City of Delavan City Council met Sept. 15.
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 were present: Douglas Bury, Wade Fornoff, James Horath, Steve Yontz and Jeffrey Johnson. Others in attendance electronically were Alderman Hall and Attorney William Connor. City officials in attendance in the council room were City Administrator Matt Fick, Police Chief Jerry Littlefield and Deputy City Clerk Tammy Hintz. Other guest in attendance were Brent Host.
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.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those present.
The invocation was given by Mayor Skinner.
The agenda order was changed allowing public comment at the end. This due to COVID-19 and to be in compliant with the Open Meetings Act. Appropriate language was attached at the bottom of the agenda to allow the public to email any questions.
CONSENT AGENDA
The following items were presented to vote under the Consent Agenda
A. Minutes of the September 1, 2020, special meeting
B. Minutes of the September 1, 2020, regular meeting
C. Approval of Resolution #2020-25 for payment of bills
A motion was made by Alderman Horath, seconded by Alderman Johnson to approve Consent Item A., minutes of the August 18, 2020, regular meeting Consent Item B., minutes of the September 15, 2020, special meeting and Consent Item C., Resolution #2020-25, 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: Johnson, Yontz, Hall, Fornoff, Horath, Bury; Nays: none; Absent: none. Motion carried.
MAYOR'S REPORT
> Mayor Skinner commended and thanked the Optimus Car Club for a very successful car show and tractor pull over Labor Day weekend.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
> City Administrator Matt Fick followed up with the Council concerning Lake Park Survey. The survey is scheduled and the Council will be updated after the survey is complete.
> Kuhl Insurance will be providing bids for the city's risk management insurance policy renewal.
> City Administrator Matt Fick is working to package together smaller sidewalk repair jobs that will go out to bid to contractors.
> Along with Attorney William Connor, City Administrator Matt Fick attended the Sheriffs Sale for 608 E 3rd. The City will obtain the title for the property on October 8th. Alderman Yontz asked if the City was able to secure the property with the approved bid. City Administrator Matt Fick did secure the property with the approved bid adding on a six-hundred-dollar court cost to the Sheriff Sale.
> Alderman Yontz asked concerning the Insurance if there are any significant changes, City Administrator Matt Fick, said no, just this is just a renewal. City Administrator Matt Fick said that he will get information to the Council about the City's Cyber Security.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Discussion and Action on a Donation to the Neighborhood House.
Mayor Skinner introduced Brent Host, Development Director of the Neighborhood House. Twenty-eight meals are currently distributed in Delavan. The service is available throughout Tazewell County. Alderman Horath moved to APPROVE A DONATION IN THE AMOUNT OF FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE. Alderman Bury seconded. Discussion on this motion was as follows. Alderman Yontz asked how the process works. Brent Host discussed the process in detail, which was also provided in the informational packet. The meals are prepared in the Neighborhood House kitchen and distributed from there. They follow the Department on Aging standards. The neighborhood house provides hot meals and wellness checks for Seniors. The Neighborhood House is always looking for volunteers to help with driving and meal preparation. The vote on this ordinance was as follows; Ayes: Johnson, Yontz, Hall, Fornoff, Horath, Bury Nays: none, Absent: none, motion carries.
B. Discussion and Action Revising and Updating City Code Book.
City Administrator Matt Fick informed the Council after speaking with Attorney William Connor if there is no rush, the more work the Council does in house, could save the city a lot money. City Administrator Matt Fick recommended that if the City has one over all reviewer being Attorney William Connor, his office could oversee the process. Alderman Bury asked if Attorney William Connors office will reference state or county statute. Mayor Skinner also recommended Attorney William Connors office, to save money. Alderman Horath asked what the Council members responsibility would be when overseeing each chapter. Alderman Bury would like the City Code be available online, same format and hard copies be eliminated. Alderman Johnson concern is if the City divides the code book into chapters by Alderman the flow of the book could be compromised. Alderman Fornoff said the code book needs to be uniform and factual, it may be in the City' best interest to hand it off to Attorney Connors office Alderman Yontz asked at a bare minimum that the standard format that could be uniform. Alderman Johnson suggested moving forward with a quote from Attorney William Connors office and what his team can provide. Attorney William Connor informed the council that his office could work with the council to update the book, he assured the council that his office would stay under five thousand dollars. Attorney William Connor said that to include citations to state law is a tall order, because city code comes from many different forms of laws and the Illinois General Assembly renumbers laws, and new laws are passed all the time. Alderman Bury asked if there would be any value in comparing Delavan's City Code to another City such as Farmington? Attorney William Connor, said he could certainly do that even though he was not chief drafter for Farmington, but did format West Peoria's code. Attorney William Connor informed the council that the Illinois Municipal League is starting to put out more and more model ordinances, they can be used with minor modifications. Alderman Yontz, is reluctant to model another city's municipal code and suggest using the IML, and as the City goes through the code, would the council have to be individually voted on. Attorney William Connor said the new City Code would be voted on in its entirety to replace existing City Code. Alderman Bury has researched numerous City Codes, ninety five percent is the same, different wording but the meaning is the same. Attorney William Connor remarked that he like the general spirit and flavor of Delavan's Ordinances, they are reminiscent of small-town life, very clear and to the point. Alderman Fornoff, suggested that we move forward. A motion was made by Alderman Fornoff TO HAVE ATTORNEY WILLIAM CONNOR AND HIS STAFF CORRECT THE CITY OF DELAVANS CURRENT CITY CODE, AMENDED TO ADD, AT THE COST NOT TO EXCEED FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS. Seconded by Alderman Johnson. Vote on the call the question was as follows; Ayes: Yontz, Hall, Fornoff, Horath, Bury, Johnson Nays: none Absent: none, motion carries.
C. Discussion and action Approving on Proposed Blighted Property Program.
City Administrator Matt Fick, after speaking to the TIF attorney to used general fund money to provided economic incentives is loosely authorized, and could be challenged, TIF dollars are used for these programs. The City could modify the existing Residential Maintenance Program. Alderman Bury researched other programs, and thinks he could tie this in with our current program and present to the council in the future. Mayor Skinner asked the council if they would like to bring this item back on the next agenda. General consensus was yes. Alderman Yontz asked what the value of this program, City Administrator Matt Fick, said that it would help existing properties from being destroyed, the property could be saved.
D. Discussion and Action Approving and Adopting a City of Delavan FY2020-2021 Residential Maintenance Program for Property Located at 116 E Eighth Street. (Ord #2020-44)
City Administrator Matt Fick reported that this was a replacement deck, allowed within the program. TIF consultant said the application was eligible and is in the TIF district. Alderman Johnson made the motion to APPROVE AND ADOPT A CITY OF DELAVAN FY2020-2021 RESIDENTIAL MAINTENANCE PROGRAM FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 116 E EIGHTH STREET (ORD #2020-44) Seconded by Alderman Horath. Discussion on this motion was follows. Alderman Bury stated that the extent of the program was to focus on the front of the house, but if the application falls under the program he will support the Ordinance. Alderman Yontz asked if the language of the program say anything about the exterior, Alderman Johnson read from the application description provided. City Administrator Matt Fick responded by saying every year the council can tighten up the program guidelines. Vote on this motion was as follows; Ayes: Hall, Fornoff, Horath, Bury, Johnson, Yontz, Nay: none Absent: none. Motion passes.
E. Discussion and Action Approving and Adopting a City of Delavan FY2020-2021 Residential Maintenance Program for Property Located at 205 E Second Street. (Ord #2020-45)
Alderman Bury moved THAT THE COUNCIL TABLE THIS ITEM UNTIL THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR AND TO APPROVE ONLY IF FUNDS ARE STILL AVAILABLE TO GIVE OTHER CITIZENS A CHANCE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE PROGRAM, DUE TO THE FACT THAT MS. BEYMOR USED RMP MONEY LAST YEAR. Seconded by Alderman Horath. Discussion on this motion was as follows. Alderman Yontz doesn't think the ordinance disallows the same resident from participating in the program in consecutive years. Alderman Bury clarified that he is not disqualifying her, just to approve this applicant at the end of the year. The vote was follows; Ayes: Fornoff, Horath, Bury Nay: Johnson, Yontz, Hall Absent: none, Tie vote, Mayor Skinner, Aye, motion passes.
At 7:24 Alderman Johnson moved to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion the appointment, compensation, discipline performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body 5ILCS120/2C. Seconded by Alderman Bury. The vote was as follows; Aye: Horath, Bury, Johnson, Yontz, Hall, Fornoff Nay: none, Absent: none. Motion carries.
AT 7:39 the council returned to Regular Session. Roll call was taken.
Other items for consideration:
> Alderman Horath wanted Attorney William Connor to explain the letter received concerning the failed pig ordinance. The pig owners doctor claimed that the animal is a therapy animal. Mayor Skinners opinion is that the City needs to comply, if not the City would be breaking the law. Attorney William Connor stated another motion is not needed, but the City should not prosecute the owner for violating the Ordinance.
> Alderman Fornoff reflected on previous minutes when the Residential Maintenance Program was created, it was decided that the council would use good judgement and limit the program to one time per house. Alderman Fornoff also added, that he had heard second handedly that he was interested in a City of Delavan employment, he is not interested in being employed by the City of Delavan, and wanted to clear that rumor up. > Alderman Yontz wanted to clarify that can an individual find a Health Care Provider and override a City ordinance? Chief Littlefield, did not feel that a Health Care Provider would sign a document without a medical diagnosis. Alderman Fornoff, stated the ordinance was created to protect residents the record, but according to City Code the owner does not have protection from the City. Alderman Horath stated that the Council was misinformed in relation to the proposed Ordinance.
> Alderman Bury asked about having a sign put in place on the interstate about Historic Delavan and wanted a list of building on the historic registry. Mayor Skinner stated that just because a building is on the historic registry that doesn't stop the owner from any improvements, good or bad.
> Alderman Yontz asked about any updates concerning Revolution, Mayor Skinner said not at this time.
> Alderman Horath asked if the Mayor or City Administrator Matt Fick had any contact with Eric from Revolution.
> Alderman Fornoff if the City could discuss at the next meeting about a program regarding empty lots for future homes that the City could assist building on. The City could offer the promise of a small town, good school, possible job opportunities, this would be a way to kick start free enterprise. Alderman Bury had the idea that the city uses TIF money to buy lots and offer free lots for families wanting to relocate or build. Mayor skinner feels this is a good time for such programs. Alderman Yontz said the daycare facility could entice families. Alderman Bury feels growth would increase the need for a hardware or grocery store. Alderman Yontz referred to the outskirts of Delavan, having four major elevators, companies that service those need possible twenty-four-hour maintenance.
> Deputy City Clerk, Tammy Hintz read a question from online, Levi Thompson from Creve Coeur asked about what was being done with the property on West Third. Mayor Skinner questioned which house he was talking about; a call would be made for clarification.
No further business was presented to the council. The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Skinner at 8:02 pm.
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