Peoria Standard

City of Delavan Council met May 1.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

The Delavan City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. in the Delavan City Council Room, 219 Locust Street, Delavan, Illinois. Mayor Elizabeth Skinner presided. The following aldermen were present: Jere Braden, Robert Hall, James Horath, George Mitchell, and Mark Williams. Alderman Sharon Hultquist was absent. Other city officials in attendance were: City Administrator Joe Woith, Police Chief Jerry Littlefield, and City Clerk Penny Bright.

The meeting notice and agenda were posted at least forty-eight hours in advance of the meeting on the door of the City Council Room and on the bulletin board in City Hall. A copy of the meeting notice and agenda is attached to and made a part of the minutes.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

The Invocation was given by Alderman Williams.

Consent Agenda:

Items presented for vote under the Consent Agenda were:

A. Minutes of the April 17, 2018, regular meeting

B. Resolution # 2018-10 for payment of bills

A motion was made by Alderman Mitchell, seconded by Alderman Horath, to approve Consent Agenda Item A., minutes of the April 17, 2018, regular meeting, and Consent Agenda Item B., Resolution #2018-10, A Resolution Approving And Directing The Payment Of Certain Bills For The City Of Delavan, Illinois. The vote on this motion was as follows: Ayes: Braden, Horath, Williams, Mitchell, Hall; Nays: None; Absent: Hultquist. Motion carried.

Public Comments:

No Public Comments were heard.

Public Requests:

No Public Requests were presented.

Mayor's Report:

Mayor Skinner made the following report:

The Drug Task Force sponsored the National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 28, 2018. Chief Littlefield reported that there was a good response and about 25 pounds of prescription drugs were collected.

Read a proclamation naming May 25, 2018, as American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary Poppy Day.

City Administrator's Report:

City Administrator Joe Woith made the following report:

He and Travis looked at the section of curb and steps in front of the American Legion Hall for installation of handrails and found the curb and bottom steps in need of repair. The repairs need to be made before the installation of the handrails. He asked Patrick Meyer to look at the project to see what need Patrick Meyer to look at the project to see what needs to be done for the repairs.

Met with two developers and a banker to look at the property at the east end of Heritage Lane for possible development. One of the developers typically builds larger $200,000+ houses and felt that this was not a good fit. The other developer builds houses in the $180,000 range. Woith felt that this was more favorable. There would be TIF funds available for development if needed.

Met with a person who wants to put up a day care facility. TIF money would also be available if the location was favorable. It was noted that Common Ground of Central Illinois is interested in assisting with this project. The lot they own on Pine Street is being looked at as a possible location.

Police Chief Littlefield is helping Office Zehr with abandoned houses. Littlefield has contacted Ancel, Glink and is working with them on the procedure needed to secure abandoned properties. There are two property owners that have been contacted about their property to see if there is interest in releasing the property to the city.

Spoke with two families that need help with rehabbing their sub-standard houses to comply with zoning standards. Plans are in place with the TIF group to establish a procedure to assist, is possible, as part of the TIF redevelopment plans. Only properties in the TIF Districts would be eligible. Discussion was heard with regards to the process by which ordinance violations are processed. It is difficult because the court system does not want to process ordinance violations. Most fines when not paid are sent to collections and most are not paid through that process. It was agreed that another strategy will have to be looked at to have compliance by those who have ordinance violations.

Alderman Horath asked about the pending litigation. Woith reported that a hearing was set and the judge had another case and could not preside. A new judge was brought in but said he could not hear the case since he had no knowledge of previous hearings. The hearing was continued to a later date.

New Business:

A. Discussion and action regarding assistance to the Delavan Township Park District for pool expenses

Mayor Skinner reported that after the last council meeting she spoke with Marion Schmidt from the Delavan Township Park District board, informed her of the council decision made at the April 17, 2018, meeting, and invited her to the city council meeting to discuss with the council any assistance that the city could provide to the Park District board to keep the pool open. Marion had indicated that she would come and have other members of the board to join her. No one from the Delavan Township Park District board attended the council meeting. The council was prepared to have a discussion with the park board and have the council's questions answered regarding the closure of the pool. The city council members encouraged the public to contact any member of the Delavan Township Park District board regarding the closing of the Delavan Pool. The council members are also in support of any feedback from the Delavan Township Park District board.

B. Discussion and action regarding abatement of city taxes for TIF I farm property on West 122 that changed ownership.

City Administrator Woith informed the council that he had been contacted by the owner of the property on West Route 122 that was purchased from Paul Brown, which included three parcels of ground along Route 122, bordered by Caterpillar Road and Harris Road. The TIF redevelopment agreement that the city has with the property owners in TIF II allowed for the abatement of city taxes to the owners until such time that the property is developed. There is no redevelopment agreement in affect with the new owners, but there will be one presented to the council in the future. The abatement of taxes to the new owner cannot be done from the TIF District Fund but can come from General Fund. The rebate is a little under $600. After discussion, a motion was made by Alderman Braden, seconded by Alderman Hall, to abate the taxes on parcel 21-21-09-300-004 in the amount of $296.41, on parcel 21-21-09-300-006 in the amount of $114.43, and parcel 21-21-09-300-005 in the amount of $186.00, for a total of $596.84, which is in line with the abatement of other TIF properties. The vote on this motion was as follows: Ayes: Horath, Williams, Mitchell, Hall, Braden; Nays: none; Absent: Hultquist. Motion carried.

Other Items For Consideration:

Mayor Skinner reported that an individual is interested in the properties on Locust Street. She has spoken with the bank that is handling the affairs of the owner and was told that the case is still in court so nothing can happen until it is settled.

Alderman Braden asked if any word had been received from IDOT about work being done on Route 122 through town. Nothing has been received from IDOT.

Alderman Braden asked about the signs for Veterans Memorial Park from the Restoration Society. No word has been received if the group will be furnishing the signs for the park.

It was reported that the new police vehicle will be delivered next week. After discussion, it was the consensus of the council that the Distinctively Delavan sign will not be put on the new vehicle.

No further business was presented to the council. The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Skinner at 7:16 p.m.

https://www.delavanil.org/vertical/sites/%7B1BA7DA05-750E-4CAA-9F14-7D6BF0CA0FE6%7D/uploads/CCMin050118.pdf