Peoria Standard

City of Delavan City Council met Sept. 29.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The Delavan City Council met in special session at 6:30 pm electronically. Mayor Elizabeth Skinner presided. The following aldermen were present electronically: Douglas Bury, Wade Fornoff, Steve Yontz, Robert Hall and Jeffrey Johnson. Others in attendance electronically were City Administrator Matt Fick, Attorney Mike Biggot, Deputy City Clerk and Assistant Police Chief Mike Evans. Alderman James Horath absent.

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 agenda order was changed allowing public comment at the end, due to COVID-19 and to be compliant with the Open Meetings Act. Appropriate language was attached at the bottom of the agenda to allow the public to email any questions.

NEW BUSINESS

A. Discussion and Action Approving and Adopting an Ordinance Authorizing the City of Delavan to Participate in the Local CURE Program. (Ord #2020-46) City Administrator Matt Fick summarized the program, the City of Delavan is eligible for reimbursement up to $69,676 through the Local Coronavirus Urgent Remediation Emergency Support Program. (Local Cure Program) The City can submit for reimbursement four times beginning next month through December and the City can track costs from March. The certification is vague and not specific, police department payroll expenses will be submitted. Purchases used to make the City Council meeting user friendly for the public would also be covered. Alderman Johnson made the motion TO APPROVE AND ADOPT AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF DELAVAN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LOCAL CURE PROGRAM (ORD #2020-46) Seconded by Alderman Fornoff. Discussion on this motion was as follows. Alderman Yontz asked about qualifying expenses pertaining to items not budgeted for this year. City Administrator Matt Fick reached out to the Program Administrator for clarification, they stated that reimbursement including payroll expenses for public safety are eligible, even if they are budgeted items. Alderman Johnson asked if the City will anticipate using the entire amount at this time. City Administrator Matt Fick said that payroll alone would cover the entire amount, but will be getting more clarification. Audio Video equipment already purchased and future purchases will be submitted. Alderman Yontz asked if the City will be able to maintain financial records requirements. City Administrator Matt Fick assured that the City is audited yearly, but he will check with them. Alderman Johnson, would hope the City would abide by those requirements. Mayor Skinner said the City could certainly comply, this is not cumbersome process and the City has very capable staff. Alderman Yontz asked, if there were any cost to apply, City Administrator Matt Fick, said no, but before he submits the application he will communicate with the Council. Mayor Skinner stated she has looked over the application and does not see any cost. Alderman Yontz asked if there was any reason not to participate. Mayor Skinner asked why would the City not chose to participate, this program is being encouraged by the State of Illinois, DCO and the Governor's office. The vote on this ordinance was as follows; Ayes: Johnson, Yontz, Hall, Fornoff, Bury Nays: none, Absent: Horath, motion carries.

B. Discussion and Action Authorizing the City to Purchase Audio and Video Equipment to assist with the City Council and Other Public Meeting, Not to Exceed $11,000.

Code Book. Mayor Skinner stated this is something the City has talked about in the past, her concern is if the City has an uptick of cases of COVID, and have to go backwards, this is something the City needs to be able to communicate adequately with the community. City Administrator Matt Fick informed the Council after speaking with Mike Evans, who has been working with IT at the school, that this quote is the middle when concerned with cost. Assistant Police Chief Mike Evans feels that the City needs find a long-term solution. Cost can be as high as $23,000 28,000, the City can choose to go lower, but is not sure what problems that could cause. The system would be a designed discussion system, one platform, each Alderman would have a microphone, with a speaker and with head phone capabilities, a camera that could be used for zoom meetings along with a TV display on the wall. Alderman Hall made the motion to APPROVE TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF DELAVAN TO PURCHASE AUDIO AND VIDEO EQUIPMENT TO ASSIST THE CITY COUNCIL AND OTHER PUBLIC MEETINGS NOT TO EXCEED $12,000 TO PROVIDE FOR ANY ADDED EXPENSES. Seconded by Alderman Bury. Alderman Hall stated after experiencing COVID himself, along with his wife and being quarantined for over two weeks, he feels this is a great thing. Mayor Skinner agreed. Alderman Yontz challenged that the flip side is that we are experiencing a pandemic without an idea of an end, but feels it will end. Is this purchase guarding against COVID or other illnesses? Mayor Skinner added that the City has the opportunity that this expense could be covered, this is not a budgeted item and encourages the City to take advantage of the program. The Council has experienced problems for many years concerning not being able to hear others, having microphones at each Alderman's seat is very important, and would ensure that the public and the Council is able hear and understand what is going on. The vote on this motion was as follows; Aye: Yontz, Hall, Fornoff, Bury, Johnson Nay: none, Absent: Horath. Motion carries.

No public comments at this time.

No further business was presented to the council. 

The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Skinner at 6:55 pm.

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