Peoria Standard

City of Marquette Heights City Council Met Jan. 25.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER

The City Council meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M by Mayor Bradford.

ROLL CALL

Aldermen present for Roll Call: Alderman Little, Naugle, Crum, Amundson, Neuhaus, and Neumann.

Treasurer Harris, Water Superintendent Brown, Police Chief Merritt, Fire Chief Fortier, Asst. Fire Chief Hermancinski, Office Manager Minson, Deputy Clerk Ramsay and Attorney Herman were also present.

Absent: Clerk Steele

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

Mayor

Letter has been sent to Governor Pritzker with our concerns on HB 3653. Thank you to Chief Merritt and Deputy Clerk Ramsay for assistance.

Thank you to all employees during the past year of dealing with Covid-19, every department has gone above and beyond and done a wonderful job.

Mickey Kroepel, original librarian for the City passed away last week.

Deputy Treasurer Minson, Treasurer Harris and the Mayor will be working on the revenue budget and will have more to present at the Committee Meeting in February.

Clerk

No report

Treasurer

Treasurer Harris spoke with banks with regard to financing a new fire truck. We have sent over the last three years worth of audits for review. Deputy Treasurer Minson and Treasurer Harris will be joining a webex about fire department grants. We have received conditional approvals from previous lenders. More information to come once we determine which direction we want to take.

Deputy Treasurer Minson is currently working on the internal annual audit.

Attorney

No Report

Communication

None

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES:

Water and Sewer – Alderman Amundson

Water Tower construction permit has been filed with the EPA. We are awaiting the return in order to proceed.

Copperfield Electric bills are on the agenda for approval. These have been submitted to insurance for reimbursement.

Law Enforcement – Alderman Little

New squad has gone in to be fitted for lights.

The department has posted requesting applications for both part-time and full-time positions. Several surrounding departments are shorthanded as well.

Attorney Hermann has prepared a summary of highlighted concerned areas with regard to HB 3653 with specific concern over qualified immunity. Many required items the department does already have in place and set policies.

Streets – Alderman Neumann

Tony and Chet will be on call working on the roads throughout the night for salting and plowing.

Tony will be testing on Wednesday for General Standards in applicator licensing.

Tony plans to provide a more in depth mower analysis at the next meeting for review.

Public Buildings / Parks – Alderman Naugle

Alderman Naugle rode around with Tony to review building security. She confirmed with Chief Merritt that officers routinely check to ensure doors are locked, drive by, walk around and spotlights during the night.

Alderman Naugle reminded everyone that mowing the Benson property is still needing to be reviewed for the annual contract to be sent out.

Fire – Alderman Neuhaus

Met with East Peoria Fire and Tazewell County Reps did not get approved for the first grant for radios. East Peoria and Morton will look into a county wide grant for One Million dollars which would give us a 15% share of the AFG grant. P25 Radio system upgrade will be fully operational is about 2 years away and will require new radios that the grant will help cover costs on at approximately $5,000.00 per radio.

ETSB is looking at a new formula to divide bill responsibility up between departments driving cost more towards Police.

Planning –

Alderman Crum requested everyone start working on rough drafts for their annual budgets and put together a wish list.

CONSENT AGENDA:

Approve January 11, 2021 Regular council meeting minutes.

Approve Bi-Monthly Expenditures in the amount of $76,471.27.

APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA:

Alderman Crum made motion, seconded by Alderman Neumann, to approve the Consent Agenda in its entirety. Roll call vote: Ayes: Alderman Little, Neumann, Naugle, Amundson, Crum and Neuhaus. Nays – none. Motion passed.

NEW BUSINESS:

Alderman Amundson made motion, seconded by Alderman Little, to approve payment to Copperfield Electric in the amount of $4,393.00 for replacement of meter that had been struck by lightning. Roll Call Vote: All Ayes. Nays: none. Motion passed.

Alderman Amundson made motion, seconded by Alderman Crum, to approve payment to Copperfield Electric in the amount of $1,945.75 for installation of transfer switch at Logan Lift Station. Roll Call Vote: All Ayes. Nays: none. Motion passed.

Alderman Amundson made motion, seconded by Alderman Neuhaus, to approve payment to Copperfield Electric in the amount of $1,242.25 for work on transfer switch at Logan Lift Station. Roll Call Vote: All Ayes. Nays: none. Motion passed.

CITIZENS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL:

None

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Neumann made a motion, seconded by Alderman Little, to adjourn the regular City Council Meeting at 7:58 p.m. Voice Votes: All Ayes. Motion passed.

https://www.cityofeastpeoria.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01192021-837