Peoria Standard

City of Lewistown City Council met October 24.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

The Lewistown City Council met in the council chambers for the finance committee meeting. Mayor Elmer Littlefield called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.

Present: Alderman Clark, Kelley, Weese, Hough, and Mayor Elmer Littlefield. Also present City Administrator Amanda Woodruff, City Clerk Cindy Goddard, City Treasurer Debbie Brown, and Larry Eskridge from Canton Daily Ledger,

Alderman Sally Clark wanted to discuss the Tax Levy and how the city can get more tax money. Examples for the tax levy money are for garbage, police, liability insurance, unemployment, and audit. It has nothing to do with raising taxes. City of Lewistown is not getting as much as other cities. The City can’t go over 5% each year without a “Truth and Taxation request.”

The approval of Annual Tax Levy Ordinance is in New Business at the City Council Meeting.

The Finance Committee Meeting closed at 6:28 p.m.

The Lewistown City Council met in regular session in the council chambers. Mayor Elmer Littlefield called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call: Present: Aldermen Clark, Kelley, Weese, Hough, Spotloe and Mayor Elmer Littlefield. Also present: Larry Eskridge from Canton Daily Ledger, City Treasurer Debbie Brown, City Administrator Amanda Woodruff, City Clerk Cindy Goddard, Public Works Director Gary Shawgo, City Attorney Nathan Collins, Roger Clark, Andrew Crawford, Tayler Kline, Chris Helle, and Aaron Buck. Absent: Alderman Burget.

Declaration Of Quorum By Mayor Elmer Littlefield

Clerks Report/Minutes: Cindy Goddard. Alderman Weese made a motion to approve the minutes of October 10, 2017, second by Alderman Clark roll call vote, the motion carried all ayes.

Treasurer’s Report: Debbie Brown. Debbie has nothing new to report. No report for the Alderman to approve.

Bills: Alderman Weese made a motion to approve all bills properly endorsed; Seconded by Alderman Clark roll call vote, the motion carried with all ayes.

Public Comments And Petitions:

Andrew Crawford and Tayler Kline from Aflac Insurance were present to ask if they could discuss Aflac Insurance with city employees. It is a payroll deduction; it does not cost the city anything to participate. The Mayor prefers they do not do this on city time. Gary Shawgo said they could probably meet with them either at city building or city garage on their breaks or lunch time.

Attorney’s Report: Attorney Nathan Collins. Nothing new at this time.

Engineer’s Report: Keith Plavec. No Engineer present.

Committee Reports:

Finance – Alderman Clark: Discussed the Tax Levy more and stressed that the city needs to go after it and get more money, they can go up to 5%. One example the city of Farmington get almost double the city of Lewistown does. Liability and property insurance is a couple of examples it can be used for. Will vote during New Business on this matter.

Sewer – Alderman Burget: Absent.

Street & Alley – Alderman Hough: Working on sidewalks still, Avenue F sidewalk at this time formed up ready to pour. There is also a large pot hole by Central School that needs fixed, Gary Shawgo will work on that on Wednesday.

Police/ESDA – Alderman Spotloe: There was a meeting in Canton; Alderman Spotloe said that Chris Helle with ESDA gave good presentation.

Water – Alderman Weese: Nothing to report.

Utilities/Publications – Alderman Kelley: Nothing to report.

Buildings and Grounds – Alderman Kelley: Everything is under new business.

Tourism – Mayor Littlefield: Oktoberfest went pretty good last weekend hopefully will be better next year, it was a Fund raiser for the 4th of July fire works.

Old Business:

A. Discuss/Approve Archdale Façade Application and TIF Application – Amanda talked to TIF attorney. The mayor would like to match the amount that went to Pratt’s that was $75,000.00. Can spread out over a period of years, also can pay some of their taxes back, or disperse a lump sum at end of project. The mayor explained that TIF is for 23 years, different tax bodies in TIF area that tax money is put back in the pot to rebuild, if tax money given back to the business owner than the pot does not build back up. About 9 years left at this time. Amanda explained the Historical Society $10,000.00 TIF money is only for a couple more years, then that amount will be available at that time. Archdale’s’ will be happy with any amount the city will give them, the best would be a dollar amount over a period of years. A loan would be started paying back right away. The City receives about $80,000 each year; $15,000 is already spoken for each year right now. Alderman Spotloe feels a long term agreement would be helpful to him. Façade is maximum of $5,000.00. Alderman Spotloe made a motion to approve Archdale Façade Application for $5,000.00 and TIF Application in the amount of $15,000 a year for five years for a total of $75,000.00, second by Alderman Kelley, roll call vote motion carried all ayes.

New Business:

A. Discuss/Approve Clarifier Floor Rehab Bid – The Clarifier has a cement floor, they will replace grout and fix seep holes, and 3 bids were presented. $25,900.00 is the allowance. Amanda said there is $40,000.00 set aside for maintenance. Alderman Kelley made a motion to approve the bid from Leander Construction to fix the Clarifier Floor, second by Spotloe, roll call vote, motion carried with all ayes.

B. Discuss Franchise Agreement for Mid-Century Fiber - The Mayor stated that AT&T is leaving area and is not doing internet in Lewistown now. Aaron Buck with Mid-Century with Fiber optic internet explained how they were bringing Mid-Century Fiber optic internet to the Courthouse. It is to the edge of town but not in town yet, they need a franchise agreement with city, all cables are buried underground. Start with businesses such as the Court House, County jail, then residential customers. Web site is Fiberfastnow.com; they will have residence sign up then start burying lines. One price for life, prices never raise, no contract. Main office is in Fairview. Need on average of 35% of 100 to 200 homes. The attorney asked if this will be available for subdivisions on township roads. He said yes would be able to do that. Alderman Spotloe made a motion to proceed with a franchise agreement with Mid-Century Fiber for fiber optic internet, second by Alderman Weese, roll call vote, motion carried all ayes.

C. Discuss/Approve Sidewalk Ordinance – 50/50 program for sidewalks to be moved up to top of list. Mayor wants this replacement program added to the present Sidewalk Ordinance with a max of 20 feet. Ordinance currently states $100.00 deposit for street opening by homeowner. The council feels that the ordinance needs to be revised to read $100.00 plus cost of materials. Attorney Collins is to revise it.

D. Approve Annual Tax Levy - Need to approve at least the 5% tax levy according to Alderman Clark. Alderman Kelley made a motion to approve the Annual Tax Levy Ordinance, second by Alderman Spotloe; roll call vote motion carried all ayes.

E. Discuss Walker House and other properties – At this time the City maintains 18 or 19 properties. The council and the Mayor agreement that some of these need to be sold. Alderman Spotloe, made a motion to pursue the sale of the Henderson lot, and garage because only a few items stored there, the Major Newton Walker house because the Historical Society has not been able to get it redone because they didn’t have the man power and money and the lot behind 2 Cousin’s Restaurant that is used as city parking lot, second by Hough, roll call vote, motion carried all ayes.

F. Discuss/Approve Quote for new City hall doors – The Council discussed that TIF money can be used for the roof that is leaking, and new doors on the City Building. There is a need to get bids for fixing the roof. Two bids were presented for the doors one steel doors the other aluminum, council agrees on the aluminum. Amanda stated that she has came to the City Building before and the door is not closed all the way, needs replaced. Alderman Clark made a motion to approve the bid from Baer Glass in the amount of $8,468.48 and take the money from the TIF fund, second by Weese, roll call vote, motion carried all ayes.

G. Discuss/Approve Quote for Hydraulic Tank for Street Sweeper – Alderman Spotloe made a motion to get new hydraulic tank for the street sweeper in the amount of $3,013.81 from Key Equipment, second by Alderman Clark, roll call vote, motion carried all ayes.

H. Discuss/Approve Quote for Tailgate Spreader for Dump Truck – Alderman Clark made a motion to replace tailgate spreader by Koenig Body and Equipment Inc. upgrading to stainless steel, the $1,213.00 is to be taken out of the public works fund, second by Alderman Spotloe, roll call vote, motion carried all ayes.

I. Discuss/Approve Christmas Party at Big Horse Vineyard – Amanda Woodruff and Cindy Havens went thru the menu at Big Horse Vineyard and they estimated it would be about $22.00 a person. The city would like to include everyone this year, last year it was limited space, it could be around 80 people. ($1760.00). Alderman Kelley made a motion to have the City Christmas Party at Big Horse Vineyard, second by Alderman Clark, roll call vote, motion carried all ayes.

J. Closed Session – Approve June 27, 2017 closed session minutes, and litigation. Alderman Clark made a motion to go into closed at 8:15 p.m. second by Alderman Spotloe, moved.

Doors opened.

Motion to go back into open session by Alderman Spotloe, second Alderman Clark at 8:29 p.m.

Adjournment: Alderman Spotloe made a motion to adjourn at 8:30 p.m.; Seconded by Alderman Clark, motion carried all ayes.

https://docs.google.com/viewerng/viewer?url=http://lewistownillinois.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/October-24-2017-Minutes.pdf