Peoria Standard

City of Marquette Heights Council met February 12.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

Pledge :

The City Council meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Crum.

Call To Order:

The regular meeting of the City Council was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Mayor Crum.

Roll Call:

The following Aldermen were present for Roll Call: Alderman Conlin, Little, Worent, Bradford, Neuhaus, and Neumann.

Also present were Treasurer Babb, Deputy Clerk Ratliff, Public Works Director Ghidina, Fire Chief Fortier, Police Chief Elliott, Office Manager Minson, and Attorney Tibbs.

Presentation Of Journal Of Proceedings:

Alderman Little made a motion, seconded by Alderman Bradford to approve the regular minutes of January 22, 2018. Roll Call Vote: Ayes- Alderman Little, Bradford, Neuhaus, Conlin, Neumann, and Worent. Nays- None. Motion passed.

Alderman Neuhaus made a motion, seconded by Alderman Conlin to approve the executive minutes of January 22, 2018. Roll Call Vote: Ayes- Alderman Neuhaus, Conlin, Worent, Little, Bradford, and Neumann. Nays- None. Motion passed.

Alderman Neumann made a motion, seconded by Alderman Neuhaus to approve the executive minutes of February 5, 2018. Roll Call Vote: Ayes- Alderman Neumann, Neuhaus, Conlin, Bradford, and Little. Alderman Worent abstained. Nays- None. Motion passed.

Reports Of City Officials:

Mayor-

There will be a budget meeting after the regular council meeting of February 26th.

The Fire Department Incentive Meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. before the February 26th council meeting.

Clerk-

In Clerk Steele’s absence, Deputy Clerk Ratliff had no report.

Treasurer-

October and November 2017 reports are ready.

Attorney-

Attorney Tibbs gave information on the Rental Registration ordinance. As a non-home rule municipality, we are allowed to do inside-the-home inspections. The inspection requirements can be fairly extensive. Depending on the level we get involved, plus remain compliant with housing codes, several options can be developed. The International Property Maintenance code we use now is a good starting point. Mr. Tibbs will provide Alderman Little a list of non-home rule municipalities that have begun their registration program.

Attorney Tibbs stated it has been his pleasure to serve 22 years as Marquette Heights’ attorney. He is retiring May 1, 2018. He said the past and current mayor(s) and council members focus has always had the residents’ best interests at heart.

Communications-

Deputy Clerk Ratliff read an email that was received February 6, 2018 giving accolades to our snow plow driver who cleared her grandfather’s driveway of snow on February 5th. This enabled first responders to quickly respond to her call for assistance at the residence. The snow plow driver was Scott Little. Mayor Crum brought Public Works employee Scott Little to the table, and read a letter of commendation for his prompt actions removing the snow in response to the call.

Citizens Wishing To Address The Council:

None.

Reports Of Standing Committees:

Water and Sewer – Alderman Bradford

The Water/Sewer budget is ready for review

The new generator was tested last Wednesday. There are still issues with the electrical and bearings. Altorfer is working to correct the problems.

Law Enforcement – Alderman Neumann

The monthly police report is on file.

Chief Elliott presented Officer Will Schwenk with a plaque thanking him for his service while employed here. Officer Schwenk has been hired at the Morton Police Department. His last day of employment here is Thursday, February 15th.

Streets – Alderman Neuhaus

No report from Alderman Neuhaus.

Pubilc Buildings / Parks -Alderman Conlin

No report from Alderman Conlin.

Fire – Alderman Little

The February fire department business report has been sent out.

Planning – Alderman Worent

Anthony Carlyle is still working on the grant application. It will be passed on to the attorney. Reminder: Planning Committee Meeting is Monday, February 19th at 6:30 p.m.

Old Business:

None.

New Business :

Approve CPR training reimbursement

Alderman Little made a motion, seconded by Alderman Bradford to approve reimbursement of $1,365.00 to M.H. Fire Department for Rescue Me CPR training. $1,300 for firefighters, $65.00 for admin training. Roll Call Vote: Ayes-Alderman Little, Bradford, Worent, Neuhaus, Neumann, and Conlin. Nays: None. Motion passed.

Approve Dingus Fire payment

Alderman Little made a motion, seconded by Alderman Bradford to approve a payment of $1,136.00 to Dingus Fire for basic equipment (gloves, boots, etc). Roll Call Vote: Ayes- Alderman Little, Bradford, Conlin, Neumann, Worent, and Neuhaus. Nays: None. Motion passed.

Approve MES payment

Alderman Little made a motion, seconded by Alderman Neumann to approve payment to MES for face pieces for total of $1,350.00. Roll Call Votes: Ayes- Alderman Little, Neumann, Neuhaus, Bradford, Conlin, and Worent. Nays: None. Motion passed.

Approve DalmationFire.com payment

Alderman Little made a motion, seconded by Alderman Neumann to approve DalmationFire.com payment of $1,260.00 for seven voice amps. Roll Call Votes: Ayes-Alderman Little, Neumann, Neuhaus, Worent, Bradford, and Conlin. Nays: None. Motion passed.

Approve Walker Excavation payment

Alderman Bradford made a motion, seconded by Alderman Worent to approve Walker Excavation Co. payments totaling $4,394.00 to hydro-vac water main breaks at Beloit, Kaskaskia, Grant, and Rogers; and repair curb box at LaSalle. Roll Call Votes: Ayes-Alderman Bradford, Worent, Conlin, Neuhaus, Neumann, and Little. Nays: None. Motion passed.

Approve Laser Electric payment

Alderman Bradford made a motion, seconded by Alderman Neuhaus to approve payment of $46,584.62 to Laser Electric for new generator at wells. (Funds from Water Savings). Roll Call Votes: Ayes-Alderman Bradford, Neuhaus, Little, Conlin, Neumann, and Worent. Nays: None. Motion passed.

Approve Screen Graphics payment

Alderman Bradford made a motion, seconded by Alderman Little to approve $532.00 payment to Screen Graphics for public works employees t-shirt order. (Funds from Recycle Savings). Roll Call Votes: Ayes-Alderman Bradford, Little, Conlin, Worent, Neuhaus, and Neumann. Nays: None. Motion passed.

Approve Watchguard Video payment

Alderman Neumann made a motion, seconded by Alderman Bradford to approve Watchguard Video payment of $512.00 to repair camera in Squad 13-1. Roll Call Votes: Ayes-Alderman Neumann, Bradford, Little, Worent, Neuhaus, and Conlin. Nays: None. Motion passed.

Approve Tough Rugged Laptop payment

Alderman Neumann made a motion, seconded by Alderman Bradford to approve payment of $946.37 to Tough Rugged Laptop for Squad 13-1. Roll Call Votes: Ayes-Alderman Neumann, Bradford, Conlin, Neuhaus, Little, and Worent. Nays: None. Motion passed.

Approve LCD Uniforms payment

Alderman Neumann made a motion, seconded by Alderman Neuhaus to approve payment to LCD Uniforms for two bulletproof vests for new officers, for total not to exceed $1,500.00. (Funds from Impound Fund). Roll Call Votes: Ayes-Alderman Neumann, Neuhaus, Worent, Conlin, Bradford, and Little. Nays: None. Motion passed.

Approve Midwest Business Networking payment

Alderman Neumann made a motion, seconded by Alderman Bradford to approve $517.50 payment to Midwest Business Networking for installation of new hard drive in laptop of Squad 17-2. Roll Call Votes: Ayes-Alderman Neumann, Bradford, Little, Conlin, Worent, and Neuhaus. Nays: None. Motion passed.

Approve promotion of Officer Merritt

Alderman Neumann made a motion, seconded by Alderman Bradford to approve the promotion of Officer Merritt to Sergeant, with a pay increase of 25 cents; effective February 6, 2018. Roll Call Votes: Ayes-Alderman Neumann, Bradford, Neuhaus, Worent, Little, and Conlin. Nays: None. Motion passed.

Approve Ameren payment

Alderman Conlin made a motion, seconded by Alderman Little to approve payment of $1,276.00 to Ameren for replacement or retrofitting of electrical fixtures in the City building, Liberty Hall, and Skate Park under an Ameren grant. Roll Call Votes: Ayes-Alderman Conlin, Little, Neumann, Worent, Neuhaus, and Bradford. Nays: None. Motion passed.

Approve Ameren payment

Alderman Bradford made a motion, seconded by Alderman Neumann to approve payment of $1,250.00 to Ameren for replacement or retrofitting of electrical fixtures at several water/sewer buildings under an Ameren grant. Roll Call Votes: Ayes-Alderman Bradford, Neumann, Conlin, Neuhaus, Worent, and Little. Nays: None. Motion passed

Finance – Alderman Worent:

Alderman Worent made a motion, seconded by Alderman Bradford to approve paying bills: General Fund: $61,073.26, Water: $23,235.29, Sewer: $18,243.73, IMRF: $1,985.07, Social Security: $2,235.59, Wheel Tax: $-0-. Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Alderman Worent, Bradford, Neumann, Conlin, Little, and Neuhaus. Nays – None. Motion passed.

Citizens Wishing To Address The Council:

None.

Any Other Business Pertaining To The City:

An Employee Action Form was created, and copies were distributed among council members. All department heads will receive a copy to be used for any change in their employees’ status. This will be given to payroll clerk before any monetary changes in payroll can be made.

Alderman Little will bring Alderman Worent up to speed on the Rental Registration program so we can move forward with implementation.

Alderman Neumann made a motion at 7:25 p.m. to enter executive session to discuss personnel. Alderman Worent seconded the motion. Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion passed.

Council exited regular session and entered into executive session at 7:25 p.m.

Council resumed regular session at 8:05 p.m.

Attorney Herman was present. Attorney Tibbs was absent.

Any Other Business Pertaining To The City:

Alderman Neumann made a motion, seconded by Alderman Conlin to accept Lt. Jeff Hall’s resignation agreement. Roll Call Votes: Ayes-Alderman Neumann, Conlin, Worent, Neuhaus, Bradford, and Little. Nays: None. Motion passed.

Chief Elliott will be out on medical leave beginning February 13th.

Agenda item for 2/26/18: To approve appointment of Sergeant Merritt to Acting Police Chief, retro-active back to February 13, 2018.

Adjournment:

Alderman Bradford made a motion, seconded by Alderman Little to adjourn the regular City Council meeting at 8:20 p.m. Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion passed.

http://www.cityofmarquetteheights.com/02-12-18_council.doc