Peoria Standard

City of Lewistown City Council met April 10.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

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 Kelley, Weese, Hough, and Mayor Elmer Littlefield. Also present: Wendy Martin from the Fulton Democrat, Larry Eskridge from Canton Daily Ledger, City Treasurer Debbie Brown, City Administrator Amanda Woodruff, City Clerk Cindy Goddard, Chief of Police John Werland, City Attorney Nathan Collins, and Kim Pascal. Absent: Alderman Burget, Clark, and Spotloe, Alderman Burget joined by Audio.

Declaration Of Quorum by Mayor Elmer Littlefield

Clerks Report/Minutes: Cindy Goddard. Alderman Kelley made a motion to approve the minutes of March 27, 2018, second by Alderman Weese roll call vote, the motion carried all ayes.

Treasurer’s Report: Debbie Brown. Debbie has nothing new to report. Aldermen have treasurer’s report. Alderman Kelley made a motion to approve the treasurer’s report, second by Alderman Hough roll call vote, the motion carried all ayes.

Bills:

Alderman Hough made a motion to approve all bills properly endorsed; Seconded by Alderman Kelley roll call vote, the motion carried with all ayes.

Public Comments And Petitions: None

Attorney’s Report: Attorney Nathan Collins.

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

Committee Reports:

Finance – Alderman Clark: Absent

Sewer – Alderman Burget: Absent from meeting but joined by audio he has nothing to report.

Street & Alley – Alderman Hough: The Spraying for weeds written test is to be taken by Evinn Palmer and Ben Sutter on Tuesday April 17.

Police/ESDA – Alderman Spotloe: Absent. Chief John Werland said the county is changing to Star Communications same as Illinois State Police use. They would like to place a radio tower on top of water tower. The county would pay for the city to have these radios if that can be done. Mobile Radio System, this would make three towers so have to make sure no interference between the antennas.

Water – Alderman Weese: Nothing new to report. There were five water lines hit in two days by cable company. City needs to send bill to cable company for time and supplies.

Utilities/Publications – Alderman Kelley: Nothing to report.

Buildings and Grounds – Alderman Kelley: Nothing to report. City is still trying to find a spot for the Welcome Stone to be placed.

Tourism – Mayor Littlefield: Nothing to report. Amanda said The Nature Conservancy built a new building and having an open house, then ribbon cutting ceremony next Wednesday April 17.

Attorney Collins advised the council that if all agree, it is OK for Alderman Burget to vote.

Alderman Kelley made motion to allow Alderman Burget to vote, second by Alderman Hough with stipulation that a new ordinance is to be written up, roll call vote, motion carried all ayes.

Old Business:

A. Discuss FY2019 Advisory Budget - Mayor said the raise should be 3%. Last year some very nice raises were given. Alderman Kelley feels that the part time police officers are not paid enough. He feels that is why they do not stay. Amanda Woodruff said that the projected pay roll for the police officers is down. If city of Lewistown sends the officer to PTI but they do not get paid enough they are going to leave. Chief Werland said he needs more full time officers. A new drug in this area per Werland there is always a change something can happen. Mayor Littlefield believes that the police department gets paid decent for this area, they do not have the extent of danger the big city has. Per Amanda three projected raises. Two police officers to get $1.00 then an already full timer to get $2.00 raise. Then Amanda to get $1.00 raise, she feels she assists her male counterparts and should be paid around the same. Next public works, $2.00 for some after they get their water licenses, the others will get $1.00. Alderman Burget wants to know if raises will make the city in the black or red. Amanda needs to figure it all again. All taxes are bumped up. There will be one more added to the city insurance. Alderman Burget wants to know if there is a requirement of full time employees for specific departments. The buddy system needs to be enforced for safety (OSHA) regulations. The city has a 9 month reserve of money at this time. Table at this time.

There will be a Pre-annexation meeting at 6:15 before next meeting. Alderman Burget also wants finance meeting at 6:00 p.m. will be on agenda.

New Business:

A. Discuss/Approve an Accident Claim at Visitors Center – Over a year ago grease was on the floor in the kitchen from frying chicken, Darrell Dunteman at a Historical Society Meeting slipped with his cane because of the greasy floor and fell. He approached the city but it was over a year so claim could not be filed with city insurance. City has a $1,000.00 deductible the ambulance bill was only $945.72. Attorney Collins needs to write a release with the City paying half. Alderman Burget made motion to approve the city paying half of Darrell Dunteman ambulance bill, second by Alderman Weese, roll call vote, motion carried all ayes.

B. Discuss/Approve Collins & Collins Agreement – Alderman Burget made a motion to approve Collins & Collins Agreement, second by Alderman Hough roll call vote motion carried all ayes.

C. Discuss/Approve Resolution for Closure of Main Street from High School to County Market for St. Jude Run event on June 2nd – Alderman Burget made a motion to close Main Street from the High School to County Market for the St. Jude Run event on June 2nd, second by Alderman Hough roll call vote, motion carried all ayes.

D. Approve Bid for 2018 MFT Seal Coat Program – Two bids came in, one from IRC ($61,619.36) and one from Laverdiere Construction ($74,265.60). Low bid by IRC, Alderman Hough made a motion to accept the IRC bid of $61,619.36, second by Alderman Weese, roll call vote motion carried with all ayes.

E. Closed Session, approve March 13 Minutes None

Adjournment:

Alderman Hough made a motion to adjourn at 7:40 p.m.; Seconded by Alderman Kelley motion carried all ayes.

http://lewistownillinois.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/April-10-2018-City-council-Min.pdf