Peoria Standard

City of Batavia City Council met April 20.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

PLEASE NOTE: These minutes are not a word-for-word transcription of the statements made at the meeting, nor intended to be a comprehensive review of all discussions. Minutes are intended to make an official record of the actions taken by the Committee/City Council, and to include some description of discussion points as understood by the minute-taker. Any references to discussion and /or statements are only to provide greater clarity to the public and they may not reference all, some, or any of an individual speaker’s comments.

1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER

The electronic meeting was held on GoToWebinar due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was called to order by Mayor Schielke at 7:30 p.m. The meeting was configured to allow public participation if requested.

2. INVOCATION followed by PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

Mayor Schielke offered a brief invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. ROLL CALL

14 of 14 aldermen were present via phone and/or video.

Aldermen (by ward): Michael O’Brien (1), Jennifer Baerren (1), Martin Callahan (2), Alan Wolff (2), Elliot Meitzler (3), Dan Chanzit (3), Tony Malay (4), Joe Knopp (4), Mark Uher (5), Abby Beck (5), Nicholas Cerone (6), Michael Russotto (6), Drew McFadden (7), and Keenan Miller (7) were present.

Also present were members of the public and the following:

City Attorney Roman Seckel

City Clerk Ellen Posledni

City Administrator Laura Newman

Fire Chief Randy Deicke

Director of Public Works Gary Holm

Director of Human Resources Wendy Bednarek

Director of Information Services Howard Chason

Assistant City Administrator Anthony Isom

4. REMINDER: Please speak into the microphone

Mayor Schielke reminded everyone to use their microphones so the audio is clear for all listeners and the recording.

5. ITEMS REMOVED/ADDED/CHANGED

None.

6. CONSENT AGENDA

Ald. Chanzit read the Consent Agenda as follows.

Accept and Place on File:

A. Plan Commission Minutes March 4, 2020

B. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes January 13, 2020

Approvals:

C. April 17, 2020 Payroll for $894,668.38

D. Accounts Payable Check Register $3,409,579.15

E. City Council Minutes for April 6, 2020

F. ORDINANCE 20-30: Declaring Certain Property to be Surplus and Authorizing Sale

Thereof (SH 4/3/20 COW 4/14/20 14/0) CS

G. RESOLUTION 20-061-R: Approval of the Teamsters, Local 673 2018-2020

Agreement (WB COW 4/14/20)

Motion by Ald. Chanzit, seconded by Ald. Knopp, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried 14 yea/ 0 nay/ 0 absent.

7. MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC: (For Items NOT On The Agenda)

None

8. MAINSTREET

MainStreet Executive Director Sherri Wilcox Dauskurdas said the organization is meeting the challenge to maintain connections between neighbors during the stay-at-home order with the support of staff, the board and volunteers. Event planning continues for when it’s safe to resume gatherings. The Well Batavia Expo and Race to Market 5K has been postponed to the end of June. The event will be held in Appleton Park to allow for greater social distancing.

Second Fridays continues, but will be virtual on May 8. Music, lectures, art, storytime and discounts will all be offered in various ways by participating businesses to help maintain connections among the community.

The support of the Taking Care of Our Caretakers program has been overwhelming, with more than $28,000 raised to provide meals for 1,328 front-line and essential workers so far from 25 local restaurants. The program is raising the spirits of everyone involved, from donors to delivery teams and business owners and recipients.

Later this week, the Black Cactus T-Shirt Shop downtown will begin selling T-shirts for local businesses and donating proceeds back to the businesses.

The Saturday Indoor Farmers Market continues with curbside pickup from 6 to 8 vendors every week. Plans are underway for the Summer Market following guidelines from the Illinois Department of Public Health.

The Batavia Boardwalk Shops coming along and are set to open this summer. The project has been a great example of teamwork.

9. PROCLAMATION: Arbor Day 2020

Ald. Chanzit read the proclamation declaring Friday, April 24, 2020, as Arbor Day in Batavia, Illinois. Mayor Schielke shared that the Batavia Tree Commission gave away hundreds of trees at City Hall last weekend. Administrator Newman said the number was 350.

Motion by Ald. Chanzit, seconded by Ald. Meitzler, to approve the proclamation as presented. Motion carried 14 yea/ 0 nay/ 0 absent.

10. RESOLUTION 20-058-R: Authorizing the Purchase of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) from Municipal Emergency Services Inc of Deer Creek, Illinois for an Amount not to exceed $262,250 (RD 4/09/20 COW 4/14/20 14/0) CS

Ald. Wolff introduced the item related to a purchase for the Batavia Fire Department. The equipment purchased is supported by grant money. While the unit was the most expensive of the three considered, savings in maintenance are expected to outweigh the initial cost.

Ald. O’Brien complimented Chief Deicke for his successful pursuit of multiple grants that support upgrades for the Fire Department.

Motion by Ald. Wolff, seconded by Ald. Knopp, to approve the resolution as presented. Motion carried 13 yea/ 0 nay/ 1 absent. Due to audio difficulties, Ald. Chanzit was unable to register a vote.

11. RESOLUTION 20-059-R: License Agreement with Owner of the Popcorn Depot (LN 4/09/20 COW 4/14/20 14/0) CS

Administrator Newman introduced the item related to the Popcorn Depot downtown, which is under new ownership. The previous owner had leased city property at the corner of Water and Houston Street to house the depot, and the resolution covers the lease for the new owner, Talitha Mueller. The Popcorn Depot has been downtown for 90 years.

Ald. O’Brien praised the business and likened the Popcorn Depot to something out of Saturday Evening Post. He said it is a great to tribute to the city to keep it going.

Mayor Schielke noted that anyone 80 years old today can remember the Popcorn Depot from their childhood. Many generations have enjoyed it, and it has a unique legacy in the city.

Motion by Ald. Russotto, seconded by Ald. Wolff, to approve the resolution as presented. Motion carried 14 yea/ 0 nay/ 0 absent.

12. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Administrator Newman noted that so far, there has been no relief offered for local governments in the federal COVID-19 aid packages. The Paycheck Protection Program launched for small businesses does not appear to be helping small businesses after all. The impact to local revenue is still a big unknown. Staff has done some modeling to see what the financial impacts will be to the city and will make recommendations on which expenditures can be postponed.

The city is working with Batavia MainStreet and Batavia Chamber of Commerce to determine how to support small businesses during the pandemic. They plan to hold a virtual town hall meeting to answer questions from local business owners.

Other news:

• The state is still signaling it has funds to assist with dam removal, so talks on that project with Batavia Park District and IDNR are continuing.

• Historic Preservation Commission met April 13 and approved changes to the Boardwalk Shops siding material.

• The Plan Commission met April 15 and approved four items from continued Plan Commission meetings.

• Roadway, curb and sidewalk construction has begun in Area 3.

• Main Street construction is fully underway.

• Public Properties and Services has been working tirelessly to keep the work environment clean, sanitized and safe.

• A new community survey will be going out soon.

• The city’s new logo is being submitted for a SAVVY Award.

• The city’s website has a special section for COVID-19 information. The Community

CARE program has been established to help seniors and disabled residents who need help with errands and shopping during the pandemic. To request services, call 630.454.CARE or email communitycare@cityofbatavia.net. Residents can also stay up to date on COVID-19 through the city’s new YouTube channel and the weekly newsletter. Subscribe to the newsletter through the city’s website.

At the next COW on April 25, budget adjustments will be presented and there will be a discussion about the next steps for One Washington Place.

Ald. Wolff noted that high-speed traffic has been an ongoing problem on Morton Street, and now with traffic being diverted on that road, the problem is likely to get worse. He asked if there was a way to slow cars down in that area.

Ald. Chanzit noted that regarding the PPP federal aid program, more funding is likely coming for small businesses. He encouraged business owners to continue working with their bankers on funding solutions.

13. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Ald. Wolff reminded residents that during the Governor’s Executive Order, all garbage should be placed in containers. No large items will be picked up during the stay-at-home order. Watch the city’s website for updates on brush pickup.

14. OTHER BUSINESS

None

15. MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Schielke noted the pandemic will be long remembered in history books, and he shared his appreciation for all of the individuals and organizations helping neighbors who need extra support. Many great efforts have been made outside of the spotlight, and he is proud of how the town has stepped up to the challenge. This moment may be unparalleled in Batavia history. Batavia has thus far been able to keep infection numbers low, which speaks to the residents’ individual efforts to protect themselves and each other.

A number of businesses have been deeply impacted by the pandemic and are totally unable to operate. The situation will have a deep impact on city finances. The mayor indicated he believes the budget will hold up, but some projects may need to be postponed.

Three major streets projects continue to move forward with federal funds already committed to them:

• Main Street improvements are underway

• South Prairie Street project will begin at the end of May

• Reconstruction of the Prairie/Wilson Street intersection and railroad crossing is likely one or two years away, but is moving forward. The future of federal and state money is in doubt.

The Mayor shared that his great-grandfather owned the grocery and pharmacy at the corner of Wilson and River Street in 1880. The business remained in his family over generations, and one of the features of the building was a large sign for Squirt Soft Drinks. A photograph of the building and sign was taken in the 1950s and recently posted on Facebook, sparking a lot of discussion about the location. This is the site of the new Boardwalk Shops.

Despite the pandemic, people continue to inquire about opening new businesses in Batavia.

Ald. O’Brien noted that the state, city and residents are all under considerable financial strain as a result of the pandemic. The Council recently debated the level of reserves appropriate to keep, and he complimented his fellow alderpersons for maintaining the level of reserves that will help the city weather this storm.

Mayor Schielke encouraged the Council to continue to have conversations about what to do with the money in reserves.

Ald. Callahan complimented the many people who are bringing the Boardwalk Shops to life, some of whom are business owners whose businesses are currently closed because of the pandemic. Everyone involved is putting the community first, and he is proud of all involved.

Mayor Schielke said several mayors have already asked to come see the Boardwalk Shops. The project is an example of volunteer effort for the community good.

16. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Personnel

Motion by Ald. Meitzler, seconded by Ald. Cerone, to enter Executive Session. Motion carried 13 yea/ 1 nay/ 0 absent.

The Council entered Executive Session at 8:24 p.m.

17. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting returned to General Session at 9:16 p.m.

Motion by Ald. Knopp, seconded by Ald. Cerone, to adjourn. Motion carried by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 9:16 p.m.

http://www.cityofbatavia.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_04202020-1538