Peoria Standard

City of Canton City Council met May 19.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

A regular meeting of the Council meeting was held on May 19, 2020 (6:57PM) via zoom webinar. The webinar ID 867 1796 2212

STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Mayor Kent McDowell, Attorney Chris Jump, City Clerk Diana Pavley Rock, Treasurer Crystal

Public Safety Director Richard Fairburn, Utility Director Joe Carruthers, Street Superintendent Ron Robinson, System Maintenance Director Dash Wilson, Beka Schulz-CLA, City Engineer Keith Plavec

MEDIA IN ATTENDANCE: Daily Ledger, Fulton Democrat, WBYS

VIDEO SERVICES BY ZOOM

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE OPENED THE MEETING

INVOCATION - Mayor Kent McDowell

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION -

ROLL CALL

ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA

Attorney Jump asked to remove item #3 under Alderman West's committee. Alderman Quin Mayhew asked to table the item on his agenda until the next council meeting,

CONSENT AGENDA

APPROVAL OF THE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES HELD MAY 5, 2020

BILL LIST

TREASURER'S REPORT

DISBURSEMENT REPORT

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT

ANNUAL POLICE/FIRE PENSION REPORT

POLICE/FIRE REPORT

City Engineer Keith Plavec gave an update on the unaccounted water,

The City contacted a company to come in to look at the collector well, and to look at a pipe to try to calibrate the meter. Two companies tried to do this, but was not successful. The WTP new meter tested fine, but the other meter is old and they could not calibrate it so they are looking at putting in a new one. These two meters are critical since they tell what the City is pumping and what is being sent to the plant. It would then be able to tell what is metering out of the system. The meter heads are continuing to get replaced. The COVID-19 has slowed the process since employees can't get into homes to work on meters. The cost to replace the meter at the collector well is between $10,000.00-$12,000.00. The cost at the water plant would be very similar.

Alderman Fritz asked if the council could get some projections on the treasurer's report on how the COVID-19 is going to impact the city. Alderman Fritz said he sent out an email back in April 2020 to the Mayor and Aldermen after reading about East Peoria anticipating a 5.4 million-dollar short fall resulting in layoffs and a hiring freeze. Peoria has since said they are going to experience a 50 million-dollar deficit as they anticipate sales tax, motor fuel tax and hotel/motel tax being down drastically. They are looking at cutting 150 employees across all departments. The City of

Macomb is projecting a $500,000.00 deficit in their revenues. They told each department head that they need to reduce their budgets by $100,000.00 each. Last night the Canton School district unanimously voted to lay off all 17 reading aids and all 9 school bus monitors. The national league of cities put out a report that every town, city and village across America having an average loss of revenue of 21.6%. The Illinois Municipal League preliminary revenue forecast has the personal property replacement tax is going to be 30% decrease from fiscal year 20. Alderman Fritz said that just doing quick math with our budget revenues projected for the 20/21 fiscal year will be $106,000.00 less than originally projected. Alderman Frits said the City is going to experience a great impact and the City is not currently projecting for it.

Alderman Fritz said he would like for the future treasurer's reports to have an area that will be projecting the impact on a month by month basis.

Treasurer Wilkinson said that she will be putting this information on the future treasurer's reports.

Treasurer Wilkinson has talked with the department of revenue and they are going to be providing municipalities with some estimates.

Motion and second were made by Aldermen Nelson/West to approve the consent agenda. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

FINANCE ALDERMAN RYAN MAYHEW, CHAIRMAN

BETWEEN THE CITY OF CAN

DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN ENGAGEMENT LETTER BETWEEN THE CITY OF CANTON AND LAUTERBACH & AMEN LLP TO PREPARE THE TAX LEVY ACTUARIAL REPORT FOR THE CITY OF CANTON FISCAL YEAR 2020-2023

Treasurer Wilkinson explained that she spoke to Lauterbach & Amen and there is some new legislation that would affect tier 2. We may see some significant increases in our liability. The mortality tables also have been changed. The City will need to keep looking at this and continue with the actuary to make sure the funds are properly funded.

Further discussion took place about approving the engagement letter from 2020-2023 instead of just for 2020-2021.

Motion and second were made by Aldermen Ryan Mayhew/Fritz to approve the engagement letter for just the fiscal year 2020/2021.

Discussion:

Aldermen Nelson said that he thinks the city should approve the engagement letter for the full 2020-2023 if the price is locked.

Treasurer Wilkinson suggested approving it contingent on being able to get out of the agreement if there is no further need for their service-this way the City could lock the agreement in at this price.

Treasurer Wilkinson said the agreement does not have to be signed right now and could take more time to review the agreement. This will also allow more time to make sure the City would have the right to get out of the agreement if needed.

Motion withdrawn by Alderman Ryan Mayhew.

This item was tabled until the next council meeting.

LEGAL AND ORDINANCE ALDERMAN CRAIG WEST, CHAIRMAN

DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 9, CHAPTER 10, SECTION 1 OF THE CITY CODE TO ADD STOP SIGNS ON NORTH 8TH AVENUE AND NORTH 9TH AVENUE AT THEIR RESPECTIVE INTERSECTIONS WITH EAST SYCAMORE STREET (1ST READING) ORDINANCE #4192

Alderman Ryan Mayhew explained that there has been some increased traffic in these areas. Many children also play in this area. The jog in the road also causes some extra concerns with the traffic.

Motion and second were made by Aldermen Ryan Mayhew/Hale to waive the rules for two readings.

The motion carried.

Attorney Jump explained that once this ordinance is passed it does not become effective immediately. It becomes effective 10 days after the publication. The citizens will be made aware of this change prior to placing the stop signs.

Motion and second were made by aldermen West/Nelson to approve the ordinance and place it on file.

The motion carried.

DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON A RESOLUTION TO AMEND A LEASE AGREEMENT, DATED JUNE 3, 2003 WITH AMEREN CIPS OR ITS SUCCESSORS – ERROR IN TITLE-WILL BE BROUGHT BACK TO THE NEXT MEETING

Attorney Jump explained that he has been working with Ameren on the final contract of the actual purchase. It is planned to bring this ordinance for the purchase to the council the first meeting in June.

The lease agreement dates back to 2003. The issue was raised by the City's liability insurance agent. The building that is on the property has been there for a long time-which was an Ameren building. Currently the public works department is using this building to store some equipment. The City is currently trying to cover this building under our insurance policy for buildings/property structure insurance. The insurance agent questions the insurability of the building since it is owned by Ameren, Attorney Jump is reviewing the lease to look at language regarding insuring the building. The lease from 2003 could be amended to include language about the insurability of the building. The City is considering insuring this building since a potential purchase is going to take place. Attorney Jump said he would like to be granted the to authority to work out this lease with Ameren and work with the insurance company to continue to cover this building under the City's insurance. The insurance would not be for the contents of the building, but just for the actual building.

Motion and second were made by Aldermen West/Nelson to approve the resolution and place it on file.

The motion carried.

DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED $17,000,000 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF HEALTH CARE FACILITIES REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2020 GRAHAM HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION PROJECT) OF THE CITY OF CANTON, FULTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS, THE PROCEEDS OF WHICH SHALL BE LOANED TO GRAHAM HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION, AN ILLINOIS NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION, TO FINANCE THE CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION AND EQUIPPING OF HEALTH CARE FACILITIES LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY OF CANTON, ILLINOIS; PROVIDING FOR THE PLEDGE AND ASSIGNMENT OF REVENUES AND OTHER AVAILABLE FUNDS FOR THE PAYMENT OF SAID BONDS TO BE ISSUED IN ONE OR MORE SERIES; AUTHORIZING A BOND AND LOAN AGREEMENT AND A TAX COMPLIANCE AGREEMENT; AUTHORIZING AGREEMENTS TO SECURE FURTHER THE PAYMENT OF SAID BONDS; AND AUTHORIZING OTHER ACTIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH BONDS

Attorney Jump explained that this item should not affect the City's lending or borrowing capacity. The city is only considered the issuer of the bond. This item will be on the next couple of agenda's and a hearing will take place later in June. There will not be any action taken on this tonight.

Alderman Nelson asked what project this is for at Graham. Attorney Jump explained that Graham is looking at doing some significant rehab's and remodeling projects. Alderman Nelson said he is concerned about the projects and the issuance of the bond since other hospitals in surrounding areas are putting construction projects on hold. Graham recently cut their personnel and pay by 40%.

Attorney Jump said the City could have Mr. Senneff come to a future meeting to explain the projects and their plans.

Aldermen Lovell explained that the payroll and construction comes out of two separate funds.

Alderman Nelson further explained that he is concerned about proceeding with construction during the times of the COVID-19 pandemic and said he didn't think it is a wise decision.

Attorney Jump will see if a representative from the hospital can come to the next meeting to further explain.

NEGOTIATIONS, GRIEVANCE & PERSONNEL ALDERMAN JUSTIN NELSON, CHAIRMAN

COMMUNITY & INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

ALDERMAN JOHN LOVELL, CHAIRMAN

PUBLIC WORKS, WATER AND SEWER ALDERMAN ANGIE LINGENFELTER, CHAIRMAN

PUBLIC SAFETY AND TRAFFIC ALDERWOMAN ANGELA HALE, CHAIRMAN

STREETS AND GARBAGE ALDERMAN JEFF FRITZ, CHAIRMAN

LAKE, BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS ALDERMAN QUIN MAYHEW, CHAIRMAN

MAYOR COMMUNICATION

No trash pickup will take place on Monday due to the Memorial Day holiday.

A new batch of garbage totes are available for purchase. The city will continue to encourage residents to purchase the totes. Using the totes help provide safety to the garbage employees especially during the COVID 19 pandemic.

The next phase of the Governor's re-opening plan (phase 3) will take place around the end of May. The Heart of Illinois Mayor's put together a proposal and submitted it to the governor. This plan was rejected by the governor. The City will continue to go by the governor's emergency orders.

A public hearing will take place this Thursday for the second round of the downstate business stabilization grant process. We have 7 businesses applying for this round of grants. It is hopeful that there will still be some grant funds left and then the City could possibly do a third round of the grant application process.

As of today, the confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in Fulton County are 10. The City is trying to get a drive-thru testing site in Canton for COVID-19. Citizens are asked to continue to social distance, wash hands and to try to keep the number of cases down.

Congratulations to Canton's 4th grade teacher Mandy Sipe from Westview School. Mandy received the Golden Apple Award for excellence in teaching.

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

ADJOURNMENT

Motion and second were made by Aldermen Nelson/Quin Mayhew to adjourn without the need for executive session. The motion carried by volce vote and was unanimous.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vCeiwsWrQSgzYR7ZihSvE31Z1QRB9uO7A4WL1a4gzoY/edit