City of Pekin City Council met Nov. 8.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Orrick.
CALL TO ORDER
City Clerk Sue McMillan confirmed all councilmembers were physically present and logged on for electronic voting. Mayor Luft declared a quorum.
| Attendee Name | Organization | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Rick Hilst | City of Pekin | Councilman | Present | 5:24 PM |
| Karen Hohimer | City of Pekin | Councilwoman | Present | 5:19 PM |
| Dave Nutter | City of Pekin | Councilman | Present | 5:22 PM |
| Becky Cloyd | City of Pekin | Councilwoman | Present | 5:22 PM |
| Lloyd Orrick | City of Pekin | Mayor Pro-Tem | Present | 5:18 PM |
| John P Abel | City of Pekin | Councilman | Present | 5:20 PM |
| Mark Luft | City of Pekin | Mayor | Present | 5:21 PM |
Mayor Luft presented a Youtube video regarding motivational speaker Admiral William H. McRaven.
APPROVE AGENDA
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: John P Abel, Councilman SECONDER: Karen Hohimer, Councilwoman AYES: Hilst, Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft |
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: John P Abel, Councilman SECONDER: Becky Cloyd, Councilwoman AYES: Hilst, Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft |
5.2. City Council - Regular Meeting - Oct 25, 2021 5:30 PM
5.3. City Council - Special Meeting - Oct 26, 2021 5:00 PM
PUBLIC INPUT
Jim McCleary, from Pekin First Methodist Church located across the street from the hospital spoke representing the Evangelical Committee. Mr. McCleary stated that the committee was praying for Council to keep the City safe and expressed their gratitude for doing good work.
Chase Steele, owner of CMT Excavating, questioned the Council regarding the three bids his company submitted to the City for demolition that were over $20,000 less than the other bids submitted. Mr. Steele complained that he was not notified by the City who the bid was awarded to and felt that there was favoritism given to other contractors.
John McNish addressed the Council expressing appreciation for the video presentation on the Admiral. Mr. McNish also recognized the banners that were displayed on Parkway and reminded Council that references made about the last administration was still part of the current administration. Lastly, Mr. McNish spoke on the push tax and requested that special meeting of the Council be videoed.
CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Luft opened the discussion for items on the Consent Agenda.
Councilmember Hilst stated that the RFQ’s and RFP’s were not listed on the Consent Agenda for viewing online. It was explained by the City Clerk and Deputy City Clerk that they were listed via links online.
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: John P Abel, Councilman SECONDER: Karen Hohimer, Councilwoman AYES: Hilst, Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft |
7.2. Accounts Payable To Be Paid Proof List thru October 29, 2021
7.3. Proclamation "National Apprenticeship Week" November 15, 2021 - November 21, 2021
7.4. Resolution No. 336-21/22 Mayor's Appointment of Max Schneider as the City of Pekin Representative to the Agency on Aging
7.5. Receive and File Proposals for Crack Sealing Apron and Taxiways at the Pekin Municipal Airport
7.6. Receive and File Request for Qualifications Architectural Design Consultant Three New Fire Station Buildings
7.7. Receive and File Proposals Residential Rehabilitation and Improvement Demolition 1410 South 12th Street and 305 North 9th Street
NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Luft informed Council and the public that New Business Item 8.10 would move to New Business Item 8.1.
8.1. Resolution No. 344-21/22 Approve Lease Agreement with Enterprise Leasing to Provide Leased Vehicles for Investigations, Code Enforcement and Administrative Vehicles
Police Chief John Dossey explained that in June of 2020 the City and the police department looked at leased options for cost savings and addressed aging vehicles in the fleet. At that time, Enterprise purchased the remaining vehicles in the fleet. The lease agreement has shown cost benefits to the City. Additionally, the market has been playing in the City’s favor as far as resale value and moving forward to replace vehicles. The total cost of the 16 vehicles would be approximately $92,000. Included were vehicles that needed some minimal up fitting, vehicles like administrative and detective.
John, a presentative from Enterprise, gave a slideshow presentation via Zoom. Fleet budget analysis was discussed along with the F-150 12-month lease analysis.
Councilmember Nutter questioned who was tracking the vehicle information.
Chief Dossey explained that the tracking was conducted by Enterprise like several other municipalities.
Councilmember Orrick questioned how the City has any equity in the vehicles if they are not owned.
John explained that the leases were open ended equity leases. The benefit was that it is not paid down to a zero balance but paid down to a residual balance.
Chief Dossey made a note that the line item should be 100-761-524000 that comes out of equipment lease. Estimated delivery would be 16 -22 weeks. Figuring worst case scenario may have 3 or 4 months if they came in early that would be the responsibility of the City and the budget would be updated next fiscal year.
Councilmember Orrick stated that a new councilmember 6 or 7 years ago suggested leasing vehicles and it was shot down. Councilmember Orrick was glad to see it now.
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Rick Hilst, Councilman SECONDER: Lloyd Orrick, Mayor Pro-Tem AYES: Hilst, Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft |
City Attorney Kate Swise explained that Council previously passed an ordinance contingent on several things. One in which the church was required to acquire a parcel of land the city owns adjacent to 7th Street and the Carney Insurance building. The Church no longer intends to acquire the Carney Insurance building and requested the City move the contingency from the vacation ordinance. The other parcel would stay in the ordinance acquiring the city property as well as the timeline on construction.
Mr. Bill Fleming explained that the footprint was going to be smaller and the church no longer needed the Carney building but St. Vincent DePaul was interested in purchasing it. Mr. Fleming stated that St. Vincent would bring it back to Zoning Board of Appeals with a new site plan.
| RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Dave Nutter, Councilman SECONDER: Becky Cloyd, Councilwoman AYES: Hilst, Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft |
Public Works Director, Mr. Justin Reeise, presented the request to Council explaining that the action was related to amending the City Code to remove Veteran’s Day as one of the observed holidays that delay the solid waste collection schedule for the holiday week. The change was requested to align the code with the approved solid waste labor agreement and to be constant with the Solid Waste Division operations of waste pick-ups on Veteran’s Day.
| RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Dave Nutter, Councilman SECONDER: Karen Hohimer, Councilwoman AYES: Hilst, Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft |
Councilmember Hilst questioned if the city had measured the cracks and why the need for the company to come on site if the RFP stated the linear feet. Mr. Reeise explained that he was not sure how the City arrived at the number in the packet but it was a good average number. Mr. Reeise added that the City was paying the linear regardless of the width of the crack and the company was just doing their due diligence to make sure it was accurate.
Councilmember Abel pointed out that the firm that was the farthest away had the cheapest price. Mr. Reeise explained that he thought they were trying to expand their market and that he had done the due diligence to make sure they compared apples to apples.
Councilmember Nutter questioned if the company could get the project completed in a reasonable amount of time with the weather swings. Mr. Reeise confirmed that IDOT standards indicated that the air temperature needed to remain above 40 degrees in the shade.
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Dave Nutter, Councilman SECONDER: John P Abel, Councilman AYES: Hilst, Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft |
Public Works Director Justin Reeise explained the request to enter into an agreement with Hanson Professional Services for the design of a new 10 place T-Hangar building for the Airport. Mr. Reeise stated that the scope of services would include the preparation of required constructions plans and specifications for the construction of the T-Hangar and for an IDOT letting.
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Karen Hohimer, Councilwoman SECONDER: Lloyd Orrick, Mayor Pro-Tem AYES: Hilst, Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft |
Public Works Director Justin Reeise explained the agreement with Hanson Professional Services for the design and special services of a new corporate/maintenance hangar facility with office space at the airport. Mr. Reeise stated that the scope of services would include the preparation of required construction plans and specifications for the construction.
Councilmember Nutter questioned if IDOT would go through the letting contract so the city would not have to. Mr. Reeise confirmed that the letting would go through the IDOT process with the City having final say.
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Karen Hohimer, Councilwoman SECONDER: Becky Cloyd, Councilwoman AYES: Hilst, Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft |
Public Works Director Justin Reeise explained that the request was to clarify the purchase process for bulk fuel at the Airport and for the Council to formally grant the Airport Manager the purchase authority to make replacement bulk fuel purchases at the Airport. Mr. Reeise continued to explain that bulk fuel purchases frequently exceed the spending authority outlined in the procurement policy.
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Karen Hohimer, Councilwoman SECONDER: Lloyd Orrick, Mayor Pro-Tem AYES: Hilst, Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft |
Public Works Director Justin Reeise explained that the request was to enter into a professional services agreement with Dewberry for the design of a new fire station buildings. The agreement was for Phase 1 of the design services which included programming and test fit analysis of sites. Mr. Reeise continued to explain that Dewberry would create a conceptual model of the new proposed fire stations based on information provided by the fire station, proposed needs, department operations and information collected by the design team. The test fit analysis will ensure the new fire stations are placed in the optimal location. A separate agreement will be brought to Council for the final Phase 2 design services.
City Manager Mark Rothert explained to Council the discussion at multiple meetings with Council, Infrastructure and budget meetings. Mr. Rothert continued to explain that due to growth and the location of the current stations, there was a need for additional stations located strategically with a drive time radius. The current stations do not provide the adequate or optimal coverage.
Councilmember Orrick commented that the response time should be under 4 minutes and 20 seconds and stated that the community has not grown.
Mr. Rothert stated that the fire departments analysis was driven by data and calls had significantly increased over the past 15 years.
Councilmember Orrick questioned the Fire Chief asked if he could name the number of incidents that did not go well.
Fire Chief Reeise answered that it would be tough to say and questioned what an additional 30 seconds could do between life and death. The comprehensive plan was written with the help of Chief Chuck Lauss.
Councilmember Orrick stated that he did not disagree with the comprehensive plan and this plan was to look forward as now there suddenly could be a need for other stations. Councilmember Orrick felt that it was not the right time to add an additional station as he reminded Council that Mr. Garrison thought it was not the right time due to the price of building supplies increasing. Lastly, Councilmember Orrick stated that if the City had $2M to spend that residents would like to see it on the roads. Councilmember Orrick did not feel that an additional fire station would benefit residents. Councilmember Orrick compared Pekin to East Peoria that has 30% more land than Pekin.
Fire Chief Reeise stated that East Peoria runs 2,000 less calls than Pekin and that AMT has a different time call than Pekin with AMT having an 8 minute, 2 minute turnaround time with a total time of 10 minutes. Pekin’s total time was still 4 minutes and 20 seconds based on the model created for Pekin. No recommendation for additional staff was given, the current staff would be reallocated. Fire Chief explained that the Northside Fire Station schedules 5 firefighters with a minimum of 4, East Side schedules 4 with a minimum of 3 firefighters. Chief Reeise added that Fire Station 3 has the ladder truck and Engine with 6 scheduled firefighters with a minimum of 5. The proposal was to eliminate the rescue truck and have two fleets and two ladders.
Councilmember Cloyd informed Council that she visited the fire house and saw the plans. Councilmember Cloyd questioned how many phases were anticipated and was it possible that mid phase that the design service company could change.
Public Property Manager Jayson Brienen stated that the first phase hones in what the City wants to get a much better budgetary number.
Councilmember Nutter, Councilmember Abel and Mayor Luft spoke in favor of the agenda item.
Councilmember Orrick restated that he was not against the rebuilding of the fire stations just not in favor of adding a new station.
| RESULT: APPROVED [6 TO 1]
MOVER: Becky Cloyd, Councilwoman SECONDER: Karen Hohimer, Councilwoman AYES: Hilst, Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Abel, Luft NAYS: Lloyd Orrick |
Public Works Director, Jayson Brienen presented the request to Council to approve a proposal by Seico for the installation and monitoring of a fire alarm system at Fire Station 1 on Court Street.
Councilmember Orrick questioned whether the parking lot issue had been resolved with Seico.
Mr. Rothert responded that it was ongoing and had not been settled.
| RESULT: APPROVED [6 TO 1]
MOVER: Becky Cloyd, Councilwoman SECONDER: Lloyd Orrick, Mayor Pro-Tem AYES: Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft NAYS: Rick Hilst |
Police Chief John Dossey presented the request to Council to approve the demolition of 1410 S. 12th Street and 305 N. 9th Street. Both properties had been routinely complained about and had been the subject of numerous property cleanups. Chief Dossey explained that both properties had been inspected and deemed uninhabitable and condemned. A judicial order for demolition was entered against both properties on August 10, 2021. Bids were received by two contractors, CMT Excavating and Litwiller. Staff believed that the bid submitted by CMT Excavating was submitted in error and was therefore not a reasonable and responsible bid. Staff recommended awarding the bid to Litwiller.
Owner of CMT Excavating, Chase Steele, informed Council that he had not received any communication from the City and never withdrew his bid. Mr. Steele expressed his frustration with the lack of communication from the City.
Mayor Luft explained that there were procedures and informed Mr. Steele that there had been an issue with the bidding process on his end.
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Lloyd Orrick, Mayor Pro-Tem SECONDER: Becky Cloyd, Councilwoman AYES: Hilst, Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft |
8.12. Resolution No. 345-21/22 2021 Property Tax Levy Determination Per Truth in Taxation Act
City Manager, Mr. Mark Rothert, presented the request to Council explaining that the Illinois Truth in Taxation Act requires the governing body of a municipality to determine the amount of money estimated to be necessary to be raised by taxation. Mr. Rothert explained that the determination of the amount must be done 20 days before the final adoption of the tax levy. It was stated that the estimated amount of the proposed current year levy was compared with the amount of property taxes extended for the government in the prior year. Additionally, Mr. Rothert explained that the resolution states that the City’s intention was not to exceed 105% of its 202 tax extension for the City of Pekin or the Pekin Public Library. No public hearing would be required if the 2021 tax levy request was kept under a 5% increase. The final adoption of the tax levy will take place at the December 13, 2021 city council meeting.
Mr. Rothert answered questions from Council and explained that the library was part of the city and the City included their portion in the tax levy. The county splits it out on the tax bill.
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Rick Hilst, Councilman SECONDER: John P Abel, Councilman AYES: Hilst, Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft |
Public Works Director Justin Reeise announced that the citywide event for bulk waste drop off scheduled for Saturday, November 13, 2021 and that yard waste pickup ends on December 17, 2021.
Finance Director Bruce Marston gave an update on the audit stating that the draft reports were received but there were some grammatical errors and typos.
City Attorney Kate Swise announced that a hearing would be held tomorrow afternoon on the Motion for Default Judgment on the 112 Orchard Avenue case. If all goes well the court will issue a demolition order as well as designating the property abandoned. Ms. Swise stated that the next step was to send a notice of abandonment and if no one comes forward, the property could be deemed to the City.
Councilmember Cloyd announced that she attended the career fair at the high school. ADJOURN
There being no further business coming to Council, a motion was made by Councilmember Hilst to adjourn, seconded by Councilmember Abel. Motion carried viva voce. Mayor Luft adjourned the meeting at 7:48 PM.
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