City of Savanna City Council met Feb. 22.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Chris Lain called the meeting to order on the said date at 7:03 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 Chris Lain led the Council in the pledge of allegiance.
ROLL CALL / ESTABLISH QUORUM:
Mayor Chris Lain declared the establishment of a quorum with members in attendance Mayor Chris Lain, Jocelyn Boyd, Nick Law, Jim Friedenbach (joined late), Jeff Griswold, Tevan Hartman, Deb Long, Peter King and, Pat Sanchez. Non-members in attendance Comptroller/Treasurer Brittany Hatteberg, Attorney Phil Jensen, Fire Chief Scott Wolfe, Superintendent of Public Works Brent Corey, News Media: Mike Nester, Michael Miller, Paul Hartman, and City Clerk Betsy Kinder.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
After review, Pat Sanchez motioned to approve the agenda, seconded by Jocelyn Boyd. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Consideration of the Minutes of the February 8, 2022 Regular Meeting and Public Hearing: After a brief review Jocelyn Boyd pointed out a couple spelling/grammatical errors in the public hearing minutes, Peter King motioned to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes and Public Hearing Minutes from February 8, 2022 with corrections voiced by Jocelyn Boyd, seconded by Pat Sanchez. All voting in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: No committee reports to report on at this time.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Project Update, MSA: Mayor Chris Lain stated the MSA update was emailed out earlier that day. Superintendent of Public Works Brent Corey will be meeting with Jared Fluhr with MSA this week and report back to Full Council on upcoming projects. At this time there were not any updates.
NEW BUSINESS:
Ordinance, Amending Title 3, Chapter 2, Section 1, Schedule of Fees: Mayor Chris Lain started the discussion on the city charging a $250.00 fee on each video gaming terminal, he clarified these would be the gambling machines located in most of the bars in town. He stated currently the city has never charged a license fee, however the state passed a law stating a city can charge up to $250.00 for each terminal. Mayor Chris Lain stated the license fee is split 50/50 between the bar owner and the gaming machine company who supplies the terminals. Questions were raised on what percentage the bar, state, city, and companies make based on the money generated by the machines-at this time the answer was not certain. Mayor Chris Lain stated we are on a deadline to get the ordinance passed due to the timing of renewal of licenses and that is why it was not sent to committee first. Jeff Griswold asked if it was possible to slowly increase the fee and start the first year at a lesser amount and then each year increase the fee. It was stated that is a possibility based on discussion and feedback from the council. Pat Sanchez stated it would be easier to just start out at the max fee since it is split between the bar owner and gaming machine company. Mayor Chris Lain stated this could get sent to committee for further discussion if it was necessary. Mayor Chris Lain also stated to put into perspective, this could generate about $18,000 for the Civic Fund which could allow the administrative department to hire a part time employee. He also mentioned by not charging the fee the city could end up where we were many years ago when we didn’t charge enough for the operations of the city and did not want that to happen again. Currently most of the license fees do not cover the cost of issuing the licenses. Following further discussion, Nick Law made a motion to send this to the Ordinance/Public Relation Committee for more discussion, seconded by Peter King. Roll Call Vote Aye: Jim Friedenbach, Jocelyn Boyd, Nick Law, Peter King, and Jeff Griswold. Nay: Pat Sanchez, Deb Long, and Tevan Hartman. Motion passed, the ordinance will be sent to Ordinance/Public Relations Committee.
Agreement and Certification and Estoppel Certification, Viserion Grain – Office: Agreement and Certification and Estoppel Certificate, Viserion Grain – Grain Elevator: Mayor Chris Lain stated these two agenda items could be combined. City Attorney Phil Jensen stated the documents were so Viserion Grain could secure funds for through Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance. Many questions were raised on what were to happen if Viserion Grain discontinued operation, it was mentioned a new tenant could then rent the office and grain elevator. City Attorney Phil Jensen made several changes before the final draft was presented to council. After further discussion, Pat Sanchez made a motion to approve both Agreements and Certification and Estoppel Certifications for Viserion Grain regarding the Office and the Grain Elevator, seconded by Tevan Hartman. Roll Call Vote Aye: Pat Sanchez, Jocelyn Boyd, Peter King, and Tevan Hartman. Nay: Jim Friedenbach, Nick Law, Deb Long, and Jeff Griswold. Tie Vote Recorded, Mayor Chris Lain Voted Aye. Motion passed.
CITIZENS, COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Pat Sanchez stated a Finance Committee Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 24th at 10:00 A.M. and a Water/Sewer/Refuse/Street and Alley Committee Meeting is scheduled for March 2nd at 7:00 P.M. Jim Friedenbach thanked the Public Works Department for their hard work on fixing a leak and salting the roads during the last ice/snow storm. Jeff Griswold brought up concerns regarding the Statement of Economic Interest that has to be filled out each spring. He stated the form had changed and it seemed to be more intrusive than before. Comptroller/Treasurer Brittany Hatteberg stated communication received from the county stated the form had changed and any general questions could be directed to the County Clerks office. Mayor Chris Lain was going to do further research and follow-up with any information he can find out.
ADJOURNMENT:
With nothing further, Mayor Chris Lain made a motion to adjourn at 8:09 P.M.
https://www.savanna-il.us/meetingagendas/20220222council.pdf
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