Peoria Standard

City of Lewistown City Council met June 12.

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 Clark, Kelley, Weese, Burget, Spotloe and Mayor Elmer Littlefield. Also present: Wendy Martin from the Fulton Democrat, City Treasurer Debbie Brown, City Administrator Amanda Woodruff, City Clerk Cindy Goddard, City Attorney Nathan Collins, Kim Pascal, and John Foxall. Absent: Alderman Richard Hough

Declaration Of Quorum by Mayor Elmer Littlefield

Alderman Richard Hough sent resignation letter, saying that he was resigning because of health reasons. Alderman Burget wanted to know if that was the real reason. Mayor stated that is what Alderman Hough put in writing. Alderman Burget had a letter he presented to Wendy Martin regarding real reason why Alderman Hough resigned. Alderman Kelley wanted to know why the Mayor didn’t notify the rest of the council. Mayor Littlefield stated that he did not have to according to the law, that there was no point to it. Alderman Kelley wanted to know why Mayor did not give real reason why he resigned was he trying to hide something. Mayor told Alderman Burget to present information to council if he wants to take Alderman Hough down. Alderman Burge wants a no confidence vote. Attorney Collins explained why the mayor did not have to explain anything. All that needs to be said is that Alderman Hough gave his resignation. Attorney Collins explained it was a clear issue; Alderman Hough could either resign or quit, he chose to resign because of medical reasons. Alderman Burget wants to know where the transparency is. Alderman Kelley stated he is a convicted felon. (Took place 40 years ago.) The Mayor said that Alderman Hough did not realize he was a convicted felon. The Mayor said at this time that the State Senate in November is trying to pass a law that states that you are free from a felony after 15 years and you can serve in a municipality at that time, the House has to approve yet. A person can already serve for a State or County position. Attorney Collins said maybe have Chief Werland run a back ground check on each person before appointed. Mayor thinks it is a shame that something that he did at the age of 24 still affects him and needs to be brought to everyone’s attention. Alderman Burget made a motion to vote on a no confidence vote regarding the Mayors transparency, second by Alderman Kelley. The Mayor said this is ridiculous, no vote. Alderman Spotloe stated that all Aldermen should have been notified before the meeting regarding the information on Alderman Hough. Alderman Clark asked if it had to be voted on to accept the resignation of Alderman Hough. Attorney Collins said that the councilmen do not have to vote on the resignation. Mayor Littlefield said the man resigned it is done, period, move on.

Mayor Littlefield appointed John Foxall as Alderman replacing Alderman Hough for Ward 2. Any questions? Can I have a motion? Alderman Spotloe stated he feels that the new paperwork should be in place before appointment and back ground check done. Alderman Burget wants to do background work before appointment. Open meeting Act, should not be discussed in closed meeting. Alderman Clark asked if someone else can be added to the list of appointments, mayor said no he has the only right to appoint. Alderman made motion to table, second by Alderman Spotloe; roll call vote to table this subject till next meeting, motion carried all ayes. Chief Werland will do background check before appointment.

Clerks Report/Minutes: Cindy Goddard. Alderman Weese made a motion to approve the minutes of May 22, 2018, second by Alderman Clark 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 Clark made a motion to approve the treasurer’s report, second by Alderman Weese roll call vote, the motion carried all ayes.

Bills:

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

Public Comments And Petitions:

Kim Pascal stated she had a renter that left a large water bill of $494.53 so she was wondering if she could make payments. Motion by Alderman Clark to pay $50.00 a month plus her regular bill till it is paid off, second by Alderman Burget, roll call vote motion carried all ayes.

She also stated that she has noticed high speed traffic on Milton. The view of the stop sign on Chestnut is blocked. Alderman Burget suggested that the stop sign be moved to East and West from North and South. Motion by Alderman Clark, second by Alderman Burget, to move the stop sign to East and West, roll call vote motion carried all ayes

Attorney’s Report: Attorney Nathan Collins. Nothing.

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

Committee Reports:

Finance – Alderman Clark: Nothing to report.

Sewer – Alderman Burget: Nothing to report.

Street & Alley – Alderman Hough: resigned

Police/ESDA – Alderman Spotloe: Nothing to report, but stated that St. Francis will be checking AED’s. This will be on agenda next time.

Water – Alderman Weese: Nothing to report.

Utilities/Publications – Alderman Kelley: Nothing to report.

Buildings and Grounds – Alderman Kelley: Need to discuss Walker House when it gets time, had originally gave it 6 months to sell, $39,900.00 is asking price.

Tourism – Mayor Littlefield: Music in park went well.

Old Business:

A. Discuss/Approve Richards Water TAP and Pre-Annexation - This was voted on at last meeting but only had 3 Alderman, have to have 2/3 of corporate authorities. (5) Motion by Alderman Burget, second by Alderman Spotloe to approve Brad and Kimberly Richards Water TAP and Pre-Annexation agreement, roll call vote motion carried all ayes.

B. Discuss/Approve Liquor License for the Garden Restaurant – Motion by Alderman Clark second by Alderman Burget to approve Liquor License for the Garden Restaurant, roll call vote, Alderman Spotloe No, Alderman Burget Yes, Alderman Weese No, Alderman Clark Yes, Alderman Kelley Yes and Mayor Littlefield Yes, motion carried.

New Business:

A. Discuss/Approve FY19 Appropriation Budget- Motion by Alderman Weese, second by Alderman Burget to approve the Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriation Budget, roll call vote, motion carried all ayes.

B. Discuss/Approve Engineering Agreement – The Engineering Agreement use to be every 2 years, now once a year, Per Amanda Woodruff they are always going over the budget, needs to be every year. Motion by Alderman Clark, second by Alderman Burget, to approve Engineering Agreement with Maurer-Stutz, roll call vote, motion carried all ayes.

C. Adopt Prevailing Wage Ordinance – Motion by Alderman Burget, second by Alderman Spotloe, to adopt the Prevailing Wage Ordinance, roll call vote, motion carried all ayes.

D. Discuss/Approve Tax Abatement Ordinance for General Obligation Bonds – One bond and it is for the cemetery wall, expires 2023, this year the amount is $13,100.00. Motion by Alderman Burget, second by Alderman Spotloe to approve Tax Abatement Ordinance for General Obligation Bond (cemetery wall) roll call vote, motion carried all ayes.

E. Discuss/Approve West Lincoln and North Madison Stop Sign Ordinance –Also tree needs trimmed by per Alderman Clark. Motion by Alderman Kelley, second by Alderman Burget to approve placing Stop signs at intersection of West Lincoln Avenue and North Madison Street, roll call vote, motion carried all ayes.

F. Discuss/Approve IMRF Hourly Standard Resolution - Currently only 600 hours have to be worked to get IMRF paid in at 14% and they do not have to pay in. Can rise to 1000 hours to save city money because at this time city pays in 14% and then the employee could work up to 1000 hours with out paying in. Motion by Alderman Spotloe, second by Alderman Burget to increase from 600 hours to 1000 hours, the standard for IMRF participation, roll call vote, and motion carried all ayes.

Discussion on yards that are too high and need mowed, Chief Werland lets Gary Shawgo know what yards are marked.

No Closed Session.

Adjournment:

Alderman Burget made a motion to adjourn at 7:20 p.m.; Seconded by Alderman Kelley motion carried all ayes.

https://docs.google.com/viewerng/viewer?url=http://lewistownillinois.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/June-12-2018-city-council-minutes.pdf