City of Mount Carroll City Council met Feb. 14.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Alderman Jeff Elliott rang the bell to announce the start of the meeting.
Mayor Carl Bates called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Roll Call: Mayor Carl Bates, present, Alderman Jeff Elliott, present, Mike Risko, present, Joe Grim, present, Paul Kaczmarski, present, Doug Bergren present, Nancy Bandemer, present.
Alderman Paul Kaczmarski led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mary Boelkens led the invocation.
Minutes: Alderman Elliott moved and Alderman Bandemer seconded to approve to minutes of the January 24, 2023 Regular Council Meeting. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Risko, yes, Elliott, yes, Grim, yes, Bergren, yes, Bandemer, yes. Vote: 6 yeses, and 0 noes. Motion carried.
Accounts Payable: Alderman Kaczmarski made the motion to approve the recommendation made from the Finance Committee to pay 34 Payables totaling $1,593,193.79 and Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Risko, yes, Elliott, yes, Grim, yes, Bergren, yes, Bandemer, yes. Vote: 6 yeses, and 0 noes. Motion carried.
Bank Balance: Mayor Bates reported the bank account balances were totaling $11,977,965.29 as of today.
COMMITTEES
Streets
Street Superintendent Dauphin reported they were fillining in potholes and doing some tree trimming while the weather is warm. Getting ready for the snow on Thursday and the salt shed is full. Mayor Bates asked Dauphin what his thoughts were on moving that salt shed. Do we ask the County or Township to share or build a new one. Agreed to have Superintendent Dauphin reach out to the County and discuss and intergovernmental agreement with them. Discussed the Library Sidewalk Project, Mayor Bates said that while talking with CFPS it was going to cost more in engineering fees that what the Grant was worth. Having the City Street Department complete the work will cost
$50,000.00 to $60,000.00 and applying for the Grant would be $165,000.00 for a grant worth $99,000.00. We will also replace the storm sewer and possibly fix the sidewalk going down to the Police Department. We will take partial payment out of ARPA funds. Len Anderon asked if it was possible to connect the sewer for a bathroom/outhouse at the Stonehouse. Questions as to whether it is safe to use the water pumped from the Stonehouse or not. Len is going to get some answers and report back.
Police
Chief Cass spoke to the Council about the current issue with the 2019 Tahoe. The engine that was on back order was cancelled and no longer available. Chief Cass spoke to Keith Brown from Karl Auto Group and they have an Emergency Police 2023 Tahoe that is completely ready for service all that would need done is the pin stripping. The cost estimated at 57,981.61. He also stated that we could pay half in this fiscal year and half in the next fiscal year. Mayor said the trouble is what is going on with the Tahoe? Mayor said he would reach out to other dealerships to see if they could possibly get an engine. Alderman Bergren said there is also a USDA Grant that helps small communities with their purchase of emergency vehicles. Mayor said we will discuss again next meeting to see where we are at with the engine issue and how much the USDA Grant is for and if we qualify. Recommendation made for declaration of surplus property, police firearms, at the Mayor’s descretion.
Finance
Payables: Recommendation to authorize the payments of accounts payable dated as of February 14 2023 of 34 claims, totaling $1,593,193.79. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Risko, yes, Elliott, yes, Grim, yes, Bergren, yes, Bandemer, yes. Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.
A. Discussion of MSA Engineering Fees for Water Looping Project Phase 2 & 3: Discussed how to pay for the pre-cost of engineering fees before the IEPA Loan distributes the loan proceeds. Mayor asked the council if we could loan from the WWTP Fund and repay it back when we get the funds from IEPA. Recommendation made to have City Attorney Tim Zollinger have a Resolution for the next council meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Discussion and Approval of Debt Service Fees for Multi-Unit Residence: Alderman Risko made a motion to approve the new Debt Service Fees and to have Attorney Zollinger have an Ordinance for the next council meeting and Alderman Bandemer seconded. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Risko, yes, Elliott, yes, Grim, yes, Bergren, yes, Bandemer, yes. Vote: 6 yeses, and 0 nos. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Project Updates from MSA: Steve Haring from MSA gave the council updates for the Waterlooping Projects. Phase 1 is complete other than a pasture fence as of yet to be put back up by Fischer Excavating. Phase 2 will have bid opening on March 23, 2023 at 10:00 am. Phase 3 is still in the design stage.
2. Discsussion and Possible Action on the Resolution of Support for the RBDG Grant Project and Project Updates from CFPS: This Grant was for the Library Sidewalk Project but we will not be applying for, due to the extra costs of engineering.
3. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve West Carroll Year Book Ad: Alderman Grim made a motion to approve to place a ¼ page at $120.00 yearbook ad and Alderman Risko seconded. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Risko, yes, Elliott, yes, Grim, yes, Bergren, yes, Bandemer, yes. Vote: 6 yeses, and 0 nos. Motion carried.
4. Discussion and Approval for Davis Community Center Pay Application #7 $1,521,363.78 and Pay Application #11 $5,050.00 for a total of $1,526,413.78 and discussion of the current Executive Summary for February: Alderman Grim made the motion to approve payments and Alderman Risko seconded. Mayor Bates talked about the Executive Summary; the building should be closed in by the end of the month, weather permitting.
5. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Ordinance No. 2023-02-02 Ordinance Amending Title 4, Chapter 2 but the Adoption of New Annual Fee for Video Gaming Terminals: Alderman Grim made the motion to approve Ordinance No. 2023-02-02, starting at $50 for May 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024; $75 for May 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025: and $100 per year each year thereafter and Alderman Bandemer seconded. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Risko, yes, Elliott, yes, Grim, yes, Bergren, yes, Bandemer, yes. Vote: 6 yeses, and 0 nos. Motion carried.
6. Discussion and Possible Action to raise the Water and Sewer Rates and Fees: Finance committee met in December to discuss the concern with the Water and Sewer Funds. With the cost of supplies rising condsiderable over the past few years the need to raise the rates more than the normal yearly 2 percennt is needed. The Council agreed to the suggestion of raising the Water and Sewer rates by 10 percent and asked Attorney Zollinger to have the Ordinance ready for the February 28, 2023 Council meeting. The increase will take place with the March readings.
7. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Ordinance No 2023-02-01, Ordinance Amending the Zoning Map to Reclassify Property owned by Reid Law (Parcel #05-001-284-00) from R2 Medium Density to Commercial with Special Use: Mayor Bates said he spoke with Mr. Law and he requested the hours of business to include in case of emergency, he is occasionally called out from a Fire Department to knock down a structure, etc. Attorney Zollinger said he can amend the ordinance if a motion was made. Alderman Risko asked if Mr. Law had completed his requirements from the settlement agreement. Alderman Kaczmarksi and Alderman Bandemer who had met with Mr. Law said he has made some progress, but then it came to a stop. Alderman Bandemer said she is frustrated the timelines were not met and Mr. Law has not communicated when he plans to finish the work. A discussion was held regarding the compliance of the settlement agreement. Attorney Zollinger told the Council he understands that everyone is frustrated, but if you approve the Special Use Permit, it gives the City a higher level of control to enforce compliance of the Special Use Permit. He said it is about risk, if we go back to court and the judge agrees with Mr. Law then he has free reign to continue to use the property for whatever he wants. If the City is successful, then he will have to shut down. Alderman Risko said we would have a shot at changing it if we went to court. Mayor Bates said you would have a shot at shutting down a business in Mt. Carroll. Is that what you want? Are you okay with that? Alderman Risko said I am. Alderman Grim made a motion to approve the Ordinance with the amendment to add the language in Section 2 hours may be extended in case of emergency, Alderman Bergren seconded, a discussion was held again regarding the compliance of the settlement agreement and a review timeline. Alderman Elliott made a motion to amend the motion on the floor to grant the Special Use Permit and review in 4 months time to make sure the settlement agreement has been completed, no second, motion failed. Alderman Grim said the intention is for the License and Ordinance Committee to review in 4 months to verify the compliance with the settlement agreement. Alderman Kaczmarksi said he planned to vote no tonight, but with the explanation from Attorney Zollinger, I have changed my mind. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Risko, yes, Elliott, yes, Grim, yes, Bergren, yes, Bandemer, yes. Vote: 6 yeses, and 0 nos. Motion carried.
General Audience
City Clerk Lisa Dauphin handed out information on Gworks Software that we would like to go with to upgrade the software for the City. The Council asked Clerk Dauphin to have a contract ready for the next meeting.
Alderman Risko read what he said at the School Board Meeting pertaining to the School building closure.
Correspondence:
1. None
Adjournment: Alderman Grim made the motion and Alderman Elliott to adjorn at 8:54 p.m. Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Risko, yes, Elliott, yes, Grim, yes, Bergren, yes, Bandemer, yes. Vote: 6 yeses, and 0 noes. Motion carried.
https://www.mtcarrollil.org/vertical/sites/%7BBF753C4F-C5AD-4CAB-8423-6FB6A24CA4F7%7D/uploads/Minutes_2023-02-14(1).pdf
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