City of Delavan City Council met June 2.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The Delavan City Council met in regular session at 6:30 pm 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 Attorney William Connor. City officials in attendance in the council room were Police Chief Jerry Littlefield, Deputy City Clerk Tammy Hintz.
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 widow 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 to vote under the Consent Agenda
A. Minutes of the May 19 2020, regular meeting
B. Approval of Resolution #2020-16 for payment of bills
A motion was made by Alderman Horath, seconded by Alderman Fornoff to approve Consent Item A., minutes of the May 19, 2020, regular meeting and Consent Item B., Resolution #2020-16, A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE DIRECTING THE PAYMENT OF CERTAIN BILLS OF THE CITY OF DELAVAN, ILLINOIS. The vote on this motion was a follows: Ayes: Fornoff, Horath, Bury, Johnson; Nays: Yontz, Hall; Absent: none. Motion carried.
MAYOR'S REPORT
Mayor Skinner made the following report:
> Welcomed new Deputy Clerk Tammy Hintz.
> We are now in Phase III of open Illinois, hoping our next meeting that we can meet in person in City Hall, with social distance rules in force. We may wait to include an audience.
> City Hall is open; we have not announced it to the public. We were hoping for a soft opening but have had traffic.
> Liquor commission did meet last week, we will further discuss in Item D
CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
City Administrator Matt Fick made the following report:
> The Rebuild Illinois grant was submitted last Friday by Jim Cummings, there were over 100 applicants for this $15,000,000 grant, will continue to look for other grants.
> Following up with COVID related relief to assist our local businesses. Most of our businesses own their buildings and these TIF grants help with lease payments.
He will be exploring more opportunities if the council would like for him to do so.
> Expressed gratitude that our police officers offered 24-hour watch over our city, during last night's possible events. Matt along with Police Chief Jerry Littlefield and Mayor Skinner met with Revolution about protests and looting.
Chief Littlefield was asked to speak about recent events involving the protest and looting situation going on in our country.
> The riots were mostly a Peoria and Bloomington issue; he did receive intel of a possible situation in our community. Mayor Skinner thanked Chief Littlefield and other officers for taking this situation seriously. Chief Littlefield felt it was better to error in caution, he staffed extra officers, thanked Hopedale and Minier Departments for their help. Everything went smooth and no issues developed.
> Alderman Yontz also thanked Chief Littlefield and questioned if he was concerned about future happenings, Chief Littlefield has no predictions on duration, but is in contact with State and County Departments about addressing potential threats. Mayor Skinner stated we are fortunate to have Officer Littlefield, he addressed the situation quickly and was in contact with Revolution, State and County Departments. His efforts are appreciated and were substantial.
> Alderman Horath expressed that he will be supportive of our 1st Amendment rights. Chief Littlefield also supports the 1st Amendment but other criminal activity is defined differently.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Discussion and action on an Ordinance Amending the Sexual Harassment Policy of the City of Delavan, Illinois. (Ordinance #2020-27)
Attorney William Connor reported that State Legislature had passed a law directing Municipalities and other government entities to amend their sexual harassment policies to specifically refer to sexual harassment by or against elected officials. Improvements were added to our existing policy to make us compliant. Motion made by Alderman Bury to adopt ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY OF THE CITY OF DELAVAN, ILLINOIS #2020-27 and seconded by Alderman Horath. Alderman Yontz expressed the need for not one person to be the Ethics Officer, as indicated in Section 1. He felt that would put too much power in one person, and felt a committee should be created. Attorney Bill Connor, felt this could conflict with the Opening Meetings Act, the Council could amend to make it a rotating officer, and would need to maintain confidentiality of the wronged individual, Attorney Connor suggested adopting the Ordinance to be compliant with the state and we can amend it at a later date if needed. Herman Fornoff said with a rotating officer, it would be less secure and possible future legal issues. Alderman Bury commented that in the military, there is one sexual harassment officer, they go through training and he thinks Mayor Skinner is of high ethical value and we should do as written. The vote on this motion was as follows: Ayes: Horath, Bury, Johnson, Hall, Fornoff. Nays: Yontz; Absent: none. Motion carried.
B. Discussion and action on an Ordinance Amending the City Code, Chapter XIX, Dealers in Intoxicating Liquors, Sec. 19. 107, Classification- Fees and Sec. 19.108 Number of Licenses Adding Additional Special Event Licenses and increasing their Duration. (Ord. #2020-28)
Mayor Skinner reported that the Liquor Commission met last Thursday evening. Illinois has moved into Phase 3, which allows for outdoor dining and the consumption of alcohol, the Commission awarded temporary special event liquor license to the Farmhouse. The council needs to extend the duration of the license from 7 to 90 days. This extension will get the businesses through until we are in Phase 4. City Administrator Matt Fick made sure to touch base with each business owner. Chief Littlefield, also met with business owners and doesn't see any problem. Mayor Skinner offered picnic tables to assist in outside dining. Alderman Hall moved to AMEND THE CITY CODE, CHAPTER XIX, DEALERS IN INTOXICATING LIQUORS, SEC. 19.107, CLASSIFICATION - FEES AN SEC. 19. 108 NUMBER OF LICENSES ADDING ADDITIONAL SPECIAL EVENT LICENSES AND INCREASING THEIR DURATION (ORD. #2020-29). Seconded by Alderman Johnson. The vote on this motion was as follows; Ayes: Bury, Johnson, Yontz, Hall, Fornoff, Horath. Nays; none, absent; none, motion carried.
C. Discussion of Lake Park Waterway Study.
At last council meeting Alderman Yontz requested discussion of a proposed Lake Park Waterway Study to be added to the next agenda, Alderman Johnson concurred. Alderman Yontz does not think we need to do an entire analysis of the water way, but west of Locust the creek is littered with debris, he is not sure when the creek was last cleaned out. This does not impact any property that the city owns. City Administrator Matt Fick spoke with the Engineer about the comprehensive study. The city owns 35% of the creek. We do not have an ordinance concerning waterway that would ticket owners not maintaining their part of the waterway. Alderman Fornoff stated living on water is a nonstop maintenance, he recently walked Lake Park, and steps have been taken to stop erosion. If you build in flood plain, prepare to be flooded. Owners maintain their own waterways in sections. Alderman Fornoff urged Alderman Yontz to follow Alderman Johnsons lead at previous meeting to abstain from discussion, due to personal interest. Alderman Yontz said he made his comments and stands by them. He inquired if there is any jurisdiction to have the city clean up a public waterway on private land. He would like to clean out ditches for the betterment of the owners upstream. Frequency of this these occurrences and the money being asked to spend was questioned by Alderman Horath. Attorney Bill Connor said what we would need to determine is flooding caused by obstruction and who is the property owner. Alderman Fornoff, having experience working to prevent flooding during 1993, said the creek runs to Lake Chautauqua, and work would have to be done that far away to make a difference. We are not responsible for the waterway above or below us. Money would be better spent on real improvements inside the town or promoting business. Motion made by Alderman Yontz to CONTINUE DISCUSSION OF THE WATERWAY WITH MINIMAL EXPENSE, NOT TO EFFECT PRIVATE PROPERTY. No second, motion fail.
D. Discussion and action on purchasing fish to stock lake park.
Mayor Skinner led with recent events and the closure of the pool for the summer, this would give residents something to do. City Administrator Matt Fick, has been making calls and has been in contact with Herman Brothers in Canton, trying to get a time frame for delivery. We have a $2000 maximum budget. In the past the legion has split the cost, but are unable to do so this year. Alderman Johnson suggested calling the DNR, TH Fish Hatchery. Alderman Johnson motioned to APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF FISH FOR LAKE PARK, NOT TO EXCEED $2000. Seconded by Alderman Fornoff. The vote on this was as follows; Ayes: Johnson, Yontz, Hall, Fornoff, Horath, Bury. Nays: none, Absent: none, motion carries.
Other items for consideration:
> Alderman Horath apologized if he interrupted Mayor Skinner at the beginning of the meeting, he was having phone issues. Mayor Skinner reassured him he was not rude and told him a motion had been made.
> Alderman Yontz spoke to the Park Board and they have 300 feet of fence plastic to go on the top they would like to donate to the City free of charge. Revisited 608 E 3rd demolishment vs sell. For the record, will always support the building of homes, but would like a minimum bid to cover outstanding fees, inspection by third party and a time frame put in place. Would like to discuss conduct of council members during meetings.
> Mayor Skinner, after consideration of Alderman Yontz's thoughts on conduct during Council meetings, stated she does her best to be respectful of each member of the City Council, and reminded everyone that an alderman can call a question at any time.
No further business was presented to the council. The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Skinner at 7:29 pm.
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