Peoria Standard

City of Delavan Mayor and Council met Nov. 5.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

The Delavan City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, November 5, 2019, 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: Douglas Bury, Wade Fornoff, Robert Hall, James Horath, Jeffrey Johnson, and Steven Yontz. Other city officials in attendance were: City Administrator Matt Fick, City Attorney William Connor, Police Chief Jerry Littlefield, Assistant Chief Mike Evans, and City Clerk Penny Bright. Others in attendance were: Daun Fornoff, Harriet Szadkowski, Mark Walters, Kelly Walters, Sheila Lay, Roger Lay, Mark Cunningham, Dan Troyer, Randy Fisher, Barb Fisher, Dr. Joe Flint, Aaron Sundell, Kathy Paul, and Linda Robinson.

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 Mayor Skinner.

Mayor Skinner recommended that the order of the agenda be changed. She asked that the Executive Session and Unfinished Business items be moved to the end of the meeting after Other Items for Consideration.

Consent Agenda

The following items were presented for vote under the Consent Agenda:

A. Minutes of the October 15, 2019, regular meeting

B. Approval of Resolution #2019-29 for payment of bills

A motion was made by Alderman Horath, seconded by Alderman Fornoff, to approve Consent Agenda Item A., minutes of the October 15, 2019, regular meeting, and Consent Agenda Item B., ResolutionN #2019-29, A Resolution Approving and Directing the Payment of Certain Bills of the City of Delavan. The vote on this motion was as follows: Ayes: Fornoff, Horath, Bury, Johnson, Yontz, Hall; Nays: none;

Absent: none. Motion carried.

Public Comments

Mayor Skinner advised the council that there will be no discussion with or about any comments that are made during the Public Comments.

• Dr. Joe Flint, spoke on the Winter Celebration 2019 sponsored by Grow Delavan that will be held on Saturday, December 7. He presented a schedule of events which includes a breakfast with Santa at the American Legion; tour of the Colony House; Christmas caroling around the city tree ending at the Delavan UMC; s'mores, cider and cocoa at the Delavan Pool parking lot; decorated homes, city parks, and businesses; and a Game-On gaming trailer at 101 E. 5th Street. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

• Harriet Szadkowski spoke on behalf of the Delavan Restoration Society stating that the annual Tour of Homes will not be held this year. Their plans are to have the tour every other year. She thanked Grow Delavan and Dr. Flint for organizing an event on the first Saturday in December.

• Mark Walters read a prepared statement outlining details of an on-going issue with sitting council member Steve Yontz. It involved the destruction and removal of "No Trespassing" signs on numerous occasions on Walters' property by Mr. Yontz. Mr. Walters had advised workers doing the construction of Yontz' home that is adjacent to Mr. Walters to not trespass on his property, even though there were “No Trespassing" signs posted. He stated that after speaking with Mr. Yontz on several occasions about trespassing and destroying his signs, he videoed Mr. Yontz in the act of stealing and damaging the signs while trespassing. Mr. Walters then contacted the Delavan Police Department to see what action could be taken. Mr. Walters later learned that Mr. Yontz had been charged. Mr. Walters expressed how concerned he was of this person's actions and does not believe he should play any part in the city government because of his willingness to break the law as he sees fit if it benefits him.

Public Requests

One request was heard regarding the Delavan food baskets by Penny Bright. She explained to the council that a few members of the Delavan United Methodist Church are taking over the Delavan food baskets this Christmas and wanted to know if the city could be willing to donate the $400 that was left from the ESDA basket program to this year's efforts. This item will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting for action.

Mayor’s Report

Mayor Skinner read a thank you letter from Paula Naffziger regarding the Residential Maintenance Program. Paula had applied for and received a grant to repair her garage.

City Administrator's Report

City Administrator Matt Fick made the following report:

• Received sanitary sewer plans from MECO Engineering. They were reviewed by Maurer Stutz and comments forwarded back to MECO for incorporation. An IEPA permit has been applied for. Alderman Yontz asked is easements had been secured. City Administrator Fick stated the easements had been forwarded to the property owners but none received back yet.

• Met with City health insurance broker who is recommending the City switch to Blue Cross/Blue Shield next year in order to realize cost savings.

New Business

A. Discussion and action on Ordinance #2019-50 approving a FY 2019-2020 Residential Maintenance Program Application located at 309 W. 4th.

City Administrator presented the ordinance which would approve the fence replacement at 309 W. 4th. He recommended approval of the project. A motion was made by Alderman Hall, seconded by Alderman Johnson, to approve Ordinance #2019-50, An Ordinance Approving and Adopting a City of Delavan FY 2019 2020 Residential Maintenance Program Application for Property Located at 309 W. 4th Street. The vote on this motion was as follows: Ayes: Horath, Bury, Johnson, Yontz, Hall, Fornoff; Nays: none; Absent: none. Motion carried.

B. Approval of 2020 City Council regular meeting schedule and meeting schedules for Board of Zoning Appeals, Delavan Drug Task Force, and the Local Liquor Commission.

A motion was made by Alderman Horath, seconded by Alderman Bury, to approve the 2020 City Council regular meeting schedule and meeting schedules for Board of Zoning Appeals, Delavan Drug Task Force, and the Local Liquor Commission as presented. The vote on this motion was as follows: Ayes: Bury, Johnson, Yontz, Hall, Fornoff, Horath; Nays: none; Absent: none. Motion carried.

C. Motion to approve the amount of $203,841 as the Estimated Annual Tax Levy

City Administrator Fick presented the estimated annual tax levy for the council to approve. It has been set at 1.9 percent above last year's levy at $203,841. The ordinance to approve the tax levy will be presented at a later date. A motion was made by Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderman Yontz, to approve the estimated annual tax levy of $203,841. The vote on this motion was as follows: Ayes: Johnson, Yontz, Hall, Fornoff, Horath, Bury; Nays: none; Absent: none. Motion carried.

D. Motion to approve bid for 607 E. 2nd demolition

City Administrator Fick reported that a formal bid had been advertised for this demolition but no response was received. He reached out to Wayne Litwiller Excavating and he provided an estimate of $9,500 for demolition of the building at 607 E. 2nd City Administrator Fick recommended approval of this estimate. A motion was made by Alderman Hall, seconded by Alderman Horath, to approve the estimated demolition cost of $9,200 from Wayne Litwiller Excavating for 607 E. 2nd Street. The vote on this motion was as follows: Ayes: Yontz, Hall, Fornoff, Horath, Bury, Johnson; Nays: none; Absent: none. Motion carried.

E. Discussion and action on Resolution #2019-30 approving Motor Fuel Tax funds for maintaining streets for 2020.

City Administrator Fick presented the proposed resolution and recommended approval of the resolution to be sent to IDOT for approval. A motion was made by Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderman Bury to approve Resolution #2019-30, A Resolution Approving Motor Fuel Tax Funds for Maintaining Streets for 2020. The vote on this motion was as follows: Ayes: Hall, Fornoff, Horath, Bury, Johnson, Yontz; Nays: none; Absent: none. Motion carried.

Other Items for Consideration

Alderman Bury read a prepared statement as follows: "Madam Mayor, | personally find Mr. Walters' comments earlier this evening disturbing, that a member of this council would behave in such a manner is truly reprehensible and does in no way reflect the manner in which members of this council should behave towards members of our community. Therefor in accordance with Illinois Compiled Statues (5 ILCS 420/3 107) I move this council look into Mr. Walter's allegations and if substantiated that this council censure Alderman Yontz." Mayor Skinner asked City Attorney Connor to explain the process that would be involved. City Attorney Connor said that an outside legal counsel would have to be retained, then a formation of a committee is to be selected and they will investigate the allegations. After their work is complete the committee will report back to the council with their findings and recommendations. The process can start as soon as the next meeting. Connor also explained that the committee will consist of members of the city council. This item will be added to the agenda for the next meeting

A motion was made by Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderman Horath, to go into executive session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(C)(21) to discuss minutes of meetings lawfully closed for the purpose of approval by the body of the minutes, and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) to discuss the purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body. The vote on this motion was as follows: Ayes: Fornoff, Horath, Bury, Johnson, Yontz, Hall; Nays: none; Absent: none. Motion carried.

The Delavan City Council reconvened in regular session at 7:12 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5, 2019, in the Delavan City Council Room, 219 Locust Street, Delavan, Illinois. Mayor Elizabeth Skinner presided. Aldermen present were: Douglas Bury, Wade Fornoff, Robert Hall, James Horath, Jeffrey Johnson, and Steven Yontz. Other city officials in attendance were: City Administrator Matt Fick, City Attorney William Connor, Police Chief Jerry Littlefield, and City Clerk Penny Bright.

Unfinished Business

A. Approval of minutes of the September 25, 2019, executive session.

Alderman Bury commented that he was satisfied with the changes that were made to the executive session minutes of September 25, 2019. A motion was made by Alderman Horath, seconded by Alderman Fornoff, to approve the minutes of the September 25, 2019, executive session as presented. The vote on this motion was as follows: Ayes: Bury, Johnson, Yontz, Hall, Fornoff, Horath; Nays: none; Absent: none. Motion carried.

No further business was presented to the council. The meeting was adjourned at 7;13 p.m. by Mayor Skinner.

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