Peoria Standard

City of East Peoria City Council met Jan. 15.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of East Peoria, Illinois was called to order by his Honor Mayor David Mingus presiding at 6:00 P.M. with proper notice having been given.

Upon the roll being called the following answered present: Mayor David W. Mingus, Commissioner Daniel S. Decker, Commissioner Gary R. Densberger, Commissioner Timothy J. Jeffers, and Commissioner John P. Kahl.

Absent: None.

The invocation was given by Commissioner Jeffers.

Mayor Mingus led the Council and the audience in the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

Motion by Commissioner Kahl, seconded by Commissioner Decker; Mr. Mayor, I move that the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on December 18, 2018 and the minutes of the Special Meeting for a Working Session held on December 18, 2018 be approved as printed.

Yeas: Commissioner Decker, Densberger, Jeffers, Kahl and Mayor Mingus.

Nays: None.

Mayor Mingus declared the motion carried.

Mayor Mingus stated if there was anyone in the audience who wanted to speak on any items on the agenda to come to the podium and state the matter or matters to be discussed.

Don Norbits came up to the podium to discuss the sludge contract. He explained that he does not see any differentiation between wet and dry tons in the contract. He inquired as to how the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) requires the sludge to be reported and whether there was any discussion about charging dry tons versus wet tons. Director of Public Works, Dennis Barron, explained that the EPA requires that these be reported in dry tons and that all communities pay by scale weight whether the community dries or fail to dry the sludge. Director Barron explained that the new process that Public Works will begin using with the new plant will make the sludge drier and more efficient. Mr. Norbits stated that he searched the country for contracts and that the sludge contracts he looked at specified wet versus dry tons while the city’s contract does not. Mr. Norbits explained the he can extrapolate from the contracts that the original disposals were done in dry tons and then changed over to wet tons when it became very profitable for Waste Management. He stated that the city needs to look at those things that are happening to us that cost us lots of money. He explained that the city paid $450,000 for sludge disposal over the last contract that we should not have paid. He believes that we should get a definition of whether the city will pay in wet tons and dry tons so there is no question in the future how it is paid. He feels that the city is paying for a lot of water disposal in the contract.

Mayor Mingus asked for any other comments from the audience. There was no response.

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS BY OMNIBUS VOTE:

Mayor Mingus asked if any Commissioner wished to remove any items from the Consent Agenda for discussion. There was no response.

Motion by Commissioner Densberger, seconded by Commissioner Kahl; Mr. Mayor, I move to adopt a consent agenda consisting of items numbered 1 through 3 as listed on the agenda for this meeting to be considered by omnibus vote.

Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Densberger, Jeffers, Kahl and Mayor Mingus.

Nays: None.

Mayor Mingus declared the motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Densberger, seconded by Commissioner Decker; Mr. Mayor, I move you that Items numbered 1 through 3 listed on the Consent Agenda be hereby approved and adopted, the items numbered 2 through 3 having been read once by their title and having laid on the table for no less than one week for public inspection be adopted as presented.

Item No. 1 – Adoption of Resolution No. 1819-110 – Resolution to Approve Payment of the Schedule of Bills Nos. 16 and 17 in the amount of $1,691,649.13 and $838,214.61. (Adopted by omnibus vote)

Item No. 2 – Adoption of Resolution No. 1819-103 on its Second Reading – Resolution approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with the County of Tazewell, Illinois for Participation in the Digital Orthophotography Acquisition Project. (Adopted by omnibus vote)

Item No. 3 – Adoption of Resolution No. 1819-102 on its Second Reading – Resolution to approve proposal from Christenberry System & Alarm Company Inc. for new access system for Sally Port Doors for the Police Department in the amount of $9,994. (Adopted by omnibus vote)

Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Densberger, Jeffers, Kahl and Mayor Mingus.

Nays: None.

Mayor Mingus declared the motion carried and the items adopted by omnibus vote designation.

Resolution No. 1819-105 by Commissioner Densberger, seconded by Commissioner Kahl; BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, ILLINOIS that Resolution No. 1819-105 hereto attached, a Resolution to approve an agreement relating to Levee District Real Property Tax Assessments, be hereby approved, and that this Resolution No. 1819-105 having been read once by its title and having laid on the table for no less than one week for public inspection, be adopted as presented.

Commissioner Densberger explained the agreement which is a settled amount that allows the city to preserve realistic real estate property values.

Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Densberger, Jeffers, Kahl and Mayor Mingus.

Nays: None.

Mayor Mingus declared the motion carried and Resolution No. 1819-105 be duly adopted as presented.

Resolution No. 1819-108 by Commissioner Densberger, seconded by Commissioner Kahl; BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, ILLINOIS that Resolution No. 1819-108, hereto attached, a Resolution to approve abating and eliminating various tax levies for Water and Sewer Bond Issues, Tax Increment Financing Bond Issues, and Development Bond Issues, be approved, and that this Resolution No. 1819-108 be accepted on its first reading as read by its title, and be laid on the table for no less than one week for public inspection.

Commissioner Densberger explained that this is an annual item where the bonds are backed by property taxes; however, the revenues from the other sources are sufficient and the bonds can be abated from the property taxes.

Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Densberger, Jeffers, Kahl and Mayor Mingus. Nays: None.

Mayor Mingus declared the motion carried.

Resolution No. 1819-111 by Commissioner Densberger, seconded by Commissioner Kahl; BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, ILLINOIS that Resolution No. 1819-111, hereto attached, a Resolution Approving Renewal of Cyber Security Insurance Coverage, be approved, and that this Resolution No. 1819-111 be accepted on its first reading as read by its title, and be laid on the table for no less than one week for public inspection.

Commissioner Densberger explained the renewal and the amount of the renewal. It is a necessary insurance that protects the City.

Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Densberger, Jeffers, Kahl and Mayor Mingus. Nays: None.

Mayor Mingus declared the motion carried.

Resolution No. 1819-109 by Commissioner Densberger, seconded by Commissioner Kahl; BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, ILLINOIS that Resolution No. 1819-109, hereto attached, a Resolution approving the payment of an invoice to AMP Electrical Services Inc. for electrical service connections for the 2018 Winter Wonderland in the amount of $11,220, be approved, and that this Resolution No. 1819-109 be accepted on its first reading as read by its title, and be laid on the table for no less than one week for public inspection.

Director of Tourism and Special Events, Doug McCarty, explained the work completed.

Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Densberger, Jeffers, Kahl and Mayor Mingus. Nays: None.

Mayor Mingus declared the motion carried.

Resolution No. 1819-112 by Commissioner Densberger, seconded by Commissioner Kahl; BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, ILLINOIS that Resolution No. 1819-112, hereto attached, a Resolution to Approve Addendum to Collective Bargaining Agreement with Teamsters Local Union No. 627 (EastSide Centre/Public Property), be approved, and that this Resolution No. 1819-112 be accepted on its first reading as read by its title, and be laid on the table for no less than one week for public inspection.

City Attorney, Dennis Triggs, explained the addendum which is for a wage reopener.

Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Densberger, Jeffers, Kahl and Mayor Mingus. Nays: None.

Mayor Mingus declared the motion carried.

Resolution No. 1819-107 by Commissioner Decker; WHEREAS, the Illinois Department of Transportation (“IDOT”) and the Tazewell and Peoria Railroad (“TZPR”), formerly known as the Peoria and Pekin Union Railway (“P&PU”), seek to improve the railroad crossing with West Washington Street that is located adjacent to and near the intersection of Columbia Street and West Washington Street in East Peoria (the “Railroad Crossing Improvement Project”); and

WHEREAS, IDOT and TZPR have acquired federal funding for the purposes of undertaking the Railroad Crossing Improvement Project, which will allow TZPR to undertake and complete the Railroad Crossing Improvement Project; and

WHEREAS, the Railroad Crossing Improvement Project involves an improvement to a railroad crossing with a City street, and the City of East Peoria will need to provide assistance with the logistics of completing the Railroad Crossing Improvement Project and the traffic control around this railroad crossing during the construction of the Railroad Crossing Improvement Project; and

WHEREAS, IDOT has prepared an Agreement for Railway-Highway Grade Crossing Improvements for the undertaking of the Railroad Crossing Improvement Project, attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Agreement”), wherein the City is considered the “local public agency” for the purposes of the Agreement and the undertaking of the Railroad Crossing Improvement Project; and

WHEREAS, the City will not directly incur any costs related to the Railroad Crossing Improvement Project, as the City is not required to provide any funding for this Project; and

WHEREAS, the City hereby finds that it is in best interests of the City and the public to provide assistance with the Railroad Crossing Improvement Project as provided in the Agreement, as this portion of West Washington Street on which this railroad crossing is located is a primary accessway into The Levee District and the City’s downtown area;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, TAZEWELL COUNTY, ILLINOIS, THAT:

Section 1. The above recitations are found to be true and correct.

Section 2. The Agreement with IDOT and TZPR for the Railroad Crossing Improvement Project is hereby approved.

Section 3. The Mayor or his designee is hereby authorized and directed to execute the Agreement for the Railroad Crossing Improvement Project (attached hereto as Exhibit A), together with such changes therein as the Mayor in his discretion deems appropriate; provided that the City shall have no obligation under the terms of such Agreement until a fully-executed original has been provided to both IDOT and TZPR.

Motion by Commissioner Decker, seconded by Commissioner Densberger; Mr. Mayor, I move that Resolution No. 1819-107 be adopted as presented.

Commissioner Decker and Director Barron explained the project.

Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Densberger, Jeffers, Kahl and Mayor Mingus.

Nays: None.

Mayor Mingus declared the motion carried and Resolution No. 1819-107 be duly adopted as presented.

Resolution No. 1819-100 by Commissioner Jeffers, seconded by Commissioner Decker; BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, ILLINOIS that Resolution No. 1819-100, hereto attached, a Resolution approving a three-year agreement with Area Disposal Service Inc. for the disposal of sludge and spoils for the City, be approved, and that this Resolution No. 1819-100 be accepted on its first reading as read by its title, and be laid on the table for no less than one week for public inspection.

Commissioner Jeffers explained that the city received two bids, and this was the low bid by $1.00 per ton. Spoil costs for the city are cut in half by this contract in what is currently paid. He explained that landfills can only receive so much sludge per landfill. He explained that trying to dry the sludge to zero water content would not be efficient and practical. The contract is for a three-year term. Costs to have drivers drive the truck to the landfill is a large expense as well.

Commissioner Kahl explained that he had the same concerns as Mr. Norbits. He explained that he reached out to Director Barron and received the same comments as were received by Director Barron tonight. He explained that this is a more attractive contract than the Waste Management contract. His concern is that upon the renewal of contracts the City has received a worse contract. He inquired about the bar screen and whether it was an autorenewal agreement. Director Barron explained that there is an autorenewal in the dumpster contract for Plant 1. The city let Waste Management know that the city is interested in renegotiating. Waste Management did let the city out of the contract at Plant 3. Waste Management did lower the price to the price that PDC offered at Plant 1. Commissioner Kahl explained that the city needs to take a hard look at contracts and ensure that they are not auto-renewing. He feels tha the city needs to do a better job in managing contracts.

Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Densberger, Jeffers, Kahl and Mayor Mingus. Nays: None.

Mayor Mingus declared the motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Kahl, seconded by Commissioner Densberger; Mr. Mayor, I move you that Ordinance No. 4423 hereto attached, (AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN AGREEMENT TO FINANCE THE PURCHASE OF LIFEPAK SYSTEMS FOR THE CITY’S FIRE DEPARTMENT) be accepted on its first reading as read by its title, and be laid on the table for no less than one week for public inspection.

Commissioner Kahl explained the ordinance. The city has two LifePak 12 monitors that are beyond their serviceable life that we had planned to replace is the fiscal year 2019-2020 and the vendor has offered the city a deal where they will provide LifePak 15 Monitors and give the city a $6,000 trade in for each of the two LifePak 12 monitors. This is essentially an interest free loan that will be paid in the next fiscal year. The costs are $39,602.64 and it is due after May 1, 2019.

Commissioner Decker explained the LifePak monitors and durability of the monitors.

Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Densberger, Jeffers, Kahl and Mayor Mingus. Nays: None.

Mayor Mingus declared the motion carried.

Mayor Mingus stated if there was anyone in the audience who wanted to speak on any items not on the agenda to come to the podium state the matter or matters to be discussed.

Norman Sales came up to comment on the snow removal and commended the Public Works Department on their job on the snow removal compared to the surrounding communities.

Mayor Mingus asked for any additional comments from the audience. There was no response. Mayor Mingus then asked for comments from Council.

Commissioner Decker commended that the snowplow drivers on their great job during the snowstorm. He commented on the snow removal policies and encouraged anyone who has a concern with streets to give Public Works a call.

Commissioner Densberger stated that beginning in February the City Council will begin budget discussions. He and Director of Finance/Treasurer, Jeff Becker, will lead the Budget Meetings.

Commissioner Jeffers commented on the budget preparations that Public Works has been completing and putting together a balanced budget. He thanked Director McCarty, John Broshears, other staff and volunteers on the Festival of Lights this past year. He wants to ensure that we plan for the future and replacements for the Festival of Lights continuing in the future.

Commissioner Kahl explained that the revitalization survey results are in and representatives from IDHA and the city held the first meeting in Richland Farms with good feedback. The goal is to partner with IDHA and their resources and come up with a community revitalization plan with the input coming directly from community members. There are two additional meetings left to discuss the result. Both are being held on on January 23, 2019 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the East Peoria Community High School and First United Methodist Church in East Peoria. He thanked those that participated. Commissioner Kahl explained that Liam Oedewaldt collected 340 blankets and his goal was 125. He congratulated him Mr. Oedewaldt.

Motion by Commissioner Jeffers, seconded by Commissioner Kahl; Mr. Mayor, I move you that we adjourn until Tuesday evening, February 5, 2019 at 6:00 P.M.

Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Densberger, Jeffers, Kahl and Mayor Mingus.

Nays: None

Mayor Mingus declared the motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 6:46 P.M.

https://www.cityofeastpeoria.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01152019-604