Regular Meeting

City Council

October 18, 2005

 

Mayor Roy Strong, presiding.

 

The meeting was called to order with a pledge to the flag.

 

The clerk called the roll finding the following Aldermen present: Gilmour, Johnston, Mietzner, Orr, Hermes, Strong, Plese and Hoppe.

 

Absent:

 

Alderman Hoppe made a motion and Alderman Johnston seconded to Accept the Minutes of the October 4 and October 11 meetings as written and have them placed on file. All yes. Motion passed.

 

Mayor’s Report:

 

The Mayor stated the City is looking into closing the railroad crossing at Kankakee River Drive.  The City would receive monies to close the crossing.  This particular track is slated to have a switch installed and trains will be sitting on this track for lengthy periods of time.  There will be a public hearing on this issue. 

 

Citizen’s Comments: Nancy Duffy expressed her opposition to the closing of the railroad crossing.  Her major concern is the traffic on RT 53 and River Road is congested already and a stop light will have to be installed there because it is already hazardous.

 

Planning and Zoning Committee: The next scheduled meeting is Thursday, November 3 at 7 p.m.

 

Health/Safety/Building/Grounds Committee: Nothing to report at this time.

 

Water/Sewer/Streets/Alleys Committee: Alderman Gilmour made a motion and Alderman Orr seconded to Approve Ordinance #05-10-18-01, an Ordinance Amending Chapter 52, Public Utility Delinquencies, Discontinuance of Service, Dispute Resolution.  All yes.  Motion passed.

 

Next scheduled meeting is Wednesday, November 9 at 5:30 pm

 

Police and ESDA Committee: Alderman Gilmour announced that the Tenn’s building will be demolished this Thursday.

 

The next meeting will be Monday, November 7 at 5:30 p.m.

 

Finance/Administration/Land Acquisition Committee: Alderman Plese made a motion and Alderman Gilmour seconded to Accept the Engineer’s Recommendation to Accept the Streets in the Davy Industrial Park.  Hoppe passed. All others yes.  Motion passed.

Alderman Plese made a motion and Alderman Hermes seconded to Approve Ordinance #05-10-18-03, an Ordinance Authorizing the Execution of an Annexation Agreement between the City of Wilmington and the Will County Sportsmen’s Club.  All yes.  Motion passed.

 

 Alderman Plese made a motion and Alderman Gilmour seconded to Approve the lot split of the Clay Stark property on RT 53 on the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Planner.  All yes.  Motion passed.

 

Alderman Plese made a motion and Alderman Mietzner seconded to Approve the September Collector’s Report in the amount of $185,734.48 and the October Payables in the amount of $320,963.85.  All yes.  Motion passed.

 

Alderman Plese made a motion and Alderman Hermes seconded to Approve Ordinance #05-10-18-03, an Ordinance Authorizing the Execution of an Annexation Agreement between the City of Wilmington and the Will County Sportsmen’s Club.  All yes.  Motion passed.

 

Tawyna Mack City Auditor gave the audit report: 

The Governmental activities of the City (which is all activities except water and sewer related funds) showed revenues of $3,528,091 and expenditures of $3,950,233 and transfers in and out of various funds netting to $81,179 for an overall deficit of $340,963 for the year. This year's activity brought the cumulative fund balance down to $1,844,943 at the end of the fiscal year, of which $868,144 is a reserved fund balance for specific purposes.  The City has been able to pass down low taxes to the residents while maintaining enough operating cash on hand.  However, if the current fiscal year follows the trend of fiscal year 2005, the City will have to look to options for increasing taxes.

 

The Water and Sewer related activities showed revenues of $1,620,176 and expenditures of 1,117,059 and transfers in and out of various funds netting to ($81,179) for an overall excess of $421,938.  This year's activity brought the cumulative fund balance up to $1,868,679 at the end of the fiscal year, of which $1,430,007 is reserved for upcoming projects.

 

Alderman Plese made a motion and Alderman Mietzner seconded to Approve the Audit Report for Fiscal Year ending April 30, 2005 as presented.  All yes.  Motion passed.

 

Alderman Plese made a motion and Alderman Hermes seconded to Approve the Treasurer’s Report for Fiscal Year ending April 30, 2005.  All yes.  Motion passed.

 

The next meeting will be Tuesday, November 15, at 6:30 p.m.

 

Ordinance and License Committee: City Attorney Justin Fredin stated that he had two minor changes to this ordinance. Change ordinance to read National Electrical Building Code and change B to C in Chapter 157.

 

Alderman Orr made a motion and Alderman Hoppe seconded to Approve Ordinance #05-10-18-02, an Ordinance Amending Chapter 154 – Electrical Wiring Code and Chapter 157 – Building Code of the Wilmington Code of Ordinances amended to reflect current electrical code and Chapter 157 C(2).  All yes.  Motion passed.

 

Alderman Orr asked what the status was on the Park Impact Fees Ordinance.  He was under the impression it was going to be changed.  A draft ordinance is being worked on by the attorney.

 

Alderman Orr stated the next meeting will be Thursday, October 20 at 6:30 p.m.

 

Personnel and Insurance Committee: Alderman Mietzner announced there will be an Executive Session meeting on Wednesday, October 19 to interview a City Administrator candidate.

 

JADA:  Alderman Plese stated that the recent annexation of the 150 Operators Facility was a major landmark for the City.

 

City Staff Report:  Puracchio asked the Council for a meeting date next week for a Joint Planning & Zoning & Council meeting.  The Council agreed to meet on Wednesday, October 26.

 

Attorney’s Report: Nothing to report at this time.

 

Bill Davy asked the City to contact IDOT about the traffic congestion on Route 53 and work with the powers that be on running water and sewer to I-55.

 

Alderman Mietzner made a motion and Alderman Hermes seconded to Adjourn the Meeting at 7:30 p.m. All yes. Motion passed.

 

James C. Johnston

City Clerk