City of Savanna City Council met Sept. 22.
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 a quorum with members in attendance Mayor Chris Lain, Jim Friedenbach, Jocelyn Boyd, Jeff Griswold, Nick Law, Deb Long, Roger Husband, and Pat Sanchez. Sara Purdom was absent. 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, Steve Haring with MSA, and City Clerk Rhonda Weiss.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Mayor Chris Lain asked to add to the Agenda under New Business the House on Portland Avenue and Possible Action. After review, Pat Sanchez motioned to approve the Agenda with the addition, seconded by Deb Long. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Consideration of the Minutes of the September 8, 2020 Regular Meeting: Pat Sanchez motioned to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes from September 8, 2020, seconded by Jocelyn Boyd. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
ITEP Streetscape Committee, 09/09/20: Mayor Chris Lain updated the Council on this meeting.
This was the first meeting of this Committee; MSA gave an overview of what things can be done with the Grant Savanna can apply for. An actual plan will be drawn up to get a better idea of costs.
Roger Husband pointed out the initial costs for ideas presented by MSA were around $6 million, with the grant in question being $2 million. Nick Law motioned to approve the ITEP Streetscape Committee report, seconded by Roger Husband. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Tax Increment Financing Committee, 09/17/20: Pat Sanchez reported on the meeting. Six applications were discussed and possible payouts with approved TIF expenses. One was the Savanna Times Theater. This application is the first step in several renovations. Roger Husband questioned the appropriateness of a 50% refund as a precedence for the future. The Committee was unanimous in approval. Jim Friedenbach agreed with the size of the refund being relatively small, spacing it out over a period didn’t make sense; one payment was a better idea.
Savanna Times Theater, 222 Main Street, Lars & Kathy Colgan-TIF Evaluation: Pat Sanchez motioned to approve a one-time payment at 50% repayment which equals $1,537.50, seconded by Jim Friedenbach. Roll Call Vote Aye: Pat Sanchez, Jocelyn Boyd, Deb Long, Jim Friedenbach, Jeff Griswold, and Nick Law. Nay: Roger Husband. Motion passed.
Pat Sanchez shared with the Council regarding 407 Main Street, Candy Rush. The Committee agreed to a 30% refund over five years for a total of $25,115 or $5,023.00 per year from total costs of $83,727.00.
The Committee also agreed to pay a refund to West Carroll School District for repairs to the sidewalk at the primary school at a total of $18,100 in a one-time payment. These two items will be voted on by Council later.
Nick Law motioned to approve the Tax Increment Financing Committee Report, seconded by Roger Husband. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
TIF Joint Review Board, 09/22/20: Pat Sanchez reported on the meeting held this morning. All account applications were reviewed. Pat Sanchez reviewed his spreadsheet regarding past & future payouts and deposits, as well as the Wacker Road loan payment for the next ten years. He also reviewed the status of TIF #1 & #2. Highland Community College and Savanna Township attended as taxing bodies. Jim Friedenbach motioned to approve the TIF Joint Review Board report, seconded by Jocelyn Boyd. 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 with a handout from MSA regarding all projects under their review. Jeff Griswold asked about the problems found during the sewer smoke test. John Lindeman stated there were several problems located for future correction. Roger Husband motioned to approve the update, seconded by Jeff Griswold. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
NEW BUSINESS:
Tree Removal Request, Kathy Mulholland: Kathy Mulholland requests removing three trees from her yard between the sidewalk and curb. Public Works Superintendent John Lindeman has reviewed the trees, but there are other trees and sidewalks in worse shape in town to use City funds for removal with the storm that recently went through town. He asked that the Council consider giving her permission to remove at her own cost if she doesn’t want to wait until the next budget year to use City Funds. After further discussion, Pat Sanchez motioned to leave until the next budget year, but give the homeowner permission to remove at her cost if she chooses, seconded by Nick Law. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Addition, House on Portland Avenue and Possible Action: Mayor Chris Lain asked City Attorney Phil Jensen about the property on Portland Avenue. City Attorney Phil Jensen stated he had received the deed for the property and Public Works Superintendent John Lindeman will be moving forward with demolition. Mayor Chris Lain requested the Council approve Public Works Superintendent John Lindeman proceed without bids and assign based on estimates already received. That will expedite the process with the proximity of children and animals in the neighborhood. After further discussion, Pat Sanchez motioned to approve the fast-tracking of the demolition of 1722 Portland Avenue, seconded by Nick Law. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
CITIZENS, COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Pat Sanchez applauded Police Chief Jeff Doran regarding the quick response to the drive-by shooting on Main Street.
Comptroller/Treasurer Brittany Hatteberg wanted everyone to know election packets are ready for pick up in the office.
Public Works Superintendent John Lindeman stated the Public Works would be removing the boat docks in the next couple of weeks and October 1st will begin fall hydrant flushing.
Nick Law would like the Council to be aware of a home on Michigan Street with a tarp on the roof that needs to be brought to the top of next year’s teardown list.
Mayor Chris Lain reported the City has received one check already from the Local Cures Act for COVID purchases with two more requests approved but checks not received yet. He also contacted the Census Office regarding local participation. The website only shows a 60% response for our area, reflecting respondents who have self-reported online. The actual respondents with door-to-door included are much higher at a 95% response rate.
Mayor Chris Lain is also looking for direction regarding Halloween Trick or Treating hours. Does the Council prefer 5-7 or 6-8 for the time? The consensus was 5-7, so a resolution will be ready for the next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT:
With nothing further, Mayor Chris Lain made a motion to adjourn at 8:12 P.M.
https://www.savanna-il.us/meetingagendas/20200922councilminutes.pdf
Alerts Sign-up