City of East Peoria City Council met June 7

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Sep 8, 2022

City of East Peoria City Council met June 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of East Peoria, Illinois was called to order by his Honor Mayor John P. Kahl presiding at 6:00 P.M. with proper notice having been given.

Upon the roll being called the following answered present: Mayor John P. Kahl, Commissioner Daniel S. Decker, Commissioner Mark E. Hill, Commissioner Seth D. Mingus, and Commissioner Michael L. Sutherland.

Absent: None.

The invocation was given by Commissioner Hill.

Mayor Kahl led the Council and the audience in the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

Motion by Commissioner Mingus, seconded by Commissioner Decker; Mr. Mayor, I move that the minutes of the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on May 17, 2022 and the minutes of the Closed Meeting/Executive Session held on May 17, 2022 be approved as printed.

Yeas: Commissioner Decker, Hill, Mingus, Sutherland, and Mayor Kahl.

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried.

Mayor Kahl proclaimed June 14, 2022 as “Flag Day” and June 12-18, 2028 as “National Flag Week.”

Mayor Kahl stated if there was anyone in the audience who wanted to speak on any items on the agenda to come to the podium and state the matter or matters to be discussed. There was no response.

Mayor Kahl stated that two items were being pulled from the agenda, the motion to remove Ordinance No. 4644 from the table, and approval of Ordinance No. 4644. Both items will be brought back at the June 21 City Council meeting.

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS BY OMNIBUS VOTE:

Mayor Kahl asked if any Commissioner wished to remove any items from the Consent Agenda for discussion. There was no response.

Motion by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Decker; Mr. Mayor, I move to adopt a consent agenda consisting of items numbered 1 through 9 as listed on the agenda for this meeting to be considered by omnibus vote.

Item Number 1 - Adoption of Resolution Number 2223-022 – Resolution to Approve Payment of the Schedule of Bills Listed on Schedule Number 2 in the amount of $4,675,536.10.

Item Number 2 - Adoption of Ordinance Number 4652 on its Second Reading - (AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A SPECIAL USE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 501 MEADOW AVENUE IN THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, TAZEWELL COUNTY, ILLINOIS) – (Special Use to allow the siting of a used car dealership on property zoned “B-3, Business Service District”.)

Item Number 3 - Adoption of Ordinance Number 4653 on its Second Reading - (AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A SPECIAL USE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 104 W. MULLER ROAD IN THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, TAZEWELL COUNTY, ILLINOIS) – (Special Use for an additional accessory building located in the front yard on his property zoned “R-2, One Family Dwelling District”.)

Item Number 4 - Adoption of Ordinance Number 4654 on its Second Reading - (AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ZONING REGULATIONS IN TITLE 5 OF THE EAST PEORIA CITY CODE TO ALLOW CONDITIONAL USES IN M-2 MANUFACTURING DISTRICT)

Item Number 5 - Adoption of Ordinance Number 4655 on its Second Reading - (AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING CONSOLIDATION OF CONDITIONAL USES FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 300 S. MAIN STREET IN THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, TAZEWELL COUNTY, ILLINOIS)

Item Number 6 - Adoption of Resolution Number 2223-013 on its Second Reading – Resolution Approving First Amendment to Master Service Agreement for Water Main Installation Services during 2022-2023 Fiscal Year with Hoerr Construction, Inc.

Item Number 7 - Adoption of Ordinance Number 4651 on its Second Reading – (AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN INSTALLMENT CONTRACT FOR PURCHASE OF NEW VIDEO CAMERAS, BODY CAMERAS, AND RELATED EQUIPMENT FOR THE CITY’S POLICE DEPARTMENT)

Item Number 8 - Adoption of Resolution Number 2223-012 on its Second Reading - Resolution approving the purchase of a New 2022 Ford F-550 for the Tourism and Special Events Department from Morrow Brothers Ford, Inc. in the amount of $52,715.

Item Number 9 - Adoption of Resolution Number 2223-015 on its Second Reading - Resolution accepting the Proposal from Bessler Welding for the Festival of Lights Enterprise Float Trailer Conversion Project.

Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Hill, Mingus, Sutherland, and Mayor Kahl.

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Mingus; Mr. Mayor, I move you that Items numbered 1 through 9 listed on the Consent Agenda be hereby approved and adopted, the items numbered 2 through 9 having been read once by their title and having laid on the table for no less than one week for public inspection be adopted as presented.

Item Number 1 - Adoption of Resolution Number 2223-022 – Resolution to Approve Payment of the Schedule of Bills Listed on Schedule Number 2 in the amount of $4,675,536.10. (Adopted by omnibus vote)

Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Hill, Mingus, Sutherland, and Mayor Kahl.

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried and the items adopted by omnibus vote designation.

Motion by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Decker; Mr. Mayor, I move you that Ordinance No. 4657 hereto attached, (AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED $13,980,000 TAXABLE GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS (ALTERNATE REVENUE SOURCE), SERIES 2022A, OF THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, TAZEWELL COUNTY, ILLINOIS, FOR THE PURPOSE OF REFUNDING CERTAIN OUTSTANDING ALTERNATE REVENUE BONDS OF SAID CITY, AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A BOND ORDER IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, PLEDGING CERTAIN REVENUES OF SAID CITY, PROVIDING FOR THE IMPOSITION OF TAXES TO PAY THE SAME, AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN ESCROW AGREEMENT IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, AND AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF SAID BONDS TO THE PURCHASER THEREOF) be accepted on its first reading as read by its title, and be laid on the table for no less than one week for public inspection.

Commissioner Hill said the city looks at its outstanding bonds for cost saving opportunities. Bonds from 2007, 2014 and 2019 are being rebonded and the savings to the city is $385,000. Mayor Kahl said this is the seventh time they have been refunded for a present value savings of just under $1.8 million.

Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Hill, Mingus, Sutherland, and Mayor Kahl.

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried.

Resolution No. 2223-017 by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Mingus; BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, ILLINOIS that Resolution No. 2223-017, hereto attached, a Resolution Accepting Lowest Responsible Bidder for Residential Demolition Contractor from Jimax Corp., be approved. Mr. Mayor, I move you that this Resolution No. 2223-017 be accepted on its first reading as read by its title, and be laid on the table for no less than one week for public inspection.

Commissioner Hill explained that every two to three years the city seeks requests for proposals for a demolition contractor. Jimax has been the contractor for the past two years. The city received two requests for proposals, one from S. Schafer Excavating and the other from Jimax. There were considerable cost savings in the Jimax proposal. It is a two-year contract with option for third year.

Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Hill, Mingus, Sutherland, and Mayor Kahl.

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried.

Resolution No. 2223-018 by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Decker; BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, ILLINOIS that Resolution No. 2223-018, hereto attached, a Resolution approving Laserfiche Software Licensing Renewal for the City with R&D Computer Systems, LLC in the amount of $14,522.50, be approved. Mr. Mayor, I move you that this Resolution No. 2223-018 be accepted on its first reading as read by its title, and be laid on the table for no less than one week for public inspection.

Commissioner Hill explained the Laserfiche software is an integral part of the city’s electronic document storage and handling system. The software manufacture allows only limited and specific vendors to sell it.

Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Hill, Mingus, Sutherland, and Mayor Kahl.

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Mingus; Mr. Mayor, I move you that Ordinance No. 4656 hereto attached, (AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE SALE OF EXCESS CITY PROPERTY AT 215 S. PLEASANT HILL ROAD) be accepted on its first reading as read by its title, and be laid on the table for no less than one week for public inspection.

This is the third time the city has tried to sell this excess property. It is an empty lot, and several offers had failed to close. The offer was $6,900 on the appraised value of $8,000, which meets the city’s requirements to sell. The buyer is Anthony Cleveland, and he will pay the closing costs.

Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Hill, Mingus, Sutherland, and Mayor Kahl.

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried.

Resolution No. 2223-021 by Commissioner Hill; RESOLUTION GRANTING TEMPORARY EASEMENTS TO THE EAST PEORIA SANITARY DISTRICT FOR LEVEE REPAIR WORK ON THE FARM CREEK DRAINAGEWAY LEVEE SYSTEM

WHEREAS, the Farm Creek waterway is owned by and is the responsibility of the East Peoria Sanitary District (the “Sanitary District”); and

WHEREAS, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (“Corps”) is prepared to cause maintenance and repair work to be performed on the Farm Creek drainageway levee between the Clock Tower Drive bridge and the Tractor Drive bridge in East Peoria (the “Levee Repair Project”); and

WHEREAS, maintenance of the Farm Creek drainageway is vital to the well-being of the East Peoria community and the Levee District area of the City; and

WHEREAS, as a means to avail itself to such assistance from the Corps and then undertake the Levee Repair Project, the Sanitary District seeks two temporary easements on and over property owned by the City of East Peoria (“City”) along W. Camp Street, with one temporary easement for a staging area for the Levee Repair Project, as set forth in Exhibit 1 attached hereto and incorporated by reference, and the other temporary easement for a disposal area for depositing fill and spoils for the Levee Repair Project, as set forth in Exhibit 2 attached hereto and incorporated by reference (the temporary easements set forth in Exhibit 1 and Exhibit 2 hereafter collectively referred to as the “Temporary Easements”); and

WHEREAS, the Corps and the Sanitary District will require any contractor performing the work on the Farm Creek drainageway for the Levee Repair Project to restore the property owned by the City to its original condition; and

WHEREAS, it is therefore in the best interests of the City to grant the Sanitary District the Temporary Easements as set forth in Exhibit 1 and Exhibit 2 without compensation to facilitate work on the Levee Repair Project for the Farm Creek drainageway;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, TAZEWELL COUNTY, ILLINOIS, THAT:

Section 1. The above recitations are found to be true and correct.

Section 2. The Mayor and City Clerk are authorized and directed to execute the Temporary Easements substantially conforming to Exhibit 1 and Exhibit 2, together with such changes therein as the Mayor in his discretion deems appropriate.

Section 3. The Mayor and City Clerk are further authorized and directed to execute such other documents as shall be necessary to facilitate the work for and completion of the Levee Repair Project for the Farm Creek drainageway.

Motion by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Decker; Mr. Mayor, I move that Resolution No. 2223-021 be adopted as presented.

Commissioner Hill explained that the drainage ways in the city are important in preventing floods. A 100- foot section along Camp Street will be used by the Army Corps of Engineers and the East Peoria Sanitary District for the maintenance and repair project.

Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Hill, Mingus, Sutherland, and Mayor Kahl.

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried and Resolution No. 2223-021 be duly adopted as presented.

Resolution No. 2223-019 by Commissioner Mingus;

WHEREAS, Michael Menssen has been continuously employed by the City from February 16, 2000 through May 31, 2022, most recently occupying the position of firefighter in the East Peoria Fire Department;

WHEREAS, Michael Menssen announced his intention to retire from employment effective at the end of his shift on May 31, 2022; and

WHEREAS, the City is appreciative of the long and continued service provided by Michael Menssen; and

WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City to execute the attached Separation Agreement; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, TAZEWELL COUNTY, ILLINOIS, THAT:

Section 1. The above recitals are found to be true and correct.

Section 2. The Mayor is hereby authorized to execute the Separation Agreement with such changes as the Mayor, in his sole discretion, may decide are in the best interest of the City of East Peoria.

Motion by Commissioner Mingus, seconded by Commissioner Sutherland; Mr. Mayor, I move that Resolution No. 2223-019 be adopted as presented.

Firefighter Menssen has retired from the city and was thanked for his service. Commissioner Decker said he has worked with Menssen for many years. Menssen will be teaching the high school EMS program during his retirement. Commissioner Hill wished him the best of luck in his retirement. Mayor Kahl thanked Menssen for his 22 years of service and said it is apparent that Menssen has a passion for teaching. The total amount of the separation agreement is $42,701.40.

Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Hill, Mingus, Sutherland, and Mayor Kahl.

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried and Resolution No. 2223-019 be duly adopted as presented.

Resolution No. 2223-020 by Commissioner Mingus seconded by Commissioner Decker; BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, ILLINOIS that Resolution No. 2223-020, hereto attached, a Resolution approving the payment of an Invoice to Tazewell County Emergency Telephone System Board (ETSB) for Annual Payment of Records Management System Services in the amount of $10,566.60., be approved. Mr. Mayor, I move you that this Resolution No. 2223-020 be accepted on its first reading as read by its title, and be laid on the table for no less than one week for public inspection.

This is a payment made to the ETSB annually for the records management systems services.

Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Hill, Mingus, Sutherland, and Mayor Kahl.

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried.

Mayor Kahl stated if there was anyone in the audience who wanted to speak on any items not on the agenda to come to the podium state the matter or matters to be discussed. There was no response.

Mayor Kahl then asked for comments from Council.

Commissioner Decker discussed upcoming road work which will be starting soon. A number of projects are planned. The city does some of the work, but outside contractors are hired to do much of the maintenance work. He also mentioned how great the Honor Flight was last week. None of the veterans had any medical issues on the trip and a nice crowd greeted them. It was a long day but is also a great day.

Commissioner Hill paid tribute to Ralph “Punky” Staley who recently passed away. He was known by many in the city and gave back to East Peoria for many years, including serving on a township board. Commissioner Hill asked that the Staley Family be kept in everyone’s thoughts.

The commissioner also discussed electrical aggregation and how East Peoria is one of 41 communities unable to get a contract for lower rates. The city will be posting information so residents and businesses can learn more about the upcoming rate increases. Some people have tried to go on the market themselves and found the rate Ameren Illinois offered was better even though it is higher. Peoria, East Peoria and Morton are all in the same situation.

Commissioner Hill also discussed some upcoming events. The East Peoria Small Business Extravaganza will happen Saturday, June 11 in much of the original East Peoria downtown block. The East Peoria Historical Society will sell pork chop sandwiches. The Beautification Commission is taking nominations for the June Bright Spot Awards. Residents can nominate online on the city’s website and provide at least one photo. The award is named for Paul Peterson who for many years maintained the garden at Simon Drive, Illini Drive and Highview Road. The June awards close June 10. The East Peoria Farmer’s Market is up and running. Commissioner Hill said produce has been slow to come in from the farm fields, but it will be there soon. The market currently has good crafters.

Commissioner Sutherland said there has been an important issue in the Twin Oaks subdivision area regarding the sanitary sewer. He asked that those residents call to have their houses checked to see what can be done. Commissioner Sutherland said he can be called at 309-472-4733.

He added that while the work on Farm Creek was approved earlier, he also does not want to lose sight of the residents of Richland Farms because they are part of the flooding issue as well.

Mayor Kahl also remembered “Punky” Staley and his many hours and years of volunteering in the city.

The mayor discussed the electrical aggregation issue. He said electrical aggregation has been part of the city for eight years with a savings of just over $6 million. People will have to make tough choices coming up due to price increases in food, fuel, medications and now energy. He said any electrical aggregation companies that approach residents should be vetted thoroughly. The electrical aggregation will be reviewed again in May 2023.

Mayor Kahl publicly acknowledged city Public Relations Coordinator Jill Peterson for being named the PR Professional of the Year for 2021-2022 by the Public Relations Association of Central Illinois. He said the award is well-deserved and offered his congratulations.

The mayor also discussed his sister who has been battling a very aggressive form of cancer. For six months she has gone through aggressive treatment. Earlier today she went through her sixth treatment and was able to ring the bell. He publicly congratulated her and said the family is hopeful that she is in remission.

Motion by Commissioner Sutherland, seconded by Commissioner Mingus; Mr. Mayor, I move you that we adjourn until Tuesday evening, June 21, 2022 at 6:00 P.M.

Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Hill, Mingus, Sutherland, and Mayor Kahl.

Nays: None

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 6:40 P.M.

https://www.cityofeastpeoria.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_06072022-981

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