Peoria Standard

City of Delavan City Council met May 5.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The Delavan City Council met in regular session at 6:30 p.m. in the Delavan Council Room, 219 Locust Street, Delavan, Illinois. Mayor Elizabeth Skinner presided. The following aldermen were present electronically: Douglas Bury, Wade Fornoff, Robert Hall, James Horath, Jeffrey Johnson, and Steven Yontz. Other city officials in attendance electronically were: City Attorney William Connor and City Administrator Matt Fick. Others in attendance were: Police Chief Jerry Littlefield, City Clerk Penny Bright, and Administrative Assistant Tammy Hintz.

The meeting notice and agenda were posted at least forty-eight hours in advance of the meeting in the window of City Hall and on the door of the City Council Room. A copy if the meeting notice and agenda is attached to and made a part of the minutes,

CONSENT AGENDA

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

A. Minutes of the April 21, 2020, budget hearing meeting 

B. Minutes of the April 21, 2020, regular meeting 

C. Approval of Resolution # 2020-10 for payment of bills

A motion was made by Alderman Horath, seconded by Alderman Johnson, to approve Consent Agenda ltem A., minutes of the April 21, 2020, budget hearing; Consent Agenda Item B., minutes of the April 21, 2020, regular meeting; and Consent Agenda Item C., RESOLUTION #2020-10, 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.

MAYOR'S REPORT

Mayor Skinner made the following report: 

> Read a thank you note from Jim and Peggy Dunham for the residential maintenance program grant they received for improvements on the property.

Complimented Connie Madden for the plants in the flower pots and asked the council to thank her the next time they see her.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

City Administrator Fick made the following report: The Public Works Department are starting to wash and paint the fire hydrants. Have discussed with the fire department about flow testing hydrants to determine water pressure levels and color coding the hydrants as part of our summer hydrant maintenance program. Spoke with Dr. Brooks who indicated he was waiting to hear back from USDA on loan pre-application and approval. He has received input from the DCFS Life Safety Inspector on the building plans and is working with Homeway Homes to make sure the daycare plans are compliant

Alderman Yontz asked about item #2 on the City Administrator's report concerning the installation of the sanitary sewer across Springfield Road and the time line. City Administrator Fick reported that MECO Engineering had asked about the type of cut the city could like to have across Springfield Road for the sewer line going to Revolution. City Administrator Fick said that there is not an exact date for installation, but when he gets one he will like the council members know. Chief Littlefield gave an update on the FEMA/IEMA assistance program. He reported that as of now the city will be collecting bills that were paid in regard to the coronavirus pandemic and once the pandemic is over will be submitting for reimbursement. A question was asked if these are separate reimbursements, and Chief Littlefield said no, it will be just through FEMA.

NEW BUSINESS

A. Discussion and action to approve an Intergovernmental Agreement with the County of Tazewell for Recycling Grant

City Administrator Fick presented an intergovernmental agreement with Tazewell County for the recycling grant. It was noted that the amount of the grant was higher than last year. 

A motion was made by Alderman Bury, seconded by Alderman Horath, to approve ORDINANCE #2020-21, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF DELAVAN AND THE COUNTY OF TAZEWELL. The vote on this motion was as follows: Ayes: Horath, Bury, Johnson, Yontz, Hall, Fornoff; Nays: none; Absent: none. Motion carried.

B. Discussion and action on a Resolution Relating to Termination of Participation by Elected Officials in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.

City Administrator Fick presented the resolution to terminate participation by elected officials in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund. He explained that now that the two position are separate, City Clerk and Collector, the city position will not qualify for participation in IMRF because that position will not work the required 1,000 hours a year. 

A motion was made by Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderman Fornoff, to approve RESOLUTION #2020-11, TO RESCIND RESOLUTION #2017-22 AND ADOPT RESOLUTION RELATING TO PARTICIPATION BY ELECTED OFFICIALS IN THE ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT FUND FOR THE CITY OF DELAVAN - IMRE ID #008001. The vote on this motion was as follows: Ayes: Bury, Johnson, Yontz, Hall, Fornoff, Horath; Nays: none; Absent: none. Motion carried.

C. Discussion and action on Ordinance Authorizing the Transfer of 2 Shotguns to the Village of Hopedale.

Chief Littlefield explained to the council that the city had purchased shotguns in the past. They are not being use now and have been placed in storage. Several years ago the police department purchased rifles for the department. He recommended that the city consider transferring the shotguns to the Village of Hopedale. They have no long guns for their department. He would rather see them given to a small department like Hopedale rather than being sold to the public. 

A motion was made by Alderman Horath, seconded by Alderman Hall, to approve ORDINANCE #2020-22, AN ORDINANCE AUTHROZING THE TRANSFER OF TWO SHOTGUNS TO THE VILLAGE OF HOPEDALE. The vote on this motion was as follows: Ayes: Johnson, Yontz, Hall, Fornoff, Horath, Bury; Nays: none; Absent: none.

D. Discussion and action on Ordinance Approving a City of Delavan FY 2020-2021 Residential Maintenance Program Application for Property at 1011 S. Linden Street

A motion was made by Alderman Bury, seconded by Alderman Fornoff, to approve ORDINANCE # 2020-23, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND ADOPTING A CITY OF DELAVAN FY 2020-2021 RESIDENTIAL MAINTENANCE PROGRAM APPLICATION FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1011 S. LINDEN STREET. Alderman Yontz asked if the application was complete since it did not show that the work had been done. City Administrator Fick explained that the approval was for pre-construction and once the work is completed approval for reimbursement is done at that time. The vote on this motion was as follows: Ayes: Yontz, Hall, Fornoff, Horath, Bury; Nays: none: Abstain:

Johnson; Absent: none. Motion carried.

E. Discussion and action on 608 E. 3rd Street,

City Administrator Fick asked the council for guidance on what to do with the house at 608 E. 3rd Street. He explained that the city has a demolition order from the court and the city could execute the order and take it down. 

A motion was made Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderman Horath, to forego the demolition order and continue obtaining a title to the property. 

Discussion followed. Alderman Johnson asked what the costs would be to obtain the title. Alderman Yontz stated the he did some research on the property and stated that the structure itself if better suited to do a demolition. It has sat vacant for almost a decade and the back taxes have been sold. Alderman Yontz did meet with Mr. Troyer regarding the renovation of the property. He also stated that Joseph Meyer and Associates now owe the back taxes, which would have to be paid along with the city liens. He feels that there should be conditions placed on the renovation which would have to meet the city's satisfaction. It seems like a costly investment. Alderman Johnson stated that he would like to have City Administrator Fick investigate what actual costs there would be to make it habitable. If the cost of the property exceeds the cost of demolition, then it should be looked at again. Alderman Johnson asked City Attorney Conner if he talked with Joseph Meyer. City Attorney Connor stated that the city could use a state statute to void all back taxes and liens. Alderman Horath asked if the property is still uninhabitable. Alderman Bury stated that it appears to be uninhabitable but it could be rehabbed. He also stated that the city already has $3,000-$4,000 in the property and to demolish would be approximately $9,000 to keep it on the rolls. If demolished the city could have a hard time selling the empty lot after the demolition. Discussion ended. The vote on this motion was as follows: Ayes: Fornoff, Horath, Bury, Johnson; Nays: Hall, Yontz; Absent: none. Motion carried.

OTHER ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION

Alderman Horath stated that the improvements to the facade at the Locust Street property owned by John and Morgan Elser were very nice. Alderman Johnson agreed and said the money from the city grant was well spent.

No further business was presented to the council. The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Skinner at 7:10 p.m.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kOh_IfAF7IUKgn2970JD4ecRc0VV63xI_ceXvLv-l7k/edit