City of Sterling City Council met Nov. 2
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor Charles L. “Skip” Lee called a virtual meeting of the Sterling City Council to order at 6:30 pm. Roll call. Present: Aldermen Retha Elston, Josh Johnson, Joe Martin, John Stauter, Christine Wilen and Jim Wise. Absent: None.
Also attending were City Attorney Tim Zollinger, City Manager Scott Shumard, Finance Director Cindy Von Holten, Superintendent of Building and Zoning Amanda Schmidt, Police Chief Alex Chavira, Interim Fire Chief Mike Dettman, Superintendent of Public Works Brad Schrader and City Clerk Teri Sathoff.
Mayor Lee, City Manager Shumard, Police Chief Chavira and City Clerk Sathoff were present in the council chambers, everyone else attended via Zoom. The meeting was recorded and will be kept on the city hard drive. All members in attendance could hear the other members in attendance.
Alderman Elston made a motion to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda:
A. Approval of Minutes.
B. Approval of Bills and Payroll.
C. Petition from Home of Hope Rock River Valley to hold a bucket brigade on November 7, 2020.
D. Petition from Sterling-Rock Falls Jaycees to hold a bucket brigade on December 5, 2020.
E. Resolution No. R2020-11-25 providing for the abatement of general real property taxes for General Obligation Refunding Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2010A (Recovery Zone Facility Bonds).
F. Resolution No. R2020-11-26 providing for the abatement of general real property taxes for Taxable General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2010D (Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds – Direct Payment).
G. Resolution No. R2020-11-27 providing for the abatement of general real property taxes for General Obligation Refunding Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2012.
H. Resolution No. R2020-11-28 providing for the abatement of general real property taxes for General Obligation Refunding Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2017.
I. Resolution No. R2020-11-29 providing for the abatement of general real property taxes for General Obligation Refunding (ARS) Bonds, Series 2020A.
J. Resolution No. R2020-11-30 providing for the abatement of general real property taxes for General Obligation Refunding (ARS) Bonds, Series 2020C.
K. Resolution No. R2020-11-31 providing for the abatement of general real property taxes for General Obligation (ARS) Bonds, Series 2020B.
L. Proclamation for Small Business Saturday, November 28, 2020.
Motion seconded by Alderman Martin. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Elston, Johnson, Stauter, Wilen, Martin and Wise. Nayes – None.
Mayor Lee reiterated the importance of the Proclamation for Small Business Saturday on November 28, 2020. Small businesses are more important than ever.
Interim Fire Chief Dettman introduced Dave Northcutt as the new Administrative Assistant for the Fire Department.
Superintendent of Building and Zoning Amanda Schmidt introduced Matt Reglin as the new Administrative Assistant for the Code Enforcement, Building and Zoning Department.
Alderman Elston made a motion to refer to Plan Commission the Whiteside County petition from Sand & Sea, LLC to rezone 25460 Deer Run Sterling, IL; seconded by Alderman Johnson. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Elston, Johnson, Martin, Stauter, Wilen and Wise. Nayes – None. Motion carried.
Alderman Elston made a motion to refer to the Plan Commission for a Public Hearing, a Petition from Loos 1052 LLC requesting a special use permit; seconded by Alderman Martin. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Elston, Johnson, Martin, Stauter, Wilen and Wise. Nayes – None. Motion carried.
Mayor Lee opened up a discussion in reference to the current number of liquor licenses. It is the recommendation of the Liquor Commission to maintain the current number of liquor licenses. All future liquor license requests will be presented to the Liquor Commission. The Liquor Commission will look at each application, make a determination based on the comprehensive plan and the economic development of the city. The Council has substantial discretion to make decisions. Recommendations by the Commission will be sent to the Council for a final decision. Alderman Stauter stated he is comfortable with the Liquor Commission looking into each application and making recommendations to the Council, he feels the Commission has been doing a great job. Alderman Johnson wanted to know if this was being done to control the businesses in the downtown area, Mayor Lee said this is broader than the downtown area and we want to make sure new businesses with liquor licenses fit into the economic development of the city.
City Manager Shumard updated the council on the following items.
∙ Johnson Avenue was paved over the weekend and should be open soon.
∙ There is a progress meeting scheduled for this week on Wallace Street, it will be bid out this year to start in the spring.
∙ The ITEP Grant Application was submitted on time for the 2nd Street bike lane project.
∙ Brinks Circle is scheduled to be completed by Thanksgiving.
∙ The sign bases have been installed at the Avenue G and 3rd Street green space. We received one sign bid and we are waiting on the second bid.
∙ The interviews for Fire Chief are being held on Friday November 6th.
Alderman Stauter welcomed Brad Schrader back
Alderman Martin questioned the last day for yard waste pick up, December 4th. Alderman Martin also complimented the Mayor for the news conference that was held in reference to the rising number of COVID-19 patients. There is a question of who to call to report violations to, the Whiteside County Health Department should be notified.
Alderman Elston asked it the Sauk Valley Chamber of Commerce/Sterling Main Street meeting is still scheduled. City Manager Shumard indicated that the meeting is scheduled for Monday November 9th at 6:30pm via Zoom. Alderman Elston also reminded everyone to vote Tuesday November 3, 2020.
Mayor Lee thanked CGH and Heather Sotelo for setting up the press conference focusing on the rise in COVID-19 numbers. These cases are not isolated.
The meeting adjourned at 7:03 pm.
http://www.sterling-il.gov/docs/meetings/minutes/cc110220.pdf
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