City of Savanna City Council met Nov. 9.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Pro-Tem Pat Sanchez called the meeting to order on the said date at 7:05 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 Pro-Tem Pat Sanchez led the Council in the pledge of allegiance.
ROLL CALL/ESTABLISH QUORUM:
Mayor Pro-Tem Pat Sanchez declared the establishment of a quorum with members in attendance Mayor Pro-Tem Pat Sanchez, Jocelyn Boyd, Nick Law, Jim Friedenbach, Peter King, Jeff Griswold, Tevan Hartman, Debbie Long, and Mayor Chris Lain was absent. Non-members in attendance Police Chief Jeff Doran, Comptroller/Treasurer Brittany Hatteberg, City Attorney Phil Jensen, Fire Chief Scott Wolfe, Jared Fluhr with MSA, News Media: Mike Nester and Michael Miller, and City Clerk Betsy Kinder was absent.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
After review, Jocelyn Boyd motioned to approve the agenda, seconded by Nick Law. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Consideration of the Minutes of the October 26, 2021 Regular Meeting: After a brief review, Jocelyn Boyd motioned to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes from October 26, 2021, seconded by Tevan Hartman. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
TIF Committee, 10-20-21:
Baggers, TIF Evaluation: This item was tabled from the previous council meeting in order for the council to see the TIF Evaluation sheet. Pat Sanchez stated the recommendation from committee was for 30% over 10 years at $3,000 per year for a total of $30,000 based on estimated costs at $100,000. Pat Sanchez also wanted to note, a vote was not taken at the TIF Committee meeting due to a member not being present and he has to abstain. Jeff Griswold questioned the totals on the TIF Evaluation sheet not adding up correctly and if it should be $135,000 for total project costs or $100,000 which is on the sheet. Pat Sanchez stated he believes the acquisition numbers used on the evaluation sheet was incorrect, however Mayor Chris Lain isn’t on the meeting to clarify since he did the worksheet. Pat Sanchez says what gets turned in ultimately decides what gets reimbursed and this is just projected figures and if they submit anything over the $100,000 it is capped and wouldn’t be considered. Jim Friedenbach asked how much of the project we know about, Pat Sanchez stated a lot of the application was not filled out in its entirety and left blank. Peter King asked if this included the apartments upstairs, Pat Sanchez clarified this was only for the business downstairs. Pat Sanchez stated they could request further TIF assistance for the apartments upstairs however it would be a new request and application would need to be submitted. Jim Friedenbach stated the acquisition costs according to the County Assessor were for $25,000 however the sheet says it was for $60,000. Pat Sanchez says that was the number he originally was given and along with remodel costs of $75,000 that gives us $100,000 for the total project. After a brief discussion, Debbie Long motioned to recommend 30% Reimbursement over 10 Years at $3,000 per year for a total of $30,000, seconded by Jocelyn Boyd. Roll Call Vote Aye: Jocelyn Boyd, Nick Law, and Debbie Long. Nay: Jim Friedenbach, Peter King, Jeff Griswold, and Tevan Hartman. Abstain: Pat Sanchez. Mayor Pro-Tem Pat Sanchez stated the motion did not carry and he would entertain another motion at this time. Following further discussion, Peter King motioned to send back to the TIF Committee to get more information on their application, seconded by Nick Law. Roll Call Vote Aye: Nick Law, Jim Friedenbach, Peter King, Jeff Griswold, Tevan Hartman, and Jocelyn Boyd. Nay: Debbie Long. Abstain: Pat Sanchez. Motion passed.
Hotel/Motel Committee, 11-03-21: Jocelyn Boyd said there is one unlicensed bnb and Mayor Chris Lain is working with AirBNB to get it removed from their website, no response was received from the owner telling them they needed to obtain a license. A few letters were being sent regarding late payments for hotel/motel tax. Jocelyn Boyd stated James Bratta submitted a letter for the Roadhouse saying he was shutting it down and said he didn’t plan on paying any back taxes. Jocelyn Boyd said since the guests paid the taxes there should be no reason why he can’t pay the taxes to the city. City Attorney Phil Jensen asked in the IL Department of Revenue ever pursued back taxes, Jocelyn Boyd stated she was unsure if he paid state taxes and that this was for the city taxes. City Attorney Phil Jensen stated a claim could be filed in small claims to try and collect if there are any assets. Diane Bausman stated at the meeting tourism information was provided for the state and Carroll County was up 11.8%. Savanna was announced as number 1 for USA Today’s Top 10 Poll for Small Towns with Adventure. December 18th is the Lighted Christmas Parade starting at 4 P.M., December 11th is the Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl Starting at 2 P.M., and March 19th is the St. Patty’s Day Bar Crawl. After a brief discussion, Tevan Hartman motioned to approve the Hotel/Motel Committee Report, seconded by Jeff Griswold. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Finance Committee, 11-09-21: Chairman Pat Sanchez gave the Finance Committee report. Pat Sanchez reported nothing was outstanding on the Accounts Receivable Report, a few payments came out for the road project which was noted on the 5 year report, and 2 truck payments were paid on the warrant.
End of Year Bonus: At the Finance Committee meeting held earlier that day discussion was had on the End of Year Bonus. It was recommended from committee to approve the End of Year Bonus as Follows: Fire Chief Scott Wolfe, Police Chief Jeff Doran, and Comptroller/Treasurer Brittany Hatteberg each receive $250.00. Public Works Superintendent Brent Corey would not receive an End of Year Bonus due to him starting at the end of November and the bonus is paid on the first pay check in December, which would also be his first check. For all full-time employees being employed more than 6 months, they would each receive $200.00 and for full-time employees being employed under 6 months, they would each receive $100.00. They also would like to add a stipulation that the End of Year Bonus only go to employees that are in good standing. Peter King asked what was meant by being in good standing. Tevan Hartman stated the good standing stipulation was referred as employees that have not given notice of resignation. Comptroller/Treasurer Brittany Hatteberg confirmed this was correct. Jeff Griswold asked if this was the same as last year, Mayor Pro-Tem Pat Sanchez stated this was the same and there were no increases. After a brief discussion, Mayor Pro-Tem Pat Sanchez motioned to approve the End of Year Bonus as outlined above, seconded by Jocelyn Boyd. Roll Call Vote Aye: Jim Friedenbach, Peter King, Jeff Griswold, Tevan Hartman, Debbie Long, Pat Sanchez, Jocelyn Boyd, and Nick Law. Nay: None. Motion passed.
Discussion and Approval of Helm Civil Pay Application #3 in the Amount of $168,085.36: Jared Fluhr with MSA stated there would be one more Pay Application after this one. The change orders are outlined in the MSA Project Update, with Third Street, Keller Street, and 5th Street all came in very close to what the original estimates were. Change Order #1 is an increase of about $44,000, however Change Order #2 will be a deduction of about $140,000. Jeff Griswold asked Jared Fluhr’s opinion of the work completed on the street project, Jared Fluhr agreed Helm Civil was great to work with and minimal construction issues, he mentioned they usually have a higher bid because they have project managers on the sites overseeing the project. Jared Fluhr noted Helm Civil is competitive when its overlay however can be more expensive if there is excavation and storm sewers, etc. involved. Peter King asked how we looked with everything done and if we came in over budget or not with all the change orders. Jared Fluhr stated we came in very close to budget and we over ran on the asphalt because more was used on Keller Street which gave us better quality, we went over about 40 tons which equates to about $7,000 overall. After a brief discussion, Mayor Pro-Tem Pat Sanchez motioned to approve Helm Civil Pay Application #3 in the Amount of $168,085.36, seconded by Jocelyn Boyd. Roll Call Vote Aye: Peter King, Jeff Griswold, Tevan Hartman, Debbie Long, Pat Sanchez, Jocelyn Boyd, Nick Law, and Jim Friedenbach. Nay: None. Motion passed.
Discussion and Approval of Change Order #1, 2021 Roadway Overlays: After a brief discussion, Mayor Pro-Tem Pat Sanchez motioned to approve Change Order #1, 2021 Roadway Overlays for $44,577.79, seconded by Jeff Griswold. Roll Call Vote Aye: Jeff Griswold, Tevan Hartman, Debbie Long, Pat Sanchez, Jocelyn Boyd, Nick Law, Jim Friedenbach, and Peter King. Nay: None. Motion passed.
After no further discussion, Jocelyn Boyd motioned to approve the Finance Committee Report, seconded by Nick Law. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
WARRANT #7:
Bills for the Month of October 2021 Totaling $585,237.54: After a brief discussion, Nick Law motioned to approve Warrant #7, Bills for the Month of October 2021 Totaling $585,237.54, seconded by Jocelyn Boyd. Roll Call Vote Aye: Tevan Hartman, Debbie Long, Pat Sanchez, Jocelyn Boyd, Nick Law, Jim Friedenbach, Peter King, and Jeff Griswold. Nay: None. Motion passed.
MONTHLY REPORTS:
Financial, Police, Fire, and Public Works for October 2021: Mayor Pro-Tem Pat Sanchez stated the Public Works Report is not included due to no one being in the position yet. Following a brief review, Jocelyn Boyd motioned to approve the Financial, Police, Fire, and Public Works for October 2021, seconded by Tevan Hartman. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Project Update, MSA: Jared Fluhr with MSA stated they are working on several projects. Training sessions will be held on the GIS software.
Request of Easement, BNSF: Jeff Griswold asked since there has not been a recent update and BNSF is moving forward without using city property if this can be removed from the agenda and added back in if there is an update later on. Mayor Pro-Tem Pat Sanchez stated with Mayor Chris Lain being absent from the meeting he may have an update and would like to leave it on the agenda until Mayor Chris Lain is in attendance. This item has been tabled until the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
December 28, 2021 Council Meeting, Discussion: This meeting is typically cancelled every year due to the holidays. After discussion, Jeff Griswold motioned to cancel the December 28, 2021 Council Meeting, seconded by Jocelyn Boyd. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Mayor Pro-Tem Pat Sanchez stated the following repeals are follow-ups to letters that were sent to each person/business back in July 2021 giving them 30 days to respond with an update regarding improvements to each property. The following did not respond to the request.
Resolution, Repealing Resolution 1192 TIF Resolution with Shawn Flickinger: After a brief discussion, Jim Friedenbach motioned to approve Resolution 1224, Repealing Resolution 1192 TIF Resolution with Shawn Flickinger, seconded by Jocelyn Boyd. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Resolution, Repealing Resolution 1193 TIF Resolution with Samantha Ritchie: After a brief discussion, Peter King motioned to approve Resolution 1225, Repealing Resolution 1193 TIF Resolution with Samantha Ritchie, seconded by Tevan Hartman. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Resolution, Repealing Resolution 1198 TIF Resolution with Ronald Glassner: After a brief discussion, Nick Law motioned to approve Resolution 1226, Repealing Resolution 1198 TIF Resolution with Ronald Glassner, seconded by Jocelyn Boyd. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Resolution, Repealing Resolution 1199 TIF Resolution with Ronald Glassner: After a brief discussion, Jocelyn Boyd motioned to approve Resolution 1227, Repealing Resolution 1199 TIF Resolution with Ronald Glassner, seconded by Nick Law. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Resolution, Repealing Resolution 1205 TIF Resolution with Gina Dillon: After a brief discussion, Jim Friedenbach motioned to approve Resolution 1228, Repealing Resolution 1205 TIF Resolution with Gina Dillon, seconded by Jeff Griswold. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Resolution, Repealing Resolution 1191 TIF Resolution with Joseph Barile: After a brief discussion, Nick Law motioned to approve Resolution 1229, Repealing Resolution 1191 TIF Resolution with Joseph Barile, seconded by Jocelyn Boyd. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Resolution, Repealing Ordinance 2280 TIF Ordinance with Joseph Barile: After a brief discussion, Pat Sanchez motioned to approve Resolution 1230, Repealing Ordinance 2280 TIF Ordinance with Joseph Barile, seconded by Peter King. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
CITIZENS, COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Jeff Griswold stated he is questioning why Jo-Carroll Energy and the railroad are allowed to store items on city property. Jeff Griswold asked Comptroller/Treasurer Brittany Hatteberg if she had seen any payments come through for storing items on city property, Comptroller/Treasurer Brittany Hatteberg stated she had not seen anything but questioned if this had anything to do with some destruction that occurred at the old landfill. Jeff Griswold wonders if we as the city should collect any compensation in the future. Mayor Pro-Tem Pat Sanchez stated that would be a question for Mayor Chris Lain. Nick Law stated the road was damaged recently and Pat Sanchez will ask Mayor Chris Lain to take a look at it. City Attorney Phil Jensen stated that was a different subcontractor and it is being pursued.
Peter King had been approached by people in his ward regarding concerns about someone they see walking around town with a helmet on their head and a trench coat. Police Chief Jeff Doran stated this person isn’t doing anything wrong therefore nothing can be done until a law is broken.
ADJOURNMENT:
With nothing further, Mayor Pro-Tem Pat Sanchez made a motion to adjourn at 8:05 P.M.
https://www.savanna-il.us/meetingagendas/20211109council.pdf
Alerts Sign-up