City of south beloit regular council meeting

CITY OF SOUTH BELOIT

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

OCTOBER 5, 2015
CALL TO ORDER: 6:00 pm, Council Chambers, City Hall by Mayor Rehl.
ROLL CALL: Present & answering to roll call were Commissioners Chambers, Duffy, Fitzgerald, Redieske and Mayor Rehl.

City Attorney Roxanne Sosnowski was present.

City Clerk Tracy Patrick recorded the minutes.

Department Heads in attendance:

Fire Chief Ken Morse

Police Chief Dean Stiegemeier

Public Works Supervisor Jeff Reininger
PLEDGE OF

ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Rehl and recited by all members present.
INVOCATION: Mayor Rehl asked for a moment of silence.
APPROVE AGENDA:

Commissioner Chambers made a motion to amend the agenda to move item h. under New Business to the first item of discussion before item a. Commissioner Fitzgerald second the motion. Voice vote carried the motion.

Commissioner Fitzgerald made a motion to approve the agenda as amended second by Commissioner Chambers. Voice vote carried the motion.
PUBLIC COMMENT:

Celestino Ruffini introduced himself as the new Executive Director from Visit Beloit and provided a bio for Council.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Commissioner Duffy made a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held on September 21, 2015. Commissioner Redieske second the motion. Voice vote carried the motion.

REPORT OF OFFICERS:

1. Finance:

Commissioner Fitzgerald made a motion to approve the claims to be paid from September 19-October 2, 2015 in the amount of $160,335.65. Commissioner Duffy second the motion. Roll call vote showed 5 ayes.
2. Commissioner’s Report:

Accounts & Finance-Commissioner Linda Chambers

Public Health & Safety-Commissioner Tom Fitzgerald

Streets & Public Improvements-Commissioner Jeff Redieske

Public Properties-Commissioner Lori Duffy.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

1. Discussion and/or Motion Items:

a. Cindy Cooper was present to speak to Council regarding a request for a temporary suspension of penalty charges her sewer account. She stated her account is accruing additional fees and would like the fees removed since she has been in discussion with the City and does not believe the additional fees should be added to her account. Ms. Cooper submitted a proposal for Council to consider for waiving fees that are non-compounding. She does not believe the method of calculating penalties is fair to the customer. She stated she reviewed the City’s Code of Ordinances and does not believe options were presented or provided to her according to her review of the Code and would like to have Council consider waiving penalties since the Code does not specify the process of multiple penalty/agreement provisions. Attorney Sosnowski provided a historical background regarding sewer accounting mechanisms for collection and payment agreements provided for customers. The provision states the City Clerk may enter into an agreement with the customer, but is not required. She said a previous agreement was entered into for the Coopers where penalties were waived. Typically, customers are provided for a one-time penalty waiver. Council discussed the process of shutoffs and determined that since the account was not submitted for shutoff a consideration could be made. After discussion Commissioner Fitzgerald made a motion to approve waiving 50% of penalties in the amount of $614.98 and the penalty charges for August billing in the amount of $207.63 and the amount to be billed for September since she has been in conversation with the City for this matter since August. The remainder of the balance will be in 5 payments that will be due by the current billing’s due date along with the current usage amount. First payment is due October 30, 2015. Commissioner Redieske second the motion. Roll call vote showed 5 ayes.
NEW BUSINESS:

1. Discussion and/or Motion Items:

h. Attorney Shawlbrack was present on behalf of Cornerstone Credit Union. Cornerstone would like to begin using Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds. Commissioner Duffy made a motion to approve Resolution 5798 Memorializing the City’s commitment to enter into a Redevelopment Agreement regarding the Gardner/Blackhawk TIF District. The final terms of conditions of such assistance are to be determined and shall be memorialized in a redevelopment agreement between Cornerstone Credit Union and the City at a later date. Commissioner Redieske second the motion. Roll call vote showed 5 ayes.

a. Commissioner Redieske made a motion to approve the request for a sign on Blackhawk and Gardner fence from Mary’s Place for an event to be held on October 25, 2015 provided the sign specify where the benefit funds will go. Commissioner Fitzgerald second the motion. Voice vote carried the motion.

b. Jerry Miller was present on behalf of the South Beloit Lions Club to request expenditure from the Hotel/Motel fund for advertisement only for the events that help bring tourism to the City of South Beloit in the amount of $5000.00. Attorney Sosnowski explained the statute regarding the fund must be used to promote tourism and did not believe the request would qualify under the statute. Mayor Rehl stated the request could be considered in the next fiscal year to be taken from the General Fund if additional funds are available, but would need to be discussed during the budget workshop process. He invited Mr. Miller to attend the budget meetings. The request died for a lack of a motion.

c. From the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting held on September 16, 2015 a positive recommendation was given regarding a text amendment. Commissioner Chambers made a motion to approve Ordinance 2173 amending the City’s Zoning Code regarding outside storage in the Light Industrial (IL) Zoning District. Commissioner Fitzgerald second the motion. Voice vote carried the motion.

d. Commissioner Duffy made a motion to approve the hours of 4:30-7:30 pm for Trick or Treat. Commissioner Redieske second the motion. Voice vote carried the motion.

e. Commissioner Duffy made a motion to approve Resolution 5797 approving a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Illinois Council of Police for Streets, Waste Water or Public Property Department Employees. Attorney Sosnowski summarized the changes to wages and employee insurance contribution increases. Commissioner Redieske second the motion. Roll call vote showed 5 ayes.

f. Council discussed amending the sewer section of the City’s Code of Ordinance to remove the requirement for the backflow preventer ie: sanitary check valve to be installed before a home can sell or transfer the property. Council would like to leave the requirement in the Ordinance for a new construction, however; remove the requirement for the sale or transfer the deed of the property. Question #8 asking if there is a current backflow preventer installed will remain on the City’s Clearwater Inspection form. Commissioner Redieske made a motion to layover Ordinance 2174 until the next Regular Council Meeting. Commissioner Duffy second the motion. Voice vote carried the motion.

g. Commissioner Fitzgerald made a motion to approve a wage increase for Clerical Assistant to Code Enforcement Officer Lisa Fisher in the amount of .50 cents /hour. Commissioner Chambers second the motion. Roll call vote showed 5 ayes.

MISCELLANEOUS

LICENSES & PERMITS:

1. RLE’s:

a. Lisa Kozak-Road Ranger #5156

b. Carmen Anderson-Road Ranger #5156

c. Cynthia Moffit-Jena’s Eatery

d. Paige Hull-Mustang’s Bar & Grill

Commissioner Chambers made a motion to approve all applications second by Commissioner Redieske. Roll call vote showed 5 ayes.
ADJOURN:

At 7:26 pm on a motion made by Commissioner Redieske second by Commissioner Fitzgerald. Voice vote carried the motion.

_____________________________________ ________________________________

Mayor City Clerk
Approved: