Regular Meeting

City Council

December 21, 2004

 

Mayor, Tony McGann, presiding.

 

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

 

The clerk called the roll finding the following Aldermen present: Brown, Strong, Kasalko, Gilmour, Hermes, Melhorn, Plese, and Cox.

 

Absent:

 

Alderman Brown made a motion and Alderman Plese seconded to Accept the Minutes of the December 7, 2004 meeting as written and have them placed on file. All yes. Motion passed.

 

Mayor’s Report: Mayor McGann stated that Heartland Blood Drive will take place at City Hall on January 13 from 3 to 7pm.

 

Alderman Brown made a motion and Alderman Plese seconded to Approve the Request for the Heartland Blood Drive to be held at City Hall on January 15, 2005 from 3 to 7 pm.  All yes.  Motion passed.

 

Mayor McGann asked for a motion for the City of Wilmington to approve the resolution supporting the nomination of Illinois Route 66 as a national scenic byway.  Alderman Gilmour expressed his concern over the replacement of deteriorating signs.  City Attorney, George Mahoney, said the City has until January 7th to act on this.

 

Alderman Cox made a motion and Alderman Hermes seconded to request Mr. Nelis research the restrictions and advantages in adopting the resolution supporting the nomination of Illinois Route 66 as a National Scenic Byway and report back to the Council on January 4, 2005.  All yes.  Motion passed.

 

Citizen’s Comments: No comments at this time.

 

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

 

Planning and Zoning Committee:  Next scheduled meeting is Thursday, January 6 at 7pm.

 

Police Commission:  Nothing to report at this time.

 

DRC: Alderman Cox complemented the City Crew on a job well done with the Christmas decorations in the downtown area.

 

Health/Safety/Building/Grounds Committee: Alderman Melhorn stated there was a Committee meeting today that park officials attended.  The City and Park officials will be meeting on a quarterly basis so they can keep the lines of communication open.  Alderman Melhorn also stated that the park district has closed the skate park for the winter.

 

Water/Sewer/Streets/Alleys Committee: The next Water/Sewer/Streets/Alleys Committee meeting is scheduled for January 12 at 6:00 p.m.

 

Police and ESDA Committee: Alderman Gilmour made a motion and Alderman Brown seconded to Hire Theresa Fisher and Tina Green at a rate of $10.97 per hour as part-time dispatchers for the Wilmington Police Department. All yes. Motion passed.

 

Alderman Gilmour made a motion and Alderman Cox seconded to Hire Eve Rush at a rate of $30 per day as school crossing guard for the Wilmington Police Department. All yes. Motion passed.

 

Alderman Kasalko wanted to note for the record that the crossing guard needs to stay until 8:30 am seeing that the school handbook states the children are not to arrive until 8:15 am.

 

Alderman Hermes made a motion and Alderman Gilmour seconded to Accept the price proposal of Advanced Energy of Wilmington to remove the existing police generator engine, flywheel and housing and replace it with a reconditioned engine at a price not to exceed $3,000. All yes. Motion passed

 

Alderman Hermes made a motion and Alderman Brown seconded to Accept the price proposal of Clennon Electric of Wilmington to replace the emergency back-up power system at Wilmington Police Department at a price not to exceed $4,460. All yes. Motion passed.

 

The next meeting will be Monday, January 10, at 5:30 p.m.

 

Finance/Administration/Land Acquisition Committee: Alderman Plese made a motion and Alderman Cox seconded to Approve Ordinance #1653 – An Ordinance for the levy and collection of taxes for the City of Wilmington, Will County, Illinois for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2004 and ending April 30, 2005.   All yes.  Motion passed.

 

Alderman Plese made a motion and Alderman Gilmour seconded to Approve the October Collector’s Report in the amount of $124,214.70 and the December Payables, as presented, in the amount of $171,144.58, October Investment Report in the amount of $3,944,984.29 and the Interest Report in the amount of $5,458.02.  All yes. Motion passed.

 

Alderman Plese made a motion and Alderman Hermes seconded to Waive the 1st and 2nd reading of Ordinance #1654, and Approve Ordinance #1654 Authorizing the Increase in the City Clerk’s salary, from $1,800. to $2,400. All yes. Motion passed

 

The next meeting will be Tuesday, January 18, at 6:30 p.m.

 

Ordinance and License Committee:  The next meeting will be Tuesday, January 11 at 5:30 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 for suggestions for projects so he could submit them to the congressional liaison.  He also asked if anyone was interested in attending the PACE meeting.  None of the Council members could attend.

 

Mr. Nelis asked Council members for available dates they could attend for two prior mentioned meetings.  The Council agreed to meet on January 19 at 6pm to go over the City Administrator’s goals and January 26 at 6:30pm for a joint planning and zoning and council meeting.

 

Attorney’s Report: George Mahoney stated that the City has received a lawsuit from States Attorney Madigan due to the ammonia levels in our sewer treatment plant.  He explained that this was actually a helpful tool in obtaining the necessary attention the City needs in order to build the new sewer plant.  He will have a copy of the lawsuit and his written opinion on it to the Mayor and the Council within the week.

 

Alderman Brown made a motion and Alderman Gilmour seconded to Go Into Executive Session at 7:55 pm to Discuss the Purchase of Property.  All yes. Motion passed.

 

Alderman Cox made a motion and Alderman Kasalko seconded to Come Out of Executive Session at 8:03 pm.  All yes.  Motion passed.  No action was taken.

 

Alderman Brown made a motion and Alderman Hermes seconded to Adjourn the Meeting at 8:04 p.m. All yes. Motion passed.

 

James C. Johnston

City Clerk