Peoria Standard

City of Batavia City Council met Aug. 3.

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 meeting was called to order by Mayor Schielke at 7:31 p.m.

2. INVOCATION followed by PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

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

3. ROLL CALL

14 of 14 aldermen were present at roll call. Aldermen (by ward):

Jennifer Baerren (1), Michael O’Brien (1), Alan Wolff (2), Martin Callahan (2), Abby Beck (5), Michael Russotto (6), and Keenan Miller (7) attended in person.

Dan Chanzit (3), Elliot Meitzler (3), Joe Knopp (4), Tony Malay (4), Mark Uher (5), Nicholas Cerone (6), and Drew McFadden (7) attended by phone.

Also present were members of the public and the following:

City Attorney Roman Seckel

City Clerk Ellen Posledni

City Administrator Laura Newman

4. REMINDER: Please speak into the microphone

Mayor Schielke reminded everyone to use their microphones.

5. ITEMS REMOVED/ADDED/CHANGED

None.

6. CONSENT AGENDA

Ald. Wolff read the Consent Agenda as follows.

Accept and Place on File:

A. Committee of the Whole Minutes for June 30, 2020

Approvals:

B. July 24th Payroll for $893,690.16

C. Accounts Payable Check Register $1,506,056.31

D. City Council Minutes for July 6, 2020 and July 20, 2020

E. June 2020 City Council Financial Report

F. RESOLUTION 20-093-R: Authorizing a zero dollar change contract amendment for Main Street Reconstruction design contract awarded to CivilTech Inc. through Resolution 17-49-R (RB 7/24/20 COW 7/28/20 13/0) CS

Motion by Ald. Wolff, 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. APPOINTMENT: Appoint Amy Moore and Reappoint Sue Peterson and Joan Joseph to the Plan Commission – Term Expires 6/01/23

Mayor Schielke requested that the City Council approve the appointments as presented.

Motion by Ald. Callahan, seconded by Ald. Wolff, to approve the appointments as requested. Motion carried 14 yea/ 0 nay/ 0 absent.

9. APPOINTMENT: Reappoint Sara Harms to the Plan Commission – Term Expires 6/01/21

Mayor Schielke requested that the City Council approve the appointment as requested.

Motion by Ald. Callahan, seconded by Ald. Russotto, to approve the appointment as requested. Motion carried 14 yea/ 0 nay/ 0 absent.

10. PRESENTATION: Taylor Egan, new Executive Director at Water Street Studios

As the new executive director of Water Street Studios, Ms. Egan presented to the City Council some background about the organization and information about how the pandemic has impacted it because of the event limitations they face. She noted that the city has done an outstanding job of rethinking downtown business and how to support them during this challenging time, and she suggested that Water Street Studios could also play a role in attracting downtown visitors. She noted that arts provide a way to build and strengthen community and lead to economic growth. Public art can transform communities.

In light of this, she said WSS is looking to transform the alley outside of the gallery. They have a liquor license to host outdoor events now, and outdoor lighting. Their indoor galleries are limited to 20 visitors at a time, so they would like to use the alley as an outdoor gallery. The retaining wall along the alley would allow 15 artists to exhibit at once, and she asked the city to approve the use of this wall.

Ald. Baerren said she supports the ask, noting it would be an amenity in the community and for artists, and be a place where families can visit.

Ms. Egan added they would like to incorporate music, comedy and other artistic events.

Mayor Schielke asked if the art would be viewed from the alley. Ms. Egan said yes, it would be transformed into a colorful, creative space. Mayor Schielke said he was a strong supporter of the idea.

Ald. Beck thanked WSS for the Activate the Alley idea and efforts Ms. Egan has made thus far. She asked the city to consider provided grant money to nonprofits in town. Ald. Callahan joined in the request to consider using the COVID-19 Relief Fund for nonprofit support. Administrator Newman asked if this would be just for WSS or for all nonprofits. Ald. O’Brien said it should include all. Mayor Schielke cautioned that the city has been inundated with people looking for grant money and donations, and most are worthy of support. The COW will need to come up with a plan to address these requests.

Ald. Callahan said this presentation reinforced economic development as a result of arts in the community, and the grant money is intended to drive economic development.

Motion by Ald. O’Brien, seconded by Ald. Wolff, to give Water Street Studios permission to use the wall in the alleyway adjacent to the studio as an outdoor gallery. Motion carried 14 yea/ 0 nay/ 0 absent.

11. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Chamber President and CEO Margaret Perreault said COVID-19 continues to impact businesses. New businesses continue to open, and they are still holding ribbon-cuttings. An Economic Revitalization Committee continues to meet, and the Chamber has held 38 educational seminars since April. Networking opportunities and virtual sessions continue to be held.

August 5: Not-for-Profit Forum via Zoom, 8 am

August 5: Multi-chamber Mega Zoom, 4 pm

August 11: Women in Business Multi-chamber virtual event, 11:30 am August 12: Chamber Breakfast Club for networking, 8 am

August 28: Golf outing, register online

September 2: Outlook on Illinois Manufacturing, 8:30 am

The Chamber is now accepting nominees for the Donna Dellasasse Award. The winner must be a current Chamber member and will be honored October 7 at the Harvest Celebration.

Batavia Bucks in $10 denominations continue to be sold at the Chamber. They can be used at 50+ businesses, including the Boardwalk Shops.

Maria Kuhn, who has a counseling business in Batavia, addressed the Council to share the mental health resource guide she and her fellow Batavia counselors put together. The initiative was taken up in response to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s call for ensuring mental health services are available to everyone in their local communities.

The Batavia Counselors Collaboration meets on Friday mornings. They have reached out to the Police Department, School District and social services agencies to help determine the needs in the community and how they could help. The team developed outreach strategies, including this resource guide. Now they want to produce posters to put in the community to provide information about connecting with mental health service resources. They are meeting with local organizations and churches to share information with them, and ensuring all school counselors have a copy of the resource guide.

12. Ordinance 20-48 AN ORDINANCE authorizing and providing for the issue of not to exceed $1,000,000 Waterworks Revenue Bonds (IEPA) of the City of Batavia, Kane and DuPage Counties, Illinois, for the purposes of paying the costs of the necessary improvements to the Waterworks System of said City, prescribing all the details of said bonds and providing for the collection, segregation and distribution of the revenues of said System for the payment of said bonds. (PC 7/23/20 COW 7/28/20 13/0) GS

Ald. O’Brien introduced the series of bond ordinances that will allow the city to accomplish a variety of projects.

Motion by Ald. O’Brien, seconded by Ald. Meitzler, to approve the ordinance as presented. Motion carried 14 yea/ 0 nay/ 0 absent.

13. Ordinance 20-49 AN ORDINANCE authorizing and providing for the issue of not to exceed $2,350,000 Sewerage Revenue Bonds (IEPA) of the City of Batavia, Kane and DuPage Counties, Illinois, for the purposes of paying the costs of the necessary improvements to the Sewerage System of said City, prescribing all the details of said

bonds and providing for the collection, segregation and distribution of the revenues of said System for the payment of said bonds. (PC 7/23/20 COW 7/28/20 13/0) GS

Motion by Ald. O’Brien, seconded by Ald. Russotto, to approve the ordinance as presented. Motion carried 14 yea/ 0 nay/ 0 absent.

14. Ordinance 20-50 AN ORDINANCE providing for the issuance of $4,000,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2020, of the City of Batavia, Kane and DuPage Counties, Illinois, for the purpose of financing water main replacements and water treatment plant improvements, providing for the levy and collection of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on said bonds, authorizing the execution of an escrow agreement in connection with the issue of said bonds, and authorizing the sale of said bonds to the purchaser thereof. (PC 7/23/20 COW 7/28/20 13/0) GS

Administrator Newman said the city received 28 bids with the best offer from D.A. Davidson in Colorado. The interest rate is 1.5601%.

Motion by Ald. O’Brien, seconded by Ald. Russotto, to approve the ordinance as presented. Motion carried 14 yea/ 0 nay/ 0 absent.

15. RESOLUTION 20-094-R: Awarding a Grant to Mainstreet for the Boardwalk Shops (LN 7/23/20 COW 7/28/20 13/0) GS

Ald. Callahan noted that the city allocated $110,000 to build eight boardwalk shops. Now Bob Hansen is requesting $32,000 for four additional shops to be built next year. The money will come from existing federal grant money.

Ald. O’Brien noted the price for the four additional shops is very reasonable, and the quality of construction is excellent. He added the project has been a great partnership with the Batavia School District with support from Ald. Malay and Ald. Callahan. Mayor Schielke concurred.

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

16. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Administrator Newman said the COW will discuss closure on River Street and how to improve use of the street. Batavia Main Street and area business representatives will attend.

One Washington Place plans will be shared and discussed at the August 11 COW.

The traffic pattern on Prairie Street is switching to one way southbound in the east lane.

Staff continues working on the Carriage Crest study.

Liquor license holders have been contacted about the city’s offer of grant money to cover renewal fees.

A $5 million contingency fund is being held by Kane County from the CARES Act. The County Board has earmarked $600,000 for administrative costs to disburse the money. Instead of a grant program, it will be a reimbursement fund. $8 million in small business grants will be available. Municipalities will get 45% of the remaining funds, but some of that money will be earmarked for fire protection districts, park districts and nonprofits. That will leave $31 million, or $58/person. This would equal about $1.5 million for Batavia. The County will disburse 80% now and hold 20% to disburse later. County Board meetings are streamed live on YouTube.

Mayor Schielke said he attended the meeting today and there are still questions about what the County Board is doing. He said he is not sure the population numbers are accurate. He added that if fire protection districts are getting funds, then areas like Mooseheart and west side districts in Batavia should get funds.

17. COMMITTEE REPORTS

For Public Utilities, Ald. O’Brien noted two items that will be on tomorrow night’s COW agenda.

Ald. Wolff said brush pickup resumes this month.

Ald. Chanzit said the COW will revisit video gambling.

18. OTHER BUSINESS

Ald. Callahan noted that there is no website for the Batavia Counselors Collaboration, but they do have a Facebook page. He asked if the city could make the PDF of the mental health resource guide available on their website.

19. MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Schielke shared that many towns are in seriously rough shape economically right now with a tremendous drop in sales taxes due to the pandemic. There are also questions about the current and future status of the state income tax. The share of taxes given to cities has been cut in half since 1970, and there is now concern about what money the cities will receive while the state struggles. He said the city cannot plan on cash flowing from the state or federal government, but Batavia is fortunate to have funds to continue to push forward with projects that need to be done.

The 2021 budget is going to be difficult. The city needs to buy a new fire engine, as one on the west side is now 24 years old, which is quite old for a fire engine. Fortunately, the city will not need to turn to taxpayers for the funds to purchase the truck, as the city established many years ago the Fire Department Replacement Fund which collects a fee every time a new home is built. Thanks to the growth of the city and the establishment of that fund, they will be able to purchase the new fire engine with cash.

Three people have come in to the city in the last 10 days wanting to open a restaurant in Batavia, so new business growth opportunities continue.

A lot of people are asking for grants and donations for their organizations. The COW should discuss this situation and decide what the city’s policy should be in this area. Nonprofits, fraternal organizations, businesses and a variety of groups are all seeking financial support during the pandemic.

20. ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Ald. Wolff, seconded by Ald. O’Brien, to adjourn. Motion carried by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:49 pm.

http://www.cityofbatavia.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08032020-1588