Peoria Standard

Washington City Council met March 27.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

Call to Order: Mayor Manier called the Special meeting of Monday, March 27, 2018 to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Training Room at Wilmor Road Fire Station.

Roll Call: Present and answering roll call were Aldermen Adams, Brownfield, Brucks, Butler, Cobb, Dingledine, Gee, and Moss.

Also present was City Administrator Jim Culotta, Controller Joanie Baxter, Director of Public Works Ed Andrews, P & D Director Jon Oliphant, Police Chief Mike McCoy, Deputy Chief of Police Jeff Stevens, City Treasurer Ellen Dingledine, Assistant City Attorney Jay Scholl (arrived at 6:55 p.m.), and City Clerk Pat Brown.

Pledge of Allegiance: All present stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Audience Comments: Lilija Stevens expressed her thanks for the City’s recognition of the Special Census workers.

Budget Review: City Administrator Culotta presented a summary of the proposed FY18-19 Budget noting that it currently reflects Council’s previously requested changes to date with the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) presented in its entirety showing previously requested changes as well. Several smaller funds were reviewed for the first time that included the Motor Equipment Replacement Fund (MERF) and several Special Funds.

A discussion ensued on a change that was brought forward from Police Chief McCoy for consideration that would increase the Lease/Rent Expense line item in MERF from $5,000 to $6,500 due to an updated lease pricing quote they received that came in higher than the $5,000 budgeted number. Chief McCoy shared that this is being budgeted for consideration to allow for the leasing of two motorcycles that would be used for traffic control, parades, special events, public appearances, and many other uses with the primary use traffic control. Following discussion where concerns were raised by Alderman Dingledine on the need and by Alderman Butler on possibly phasing it in with leasing one to begin with, it was the general consensus to increase the line item by $1,500. It was also noted that while the lease expense is being proposed in the budget, the actual leasing would come back before Council for approval.

Following further discussion on the CIP, it was the general consensus to move the recreation trail extension Inter-Fund Transfer (Estimated Actual 17-18 $132,948 and Budget 18-19 $169,000) from the Telecommunications Tax Account to Streets and to keep the Total Intra- Fund Transfer of $283,454 in the Telecommunications Tax Account for 911 Consolidation purposes.

City Administrator brought forward for discussion and direction the City’s Non-Union Pay Plan which was handed out. He shared that the proposed plan changes the way the city manages wage growth in only applying the percentage of wage increase (2% is being proposed for FY18- 19) to the first step of each position in the plan and then adjusting the subsequent steps in a way that maintains the same distance between each step. Controller Baxter went over the plan noting that it is hard to look at for a one year period and needs to be looked at over a three year period with the greatest impact being at the top of the plan where percentage increases are at 1.4-1.5%. She noted that 8 of the 13 employees currently under this plan are at the top of their ranges. Mayor Manier indicated that more time is needed to look at the plan and to move this to the Finance & Personnel Committee for further discussion.

Executive Session:

At 7:38 p.m. Alderman Dingledine moved and Alderman Brucks seconded to move into Executive Session for litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending or is probable or imminent per 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act. On roll call the vote was:

Ayes: 8 Adams, Brownfield, Brucks, Butler, Cobb, Dingledine, Gee, Moss

Nays: 0

Motion declared carried.

Adjournment: At 8:04 p.m. Council reconvened in regular session and Alderman Moss moved and Alderman Brucks seconded to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

http://www.ci.washington.il.us/egov/documents/1522874093_2346.pdf