City of Rochelle City Council met June 28.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The Rochelle City Council met in Regular Session at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 28, 2021, in the Council Chambers of City Hall; 420 N. 6th Street; Rochelle, IL 61068.
PLEDGE TO THE FLAG & PRAYER: The pledge said by Mayor Bearrows and prayer said by Pastor Forsberg.
ROLL CALL: On March 16th, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Pritzker suspended the in-person attendance requirement for public meetings allowing public bodies to conduct meetings electronically without having to comply with the physical quorum requirements or the conditions for participating electronically in a meeting. On March 31st Governor Pritzker extended the order until April 30th. On May 29th Governor Pritzker extended the order until June 27th. On June 26th Governor Pritzker extended the order through July 25th. On July 24th Governor Pritzker extended the order through August 22nd. On August 21st Governor Pritzker extended the order through September 19, 2020. On September 18th Governor Pritzker extended the order through October 17, 2020. On October 16th Governor Pritzker extended the order through November 14th. On November 13th Governor Pritzker extended the order through December 12th. On December 11th Governor Pritzker extended the order through January 9th. On January 8th Governor Pritzker extended the order through February 6th. On February 5th Governor Pritzker extended the order through March 6th. On March 5th Governor Pritzker extended the order through April 3rd. On April 2nd Governor Pritzker extended the order through May 1st. On April 30th Governor Pritzker extended the order through May 29th. On May 28th Governor Pritzker extended the order through June 26, 2021. On June 25th Governor Pritzker extended the order through July 24, 2021. Present on Roll Call were Councilmembers Arteaga, Gruben, Hayes, D. McDermott, T. McDermott, Shaw-Dickey, and Mayor Bearrows. Absent: None. A quorum of seven was present. City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh and City Clerk Sue Messer were also present.
PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS, ETC: None.
REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS:
∙ Mayor’s Report – Reminder of 4th of July Festivities, July 3rd Flight Deck celebration and the 4th of July celebration parade leading towards Atwood Park.
o Appointment of Members to Boards and Commissions. Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott and seconded Councilor T. McDermott, “I move the council approve the Mayor’s appointments to the Planning & Zoning Commission, the Police and Fire Commission, the Stormwater Advisory Commission, the Golf Course Advisory Board and the Trucking Advisory Committee for terms beginning July 1, 2021.” Roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Arteaga, Gruben, Hayes, D. McDermott, T. McDermott, Shaw-Dickey and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.
∙ Council Members – Councilman Hayes reminds all how random fireworks fired in the neighborhoods affects people and their pets, it is important to be responsible.
∙ Good News- Master of Public Administration Degrees with Honors Jennifer Thompson.
PUBLIC COMMENTARY: None.
BUSINESS ITEMS:
1) CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS BY OMNIBUS VOTE with Recommendations:
1) Approve Minutes of City Council Meeting 6/14/21
2) Accept and Place on File Minutes of Trucking Advisory Committee - 03/10/21
3) Approve Exceptions 06/08/21-06/14/21, 6/15/21-06/21/21
4) Approve Payroll 05/31/21-06/13/21
5) Accept and Place on File Financial Statement - May 2021
Motion made by Councilor T. McDermott and seconded by Councilor D. McDermott, “I move consent agenda items (1) through (5) be approved by Omnibus vote as recommended.” Roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Arteaga, Gruben, Hayes, D. McDermott, T. McDermott, Shaw-Dickey and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.
2) Resolution Approving a Purchase and Sale Agreement and Financing for the Purchase of 1030 South 7th Street. City Staff has entered into negotiations with Leo Johnson, owner of 1030 S. 7th Street, Rochelle, Illinois (commonly known as the Johnson Tractor property). The property and the buildings on the property will be utilized by the City and the RMU for the storage of equipment and supplies. The offices will also be utilized by City and RMU staff and will consolidate these operations to a fewer number of buildings for City and RMU operation. The appraised price is $1.255 million. The purchase will be funded with a loan from Holcomb Bank and will be paid back for a period of no more than five years. The repayment of the loan will be shared amongst the various utilities using this property. Jeff Fiegenschuh was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor T. McDermott and seconded by Councilor Arteaga, “I move Resolution R21-26, a Resolution Approving a Purchase and Sale Agreement and Financing for the Purchase of 1030 South 7th Street, be approved.” Roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Arteaga, Gruben, Hayes, D. McDermott, T. McDermott, Shaw-Dickey and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.
3) Ordinance Approving a Purchase and Sale Agreement and Financing for the Purchase of Land from GREDCO for Rail Expansion. In order to secure future rail development, GREDCO purchased, in 2003, a 100 ft strip of land adjacent to the BNSF main which stretched for nearly 4 miles. Sections of this strip of rail right of way have been purchased by the City over the past 18 years as the need for rail service grew with rail served industries being developed in the Southeast Industrial Corridor. The last piece of the 100 ft strip to be acquired is at the southern end of the rail r-o-w and is comprised of 18.85 acres. As demand for rail service continues to increase on the CIR and the need to have rail extended to facilitate the placement of a new BNSF Interchange, it is necessary for the City to own this piece of rail right of way. If the purchase is approved, payments on the land would not commence until 3Q 2022 so the City might use the purchase of the rail right of way as part of the grant funding match the City will need next year to fund the next rail expansion. The purchase price is set at $35,000,00/acre which would be a total of $659,750. GREDCO is offering a four-year payment plan @ 0% interest. Annual payment would be $164,937.50 which will be due one year from the date of the purchase agreement. Economic Director Jason Anderson was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor Gruben and seconded by Councilor Arteaga, “I move Ordinance 21-5259, an Ordinance Approving a Purchase and Sale Agreement and Financing for the Purchase of Land from GREDCO for Rail Expansion, be approved.” Roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Arteaga, Gruben, Hayes, D. McDermott, T. McDermott, Shaw-Dickey and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.
DISCUSSISION ITEM: City of Rochelle Citizens Academy. Would you like to learn about your local government? Would you like to know more about the services the City provides? Do you wonder where your tax dollars are spent? If you answered yes to any of these questions, the inaugural City of Rochelle Citizens Academy is for you. This program offers the opportunity to learn about the City, the services delivered that impact your quality of life and staff’s commitment to serving the community. Sue Messer gave a presentation to Council.
ADJOURNMENT: At 7:07 PM, moved by Councilor Hayes and seconded by Councilor Arteaga, “I move the Council adjourn.” Roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Arteaga, Gruben, Hayes, D. McDermott, T. McDermott, Shaw-Dickey and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.
https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/rochelleil-pubu/MEET-Minutes-bbe1c5cba7424e5cb0392a559ed285a3.pdf
Alerts Sign-up