City of Rochelle City Council met Jan. 24.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
I. CALL TO ORDER: Pledge to the Flag was led by Mayor Bearrows. Prayer was said by Pastor Boehm.
II. ROLL CALL: Present Councilmembers T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, and Mayor Bearrows. A quorum of seven were present. Also present were City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh, City Clerk Rose Huéramo and City Attorney Dominick Lanzito attended remotely.
III. PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS, ETC: Proclamation - John W. Tilton Day, established the Vagabond, donated the Tilton School Property, the start of the local VFW Post and radio station 1060 WRHL, 93.5 Super Hits.
Flag Presentation - Operation Inherent Resolve, Andy Rogde presented the City of Rochelle with a flag dedicated to the community from his recent National Guard assignment overseas.
IV. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS:
1. Mayor's Report
2. Council Members
3. Retiree Recognition - Deputy Chief Jeff Leininger retires after 23 years of service with the Rochelle Police Department.
4. New Employee Intro – Both Mark Boehm & Autumn Hernandez are hired on as Accounting Generalist
5. New Employee Intro - Casey Howard, Journeyman Lineman
V. PUBLIC COMMENTARY: None.
VI. BUSINESS ITEMS:
1. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS BY OMNIUS VOTE with Recommendations:
a) Approve Bills 12/31/21-01/05/22
b) Approve Payroll 12/27/21-01/09/2022, 01/11/2022-01/12/2022
Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Gruben, "I move consent agenda items A and B be approved by Omnibus vote as recommended." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.
2. Ordinance Amending Section 6-46 of the Municipal Code of the City of Rochelle to Delete One Class B Liquor License for Sissy’s Wild Card Saloon to Create one Class B Liquor License for Kevin Crandall & Shane Erdman. The City of Rochelle has been notified of the sale of Sissy’s Wild Card Saloon to Kevin Crandall and Shane Erdman. The license for Sissy’s will be surrendered effective upon the sale of the business. The Class B liquor license allows for the retail sale on the premises of specified alcoholic liquor as well as other packaged retail sale of liquor. The Liquor Commissioner, Mayor Bearrows, has reviewed the application and has no objections to the transaction. City Clerk Rose Huéramo was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor T. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Hayes, "I move Ordinance 22-5325, an Ordinance Amending Section 6-46 of the Municipal Code of the City of Rochelle to Delete One Class B Liquor License for Sissy’s Wild Card Saloon, Inc. to Create one Class B Liquor License for Kevin Crandall & Shane Erdman for the location at 417 Cherry Ave, be approved." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.
3. Ordinance Amending Chapter 10 and Chapter 26 of the Rochelle Municipal Code Expiration Dates of Raffle and Business Licenses. As the City goes through to make needed updates to current codes, staff noticed that the renewal times for business licenses (examples include peddlers permits and taxi licenses) and raffle permits was still April 30th, which is the old fiscal year. Staff recommends the following changes: A single raffle license shall be issued for a specified period of time not to exceed one year. A raffle license for a specified number of multiple raffles shall be issued for up to one year expiring on December 31 of each year. Rose Huéramo was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor T. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor D. McDermott, "I move Ordinance 22-5326, an Ordinance Amending Chapter 10 and Chapter 26 of the Rochelle Municipal Code Expiration Dates of Raffle and Business Licenses, be approved." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.
4. Ordinance Limiting the Number of Class B Liquor Licenses and Placing a Moratorium on the Issuance of any new Class B Liquor Licenses. For the past few years, several council members approached staff about the idea of limiting the number of gaming machines in the City of Rochelle. According to state statute, gaming machines are allowed with the appropriate liquor licenses. Attached is a proposed ordinance that will place a 2-year moratorium on any new Class B liquor license. It exempts all current holders of Class B licenses. This is a starting point and can change if council desires. The proposed ordinance does not affect any other type of liquor license. Jeff Fiegenschuh was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor Shaw-Dickey, Seconded by Councilor D. McDermott, "I move Ordinance 22-5327, an Ordinance Limiting the Number of Class B Liquor Licenses and Placing a Moratorium on the Issuance of any new Class B Liquor Licenses, be approved." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.
5. Ordinance Amending the Municipal Code of the City of Rochelle Chapter 94 Article X Entitled “Non-Highway Vehicles”. In late 2020, Council approved an ordinance to allow golf carts and UTVs on City Streets. The proposed ordinance defines allowable non-highway vehicles; establishes hours of operation; prohibits operation on high-traffic roadways and the bike path; and includes requirements for safety including seatbelts for all passengers. All non-highway vehicle owners who wish to operate said vehicle on City streets are required to obtain a registration sticker at the Rochelle Police Department. Drivers of non-highway vehicles are subject to all provisions of the Illinois Vehicle Code. The specified prohibited high-traffic roadways are: Route 251, Route 38, I-88, I-39, Caron Road, Veteran’s Parkway, 20th Street, Flagg Road, Steward Road and Dement Road. Recently, residents have approached Council members to request that non-highway vehicles be allowed on currently prohibited streets, which were originally deemed higher traffic and are heavily utilized by semis, particularly Caron Road from 7th Avenue to the Wal-Mart entrance. Council may determine which streets to strike from the ordinance. Jenny Thompson, Assistant to the City Manager/Director of Community Engagement and City Attorney Lanzito were available to answer questions. Motion made Councilor Arteaga, and seconded by Councilor T. McDermott, “I move Ordinance 22-5238, an Ordinance Amending the Municipal Code of the City of Rochelle Chapter 94 Article X Entitled “Non-Highway Vehicles”, be approved.” Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor T. McDermott, "I would like to make a motion we amend the ordinance to eliminate Caron Rd, 20th St, Veterans Parkway and Steward Rd." Voting Yea: D. McDermott, Gruben, Arteaga, and Mayor Bearrows. Voting Nay: T. McDermott, Hayes, and Shaw-Dickey. Motion passed 4-3. Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Arteaga, "I move we approve the ordinance as amended." Voting Yea: D. McDermott, Gruben, Arteaga, and Mayor Bearrows. Voting Nay: T. McDermott, Hayes, Shaw Dickey. Motion passed 4-3.
6. Ordinance Waiving Competitive Bidding Requirements and Awarding UUSCO of Illinois, Inc. the Purchase Order for 21 Switchgear Units. Over the past year we have had 6 ABB pad mounted switchgear fail. These switchgears were purchased between 2011 and 2016. The normal expected lifespan of a pad mounted switch gear is 25 to 30 years. The ABB units have been failing after being installed for 10 years or less. After 2016 we switched to only using S&C switchgear not only for reliability but ease of serviceability with only having one brand of pad mounted switchgear on our system. We have identified 21 switchgear units that remain to be replaced to improve the reliability of the 13.8kV distribution system. S&C has a great track record of having a reliable and robust product. They have also offered that if at any time we were to experience a failure they would come onsite and repair the gear in the field. The reason we are asking to waive the competitive bidding is because UUSCO is the manufacturer’s representative for S&C and no other vendor is allowed to bid equipment in this territory. The Price that is quoted reflects the price given to us when the first switchgear was replaced early 2021. The factory has had 2 materials increases since that order was placed. These switchgears are a vital part of our underground infrastructure and not replacing the failing equipment will result in unplanned costly downtime for our industrial customers We have confirmed that these failures are not a result of any wrongdoing on the utilities part these failures are happening internally. We have an active case open with ABB’s representative in hopes that we can remedy the issue at hand either with repairs to the failing gear or sending them back for a partial refund of the original purchase price. Blake Toliver, Electric Operations Superintendent was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Shaw Dickey, "I move Ordinance 21-5329, an Ordinance Waiving Competitive Bidding Requirements and Awarding UUSCO of Illinois, Inc. the Purchase Order for 21 Switchgear Units, be approved." Voting Yea: Councilor T. McDermott, Councilor Hayes, Councilor D. McDermott, Councilor Gruben, Councilor Shaw-Dickey, Councilor Arteaga, Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.
7. Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with Fehr Graham for the Design and Construction Oversight of the Fire/Utility Training Facility. Fehr Graham has submitted a proposal in an amount not to exceed $36,000 for design and construction observation services for the proposed City/Ogle-Lee Fire Training facility located at 920 South Main Street. Fehr Graham has helped develop concept plans for the multiple sites considered for the project and is very knowledgeable about the needs of the City and District. The work includes design and construction oversight of the project. All costs will be split between the City, RMU, and the Ogle/Lee Fire Protection District. Approving this contract will keep the project moving and provide needed continuity for the contractor and staff. Jeff Fiegenschuh and Fire Chief Sawlsville were available for questions. Motion made by Councilor Gruben, Seconded by Councilor T. McDermott, "I move Resolution R22-06, a Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with Fehr Graham for the Design and Construction Oversight of the Fire/Utility Training Facility." Voting Yea: Councilor T. McDermott, Councilor Hayes, Councilor D. McDermott, Councilor Gruben, Councilor Shaw-Dickey, Councilor Arteaga, Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.
VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS: Shop Local RMU Credit Program. The Shop Local RMU Credit Program was an economic tool designed to encourage our RMU customers to shop local to assist our small businesses in the financial recovery of the required closures during COVID. Michelle Pease presented a PowerPoint to Council.
Northern Illinois Land Bank Authority Initiative. Eric Setter and Michael Dunn Jr. from Land Bank Coordinator with Region 1 Planning Council discussed the Northern Illinois Land Bank Authority initiative. The Land Bank acquires tax-delinquent, abandoned property via judicial deed. The properties are then offered to the public, with specific deed restrictions to ensure a timely renovation of the property.
Switchgear Inspection Trip Recap. Blake Toliver spoke briefly regarding his recent visit to Baltimore to inspect switchgears. He will provide more information at a future Council Meeting.
VIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
IX. ADJOURNMENT: At 8:00 PM. Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Gruben, "I move the Council adjourn." Voting Yea: Councilor T. McDermott, Councilor Hayes, Councilor D. McDermott, Councilor Gruben, Councilor Shaw-Dickey, Councilor Arteaga, Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.
https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/rochelleil-pubu/MEET-Minutes-047dcda48c9d4eafb6ca17402856c8d4.pdf
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