City of Pekin City Council met Nov. 22.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Hilst.
CALL TO ORDER
City Clerk Sue McMillan confirmed all councilmembers were physically present and logged on for electronic voting. Mayor Luft declared a quorum.
Mayor Luft gave recognition to employees Mike Lutz and Paul Belcher for passing inspection training in the Code Enforcement Department.
Mayor Luft also expressed appreciation to City Clerk Sue McMillan for all her efforts.
| Attendee Name | Organization | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Rick Hilst | City of Pekin | Councilman | Present | 5:08 PM |
| Karen Hohimer | City of Pekin | Councilwoman | Present | 5:09 PM |
| Dave Nutter | City of Pekin | Councilman | Present | 5:10 PM |
| Becky Cloyd | City of Pekin | Councilwoman | Present | 5:10 PM |
| Lloyd Orrick | City of Pekin | Mayor Pro-Tem | Present | 5:11 PM |
| John P Abel | City of Pekin | Councilman | Present | 5:09 PM |
| Mark Luft | City of Pekin | Mayor | Present | 5:09 PM |
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Rick Hilst, Councilman SECONDER: John P Abel, Councilman AYES: Hilst, Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft |
Councilmember Hilst read the Council Meeting minute dates listed under the Approval of the Minutes.
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Rick Hilst, Councilman SECONDER: Karen Hohimer, Councilwoman AYES: Hilst, Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft |
4.2. City Council - Regular Meeting - Nov 8, 2021 5:30 PM
4.3. City Council - Special Meeting - Nov 9, 2021 6:30 PM
PUBLIC INPUT
Mayor Luft announced that he was appointing Councilmember Cloyd as the new Mayor Pro Tem.
Allison Dries, a representative of the new cannabis infuser facility located at 845 Brenkman Drive, gave an overview of the facility. She stated that she lived in Bartonville and graduated from Southern Illinois at Carbondale. The building was 13,000 sq. ft and was stand alone. The business would purchase cannabis oils from Revolution in Delavan and would use those oils to bake products like brownies and gummies. Ms. Dries explained that nothing would be sold or grown at the facility. The facility would employ approximately 5-10 employees and hope to grow to 20-25 employees.
Rolland Solinski, a representative from the Panda Express Restaurant Group, spoke regarding the location at 2015 Court Street and requested approval for a special use for a drive thru at that location. Panda Express anticipates opening Fall of 2022 if approved.
Amy McCoy, Executive Director of the Pekin Chamber of Commerce, spoke briefly regarding Discover Peoria and the new guide.
CONSENT AGENDA
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Rick Hilst, Councilman SECONDER: Lloyd Orrick, Mayor Pro-Tem AYES: Hilst, Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft |
6.2. Accounts Payable To Be Paid Proof List thru November 12, 2021
6.3. Ordinance No. 3037-21/22 Special Use Request for a Drive-Through Establishment at 2015 Court Street
6.4. Ordinance No. 3038-21/22 Special Use Request for Adult-Use Cannabis Infuser at 845 Brenkman Drive
6.5. Proclamation "Small Business Saturday" November 27, 2021
PRESENTATION
7.1. Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Amy McCoy Amy McCoy reminded the community that on October 28, 2021 the Pekin Chamber of Commerce hosted a business luncheon in which one of the award recipients was not present. Ms. McCoy read a proclamation and awarded the 2021 Community Champion Award to Mayor Mark Luft.
NEW BUSINESS
8.1. Ordinance No. 3039-21/22 Amending Chapter 5 Article 1 Division 1 and 2 of the Code Regarding Business Registration License
City Manager, Mr. Mark Rothert, presented the request to Council to approve and adopt an ordinance regarding Business Registration License. Mr. Rothert explained that Council previously adopted an ordinance creating a requirement for businesses operating within the city to register free of charge. Due to portal creation delays, staff recommended moving the January 1, 2022 deadline to May 1, 2022. Additionally, staff recommended that renewal reminders be distributed via email as opposed to physical mailings to preserve staff time and reduce postage.
Council discussed the numerous tools the city has to obtain a listing of businesses within the city.
| RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: John P Abel, Councilman SECONDER: Becky Cloyd, Councilwoman AYES: Hilst, Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft |
City Manager, Mr. Mark Rothert, read the request to Council summarizing the resolution of bulk fuel purchase authority for the Fleet Division of Public Works. Mr. Rothert stated that the city maintains gasoline and diesel fuel dispensers at the vehicle maintenance facility for use by the City fleet. The request was to clarify the purchase process for replacement bulk fuel purchases at that facility and request the City Council formally grant the Public Works Director, or their designee, the purchase authority to make replacement bulk fuel purchases. Bulk fuel purchases are made as needed and typically consists of a 6,000 gallon purchase for either fuel type. Bulk fuel purchases frequently exceed the spending authority outlined in the procurement policy. The resolution would clarify the purchase process allowing the Public Works Department to continue to act quickly to make these bulk fuel purchases as needed for the ongoing operation of the City’s fleet vehicles. The FY22 Budget included $400,000 under the Cost of Fuel Sold line item. Staff recommended Council approve the Resolution to clarify this ongoing City operation.
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: John P Abel, Councilman SECONDER: Karen Hohimer, Councilwoman AYES: Hilst, Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft |
Mayor Luft spoke in favor of the request.
Councilmember Hilst questioned how working hours were tracked and whether the budget would be amended.
Mr. Rothert did not feel the budget needed amended and it was explained that staff tracked their own hours.
Councilmember Hilst also questioned why emergency staff was not included and why non-union employees were not included. Councilmember Hilst also stated that the request was not allowed according to the Employee Handbook.
Human Resources Director, Ms. Sarah Newcomb, stated that she did not have access to the system used by emergency staff and explained that union employees were not included because they have a separate bargaining agreement.
Council continued to discuss why vacations by employees were not being taken and whether the policy needed to be modified. Council also discussed the City Manager’s vacation.
City Attorney, Ms. Kate Swise, agreed that the policy should be changed so that staff is not left with surplus vacation hours at the end of the year and that staff needed to look into putting some policies and procedures together for the future.
Councilmember Abel spoke in favor of the agenda item.
| RESULT: APPROVED [6 TO 1]
MOVER: John P Abel, Councilman SECONDER: Lloyd Orrick, Mayor Pro-Tem AYES: Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft NAYS: Rick Hilst |
City Engineer, Ms. Josie Esker, gave an update on Court Street announcing that the striping was delayed this week and would take place next week.
Street Department Supervisor, Mr. Brett Olson, announced that garbage pickup would be a day late after Wednesday and that the last day for yard waste pickup would be December 17th.
Councilmember Orrick commented on the leadership and accomplishments of the City and that they needed to be continued with the way the economy was headed.
Councilmember Nutter thanked the two new businesses looking to come to Pekin and for the updates from the Chamber.
Councilmember Cloyd stated that she was impressed to see over 300 items for consideration and wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Councilmember Abel wished everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving and stated that item 8.3 regarding the use of vacation was justified.
Mayor Luft thanked everyone for the Chamber award and expressed appreciation for the Council.
EXECUTIVE SESSION 5 ILCS 120/2 (C) 1. PERSONNEL; 5. PURCHASE OF PROPERTY; 11. LITIGATION; 2. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING FOR USE OF THE PUBLIC BODY
A motion was made by Councilmember Abel seconded by Councilmember Cloyd to move into Executive Session to discuss Session 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) 1. Personnel; 5. Purchase of Property; 11. Litigation; 2. Collective Bargaining for Use of the Public Body at 6:45 PM.
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: John P Abel, Councilman SECONDER: Becky Cloyd, Councilwoman AYES: Hilst, Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft |
Seeing no further action of the Council, a motion was made by Councilmember Orrick seconded by Councilmember Abel to adjourn at 8:00 PM.
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