Peoria Standard

City of Delavan City Council met May 19.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

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

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 window in City Hall. A copy of 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 May 5, 2020, regular meeting B. Approval of Resolution #2020-12 for payment of bills

A motion was made by Alderman Yontz, seconded by Alderman Hall, to remove the minutes of the May 5, 2020, regular meeting from the Consent Agenda for discussion in the regular meeting. The vote on this motion was as follows: Ayes: Yontz, Hall; Nays: Fornoff, Horath, Bury, Johnson; Absent: none. Motion failed. Alderman Yontz asked the reason why Aldermen Bury, Horath, Fornoff, and Johnson did not want to discuss the removal of the minutes. Mayor Skinner replied that this was not the place or time to discuss this question but could be addressed in Other Items for Consideration later in the meeting. She also stated the council members are free to vote the way they want on any motion made and do not have to explain their reasoning.

A motion was made by Alderman Horath, seconded by Alderman Bury, to approve Consent Item A., minutes of the May 5, 2020, regular meeting, and Consent Agenda Item B., RESOLUTION #2020-12, A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE DIRECTING THE PAYMENT OF CERTAIN BILLS OF THE CITY OF DELAVAN, ILLINOIS. The vote on this motion was as follows: Ayes: Horath, Bury, Johnson, Fornoff; Nays: Yontz, Hall; Absent: none Motion carried.

MAYOR'S REPORT

Mayor Skinner made the following report: The band concerts scheduled during the summer in Pekin and Delavan have been cancelled for this year. She and City Administrator Fick have been in touch with a number of organizations including the Governor's Office, Illinois Municipal League, Greater Peoria EDC, Tazewell County Sheriff's office, Tazewell County EMA, Tazewell County Health

Department, and other local mayors. She has spoken with Senator Bill Brady, Representative Tim Butler, and Congressman Darin Lafood regarding the current pandemic position the cities are experiencing now. She also stated that there are ten central Illinois counties that have banned together and asked the governor to approve of a plan to lift some restrictions for businesses in the central Illinois counties. Governor Pritzker said he was staying with his plan for now and would not consider any alternative plans. The governor has made it clear that those businesses who have Illinois state licenses are at risk of being shut down and losing their licenses. Mayor Skinner also stated that before taking any official action, she asked City Administrator Fick to check with our insurance carrier. He reported that the city's insurance carrier stated that they would not cover the city for any liability if the city would take action against the Governor. Some cities could face a loss of federal and state funding is they defy any ruling of the Governor also. Mayor Skinner also stated that Governor Pritzker is feeling pressure and feels he may move to the next phase more quickly than previously planned.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

City Administrator Matt Fick made the following report: > Construction has stopped at Revolution; however, they have submitted and been issued a permit for construction of a small storage building. The city has received the first Rebuild Minois Fund payment in the amount of $18,551.96. This is the first of six payments that will be received over the next three years. It is based on MET funding allocation. At the recommendation of the City engineer the funds will be accumulated and used for future roadwork projects. Alderman Yontz asked if there was any document that spelled out the criteria for the funding. City Administrator Fick responded by saying that there is a document that he will forward to the aldermen. Fick stated that the funds cannot be used for operating expenses, paying off bonds, repairs to streets and bridges but will be accumulated and used for the sealcoating program. Reported that the city is working with the city engineer and the GPEDC on potential projects for the Fast Track Infrastructure Grant program. This grant, if received, will be used to line the sewer mains. He noted that the Public Works Department is working on smoke testing the sewer mains.

A. Discussion and action to authorize the City Clerk to appoint a Deputy Clerk.

A motion was made by Alderman Hall, seconded by Alderman Horath, to authorize the City Clerk to appoint a Deputy Clerk. It was noted that the salary is $200/month and the appointee will receive this salary upon appointment. The vote on this motion was as follows: Ayes: Bury, Johnson, Yontz, Hall, Fornoff, Horath; Nays: none; Absent: none. Motion carried.

B. Discussion and action to confirm the appointment of the Deputy Clerk.

City Clerk Penny Bright announced the appointment of Tammy Hintz as Deputy City Clerk effective June 1, 2020. A motion was made by Alderman Hall, seconded by Alderman Yontz, to confirm the appointment of Tammy Hintz as Deputy City Clerk effective June 1, 2020. The vote on this motion was as follows: Ayes: Yontz, Hall, Fornoff, Horath, Bury, Johnson; Nays: none; Absent: none. Motion carried.

C. Discussion and action to authorize seeking demolition bids for 608 E. 3rd Street.

City Administrator Fick reported that an inspection of the property was done by Huff Construction and the report was included in the council packet. He also received two bids for demolition which also were included in the packet City Attorney William Connor explained that the city has a demolition order from the court but it has not been acted on so far. The city has incurred expenses for the make-safe order, which included boarding up windows and cleaning the property. For the demolition process, the city would have to obtain foreclosure on the make-safe lien and the demolition lien when it is done. 

A motion was made by Alderman Horath, seconded by Alderman Fornoff, to not accept the demolition bids and to allow the house at 608 E. 3rd Street to remain as is and not be demolished. Discussion was heard with regards to the house at 608 E. 3rd Street. Alderman Yontz has spoken with the County Clerk and the County Treasurer regarding the back taxes on this property and found that they were sold in error and are now in the possession of a trustee. The state's Attorney has deemed the property uninhabitable. Alderman Yontz feels that the legal costs to get the property back on the tax rolls would be greater than to demolish it. The property has been vacant for a long time. Evidence in the Huff Construction report shows that there is significant damage to the property. Alderman Yontz feels it would be in the best interest of the community for the house to be demolished. Alderman Horath has talked with a person in town that is capable of fixing up the house and is willing to rehab it. Alderman Bury does not feel that an empty lot would benefit the community. All that can be done with the lot would be to divide it between the neighbors. Bury has looked at the house and found that it is not a total loss and is in favor of saving the house instead of tearing it down and having an empty lot. It was asked if there is an interest in putting a new residence on the empty lot and it was noted that other empty lots where houses have been torn down are hard pressed to have a home built on them. The vote on this motion was as follows: Ayes: Johnson, Fornoff, Horath, Bury; Nays: Yontz, Hall; Absent: none. Motion carried.

D. Discussion and action on Ordinance #2020-24, approving and adopting the City of Delavan 2020-2021 Residential Maintenance Program application for property located at 820 E. 1st Street. City Administrator Fick presented the ordinance approving a Residential program application. This property is not in the TIF. It will be for the maximum reimbursement of $2,000 for roof repair. 

A motion was made by Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderman Fornoff, to approve ORDINANCE # 2020-24, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE CITY OF DELAVAN 2020-2021 RESIDENTIAL MAINTENANCE PROGRAM APPLICATION FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 820 E. 1ST STREET. The vote on this motion was as follows: Ayes: Hall, Fornoff, Horath, Bury, Johnson, Yontz; Nays: none; Absent: absent. Motion carried.

E. Discussion and action on Ordinance #2020-25, approving and adopting the City of Delavan 2020-2021 Residential Maintenance Program application for property located at 207 Heritage Court.

City Administrator Fick presented the ordinance approving a Residential Maintenance Program application. This property is not in the TIF. It will be for the maximum reimbursement of $2,000 for window replacement. 

A motion was made by Alderman Hall, seconded by Alderman Bury, to approve ORDINANCE # 2020-25, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE CITY OF DELAVAN 2020-2021 RESIDENTIAL MAINTENANCE PROGRAM APPLICATION FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 207 HERITAGE COURT. The vote on this motion was as follows: Ayes: Fornoff, Horath, Bury, Johnson, Yontz, Hall; Nays: none; Absent: none. Motion carried.

F. Discussion and action on a resolution appointing a replacement authorized agent for the city with respect to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund City Administrator Fick presented a resolution appointing an authorized agent for the city with the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund to replace City Clerk Penny Bright who has served as Authorized Agent for the city. 

A motion was made by Alderman Horath, seconded by Alderman Bury, to approve RESOLUTION #2020-13, A RESOLUTION APPOINTING A REPLACEMENT AUTHORIZED AGENT FOR THE CITY WITH RESPECT TO THE ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT FUND. The vote on this motion was as follows: Ayes: Horath, Bury, Johnson, Yontz, Hall, Fornoff; Nays: none; Absent: none. Motion carried.

G. Discussion and action on Council Resolution of Support.

City Administrator Fick introduced a Council Resolution of Support for the application to the State of Illinois for a Rebuild Illinois grant. 

A motion was made by Alderman Bury, seconded by Alderman Horath, to adopt RESOLUTION #2020-14, A COUNCIL RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT. Discussion followed. It was asked about the $4,000 fee and the probability of receiving the grant. Jim Cummings, GPEDC grant coordinator, informed the council that the chances of receiving the grant are unknown. There is a point system being used for the grant application process to award in the first round. The first round grant applications are due by the end of May. The second round will be due by the middle of June. Mr. Cummings said that the city needs to make their application as strong as possible. City Administrator Fick informed the council that he has work experience with Jim Cummings in Peoria Heights, when Mr. Cummings wrote several large grant applications for the City of Peoria Heights. It was explained that this grant is open to any type of public entity and the city is applying for the sewer line upgrade. Mr. Cummings said that the $4,000 charge is for the initial work being done on the grant application and if the city does not receive the grant and wish to apply for another grant for the same work the GPEDC would not charge another fee for that grant application service. City Administrator Fick said that he would recommend the council show their support for the grant application for this sewer work. The vote on this motion was as follows: Ayes: Bury, Johnson, Yontz, Fornoff, Horath; Nays: Hall; Absent: none. Motion carried

H. Discussion and action on a proposed Rebuild Illinois Public Infrastructure Application Packaging and Submission Agreement

A motion was made by Alderman Bury, seconded by Alderman Johnson, to accept the Rebuild Illinois Public Infrastructure Application Packaging and Submission Agreement between the City of Delavan and the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council for Central Illinois Inc. It was noted that the grant application fee of $4,000 is to be paid to the GPEDC. The vote on this motion was as follows: Ayes: Johnson, Yontz, Fornoff, Horath, Bury; Nays: Hall; Absent: none. Motion carried.

1. Discussion and action on a Resolution Establishing a Policy Regarding Fair Housing Practices in the City of Delavan.

A resolution establishing a policy regarding fair housing practices in Delavan was presented. This resolution is required because of the Rebuild Illinois grant application. A motion was made by Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderman Bury, to approve RESOLUTION #2020-15, A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A POLICY REGARDING FAIR HOUSING PRACTICES IN THE CITY OF DELAVAN. Discussion followed. The vote on this motion was as follows: Ayes: Yontz, Fornoff, Horath, Bury, Johnson; Nays: Hall; Absent: none. Motion carried

J. Discussion and action on Ordinance #2020-26 an Ordinance Approving and Authorizing the Execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement by and between the City of Delavan and Delavan Community Unit School District #703.

City Administrator Fick explained that this intergovernmental agreement with the school is for funding of the daycare center at the school, which was presented to the council by Dr. Brooks at an earlier meeting. 

A motion was made by Alderman Yontz, seconded by Alderman Bury, to approve ORDINANCE # 2020-26, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZNG THE EXECUTION OF AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF DELAVAN AND DELAVAN COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT #703. The vote on this motion was as follows: Ayes: Hall; Fornoff, Horath, Bury, Johnson, Yontz; Nays: none; Absent: none. Motion carried.

K. MAYORAL PROCLAMATION

Mayor Skinner presented and read a proclamation expressing the city's appreciation to Penny Bright and to honor her for her distinguished thirty-five-year career with the City of Delavan. A copy of the proclamation is attached to and made a part of the minutes.

Mayor Skinner said that there will be a proper celebration later in the year when all the community can gather together to celebrate.

OTHER ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION

Alderman Yontz requested that the city have an engineer inspect the water way through Delavan for flooding prevention improvements. He asked that this be on the agenda after the inspection is completed. City Administrator will have Patrick

Meyer look at the water way and find out if this is his expertise. - Alderman Yontz asked about the recycling. The bins are full again and wanted to see if the city could get on a schedule for pickup.

No further business was presented to the council. The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Skinner at 7:47 p.m.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1h37mARe5KSOFNAJST1SkZTSdLhUTuprRF6WhIg3y4T0/edit