City of Savanna City Council met Oct. 13.
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, Jocelyn Boyd, Jeff Griswold, Nick Law, Deb Long, Sara Purdom, Roger Husband, and Pat Sanchez. Jim Friedenbach 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, Colton Ostrum, Andrea Rumler with Winkel, Parker, & Foster, Joseph Barile, Cassie Wurster with Savanna Chamber of Commerce, and City Clerk Rhonda Weiss.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
After review, Sara Purdom motioned to approve the agenda, seconded by Jocelyn Boyd. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Consideration of the Minutes of the September 22, 2020 Regular Meeting: Pat Sanchez motioned to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes from September 22, 2020, seconded by Deb Long. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Hotel/Motel Committee, 10/07/20: Sara Purdom updated the Council on the meeting. The Facebook page had 502 new likes and a reach of 36,000 people. Mayor Chris Lain talked about the visit from Jay Jones, a Chicago Tribune travel reporter's visit over the weekend, to be published in April 2021. The full-page article is going to focus exclusively on Savanna as an alternative to Galena. Cassie Wurster with the Savanna Chamber of Commerce added the Christmas Walk had surveyed participation. Pat Sanchez motioned to approve the Hotel/Motel Committee report, seconded by Jocelyn Boyd. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Water/Sewer/Refuse/Street and Alley, 10-07-20: Pat Sanchez updated the Council on the meeting. MSA & Public Works Superintendent John Lindeman stated they want to monitor the Wacker Road project due to possible concrete issues. The refuse contract with Moring expires April 2021 and will be put out to bid to allow competing companies a chance to bid to get the lowest possible costs and best services. The Committee also looked at a request from a citizen on Diagonal Street to place a stop sign at the corner of 5th & Diagonal Streets to slow traffic around that curve. After further discussion, the Council is recommending further investigation by Ward 2 Aldermen. The GIS Development and Implementation input is moving forward. The sanitary sewer smoke tests were conducted and issues are being addressed. Roger Husband motioned to approve the Water/Sewer/Refuse/Street and Alley Committee report, seconded by Sara Purdom. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Finance Committee, 10-13-20: Pat Sanchez reported on the meeting held this morning. On the Accounts Receivable Report the committee agreed to transfer one invoice to inactive status.
Partial Reimbursement of Demolition Expenses, Robert Smithburg, 15 Park St: The Committee recommends the reimbursement of $2,150.00 to follow the City Code stating 50% of the lowest bid up to $2,500.00. The lowest demolition bid was $4,300.00. Pat Sanchez motioned to approve the Partial Reimbursement of Demolition Costs not to exceed $2,150.00 to Robert Smithburg at 15 Park Street, seconded by Roger Husband. Roll Call Vote Aye: Sara Purdom, Jocelyn Boyd, Jeff Griswold, Pat Sanchez, Nick Law, Deb Long, and Roger Husband. Nay: none. Motion passed.
Fire Department, Brush Truck: Fire Chief Scott Wolfe and the Fire Association is requesting the City of Savanna obtain a loan to replace a 1995 brush truck with the Fire Association assuming responsibility for all payments with the Foreign Fire Tax Fund. This is a nonbudgeted item but will not be part of the City's Budget figures since the Fire Association assumes payment responsibility. The Committee directed Comptroller/Treasurer Brittany Hatteberg and Fire Chief Scott Wolfe to get more information and quotes.
Jocelyn Boyd motioned to approve the Finance Committee report, seconded by Nick Law. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
ITEP Streetscape Committee, 10-13-20: Mayor Chris Lain updated the Council on the second meeting of the committee. The Committee has decided to move forward with the design to be completed in phases. The first phase includes a plaza on the west side of Jefferson Street and the 200 and 300 blocks of Main Street. There will be a Public Information Meeting on October 22, 2020 from 5–6:30 P.M. at the Fire Station.
Nick Law motioned to approve the ITEP Streetscape Committee report, seconded by Sara Purdom. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
WARRANT #6: Bills for the Month of September Totaling $302,901.06: After a brief review, Pat Sanchez motioned to approve Warrant #6 in the amount of $302,901.06, seconded by Sara Purdom. Roll Call Vote Aye: Jocelyn Boyd, Jeff Griswold, Pat Sanchez, Sara Purdom, Deb Long, Roger Husband, and Nick Law. Nay: none. Motion passed.
COMMUNICATIONS: Winkel, Parker, & Foster, CPA-PC, Presentation of Fiscal Year 2019/2020 Audit:
Andrea Rumler with Winkel, Parker & Foster reviewed with the Council the current audit, with no significant findings. She stated the one finding Comptroller/Treasurer Brittany Hatteberg was unaware a signature was needed on all journal vouchers by the Finance Committee chairperson, this has not come up on past audits. Jeff Griswold asked if there was a way to segregate the duties which is a finding every year. Andrea Rumbler with Winkel, Parker & Foster stated hiring more staff would help with this however the council has always opted to save on personnel. Pat Sanchez motioned to approve the Presentation of Fiscal Year 2019/2020 Audit report, seconded by Nick Law. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Monthly Reports: Financial, Police, Fire, and Public Works for September 2020: After a brief review, Roger Husband motioned to approve the Financial, Police, Fire, and Public Works for September 2020 Reports, seconded by Sara Purdom. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None for review.
NEW BUSINESS:
Project Update, MSA: Public Works Superintendent John Lindeman updated the Council on the Wacker Road Project. There is a potential for problems with the concrete and they are looking at getting an additional bod to cover possible issues. GIS development is moving forward with MSA and should be completed by spring. The Sanitary Sewer testing is done and looking at issues pointed out in the report and corrections. Pat Sanchez motioned to approve the Project Update, MSA, seconded by Jocelyn Boyd. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Resolution, Halloween Festivities: After a brief discussion, Mayor Chris Lain read the Resolution with trick or treating hours on October 31, 2020, from 5–7 P.M., with no parade due to COVID restrictions this year. Pat Sanchez motioned to approve Resolution #1206, Halloween Festivities, seconded by Sara Purdom. Roll Call Vote Aye: Jocelyn Boyd, Jeff Griswold, Pat Sanchez, Nick Law, Deb Long, Roger Husband, and Sara Purdom. Nay: none. Motion passed.
Resolution, Authorize the Reimbursement of Redevelopment Project Costs to CUSD #314: After a brief review, Pat Sanchez motioned to approve Resolution #1207 for Reimbursement of Redevelopment Project Costs to CUSD #314, seconded by Nick Law. Roll Call Vote Aye: Jocelyn Boyd, Jeff Griswold, Pat Sanchez, Nick Law, Deb Long, Roger Husband, and Sara Purdom. Nay: none. Motion passed.
Ordinance of the City of Savanna, Carroll County, Illinois, Approving a Redevelopment Agreement By and Between the City of Savanna, Carroll County, Illinois, and 407 Main Street LLC: Pat Sanchez reminded the Council of the agreement already agreed upon. The Committee recommended, and the Full Council agreed to a 30% reimbursement of the building purchase and remodeling costs, pending receipt verification, for a total of $25,118.00 over five years at $5,023.00. Joe Barile understood this to be a lumpsum payment and at least 50%, if not 100%. He is questioning why it's not stated in the paperwork that the reimbursement is made over a few or several years. He says he was not made aware of that fact and thinks it should be more clearly stated. Deb Long stated she feels it's in the City's best interest to pay it out over time to protect the City and it is the Council that makes the final decision based on the recommendation by the TIF Committee. Jeff Griswold asked if West Carroll School lumpsum was the only time it's ever been done. Pat Sanchez replied that the school is a taxing body and we are just refunding some of the money they forfeited by agreeing to the TIF district. Nick Law questioned the amount of income the business is generating. Pat Sanchez stated these funds are based on property tax increases, not income tax based. Joe Barile is looking at expanding hours and product lines to expand business and hopes to open another business in town. After further discussion, Nick Law motioned to return to the TIF Committee for further review, seconded by Jeff Griswold. Roll Call Vote Aye: Nick Law and Jeff Griswold. Nay: Pat Sanchez, Deb Long, Roger Husband, Sara Purdom, and Jocelyn Boyd. Motion failed.
Roger Husband motioned to place the Ordinance on 1st read, seconded by Deb Long. Roll Call Vote Aye: Sara Purdom, Jocelyn Boyd, Jeff Griswold, Pat Sanchez, Deb Long, and Roger Husband. Nay: Nick Law. Motion passed.
CITIZENS, COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Public Works Superintendent John Lindeman advised the Council next week that the crew will be getting the hot mix and patching.
Roger Husband asked about the salt available for winter roads. Public Works Superintendent John Lindeman just placed his final order for last year's supply, so we should be well supplied.
Mayor Chris Lain will be partnering with the SBA on marketing and funding for small businesses in Savanna.
ADJOURNMENT:
With nothing further, Mayor Chris Lain made a motion to adjourn at 8:33 P.M.
https://www.savanna-il.us/meetingagendas/20201013council.pdf
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