City of Rochelle City Council met Jan. 23.
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 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, City Clerk Rose Hueramo, and City Attorney Dominick Lanzito.
III. PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS, ETC:
1. Good News Awards - Distinguished Budget Award - Finance Department, Finance Director Chris Cardott and Industrial Development Manager Peggy Friday.
IDPH Perfect Compliance - Water Department Superintendent of Water/ Water Rec Adam Lanning K9 Fundraiser on 1/21/2023 and raising $9,000 - Officer Trevor Owens, Dispatcher Alison Owens, Police Adim Carmen Swanson, Sgt. Ryan Beery, Officer Nate Brass.
IV. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS:
1. Mayor's Report - Accept the Resignation of Mitch Montgomery from the Police & Fire Commission. Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Hayes, "I move the Council accept the resignation of Mitch Montgomery from the Police & Fire Commission effective immediately." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.
Appoint Gregg Olson to Police & Fire Commission to Complete Vacated Term. Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Gruben, "I move the Council approve the Mayor's appointment of Gregg Olson to the Police & Fire Commission with a trem to Expire July 1, 2024." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.
2. Council Members None.
V. PUBLIC COMMENTARY: None.
VI. BUSINESS ITEMS:
Motion made by Councilor T. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Shaw-Dickey, "I move that we move item #4 ahead of consent item #1on the agenda." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.
4. An Ordinance Creating a PACE Area and Establishing the Illinois Finance Authority Property Assessed Clean Energy Program. Pasquesi Farms LLC – DBA Mighty Vine, is seeking to finance clean energy upgrades to their Hydroponic Greenhouse operation in Rochelle. Through no cost to the City, the Illinois Finance Authority PACE Program (“IFA PACE Program”) is available to any eligible commercial property that voluntarily requests the levy of a special assessment to secure the financing or refinancing of a qualified PACE Project. C-PACE financing for projects occurs through the issuance of debt obligations (such as bonds or notes). Counties and municipalities can avoid the need to issue bonds or notes with their own time and resources by establishing the IFA PACE Program to facilitate access to capital from more than one program administrator. The Illinois Finance Authority (“IFA”) has statewide authorization to issue bonds and notes to fund PACE Projects in any PACE area. Economic Development Director Jason Anderson, Mighty Vine CEO
Sergio Gomez, and Illinois Finance Authority Brad Fletcher were available for questions. Motion made by Councilor T. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Arteaga, "I move Ordinance 23-5400, an Ordinance Creating a PACE Area and Establishing the Illinois Finance Authority Property Assessed Clean Energy Program, be approved." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.
1. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS BY OMNIUS VOTE with Recommendations:
a) Approve Minutes of City Council Meeting - 1/9/2023
b) Accept and Place on File November Financials
c) Approve Payroll - 12/26/23-1/8/23
d) Approve Check Registers - 204635-204715, 204725-204821
e) Approve Special Event Request - Light St. Paddy's Day Parade
f) Approve Special Event Request - CAN Food Truck Fairs
g) Approve Special Event Request - Outdoor Markets
Motion made by Councilor Hayes, Seconded by Councilor D. McDermott, "I move consent agenda items (a) through (g) 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 Amending Article II (License), Chapter 6 (Alcoholic Beverages) of the Municipal Code. Currently, all existing liquor licenses must be renewed by December 31st or they will expire. Staff recommends that council extend the expiration date of existing liquor licenses to January 31st for this current year and the years following. This allows the city to fully utilize the newly implemented Tyler software to its fullest capability. Previously, there was no available option to pay online but with the new software, liquor license holders will now be able to. Additionally, this change will allow deposits to be applied to the current fiscal year for which they are applied. As the ordinance currently stands, all applications for renewal must be submitted on, or before, December 15th and any applications submitted after the deadline must be accompanied by a $20.00 late filing fee. Should the proposed change of the expiration date be granted, the deadline will be moved to January 15th of each year and the late filing fee will be increased to $250.00. By making these changes, liquor license holders are encouraged to submit their applications in a timely manner given the newly added convenience of paying online. City Clerk Rose Huéramo was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor Arteaga, Seconded by Councilor Hayes, "I move Ordinance 23-05399, an Ordinance Amending Chapter 6 (Alcoholic Beverages) Article (License) of the Municipal Code Pertaining to the Expiration Date and Late Filing Fee, 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 Modify The Rochelle Municipal Utilities Assistance Program. In December 2022 council approved to waive any requirements that program applicants need to apply for the Illinois Low Income Energy Assistance Program (“LIHEAP”) before applying for the RMU Customer Assistance Program. With this change, RMU customer service staff has had to collect, verify, and retain personal financial information from applicants and determine the accuracy and completeness of the financial documents. By reverting back to require application to LIHEAP prior to the RMU application, we are taking the time consuming and uncomfortable responsibility of the financial verification off of our staff and relying on the LIHEAP authorization. City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor Gruben, Seconded by Councilor D. McDermott, "I move Resolution R23-57, Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Modify the Rochelle Municipal Utilities Assistance Program regarding LIHEAP, be approved." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw Dickey, Arteaga, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.
4. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 94 Article IV Entitled “Stopping, Standing, and Parking” In efforts to promote the health, Safety, and welfare of the City and its residents it is necessary to amend certain portions of its traffic regulations contained within the City Code from time to time. Sec. 94-224. – Parking prohibited at specified times on designated streets. Traffic on First Avenue has been greatly reduced as it no longer connects to Illinois Route 38, and no longer is a designated truck route Between 6th St. and Jack Dame Road. With this reduction in traffic there is no longer a concern with cars parking on the street and vehicles exiting driveways. Staff believe it is in the best interest of the City of Rochelle and its residents to remove No Parking Signage and allow parking on First Avenue between Sixth Street and Jack Dame Road. Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Hayes, "I move Ordinance 23-5401, an Ordinance Amending Chapter 94 Article IV Entitled "Stopping, Standing, and Parking at Designated Locations First Ave, Between Sixth St. & Caron Rd on the South Side, be approved." Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Shaw-Dickey, "I move to Amend it to between Sixth St to Jake Dame Rd, be approved." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw Dickey, Arteaga, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0. Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Hayes, "I move Ordinance 23-5401, an Ordinance Amending Chapter 94 Article IV Entitled "Stopping, Standing, Parking" at Designated Locations First Ave, Between Sixth St & Jake Dame Rd of the South Side, be approved." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.
5. A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement with Willett Hofmann and Associates for Engineering at 1030 South 7th Street. Phase 2 improvements for RMU operations is a part of the 2023 budget. The improvements are primarily for an interior addition to accommodate new breakrooms, locker rooms, bathrooms, showers, and training facilities along with additional storage and interior office renovations and other related improvements. Willett Hofmann and Associates has submitted a proposal for an Engineering/Architectural Services Agreement to develop plans/specifications and eventual bid documents for the proposed work. This work will also develop more accurate cost estimate as the project develops. Motion made by Councilor T. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Arteaga, "I Resolution R23-58, a Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement with Willett Hofmann and Associates for Engineering at 1030 South 7th Street for an amount not to exceed $158,500, 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: Economic Development Experience Builder & Job Board Demo - Casey Heuer, GIS Coordinator provided an update, demo on the City’s website.
Carus Chemical Fire- Superintendent of Water/Water Rec Adam Lanning informed Council of a major fire that occurred effecting the chemical supply chain and the actions that have been taken to extend the City’s supply and our options if our supply was to run out.
VIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION: At 7:18 P.M. Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Shaw-Dickey, "I move the Council recess into executive session to discuss purchase or lease of real property for City's use, Section (c) (5)." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.
At 7:33 P.M. Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Shaw-Dickey, "I move the 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.
At 7:34 P.M. Motion made by Councilor T. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor D. McDermott, "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-907ec9572ad0451fac79374456d8e9fd.pdf
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