City of Lacon City Council met May 14.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
Acting Mayor John Wabel opened the meeting with the pledge of allegiance. Answering roll call were Aldermen: Jason; Hattan; Modro; Wabel; Strawn & Hoskins. City Clerk Anderle and Treasurer Terri Davis were also present.
Approval of Minutes:
Alderman Hattan moved to approve the April 9, 2018 Regular City Council minutes. Alderman Jason seconded. Roll call: 6 ayes.
Pay Monthly Bills:
Alderman Jason moved to authorize payment of bills as presented. Alderman Strawn seconded. Roll call: 6 ayes.
New Business:
Raelynn Williams addressed the council asking to have hens on her property at 901 Harmony Lane. Alderman Hattan made a motion to approve the clerk to issue a 1 year permit for hens, upon proof of neighbor’s approval. Alderman Modro seconded. Roll call: 6 ayes.
Alderman Strawn made a motion to authorize the mayor to sign the Proclamation for National Safe Boating Week; May 19th – 25th. Alderman Hoskins seconded. Roll call: 6 ayes.
Roger Brown from Sunrise Energy Ventures presented a slide presentation to the council with information about their solar company. The company is nine years old and from Wayzata, Minnesota. Brown stated that Illinois Power Agency by law have to administer a program that a percentage of Illinois portfolio comes from solar. Brown stated the state does not have a director to administer the program at this time. Until they get a director the program for community solar is on hold. Tariff charges have not been set. The state will start the first round of solar procurements sometime later this fall. We are trying to procure property to be ready for the IPA procurements. Brown discussed how they will not sell energy from the solar project lease with the city to local subscribers. The power will probably be sold to one subscriber who has high demand for the power. Alderman Hoskins asked what benefit the residents of the city would have from leasing to this solar company. Wabel stated the benefit to the city will be the 1.3 million that will come from the 35 year life of the lease to offset increases in taxes. Residents will be able to subscribe to the solar project south of town on the cemetery property.
Acting Mayor Wabel discussed the changes made to lease with Sunrise Energy Ventures by the city attorney. The property will be surveyed and given new parcel numbers to parcel of the 20 acres from the original 26 acres for the lease. Sunrise Energy will pay the increase in property taxes on the 20 acres they lease. We also added that permitted use of 20 acres is only for a solar facility.
Alderman Strawn made a motion to authorize the city attorney to proceed with the public notice to adopt an ordinance to sign a 35 year lease with Sunrise Energy Ventures. Alderman Hattan seconded. Roll call: 6 ayes.
Alderman Hattan made a motion to approve FY 2018-2019 Budget as presented, with council approval needed to spend funds from line item 6145 Streetscape $130,000 in TIF budget. Alderman Modro seconded. Roll call: 6 ayes. Wabel stated the budget may need to be amended at a later date for the employee health insurance premium.
Alderman Strawn made a motion to hire Officer Dustin Bays as fourth full-time police officer effective June 1, 2018. Officer Bays is currently working part-time for the city. Alderman Jason seconded. Roll call: 6 ayes.
Alderman Modro made a motion to allow the Mayor to sign the Pledge Agreement with the First National Bank of Lacon for $2,500,000 security for deposits. Alderman Modro request the clerk inform the council if account balances exceed this amount. Alderman Strawn seconded. Roll call: 6 ayes.
Alderman Jason made a motion to approve a Live Music event for Zoomiez on the Water to hold an outdoor event on city property in the marina area on July 8, 2018. They are required to fence in the area and provide proof of insurance. Alderman Strawn seconded. Roll call: 6 ayes.
Alderman Reports:
Alderman Strawn reported sidewalk projects have been marked out and will start soon.
Alderman Hoskins reported a neighbor in her ward is asking if the city will haul his leaves is he bags them. He is so close to the school he would rather not burn them. She was informed that the city does not have a place to dispose of leaves. Wabel suggest looking into a leaf removal program.
Alderman Hattan reported we still only have one pump at the lift station by the Club Lacon. Having trouble with replacement pump and getting electrical phases for the pump resolved. Also the utility permits for Casey’s have all been approved by IDOT
Wabel reported Peggy Galpin is asking to purchase city property at S. Main and Second Street. They would like to build a garage to house their travel trailer. Wabel stated in order to sell city property it requires several steps. Also, should property in that area be looked at for zoning changes? It was decided the building and grounds committee will look into how to proceed with selling of city property and zoning.
Wabel notified the council that we received a letter form NCICG that the application for the 2018 Streetscape project application was not selected. 218 applications were received requesting $252 million, 53 projects were selected totaling $35.7 million. They anticipate a new ITEP call for projects during fall of 2019.
General Fund:
Checking: $ 98,536.02
General Fund MMDA $280,306.17
US Bank (Illinois Funds) $ closed
Water & Sewer Fund:
Checking: $ 130,956.33
W & S MMDA: $ 64,472.77
Band Fund: $8,554.40
Motor Fuel Tax:
Checking: -0-
MMDA: $360,517.92
US Bank $ closed
TIF Fund:
TIF I MMDA: $688,977.78
TIF II MMDA: $ 36,768.05
TIF III MMDA: $ 57,435.81
TIF IV MMDA: $ 1,707.54
TIF V MMDA: $ 7,368.24
Alderman Strawn moved to adjourn at 8:17 p.m. Aldermen Jason seconded. Roll call: 6 ayes.
http://www.laconcity.com/2018%20-May%2014,%20Regular%20City%20Council%20Meeting.pdf
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