City of Sterling City Council met Nov. 1.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor Lee called the Sterling City Council to order at 6:30 pm. Roll call. Present: Mayor Lee, Aldermen Retha Elston, Josh Johnson, Joe Martin, Christine Wilen, Kaitlyn Ekquist 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 (Zoom), Superintendent of Public Works Brad Schrader, Police Chief Alex Chavira, Fire Chief Michael Dettman and City Clerk Teri Sathoff.
Shirley Sharp questioned if the post she had seen on Facebook was accurate, she stated she had seen that construction was going to begin on Route 40 and Science Ridge Road. City Manager Shumard stated that, what was posted was an Illinois Department of Transportation news release and that it was accurate. Mrs. Sharp asked City Manager Shumard if he felt it was wise to start this project at this time of year and when there are so many other projects under way. Shumard stated that this was an IDOT decision and the City does not have any influence over that.
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. Proclamation for Small Business Saturday, November 27, 2021
D. Pay Request to Strand Associates Inc. for the 2020 Stormwater Projects in the amount of $37,243.75.
E. Resolution No. R2021-11-21 providing for the abatement of general real property taxes for General Obligation Refunding Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2012. F. Resolution No. R2021-11-22 providing for the abatement of general real property taxes for General Obligation Refunding Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2017. G. Resolution No. R2021-11-23 providing for the abatement of general real property taxes for General Obligation Refunding (ARS) Bonds, Series 2020A.
H. Resolution No. R2021-11-24 providing for the abatement of general real property taxes for General Obligation (ARS) Bonds, Series 2020B.
I. Resolution No. R2021-11-25 providing for the abatement of general real property taxes for General Obligation Refunding (ARS) Bonds, Series 2020C.
J. Resolution No. R2021-11-26 providing for the abatement of general real property taxes for Taxable General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2021A. K. Resolution No. R2021-11-27 providing for the abatement of general real property taxes for General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2021B.
Motion seconded by Alderman Wilen. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Elston, Martin, Johnson, Ekquist, Wilen and Wise. Nayes – None. Motion carried.
Mayor Lee presented the Executive Director of Sterling Main Street, Janna Groharing, with the proclamation for Small Business Saturday.
Alderman Elston made a motion to approve Mayor Lee's Appointment of Carol Corwell to the Plan Commission; seconded by Alderman Martin. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Elston, Martin, Wilen, Johnson, Ekquist and Wise. Nayes – None. Motion carried.
Mike Chambers with NCL Service Line Warranty Program by Home Serve gave a presentation to the City Council about the services his company provides. Mr. Chambers advised the Council that infrastructure is getting older and is not receiving any attention unless there is an issue. NCL offers residents protection for external waster lines, sewer lines, and in-home coverage at a low monthly rate. There are no deductibles, inspections, fees and cap on the payout. NCL uses local licensed plumbers for repairs. NCL does not solicit door to door nor do they make phone calls. They will send out city reviewed letters twice a year. They currently have 1,000 communities participating and they have a 98% satisfaction rate.
Alderman Wise asked if this program would cover the cost of voluntary replacement of lead lines, Mr. Chambers stated that this will not cover any voluntary expense it will only cover if there is an issue with a broke or leaking pipe. Alderman Ekquist asked if there was a waiting period before a claim can be processed, the waiting period is 30 days. Alderman Wilen inquired about the length of time between City approval and the launch of the program, that period would be sixty days. Superintendent of Public Works Brad Schrader asked if the resident could use a plumber of choice, Mr. Chambers stated they could as long as they are an “in network” plumber.
Alderman Ekquist made a motion to award the bid to CPS Construction for removal of the structure at 1802 East 3rd Street in the amount of $8,700; seconded by Alderman Wise. Alderman Martin questioned if the City has used CPS in the past and why there is a large difference in the bid amounts. Superintendent of Building and Zoning Amanda Schmidt stated the City has used CPS in the past and they are historically low in their bids. Alderman Wilen asked if this would be a conforming buildable lot, Schmidt stated yes and that it will be available for sale. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Elston, Martin, Wilen, Johnson, Ekquist and Wise. Nayes – None. Motion carried.
Alderman Wise made a motion to waive the bid process and approve the purchase of splash pad fixtures in the amount of $65,413; seconded by Alderman Elston. City Manager Shumard stated that this is a small 35’ pad with LED lights and a foot actuator. There is a timer and the pad can be shut off during the band concerts and memorial services.
Alderman Johnson asked when this will be completed, Shumard advised that the concrete work will be done in the spring and they have to consider new benches. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Elston, Martin, Wilen, Johnson, Ekquist and Wise. Nayes – None. Motion carried.
Alderman Elston made a motion to approve Ordinance 2021-11-28 declaring the Water Treatment boat as Surplus City property; seconded by Alderman Martin. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Elston, Martin, Wilen, Johnson, Ekquist and Wise. Nayes – None. Motion carried.
Alderman Wise made a motion to approve the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council; seconded by Alderman Wilen. City Manager Shumard stated that this contract creates competitive entry level wages. Chief Chavira thanked Detective Maggie Ellmaker, it was a smooth negotiating process. Alderman Wise thanked the staff for negotiating a contract without issues. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Elston, Martin, Wilen, Johnson, Ekquist and Wise. Nayes – None. Motion carried.
Chief Chavira thanked the staff and public for the great turnout for the Trunk or Treat. Chief reminded everyone that the last day for police officer applications to be turned in is November 5, 2021.
Superintendent of Public Works Brad Schrader reported that blacktopping driveways will begin on 4th and 5th Avenues. Schrader also advised that the concrete is being done on 1st Avenue at 5th and 6th Street, and Illinois American Water is working to get the valves adjusted. Schrader also reported that the north lane on Route 2 at Grandon will be done the end of the week.
Superintendent of Building and Zoning Amanda Schmidt stated the last days for yard waste pick up will be November 29th through December 3rd and Christmas trees will be picked up the first two weeks in January.
City Manager Shumard stated with the results of the census, changes will need to be made to the ward boundaries to even them out. There are two options for the ward boundaries. Option one, the City can adjust all of the wards. Option two the City could just adjust the boundaries for wards three and four. Attorney Zollinger stated this has to be in place prior to the next municipal elections, this should be done in December of this year.
Alderman Wilen stated she had some road issues in her ward and Superintendent of Public Works, Brad Schrader was able to assist with those and she thanked him for his assistance.
Alderman Elston asked about the trash pick up in the alley between the businesses on East Lincolnway and Sanborn Street. She is concerned that the City can’t seem to get compliance with the waste removal company.
Alderman Wise asked if there would be an ordinance changing 1st Avenue to a one-way street. Attorney Zollinger will develop an ordinance for that. Alderman Wise also stated we need to consider putting in signs reminding motorists to look both directions at the cross streets. At 7:28pm Alderman Elston made a motion to adjourn to executive session Pursuant to 5ILCS 120/2.06 to review closed session minutes; seconded by Alderman Ekquist. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Elston, Martin, Wilen, Johnson, Ekquist and Wise. Nayes – None. Motion carried.
At 7:38 Alderman Wise made a motion to return to open session; seconded by Alderman Martin. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Elston, Martin, Wilen, Johnson, Ekquist and Wise. Nayes – None. Motion carried.
Alderman Wilen made a motion to continue to keep the executive sessions minutes closed after reviewing them in executive session; seconded by Alderman Wise. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Elston, Martin, Wilen, Johnson, Ekquist and Wise. Nayes – None. Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm.
https://www.sterling-il.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11012021-196
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