Regular Meeting

City Council

December 7, 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 Gilmour made a motion and Alderman Brown seconded to Accept the Minutes of the November 16, 2004 meeting as written and have them placed on file. Melhorn passed. All others yes. Motion passed.

 

Mayor’s Report: City Hall Christmas party will be held December 22 at noon.

 

A presentation was made by Heritage Corridor. They would like to designate Old Route 66 as a National Scenic Byway.  Aldermen questioned the sign restrictions and she assured them that it was in relation to billboards and anything that was presently posted would be grandfathered in.

 

Mayor McGann announced, in keeping with his health program, there would be a diabetes screening on Wednesday December 5, at City Hall from 7am until 10 am.  Free to the public. The screening will be sponsored by Provena St. Joe’s.

 

Citizen’s Comments: Jerry Gatties addressed the Council about his term on the JADA Board.  It is up to the Mayor to appoint a representative. The Mayor must submit three names by January and he would like to continue to represent the city.

 

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

 

Planning and Zoning Committee:  Mayor McGann said that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommends granting a conditional use to 303 E. Baltimore for the sale of used vehicles.

 

Alderman Brown made a motion and Alderman Strong seconded to Recommend a Conditional Use for a Used Car Dealership at 303 E. Baltimore Street.  All yes.  Motion passed.

 

Next scheduled meeting is Thursday, January 6 at 7pm.

 

Police Commission:  Nothing to report at this time.

 

DRC: Alderman Cox stated that the Christmas wreaths were up and the Christmas Parade was a success in spite of the rain.

 

Health/Safety/Building/Grounds Committee: Alderman Melhorn made a motion and Alderman Brown seconded to Accept the Bid and Approve the Attached Three Year Contract for Blue Ribbon Cleaning Service Starting December 10, 2004 for a Yearly Rate of $19,778.10.   All yes.  Motion passed.

 

Water/Sewer/Streets/Alleys Committee: The next Water/Sewer/Streets/Alleys Committee meeting is scheduled for December 15 at 6:00 p.m.

 

Police and ESDA Committee: Alderman Hermes stated the Council will be going into Executive Session at the end of the Council meeting.

 

The next meeting will be Monday, December 13 at 5:30 p.m.

 

Finance/Administration/Land Acquisition Committee: Tawyna Mack of Echols & Mack, the City Auditor, presented the audit to the Council. She stated the city is fiscally sound.  The results of the recent audit revealed the city has $166,000. more in assets over last year and has six months on hand to rely on before tax funds are received. Aldermen Plese stated that the Council is to be commended for running a fiscally efficient city especially since the state finances have been experiencing huge difficulties and have cut back on state taxes.

 

Alderman Brown made a motion and Alderman Hermes seconded to Approve the Audit as Presented.  All yes.  Motion passed.

 

The next meeting will be Tuesday, December 21 at 6:30 p.m.

 

Ordinance and License Committee:  Alderman Strong stated the Planning & Zoning Commission as well as the Ordinance and License Committee have been working on this ordinance. Mayor McGann stated this was a positive direction for the city to be taking.

 

Alderman Strong made a motion and Alderman Kasalko seconded to Approve Ordinance #1644 Minimum Dwelling Size.  All yes.  Motion carried.

 

The next meeting will be Tuesday, December 14 at 5:30 p.m.

 

Personnel and Insurance Committee: Nothing to report at this time.

 

JADA:  Jay Plese stated that there will be a resuming of annexation discussions in January.

 

City Administrator’s Report:  Rob Nelis explained to the Council his contact with Mr. Shroud regarding a possible annexation on Dresden & Lorenzo Road. The Council agreed he should continue the discussion.

Alderman Cox made a motion and Alderman Plese seconded to Authorize Rob Nelis to Continue Annexation Discussions with Mr. Donald Shroud Regarding a Gated Development West of Route 55.  All yes.  Motion passed.

 

Mr. Nelis went over the goals he felt he should pursue due to conversations with the Council.  He asked that the Council look these over and make comments.

 

He informed the Council that 150 Operators have asked the county for a grading permit so they can begin work on their property on the arsenal area.  Alderman Plese explained that the City does not want to hold them up as long as we will be resuming dialogue on the annexation.

 

Mr. Nelis stated he thought it would be a good idea if the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council hold a joint meeting so everyone would be presenting a same picture scenario with developers.  The Council agreed and he will set up a meeting sometime in January.

 

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

 

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

 

Alderman Brown made a motion and Alderman Gilmour seconded to Come Out of Executive Session.  All yes.  Motion passed.  No action was taken.

 

Alderman Brown made a motion and Alderman Plese seconded to Adjourn the Meeting at 7:45 p.m. All yes. Motion passed.

 

James C. Johnston

City Clerk