City of Rochelle City Council met Nov. 7.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
I. CALL TO ORDER: Pledge to the Flag was led by Mayor John Bearrows. Prayer was said by City Clerk Rose Huéramo.
II. ROLL CALL: Present were Councilors T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw Dickey, Arteaga, and Mayor John Bearrows. A quorum of seven were present. Also, present City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh and City Clerk Rose Huéramo.
III. PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS, ETC:
1. Veteran's Day Proclamation November 11th, 2022 - Rochelle High School is hosting a Veteran Breakfast at 7:30 AM and following that a Public Ceremony at Lawn Ridge Cemetery at 11:00 AM.
IV. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS:
1. Mayor's Report – Encourages all to go out and vote, Election Day 11/8/2022.
2. Council Members – Councilor Shaw-Dickey announces RTHS Football team is in the quarter finals, asks the community to show support for Saturday’s home game, 11/12/2022.
V. PUBLIC COMMENTARY: None.
VI. BUSINESS ITEMS:
1. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS BY OMNIUS VOTE with Recommendations:
a) Special Event Request - Turkey Trot
Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Hayes, "I move consent agenda itemas (a) 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. An Ordinance Vacating an Alley in the City of Rochelle. Staff proposes the vacation of an alley located 507 W. 2nd Avenue, Rochelle, Illinois. The property on that address is in the process of being sold and as part of that process, it was discovered there is an alley platted in the middle of an existing structure on that property. City staff has conducted an exhaustive search of the public record, but could not locate any recorded documents, which reflect that the alley was previously vacated. City staff believes that based upon the location of the existing building at the aforementioned address, the alley was or should between vacated when the existing building was constructed. The alley is currently and has, for many decades, has been treated as part of 507 W. 2nd Avenue and as a result, staff believes that vacating the alley is a formality to document a prior vacation. City Engineer Sam Tesreau was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor Hayes, Seconded by Councilor D. McDermott, "I move the Council recess into a Public Hearing for vacating a alley located at 507 W. 2nd Ave." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0. Motion made by Councilor Shaw-Dickey, Seconded by Councilor Arteaga, "I move Council return to open session." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0. Motion made by Councilor T. McDermott, Seconded by D. McDermott, "I move Ordinance 22-5375, an Ordinance Vacating a Public Alley located at 507 W. 2nd Ave, be approved." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.
3. A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Accelerate Payments on a Promissory Note. The City of Rochelle previously purchased land from the Greater Rochelle Economic Development Corporation (GREDCO) and executed a Promissory Note (Exhibit 1, attached) to pay for the purchase. The City and GREDCO are collaborating on the development of a Container Yard as an extension of the Rochelle Transload Center. GREDCO has requested that the city deposit the remaining three payments of $164,937.50 for a total of $494,812.50 into an escrow account for the construction of the new Container Yard in lieu of making future payments on the Promissory Note. The accelerated payment will allow construction to begin this Fall and for the new intermodal service to begin early next year. This new Container Yard along with the improvements to the Rochelle Transload Center will add more rail services to the CIR which in turn will bring new revenues to the City of Rochelle Railroad. Economic Development Director Jason Anderson was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Shaw-Dickey, "I move Resolution R22-44, a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Accelerate Three Payments on a Promissory Note totaling an amount for $494,812.50, be approved." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.
VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS: 2023 Budget – City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh presented an updated 2023 budget and was available for questions.
VIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None.
IX. ADJOURNMENT: At 7:25 PM, Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Hayes. "I move the Council adjourn." Voting Yea: 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-d43fc1d6a7c14fb9b11d093776b31ff3.pdf
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