Peoria Standard

City of BellevilleCity Council met March 26.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Eckert called this meeting to order.

Mayor Eckert explained the disaster procedures and reminded anyone speaking this evening to step up to a microphone because the meetings are being taped and posted the next day on the website.

Mayor Eckert called roll. Members present on roll call: Alderman Kinsella, Alderman Hazel, Alderwoman Duco, Alderman Randle, Alderman Ferguson, Alderman Anthony, Alderman Ovian, Alderman Dintelman, Alderwoman Schaefer; Alderwoman Stiehl; Alderman Rothweiler, Alderman Elmore, Alderman Weygandt, Alderman Wigginton, Alderman Barfield.

ROLL CALL DEPARTMENT HEADS

Roll Call Department Heads: City Clerk, Jennifer Gain Meyer; City Attorney Hoerner; Director ofIT, Scott Markovich.

Excused: Dean Hardt, City Treasurer; Police Chief, Bill Clay; Fire Chief, Tom Pont; Finance Director, Jamie Maitret; Director of Maintenance, Ken Vaughn; Director of Public Works, Jason Poole; Director of Wastewater, Royce Carlisle; Director of Residential and Commercial Development Services, Annissa McCaskill; Director of Library, Leander Spearman; City Engineer, Michael Velloff.

Mayor Eckert led the Pledge of Allegiance.

None.

None.

Michael Haebere

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PUBLIC HEARING

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

PLEDGE

The City must adhere to all State law so why does the City of Belleville need an ordinance that minors State Emergency Declaration.

States that have attempted to restrict the sales of firearms or ammunition have lost lawsuits brought under the 2nd Amendment of the United States.

Do you feel the City of Belleville has the authority to usurp the 2nd Amendment in preventing the firearms and ammunition?

PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS& APPOINTMENTS

None.

ORDINANCES

Alderwoman Schaefer made a motion seconded by Alderwoman Stiehl to read by title only Ordinances 8436- 2020.

All members voted aye.

Alderman Wigginton made a motion seconded by Alderman Weygandt to approve ORDINANCE 8436-2020 An Ordinance Amending Title XIII (General Offenses), Chapter 130 Offenses Against Public Peace & Safety), Section 130. 15 ( Civil Emergencies) o f the Revised Code of Ordinances of the City of Belleville, as Amended, Pertaining to Local State of Emergency. 

Discussion.

Mayor Eckert advised he has been listening to several phone conferences, video conferences between St. Clair County, the Mayors of St. Clair County and the St. Clair County Health

Department. Last week on Thursday they recommended each city should consider having their own declaration because they feel if a claim is submitted to FEMA there will be better results if we have our own declaration.

The Mayor by law can make a seven( 7) day declaration on his/ her own. This Ordinance as read by the City Clerk is to extend this declaration for thirty( 30) days.

Alderman Randle asked where the language for the Ordinance originated from; Mayor Eckert advised IML provided a draft and the City Attorney reviewed and prepared in accordance with the State of Illinois.

Alderman Randle stated Michael Hagberg raised a question during public participation regarding Section 2d Number 7 which would restrict or close the sale of firearms; Mayor Eckert stated this is a part of the Governor' s Executive Order.

City Attorney Hoemer advised this is an Ordinance modeled after the Ordinance that was provided by IML the section Alderman Randle inquired about is in current form of Section 130.5 Code of Ordinances.

Alderman Randle stated he understands; however, does not necessarily agree with it. If we were to exclude this where would it leave us; Mayor Eckert stated, he would defer to the City Attorney.

City Attorney Hoerner stated this is already in the Code of Ordinance and if you would want to appeal that would go before council.

Alderman Randle asked if this has impact on receiving money from FEMA; Mayor Eckert stated he cannot answer that today. Just hours ago, Governor Pritzker announced the request for the State of Illinois Disaster Federal Declaration to the President was just approved.

Alderman Wigginton stated the City Attorney stated this is already in our Code of Ordinances. As a small business owner, he does not want the City to lose on federal money.

Mayor Eckert advised he is worried about our first responders. He is getting daily updates regarding employees.

Alderman Ovian stated his concern is if there are inmates released from prison due to COVID-19 this could cause worries in the community.

Alderman Ferguson asked at the end of thirty (30) days will this be revisited; Mayor Eckert stated yes.

Members voting aye on roll call: Kinsella, Hazel, Duco, Randle, Ferguson, Anthony, Ovian, Dintelman, Schaefer, Stiehl, Rothweiler, Elmore, Weygandt, Wigginton, Barfield. (15)

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Elmore made a motion seconded by Alderman Ferguson to adjourn at 3: 25 p.m. All members voted aye.

https://www.belleville.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03262020-2196