City Council
August 2, 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, Plese, Strong, Hermes, and Hoppe.
Absent:
Alderman Mietzner made a motion and Alderman Johnston seconded to open the Public Hearing for the 2005-2006 Budget Appropriations at 7:05 p.m. All yes. Motion passed.
Alderman Mietzner made a motion and Alderman Hermes seconded to close the Public Hearing at 7:06 p.m. All yes. Motion passed.
Mayor Strong asked the Aldermen to look over the minutes for approval. Alderman Orr stated that he would approve the minutes if it would show that the motion for the approval of Ordinance 05-07-19-03 be changed to defeated due to the fact it needed a super majority according to the 2001-2003 Illinois Municipal League Handbook.
City Attorney Mahoney replied that according to Illinois State Statute Chapter 24 11-139-8 and another source, it was his opinion that ordinances that had to do with revenue does not require a super majority vote. Alderman Orr said he had a differing opinion.
Alderman Orr made a motion and Alderman Hoppe seconded to accept the minutes of the July 19, 2005 meeting as corrected to reflect that Ordinance 05-07-19-03 was defeated instead of passed in relation to the super majority rule. Aldermen Hoppe and Orr yes. Aldermen Plese, Gilmour, Strong, Mietzner, and Johnston no. Alderman Hermes abstained. Motion defeated.
Alderman Plese made a motion and Alderman Strong seconded to Accept the Minutes of the July 19, 2005 meeting as written and have them placed on file. Aldermen Hoppe and Orr no. Aldermen Plese, Gilmour, Strong, Mietzner, and Johnston yes. Alderman Hermes abstained. Motion passed.
Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Strong stated that tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. there will be a ceremony with U.S. Senator Dick Durbin to commemorate the award of $3 million in the Federal Transportation Bill for the reconstruction of South Arsenal Road. The public is invited to attend.
Mayor Strong will be going on vacation on August 4 and asked the Council to appoint a Mayor Pro Tem in his absence.
Alderman Hermes made a motion and Alderman Plese seconded to appoint Jonathan Mietzner as Mayor Pro Tem during the Mayor’s absence. Alderman Mietzner passed. All others yes. Motion passed.
Mayor Strong explained that the Accounting Supervisor had conducted 8 interviews for the temporary, part-time position for the office. With staff and his approval he would like to hire Joanne Wagge.
Alderman Mietzner made a motion and Alderman Gilmour seconded to hire Joanne Wagge for the part-time temporary position for the Finance Department at a rate of $9.00 per hour. All yes. Motion passed.
Citizen’s Comments: Bill Davy stated that Davy Lane has been resurfaced according to the City’s specifications. He would like a letter from the City accepting Davy Lane and his letter of credit reduced from $100,000 to $50,000.
The Council stated that the City Engineer would have to sign off on the project before they could move forward with the process. The City Administrator will contact the engineer.
Former Alderman Kathy Kasalko addressed the Council. She said at the April 2005 Water and Sewer Committee Meeting the Committee decided to revisit the School Water Rate. Why has the Council changed that timeframe? She also pointed out that some of the children that attended school were not in the City limits and don’t contribute towards the water income. Why should they receive a discounted rate? Mayor Strong asked if there were any comments and none were given.
Planning and Zoning Committee: The next scheduled meeting is Thursday, August 4 at 7 p.m.
Health/Safety/Building/Grounds
Committee: Nothing to report at
this time.
Water/Sewer/Streets/Alleys
Committee: Alderman Johnston
made a motion and Alderman Orr seconded to reconsider Ordinance 05-07-19-03,
an Ordinance amending the sewer use ordinance and user charges. Alderman Hermes no. Aldermen Hoppe, Mietzner, Johnston, Orr,
Plese, Gilmour, Strong yes. Motion passed.
Alderman Johnston
made a motion and Alderman Orr seconded to Send Ordinance 05-07-19-03 back
to Committee on August 10. All yes. Motion passed.
Next scheduled meeting is Wednesday, August 10 at 5:30 pm
Police and ESDA
Committee: The next meeting
will be Monday, August 8 at 5:30 p.m.
Finance/Administration/Land Acquisition Committee: City Attorney Mahoney explained that the
current Appropriation Budget was passed without a public hearing. Therefore, in order to be in compliance, a
Public Hearing Notice was published in the Joliet Herald News on Thursday, July
21, 2005, the public had ten days to review it and a Public Hearing preceded
this meeting. The City missed the
deadline for its fiscal year and this new ordinance will change the budget year
to May 11, 2006 as well as ratify and affirm the appropriation budget that was
passed on July 19. The budget year will revert back to April 30th
after next year. Aldermen Orr and Hoppe stated this never should have
happened. City Attorney Mahoney agreed
and relayed that a system has been set in place between him, the City Executive
Secretary, and the City Administrator so this would not happen again.
Alderman Plese made
a motion and Alderman Gilmour seconded to approve Ordinance 05-08-02-01, an
Ordinance ratifying, affirming and readopting City of Wilmington Ordinance
05-07-19-02. Aldermen Orr and Hoppe
no. Aldermen Strong, Hermes, Plese, Gilmour, Mietzner, Johnston yes. Mayor Strong yes. Motion passed.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, August 16, at 6:30 p.m.
Ordinance and
License Committee: Nothing to
report at this time.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, August 9 at 6:30 p.m.
Personnel and
Insurance Committee: Nothing to
report at this time.
JADA: Nothing to report at this time.
City Administrator’s Report: Rob
Nelis asked that the Aldermen let the Executive Secretary know if they plan on
attending the Illinois Municipal League Conference.
Attorney’s Report: Nothing to report at this time.
Alderman Gilmour made a motion and Alderman Hermes seconded to Adjourn the Meeting at 7:50 p.m. All yes. Motion passed.
James C. Johnston
City Clerk