NW Illinois News

City of Rochelle City Council met March 11.

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 Deputy Clerk Jennifer Thompson.

II. ROLL CALL: Present were Councilors T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, Valdivieso, and Mayor John Bearrows. A quorum of seven were present. Also, present City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh and Deputy Clerk Jennifer Thompson.

III. PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS, ETC: None.

IV. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS:

1. Mayor's Report: The Crawford Foundation Spaghetti Dinner with be held on 3/15 from 5pm-7pm at Lincoln School. The State of the Community Address is on 3/19 at 2pm in Council Chambers in persons and streamed live. Everyone is encouraged to go to the City's Facebook page to take a survey for Fairways Golf Course regarding plans for long term projects and a feasibility survey for Lee Ogle Transportation System (LOTS) for a fixed bus route. Brush pick up will start on 3/18 and reminded everyone to change batteries in their smoke alarms. The General Primary Election will be held on 3/19, early voting is available at Flag and Dement Townships on 3/13 – 3/15 from 9am - 4pm and Saturday 3/16 9am - Noon. Sign up is open for 2024 Citizen Academy please contact Jennifer Thompson if interested. The City's Electronic Recycling drop off with be held on 4/6 at the Street department.

2. Council Members: Councilor Arteaga reminded everyone that the Crawford Spaghetti Dinner is for a great cause and encourages everyone to come and show support.

3. New Employee Introductions - John Cox & Cal Faber - Street Department

V. PUBLIC COMMENTARY: None.

VI. BUSINESS ITEMS:

1. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS BY OMNIUS VOTE with Recommendations:

a) Approve City Council Meeting Minutes - 02/26/24

b) Approve Payroll - 02/05/24-02/18/24

c) Approve Check Registers - 210212-210279, 210280-210363

d) Approve Special Event Request - Ford Fest Car Show - June 22

Motion made by Councilor Hayes, Seconded by Councilor D. McDermott, "I move consent agenda items (a) through (d) be approved by Omnibus vote as recommended." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, Valdivieso, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.

2. An Ordinance Amending Section 57, “Payment of Fees” of Article II, of Chapter 86 of the Rochelle Municipal Code. Currently, Section 86-57- “Payments of fees” states developers will make a deposit that is reimbursable. The requested changes require the developer to pay expenses incurred by the City and not structured as a reimbursement. Michelle Pease, Director Community Development was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor T. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Arteaga, "I move Ordinance 24-5467, an Ordinance Amending Section 57, "Payment of Fees" of Article II, of Chapter 86 of the Rochelle Municipal Code, be approved." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, Valdivieso, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.

3. An Ordinance Amending Article III of Chapter 98 - Water Leak Credit. Water leaks not only impact the efficiency of our water system, but also affect individual customers who may incur additional costs as a result of undetected leaks on their properties. Recognizing this challenge, the proposed water leak policy includes a provision for offering credits to customers who promptly report and address leaks at their service address. (a) Applying for a credit. If a residential customer experiences a water leak, the customer may apply for a water leak credit. In order to qualify for a water leak credit, the customer must: (1) Fill out the Water Leak Credit Request Form and provide the necessary documentation to the Customer Service Office; and (2) Have a new water meter installed that complies with the City’s automated leak alert system; and (3) Be enrolled to receive Leak Alerts on the customer portal; and (4) Provide proof that the leak has been repaired. (b) Calculating the credit. Credits will be issued based upon the customer’s average monthly usage. The City will credit one hundred percent (100%) of the water and water reclamation charges above the user’s monthly average. A maximum of two months will be considered for purposes of the credit. (c) Limits to credits. Accounts are only eligible for one credit every five years. (d) Authorization of Credit. All water leak credits must be signed off by the Superintendent of Water/Water Reclamation and City Manager before being applied to a customer’s account. The City Manager may also in his/her sole discretion approve credits on a case-by-case basis including situations involving extenuating circumstances or unmet qualifications. Utility Billing Manager Autumn Hernandez was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor Valdivieso, Seconded by Councilor Shaw Dickey, "I move Ordinance 24-5468, an Ordinance Amending Article III "Water" of Chapter 98 of the Rochelle Municipal Code to Add Section 108 "Water Leak Credit," be approved." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, Valdivieso, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0

4. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 98 - Person Responsible for Charges. The RMU billing office sees many scenarios where multiple tenants reside at a residence and are listed on the same lease. We would like to recommend adopting this amendment to add in the wording “Anyone residing at the premises, or named on the lease for the premises shall be considered a consumer”. This clarification assists the billing office in ensuring that that customers cannot avoid paying for utility services despite being a consumer of the utilities. Utility Billing Manager Autumn Hernandez was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor Arteaga, Seconded by Councilor D. McDermott, "I move Ordinance 24-5469, an Ordinance Amending Chapter 98, Article I, Section 5, Person Responsible for Charges, be approved." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, Valdivieso, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.

5. A Resolution Waiving Competitive Bidding and Accepting the Proposal from Alta Equipment Company for a Simex PLC Planer. Each year the City’s Engineering and Street Departments identify roads for the annual sealcoating program. Before sealcoating is performed the Street Department will use a cold planer to prepare the road surface by removing displacements and sections of pavement that have deteriorated to a point that sealcoating alone would be ineffective. Currently Street Department staff use a 17-year-old, 24-inch cold planer attachment without a material discharge belt to mill deteriorated pavement and displacements. During this process, staff will mill sections of pavement leaving behind a trench full of material. Once milling has been completed staff will then go back and clean the material out of the trench which becomes very dirty, laborious, and time consuming. The 2024 budget includes funds to purchase one new cold planer attachment. The Simex PLC 30 is a self-leveling 30-inch cold planer with a hydraulic side shift feature and material discharge belt with speed adjustment. This cold planer attachment will greatly improve operational efficiency with a larger cutting drum and by discharging the milled materials to the right or left leaving behind a clean trench. Director of Public Works Tim Isley was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Arteaga, "I move Resolution R24-17 a Resolution Waiving Competitive Bidding Requirements and Approving the Proposal from Alta Equipment Company for a Simex PLC Planer, be approved." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, Valdivieso, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.

VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS: None.

VIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None.

IX. ADJOURNMENT: At 7:00 PM, Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Hayes, "I move the Council adjourn." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, Valdivieso, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.

https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/rochelleil-pubu/MEET-Minutes-211ac4dac243494f89a9043b06628b90.pdf