The Chamber is evaluating the possible Spook Walk for this year and is creating an online tour of empty buildings in town. The Tourist Information Sign at the Train Car Museum will be redesigned at the cost of $95.00 by BP Graphix. Pat Sanchez motioned to approve the Hotel/Motel report, seconded by Deb Long. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Personnel Committee, 09/08/20: Jeff Griswold reported on the meeting held earlier in the day via Zoom. Review and Promotion Recommendation, Public Works Employee: The Committee recommended Eric Hartman be promoted to Foreman of Public Works at a pay rate of $20.00 per hour with the possibility of an additional pay raise after completion of certification requirements. He will be responsible for accomplishing appointed tasks and communicate the direction of duties. Jeff Griswold motioned to approve the promotion of Eric Hartman, seconded by Nick Law. 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.
Hiring of Public Works Employee: This will be covered in the Executive Session later tonight.
Pat Sanchez motioned to approve the Personnel Committee report, seconded by Nick Law. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Finance Committee, 09/08/20: Pat Sanchez reported on the meeting held this morning. All accounts were reviewed and approved. Accounts Receivable has an account on it that will receive a letter from City Attorney Phil Jensen.
Request for Funds, External Hard Drive for all ES Footage: Brienna Junk is requesting budget funds from Hotel/Motel Tourism Tax Fund-57 for the purchase of an external Hard Drive for advertising footage storage not to exceed $300.00. Pat Sanchez motioned to approve the Request for Funds, External Hard Drive for all ES Footage not to exceed $300.00, seconded by Sara Purdom. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Request for Funds, Route 20 Bill Board Advertising: This is a request to release budgeted funds for annual rent on the bill board to pay in full for 1-year. Roger Husband asked why the invoice on Warrant #5 was for $7,244.00, however the budgeted amount was $7,000.00. Mayor Chris Lain stated there were additional costs this year including a photo that had to be switched out and department heads can approve purchases up to $500.00 to cover the overage. Comptroller/Treasurer Brittany Hatteberg stated in the past the bill board was paid for the whole year in a lump sum to cut down on paperwork and tracking, otherwise the city would be billed every 4 weeks for a monthly cost. Roger Husband also asked a question in regards to the Invoice Number that appears on the warrant paperwork provided to council. Comptroller/Treasurer Brittany Hatteberg stated invoices can be combined onto one check if multiple orders are placed for a vendor and that is just for their software and recording purposes. Pat Sanchez motioned to approve the Request for Funds, Route 20 Bill Board Advertising not to exceed $7,000.00, seconded by Sara Purdom. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Request for Funds, Non-Budgeted Funds, Hose Bed Covers, Fire Department: This request is from Fire Chief Scott Wolfe for Non-Budgeted Funds to have Hose Bed Covers for two trucks at the cost of $925.00 each. He is proposing using the budgeted funds for bay lights from Civic Fund 52. He had previously asked not to use those budgeted funds for bay lights. Pat Sanchez motioned to approve the request for Non-Budgeted Funds, Hose Bed Covers, Fire Department not to exceed $2,000.00 from Civic Fund 52, 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.
Roger Husband motioned to approve the Finance Committee Report, seconded by Jocelyn Boyd.
All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
WARRANT #5: Bills for the Month of August Totaling $192,825.37: After a brief review, Pat Sanchez motioned to approve Warrant #5 for a total of $192,825.37, 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.
APPOINTMENTS: City of Savanna Committee: ITEP Streetscape Committee-Pat Sanchez, Roger Husband, Sara Purdom: Mayor Chris Lain would like to appoint Pat Sanchez, Roger Husband, and Sara Purdom to a new committee for planning on the ITEP Streetscape Grant Application. Jocelyn Boyd motioned to approve the appointments, seconded by Deb Long. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Monthly Reports: Financial, Police, Fire, and Public Works for August 2020: After a brief review, Pat Sanchez motioned to approve the Financial, Police, Fire and Public Works reports for August 2020, seconded by Sara Purdom. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Wacker Road Project Update and Associated Action Items: Public Works Superintendent John Lindeman updated the Council on Wacker Road. There isn’t much to update. They are still in discussion with Sjostrom regarding a few issues on panels of the new concrete. Jared Fluhr with MSA is in contact with them and will be updating the Council as soon as the issues are resolved.
NEW BUSINESS:
Splash Pad Presentation, Regina Vesley & Scott Stefanc: Regina Vesley would like to see a Splash Pad be added to our community for family entertainment. Scott Stefanc of Vortex Aquatic Structures, based in Montreal, Canada, explained how they work and how it affects the community as a whole. It creates a family-friendly environment for fun. This a no retention water feature, meaning there is no standing water, so lifeguards are not required. Deb Long questioned why this was being brought to the Council, and wouldn’t it be better to approach the Park District. Regina Vesely is asking for the support of the Council for the possibility of future fundraising efforts. She has approached the Savanna Park District and Park Districts around Carroll County. Roger Husband stated he might support this, but he didn’t feel this was anything within the City’s scope. The City doesn’t have a park department under our control, funds, means, or land to pursue this project. Regina Vesley feels the City does influence the Park District if they support the project. Sara Purdom voiced her support for the project as a parent.
Halloween Festivities, Discussion: Mayor Chris Lain asked the Council members how they felt about Trick or Treating and the Halloween Parade this year. Deb Long stated she had contacted Clinton, and they will be doing trick or treating at the parent’s discretion. Mayor Chris Lain, Pat Sanchez, and Nick Law agree with the idea with recommendations. The problem with the parade is social distancing at the beginning and again at the Fire Station at the end. A suggestion was made to continue the discussion at the first meeting in October and see what other towns in the area decide.
Resolution, Induce the Redevelopment of Certain Property Within the Highway 84 & Wacker Road Redevelopment Project Area (523 Main Street): After a brief review, Pat Sanchez motioned to approve Resolution #1205, Induce the Redevelopment of Certain Property Within the Highway 84 & Wacker Road Redevelopment Project Area for Gina Dillon at 523 Main Street, seconded by Sara Purdom. Roll Call Vote Aye: Jim Friedenbach, Sara Purdom, Jocelyn Boyd, Jeff Griswold, Pat Sanchez, Nick Law, and Roger Husband. Nay: Deb Long. Motion passed.
Possible Action on Executive Session: To be considered after the Executive Session.
CITIZENS, COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Deb Long asked if someone volunteered to donate pumpkins to neighborhood kids, would they require permission or a permit. Police Chief Jeff Doran explained they would not.
Mayor Chris Lain wants to make everyone aware signature packets for Council elections will be available at the end of September.
Pat Sanchez wanted to notify the Council he and the Mayor had called Mr. Singh regarding the denial of his TIF applications. He stated Mr. Singh took the news well and appeared to be moving forward with the purchase of the two businesses.
Mayor Chris Lain stated Elkay notified him there is an immediate need for 30 people, 14 immediately in Lanark, and will be hiring 50 more after the first of the year.
Jeff Griswold had two people complain about the music on Main Street. Mayor Chris Lain stated the bands do bring their equipment, and he will ask Jerry to monitor the noise level better. Police Chief Jeff Doran asked the people to call the police department to complain if it gets too loud.
Pat Sanchez wanted the TIF Committee to know he will be calling a meeting for next week.
Public Works Superintendent John Lindeman also shared that City Attorney Phil Jensen has been in contact with Orville Hessellbacker and he will be signing over the deed for the house on Portland Avenue that sustained damage from a fire in order for it to be torn down.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: 5ILCS 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: Jeff Griswold motioned to move to Executive Session at 8:48 P.M., seconded by Pat Sanchez. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
NEW BUSINESS:
Possible Action on Executive Session: Upon returning to Open Session, Jeff Griswold motioned to approve the offer and hiring of a Class A Operator for the Sewer Treatment Plant at a rate of $60,008.00 and three weeks of vacation, seconded by Jim Friedenbach. 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.
ADJOURNMENT:
With nothing further, Mayor Chris Lain made a motion to adjourn at 9:38 P.M.
https://www.savanna-il.us/meetingagendas/20200908council.pdf
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