City Council
November 1, 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(arrived 7:20), and Hoppe.
Absent:
Alderman Hoppe made a motion and Alderman Orr seconded to Accept the Minutes of the October 18 meetings as amended to reflect that the Ordinance passing the Will County Sportsmen Club Annexation is void due to lack of a Public Hearing. All yes. Motion passed.
Mayor’s Report:
The Mayor announced there will be a Public Hearing on the closing of the Kankakee River Drive Railroad Crossing on November 15 at 7pm.
City Hall will be closed November 15 through November 17 for inventory. All office staff will be participating in the inventory.
The Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring their annual Christmas parade on November 26 starting at 4:30pm at the high school, going to Ryan Street to Water Street to the Post Office. The tree lighting will take place at Claire’s Corner and refreshments will be served at Jasmines.
Will County Land Use Department will be hosting a gently used book recycling event on November 4, Friday, November 5, Saturday and November 6, Sunday at Joliet Pilcher Park from 8am until 3pm. There will be a used tire collection on Friday November 18 from 8am until 3 pm at Tire Grinders 175 Des Plaines Street in Joliet.
The Mayor stated that the City will be participating in WJOL’s promotion of Wilmington during the high school football playoffs.
Citizen’s Comments: Dan Duffy, Bill Davy, Gary Van Duyne, Robert (Butch) Frank all commented on the closing of the railroad crossing. They all had concerns about the safety and traffic congestion. They asked if a traffic signal could be in place before the crossing was closed and if a traffic study could be done.
The Mayor explained the reasoning behind the closing. The Mayor invited them to attend the Public Hearing. A representative from Union Pacific Railroad will be there to answer their questions. The Mayor encouraged everyone to attend the public hearing.
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: Next scheduled meeting is Wednesday, November 9 at 5:30 pm
Police and ESDA
Committee: The next meeting
will be Monday, November 14 at 5:30 p.m.
Finance/Administration/Land Acquisition Committee: Alderman Hermes made a motion and Alderman
Gilmour seconded to approve Ordinance
#05-11-01-01, an Ordinance Authorizing the Issuance of General Obligation Bonds
(alternative revenue source) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed
$1,500,000. Voting yes Aldermen
Hermes, Gilmour, Plese, Orr, Hoppe, Johnston, Mietzner, and Strong. All yes. Motion passed.
City Accounting
Supervisor Robin Theobald explained the City’s need to establish a credit/debit
card system. The costs would include $515 for a machine, the City already has
the software and reader. The City will
be absorbing the processing fees which will be minimal and varies with amount
of payment and card type. Council asked for a pro and con sheet.
Theobald explained
that the renewal for the IMLRMA is due. She explained the options available and
recommended the MIN/MAX option. The
Council asked if she could find out how other Cities that use this feel.
Theobald will report back at the Finance Committee Meeting on November
15, 2005 on both of these issues.
Alderman Hermes made
a motion and Alderman Mietzner seconded to Approve the final payment of
$316,583.50 to D Construction for the 2005 MFT Street Maintenance Project based
on the City Engineer’s recommendation. All
yes. Motion passed.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, November 15, at 6:30 p.m.
Ordinance and License Committee: Alderman Orr stated the next meeting will be Tuesday November 8 at 6:30 p.m.
Personnel and Insurance Committee: Alderman Mietzner announced there will be Executive Session meetings on November 3 & 7 to interview a City Administrator candidate.
Alderman Mietzner made a motion and Alderman Gilmour
seconded to Approve Ordinance No.
05-11-01-02 Ratification of the American Federation of State, County, Municipal
Employees (AFSCME) Wilmington Chapter No. 1909 Contract. Voting
yes Aldermen Hermes, Gilmour, Plese, Orr, Johnston, Hoppe, Mietzner, and
Strong. All yes. Motion passed.
JADA: Alderman Plese stated the ribbon cutting
ceremony for the 150 Operators training facility took place last Thursday. He said the positive impact this will have
on the City hasn’t yet been realized.
City Staff Report: Nothing to report at this time.
Attorney’s Report: City Attorney Justin Fredin stated that the law firm has worked on the Park District Impact Fee Ordinance under Nelis’ guidance. It is ready for Council review. This will be discussed at the next Ordinance and License meeting.
Executive Session: Alderman Mietzner made a motion and Alderman Orr seconded to Go into Executive Session to discuss a specific personnel issue at 7:35 pm. All yes. Motion passed.
Alderman Mietzner made a motion and Alderman Hoppe seconded to Come Out of Executive Session at 8:10 pm. All yes. Motion passed. No Action was taken.
Alderman Orr made a motion and Alderman Johnston seconded to Adjourn the Meeting at 8:11 p.m. All yes. Motion passed.
James C. Johnston
City Clerk