Peoria Standard

City of Eureka City Council met April 2.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

The Eureka City Council convened in regular session at the City Building on April 2, 2018, at 7:30 p.m. Mayor Scott Zimmer called the meeting to order with a moment of silence followed by The Pledge of Allegiance and then directed the Administrator to call the roll. Present were Aldermen Teegarden, L. Klaus, Getz, Prather, Germann, Rossetti, Lind, and Hinnen,. Also in attendance were Lynn Hinnen, Treasurer; Melissa Brown, City Administrator; and Chief Alex Collinge.

Moved by Hinnen, second by Rossetti, to approve the minutes of the March 19, 2018, regular meeting of the City Council. Germann stated that the notes under Committee Reports for Park should be moved to Enterprise Committee Report. Administrator Brown noted the correction and will correct the minutes for March 19, 2018. Passed on roll call vote Teegarden, L. Klaus, Getz, Prather, Germann, Rossetti, Lind, and Hinnen all voting Aye.

Moved by Rossetti, second by Germann, to approve the committee meetings (Enterprise) held within the month of March 2018. Passed on roll call vote Teegarden, L. Klaus, Getz, Prather, Germann, Rossetti, Lind, and Hinnen all voting Aye.

The Mayor asked for public comments on any action to be taken on Agenda items. There were none.

Moved by Prather, second by Klaus, to approve and pay the bills as the City’s obligation in the amount of $55,895.56. Mr. Germann had several questions about supplier of electricity versus distributor of electricity along with other components of the bill such as transmission costs. Administrator Brown tried to explain the difference between the distributor and a fixed transmission cost you might see on a supplier’s bill. Getz had questions regarding the bill from Dowiatt on engineering of the sewer flood wall. Administrator Brown explained that bill was for the latest model required by the DNR following the agency’s concern of water back-up on upstream properties. Mr. Getz asked if that will be last engineering bill for this project. It is unclear if this is the last bill as well as the future of the project as it was not appropriated in next year’s budget. Getz questioned another Dowiatt bill listed at Sunny Ln. Storm. Administrator Brown explained she directed Dowiatt to conduct survey work to create an easement for a stormwater main running through three private properties leading into the park. The farm at the end of Sunny Lane is replacing a building near this utility which prompted the investigation for a pre-existing easement. None existed but it will be properly recorded now. Passed on roll call vote Teegarden, L. Klaus, Getz, Prather, Germann, Rossetti, Lind, and Hinnen all voting Aye.

Moved by Prather, second by Hinnen to approve Ordinance 18-04, an ordinance budgeting revenues and expenses for all corporate purposes for fiscal year beginning May 1, 2018 through April 30, 2019 in the amount of $5,018,221.00. Passed on roll call vote Teegarden, L. Klaus, Getz, Prather, Germann, Rossetti, Lind, and Hinnen all voting Aye.

The Mayor explained that he asked to had Brown add agenda IX for discussion of the business district. He recapped some of the meetings that had been held and the fact that the school tax passed during the current primary. Zimmer asked for input from the alderman on the business district in light of this. Germann expressed concern about the increase in tax and lack of an overall plan for improving things for businesses and creating a vision for the city. He could not support an increase for this reason. Prather has receive several concerns about increased taxes. Rossetti stated that Illinois is not an undertaxed State and people are tired of it. Lind echoed the previous comments of people being tired of increased taxes.

Getz stated he has received negative feedback and he stands behind the businesses. Teegarden feels this effort is receiving feedback similar to the Davidson Barn and it is not favorable. Hinnen stated some concerns as to where the tax increases might stop and formulating a better plan as to how this will provide improvements. Zimmer thanked everyone for their feedback. He will provide an update to businesses about where the City is in the process. There will be no business district meeting scheduled for this month.

Committee Reports:

Chairman Prather of the Budget Committee: No Report.

Chairman Rossetti of the Administration and Personnel Committee: Rossetti stated that there would be an executive session for full council to discuss performance management for employees.

Chairman Hinnen of the Enterprise Committee: No Report

Chairman Hinnen of the Maintenance Committee: No Report.

Chairman Lind of the Public Safety Committee: Last week Eric, Alex and Mayor Zimmer attended Principles of Emergency Management. A prescription drug drop box was installed at P.D. and Eureka Goodfield Fire Protection District donated seven trauma kits, one for each vehicle.

Chairman Germann of the Park and Recreation Committee: No Report

Chairman Teegarden of the Economic Development Committee: No Report.

Chairman Mayor Punke of the Liquor Committee: No Report.

New Business: Alderman Rossetti introduced Erik Hasselbacher as having concerns to share with Council. Erik Hasselbacher shared pictures and concerns about water flow from the Eureka College Football field to Enchanted Gardens. He is concerned that water is flowing only from a 4” pipe currently and not from the weir. This amount of water is inundating the property in its path. Additionally, the storm collection system in Enchanted Gardens is unable to keep up with the flow of a rain event. He feels the problems will worsen when the weir is opened. Hasselbacher further stated that he has made multiple attempts to speak with Interim CFO of Eureka College Craig Maynard and has not received any return calls. Hasselbacher stated that the City should have liability in this as the City allowed the College to start work on this football field without providing engineering and wasn’t made to go to Planning. Hasslebacher stated that for the past 22 years, water flowed to Southeast down a man-made water way. Mayor Zimmer stated that the City will schedule a time to sit down with all parties including engineers, College and Erik Hasselbacher. Discussion was held on engineering input, previous state of the land. Hasselbacher contends that the previous state of the land contradicts the calculations used for engineering.

Public Comments and Questions: None.

http://www.eurekaillinois.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2018-04-02-Eureka-Il-Council-Minutes.pdf