Regular Meeting

City Council

July 6, 2004

 

Mayor, Tony McGann, presiding.

 

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

 

Alderman Cox made a motion and Alderman Brown seconded to appoint Sheryl Puracchio as acting clerk for the meeting of the Wilmington City Council of July 6, 2004.  All yes.  Motion passed.

 

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

 

Absent: Strong

 

Alderman Brown made a motion and Alderman Plese seconded to accept the minutes of the June 15th  meeting as presented and have them placed on file. All yes. Motion passed.

 

Mayor’s Report:

The Mayor announced that the Wilmington Pastors’ Association will be hosting a “Singspiration” on August 15th from 5 pm until 7 pm at Memorial Park.  Dave Melhorn will make sure the Park District gets this information.  He read a letter from a group that will be sponsoring a fundraiser for Laura Proffitt on Friday, July 16 from 5-10 pm. On Sister Ann Ellen Street.

 

The Mayor stated that he wanted to recognize the Wilmington High School Baseball Team tonight but due to their schedules it will be in August.

 

The Mayor announced that he was starting a City-wide Health Initiative.  When he attended the Mayor’s Conference last month he learned that with every dollar spent in prevention it was saving twelve dollars in health care expenses.  Every month will be a new focus. Exercise with the Mayor will be the first month.  He’ll also be addressing obesity, diabetes, cancer, and sponsoring health fairs. 

 

Due to an accident on RT55 the City Attorney has been detained.  The Council will address the Planning and Zoning issues upon his arrival.

 

Citizen’s Comments: Residents from Northcrest brought up their concerns about loose gravel alongside Circle Drive. Alderman Melhorn and the Mayor will bring it to the Public Works Department’s attention.  They also asked about the pavilion in the Park.  Alderman Melhorn explained to them it was not the City’s project.  The Council gave authority a year ago to Jared Hill to build for his Eagle Scout project along with the Park District’s supervision.  Finally, they inquired about the burnt home in their neighborhood and were told that it was still under investigation.

Marty Orr wanted to go on record stating that he thought American ContainerNet will be a great benefit to the area.

 

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

 

DRC: Nothing to report at this time.

 

Health and Safety Committee: Nothing to report at this time.

 

Water and Sewer Committee: The next Water and Sewer Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 14, at 5:30 p.m.

 

Grounds, Buildings and Parks Committee:

Alderman Melhorn stated that he was approached by some citizens asking if the City could construct a marquee type sign-notifying residents about meetings.  Council members discussed various ways a resident could obtain information.

 

Alderman Melhorn made a motion and Alderman Kasalko seconded to Retain the Sidwell CD at a cost of $50.00  All yes.  Motion passed.

 

Alderman Melhorn made a motion and Alderman Brown seconded to Donate $3,500 towards the Park District Fireworks Display on July 3, 2004.  All yes.  Motion passed.

 

Alderman Melhorn gave an update on the Children’s Memorial Park.  The playground equipment has been ordered and should be here in 2 ½ weeks.  The skate park equipment will be here in 4 weeks. The City Crew has been working hard hauling gravel for the parking lots and the Park sidewalk should be installed next week.  The Riley Fox Memorial Park will be dedicated on July 15, at 7 pm.

 

Alderman Melhorn also relayed that the security contract for the city garage is due and will be approved by the Department Head.

 

Police Committee: Alderman Hermes explained, before he gave the motion, that the Police Department would not be hiring four police officers.  The department would be contacting four candidates from the eligible list in the hopes of hiring two officers with the possibility of a third for the school liaison position if the grant goes through.

 

Alderman Hermes made a motion and Alderman Gilmour seconded to Begin the Hiring Process for Four Wilmington Police Officers. All yes. Motion passed.

 

The next meeting will be Monday, July 12 at 5:30 p.m.

 

Finance Committee:  The next meeting will be Tuesday, July 20 at 6:00 p.m.

 

Ordinance and License Committee:  The next meeting will be Tuesday, July 13 at 5:30 p.m.

 

Streets and Alleys Committee:  Alderman Cox stated that the engineer has submitted the MFT report and it will be discussed at the next Streets and Alleys Committee meeting on July 15, at 7 pm.

 

Personnel and Insurance Committee: Alderman Brown made a motion and Alderman Cox seconded to Approve the Department Head Raises by 5% for James Metta and Ken Jeffries, and Sue Johnston, and 7% for Gary VanDuyne and Gary Tate, effective July 1, 2004.  Alderman Kasalko passed, all others yes.  Motion passed.

 

ESDA Committee: Alderman Brown stated that the spaghetti dinner fund raiser raised $900. He also mentioned that he will be making a recommendation at the next Council meeting for ESDA to purchase scuba tanks.

 

Collective Bargaining Committee: Nothing to report at this time.

 

Land Acquisition Committee: Alderman Plese made a motion and Alderman and Alderman Brown seconded to Authorize Mr. Liss of Andrews Environmental Engineering, Inc. to Conduct an Environmental Assessment on the Celotex Property at a Cost Not to Exceed $2,000.00.  All yes.  Motion passed.

 

JADA:  Alderman Plese stated that the annexation agreement should be in place by August.  The water and sewer bid was given to Issert.

 

Planning and Zoning Report: Representatives from ContainerNet and Mr. John Pappas, owner of property, discussed plans for the former Phibro-Tech property.  ContainerNet plans to transform the vacant building into a facility that cleans and refurbishes 55-gallon drums. This would bring in 120 manufacturing jobs. There are three lots located on this property and ContainerNet would be occupying lot 2.  Rodney Tonelli, City Engineer, explained the layout of the property and what the Council would be asked to vote on.  Council members asked about the refurbishing process and Timothy Cullina, an engineer from ContainerNet, explained the procedures.  He also stated that everything the company does is governed by USEPA regulations.  Alderman Cox requested that sidewalks along Kankakee River Drive be added in the agreement.  Mr. Pappas agreed to those terms.

 

Alderman Plese made a motion and Alderman Brown seconded to Recommend American ContainerNet Site Plan Approval Contingent upon the Following:

1)      Review and Approval of Final Engineering for PUD and Site Plan.

2)      Issuance of an Air Permit from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

Alderman Melhorn abstained, all others yes.  Motion passed.

 

Alderman Plese made a motion and Alderman Brown seconded to Approve the Final Plat for JT Subdivision dated ------, for a Planned Unit Development Contingent upon the Following:

1)      Final Engineering Review and Approval.

2)      City Attorney Review and Approval.

3)      Reasonable Access

4)      Sidewalk Along Kankakee River Drive

Alderman Melhorn abstained, all others yes.  Motion passed.

 

Alderman Plese made a motion and Alderman Hermes seconded to Approve Ordinance #1638 Granting Conditional Use Permit for the Subject Parcel Set Forth in Ordinance #1638.  Alderman Melhorn abstained, all others yes.  Motion passed 

 

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

 

Alderman Cox made a motion and Alderman Gilmour seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:07 p.m. All yes. Motion passed.

 

Sheryl L. Puracchio

Acting City Clerk