Peoria Standard

City of Lacon City Council met Oct. 15.

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; Hoskins and Strawn. City Clerk Anderle and Treasurer Terri Davis were also present.

Approval of Minutes

Alderman Hattan moved to approve the minutes for the September 10, 2018 Regular City Council meeting. Alderman Hoskins seconded. Roll call: 6 ayes.

Pay Monthly Bills

Alderman Modro moved to authorize payment of bills as presented. Alderman Strawn seconded. Roll call: 6 ayes.

Old Business

Acting Mayor Wabel stated the Cable Franchise Fee Ordinance was tabled at the September 10, 2018 meeting. Wabel presented an ordinance for a 1% franchise fee collected by Mediacom for cable service to households located within the city. The fee would be paid annually from gross revenues which would average about $3,300. Discussion about whether the city could ask for these fees at a later date if they chose to not pass the ordinance. Alderman Hattan made a motion to approve the Ordinance for 1% Cable Franchise Fee. Alderman Modro seconded. Roll Call: 2 ayes (Hattan & Wabel), 4 nays (Jason, Modro, Hoskins & Strawn).

New Business

Alderman Strawn made a motion to approve the alternate bid for installation of sanitary sewer with trench repair and trench pavement, also a full width pavement overlay of 280 feet for $96,601 from Opperman Construction from Pontiac for N. High Street Sewer Extension Project to be paid with local funds. Alderman Hattan seconded. Roll call: 6 ayes.

Alderman Strawn made a motion to approve final pay application for Steffens 3-D Construction Seal Coat Project at various street locations for $52,154.69; upon completion of sweeping of the excess rock. Alderman Hattan seconded. Roll call: 6 ayes.

Alderman Strawn made a motion to approve the expenditure of up to $700 for the city Halloween Party at the community center from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. Alderman Jason seconded. Roll call: 6 ayes.

Alderman Jason made a motion to approve Halloween hours from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. on October 31, 2018. Alderman Strawn seconded. Roll call: 6 ayes.

Alderman Hattan reported the water & sewer committee met and recommends a 15% increase for water and sewer rates and increase connections fees beginning January 2019. This will make the flat rate for water and sewer $40 a month. Alderman Hattan made a motion to accept the proposed water and sewer rate increase and move forward with drafting an ordinance. Alderman Strawn seconded. Roll call: 6 ayes.

Acting Mayor Wabel stated the state has passed a law regulating licensing and permits for small cell towers and antennas on public right-of-ways (utility and street light poles) and municipalities have two months to adopt a small wireless facilities ordinance with application and permit fees. The state has made it so we have no option to say no to small wireless providers asking to attach equipment in the public right-of-way. After discussion about the small wireless facilities regulation it was decided that more information was needed before passing an ordinance. Wabel will go back to the attorney for a better understanding of this law.

Alderman Reports

Alderman Strawn reported most of the street and sidewalk projects have been completed for the year. He stated Jeffery Plumbing will be installing a new furnace at the Waste Treatment office building next week.

Alderman Hoskins asked about the city having a town wide clean-up day. Discussion was about budgeting for a town wide clean-up next fiscal year.

Alderman Hattan reported there have been issues with sampling and instruments at the treatment plant; also looking at proposals to repair the sewer issues in the 300 block of 8th Street.

At 7:55 p.m. Alderman Wabel made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss the setting of a price for sale of property in the Industrial Park. Alderman Hattan seconded. Roll call: 6 ayes.

At 8:21 p.m. Alderman Modro made a motion to return to regular session. Alderman Hattan seconded. Roll call: 6 ayes.

No action taken from executive session.

Wabel reported he had a meeting with Ozinga the owners of the old Weers’ Lake quarry several weeks ago; they talked about bringing debris from the Henry Port to their quarry on Route 26. Wabel stated council members were given a copy of the application permit Ozinga has sent to Illinois EPA to convert their quarry on Route 26 into a Clean Construction Demolition Debris fill site. Which states the site will be used to accept uncontaminated concrete, brick, rock, stone, reclaimed asphalt and uncontaminated soil. Wabel stated that the lake will remain.

Alderman Strawn moved to adjourn at 8:25 p.m. Aldermen Modro seconded. Roll call: 6 ayes.

http://www.laconcity.com/2018%20-October%2015,%20Regular%20City%20Council%20Meeting.pdf