City of Rochelle City Council met Feb. 14.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
I. CALL TO ORDER: Pledge to the flag was led by Mayor Bearrows and prayer was said by City Clerk Rose Huéramo.
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 and City Clerk Rose Huéramo.
III. PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS, ETC: None.
IV. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS:
1. Mayor's Report: Mayor & City Manager will address the annual State of the Community on March 10 at noon.
2. Council Members - Councilwoman Arteaga welcomes all to join the 5 de Mayo Committee a meeting will be held 2/16, 6:30 PM in Council Chambers.
3. Accept the resignation of Mike VanHouten from the Utility Advisory Board Effective Immediately. Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Gruben, "I move the council accept the resignation of Mike VanHouten from the Utility Advisory Board effective immediately." Voting Yea: Councilors T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.
4. Employee Introduction - Jessica Mueller, Lab Manager & Danny Keller, Chief Water Operator 5. Swearing-In Ceremony - Terry Inman, Deputy Police Chief
V. PUBLIC COMMENTARY: None.
VI. BUSINESS ITEMS:
1. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS BY OMNIUS VOTE with Recommendations:
a) Approve City Council Meeting Minutes - 01/10/2022, 01/24/2022
b) Approve Bills - 01/19/22, 01/20/22, 01/24/22, 01/31/, 02/07/22
c) Approve the Release of Executive Session Minutes
d) Approve 2021 Zoning Map Resolution
e) Approve Payroll 1/24/2022-02/06/2022
Motion made by Councilor T. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor D. McDermott, "I move consent agenda items (a) and (e) be approved by Omnibus votes recommended." Voting Yea: Councilors T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.
2. Resolution Authorizing the Retention of Fehr Graham for Professional Services Related to Well Number 8. Well 8 located on Caron Rd. was drilled and developed in the 1960’s to provide water to a growing industrial area of town. Currently the well house is a single room metal panel building approximately 300 ft2. Since the 1990’s the well has only been used as a backup due to elevated levels of iron in the water. Over many years, Rochelle has been planning to build an iron removal plant since this well is centrally located in the industrialized area of town and is a high capacity well (1800 gpm). We would like to construct an iron removal pressure filter plant with the accommodation to remove radium if that ever becomes a problem. We would use the hydrous manganese oxide (HMO) method for radium removal along with liquid chlorine to eliminate the risk of housing gaseous chlorine. Upon completion, this well could be put online and help us to avoid drilling and developing another well in which we don’t know the long-term water quality needs. As stated, currently the well is unusable other than serving as a backup supply due to the elevated level of iron. RMU advertised a request for qualifications regarding design services, we conducted site visits and evaluated both firms that submitted a statement of qualification. It is of our opinion that Fehr Graham retains the proper background and level of technical understanding for such a project. We are currently pursuing an EDA grant to help fund this project and any remaining cash needs will be funded through the SRF loan program with the Illinois EPA. The EDA grant should fund up to 50% of the project and through the SRF loan program we expect a max of $400,000 in principle forgiveness. In addition, a rate study is currently underway and as part we will estimate the cost impact of this project on each customer class. The most current engineers cost estimate for the plant is $4.6 million. Adam Lanning Superintendent Water/Water Reclamation. Motion made by Councilor Gruben, Seconded by Councilor Hayes, "I move Resolution R22- 07, Resolution Authorizing the Retention of Fehr Graham for Professional Services Related to Well Number 8 located on Caron Rd, be approved." Voting Yea: Councilors T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.
3. Ordinance Amending Ordinance #22-5325 Deleting One Class B Liquor License and Creating One Class B Liquor License. Ordinance #22-5325 was approved January 24, 2022, granting a liquor license for Kevin Crandall and Shane Erdman for the business at 417 Cherry Ave and deleting the license for Sissy’s Wild Card Saloon at the same address. However, following that meeting the Mayor was notified the sale for Sissy’s Wild Card Saloon was not finalized. Deletion of the liquor license for Sissy’s Wild Card Saloon immediately voids the license. As a result, the business owners have agreed to hold on pursuing the deletion and addition of liquor licenses at this time, reversing the action taken on January 24th. The current owner of Sissy’s Wild Card Saloon, Mr. Ken Rosenkrans will surrender his liquor license effective upon the sale of the business. The amendment will have no impact on the total of liquor license for Class B. 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. Rose Huéramo was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor Arteaga, Seconded by Councilor Shaw-Dickey, "I move Ordinance 22-5330, an Ordinance Amending Ordinance #22-5325 Deleting One Class B Liquor License previously approved on January 24, 2022, and Creating One Class B Liquor License for current owner Ken Rosenkrans for the location 417 Cherry Ave, be approved." Voting Yea: Councilors T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.
4. Intergovernmental Agreement for Flagg Rd and 20th Street Intersection Improvements: City of Rochelle section #22-00117-00-WR, Ogle County section #22-00344-00-WR. In 2009 the Flagg Road and 20th Street intersection was partially improved along with the Kings Crossing subdivision. Temporary signals were installed along with partial geometric improvements and pavement widening primarily on the north side of Flagg Rd. Since that time two major developments have occurred within this subdivision. Those being the Rochelle Elementary Lincoln School campus as well as the Liberty Village campus. Flagg Road is an Ogle County Highway (Route #22) from IL. Rte. 251 west to the Lee County line near and 20th Street is under the jurisdiction of the City of Rochelle. In 2010 the County improved and widened Flagg Rd, from IL. Rte. 251 to 600 feet east of 20th Street, to a four-lane section. Much of the rural ditch section was replaced with curb and gutter and storm sewer drainage systems as part of the county project. The City also participated in the installation of a pedestrian sidewalk from IL Rte 251 to Wendell Drive. The annual average daily traffic counts are estimated at nearly 5,000 vpd. Over the past several months the Ogle County Engineer, City Engineer and Public Works staff have discussed the need for improvements to the greater intersection including, but not limited to, permanent signals, mast arms, new controller box, geometric improvements to allow for additional turning lanes and pavement widening along 20th Street south of Flagg Road. The intergovernmental agreement will allow the City and County to collaborate on an Engineering Agreement and proceed forward with the initial phase of Engineering to determine the needs for right of way, specific road improvements, plans and specifications and estimate of costs. This Engineering phase will also help determine financial responsibility for the ultimate cost of construction and additional phases of this multi year project. It is expected that as the project progresses and more details are defined there will be a need for amendments to this intergovernmental agreement. The initial project phase has been programmed in the 2022 CIP budget. Sam Tesreau City Engineer was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor T. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor D. McDermott, "I move Resolution R 22-08, a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Intergovernmental Agreement Between the City of Rochelle and Ogle County relating to intersection improvements of 20th Street and Flagg Road, be approved." Voting Yea: Councilors T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.
5. An Ordinance Waiving Competitive Bidding Requirements and Awarding CIT Trucks the Purchase Order for Two Dump Trucks. In 2019, City Council approved the purchase of two Kenworth single axle dump trucks with snowplow packages. This purchase has proven to be an excellent investment. Not only are we seeing improvements in dependability and performance, but we are also seeing nearly a 25% reduction in salt usage. In 2019 these trucks were financed through a local bank with an interest rate of 3.09%. This loan was paid off in January of 2022. The City Manager has again solicited local banks to finance the purchase of two new dump trucks, and lock in historically low interest rates. Holcomb Bank has offered the lowest interest rate of 1.95% over a four-year term. The 2023-2026 Street Department capital outlay includes funds for annual payments of one new single axle dump truck and one new tandem axle dump truck. Each truck will be equipped with stainless steel hydraulic dump bodies and snowplow packages. The single axle dump truck is priced at $230,085.87 and the tandem axle dump truck is priced at $260,464.64 for a combined total cost of $490,550.51. Each year the cost of these trucks including the dump body and plow packages see an average increase of 5 percent. Financing two of these vehicles at the same time eliminates the annual increase of cost for one of these vehicles over a two-year period. This savings helps to offset the financed interest rate cost for the two new dump trucks. Another significant benefit to financing our dump trucks is a smaller up-front investment compared to an outright purchase. The proposed four-year finance agreement reduces the purchase costs to a more manageable annual expense and allows the rest of that funding to be used on other important capital projects throughout the City. These new trucks will replace existing 2003 and 2005 International dump trucks. Replacing these dump trucks will reduce maintenance costs and down time as well as greatly reduce road salt costs by incorporating new spreader control technology. The proposed vehicles are to be purchased through CIT Trucks LLC in Rockford, IL under Sourcewell procurement contracts (060920-KTC) and (080818 BNL). Sourcewell is a governmental unit providing competitively solicited cooperative contracts ready for use by governmental entities. Sourcewell’s rigorous procurement process meets or exceeds all local and state purchasing requirements. (30 ILCS 525 /2). Tim Isley Street/Cemetery Superintendent was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Arteaga, "I move Ordinance 22-5331, an Ordinance Waiving Competitive Bidding Requirement and Authorizing the Purchase Order for Two Dump Trucks from CIT Trucks, LLC for a combined cost of $490,550.51, be approved." Voting Yea: Councilors T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Arteaga, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Abstain: Councilor Shaw-Dickey. Motion passed 6-1 Abstain.
6. A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Modify the RMU Assistance Program. RMU currently offers up to $300 annual utility assistance for customers that are at or below the 150% of the federal poverty level. The proposed resolution will temporally modify the annual utility assistance by increasing the amount to $500 for customers that are at or below the 200% federal poverty level for the duration of six months from the day of this Resolution. In 2019, 109 customers received assistance totaling $32,700. In 2020, 79 customers received $39,500 and in 2021, 84 customers received $42,000 in assistance. The program is funded by the sale of renewable energy credits generated by the Rochelle Energy Center at the landfill. Jeff Fiegenschuh was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor T. McDermott, "I move Resolution R22-09, a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Temporally Modify the Rochelle Municipal Utilities Assistance Program by increasing the annual amount to $500 for the duration six months, be approved." Voting Yea: Councilors T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.
VI. ADJOURNMENT: At 7:08 PM. Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Shaw Dickey, "I move the Council adjourn." Voting Yea: Councilors T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.
https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/rochelleil-pubu/MEET-Minutes-c45cf5e03c454bacae65017889e22346.pdf
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