City of Pekin City Council met Dec. 13.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Nutter.
CALL TO ORDER
| Attendee Name | Organization | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Rick Hilst | City of Pekin | Councilman | Present | 5:02 PM |
| Karen Hohimer | City of Pekin | Councilwoman | Present | 5:01 PM |
| Dave Nutter | City of Pekin | Councilman | Present | 4:59 PM |
| Becky Cloyd | City of Pekin | Councilwoman | Present | 5:00 PM |
| Lloyd Orrick | City of Pekin | Mayor Pro-Tem | Present | 4:59 PM |
| John P Abel | City of Pekin | Councilman | Present | 5:00 PM |
| Mark Luft | City of Pekin | Mayor | Present | 5:00 PM |
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Becky Cloyd, Councilwoman SECONDER: Karen Hohimer, Councilwoman AYES: Hilst, Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft |
4.1. City Council - Regular Meeting - Nov 22, 2021 5:30 PM
PUBLIC INPUT
No public input was given.
CONSENT AGENDA
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Karen Hohimer, Councilwoman SECONDER: John P Abel, Councilman AYES: Hilst, Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft |
6.2. October 2021 General Fund & Non General Fund Financial Reports
6.3. Accounts Payable To Be Paid Proof List thru November 26, 2021
6.4. Accounts Payable To Be Paid Proof List thru December 10, 2021
6.5. Resolution No. 348-21/22 Mayor's Appointment of Mary Ann Ladendorf to the Library Board of Trustees to fill the unexpired term of Debbie Ratliff until June 30, 2023
6.6. Resolution No. 349-21/22 Mayor's Appointment of Tanya Swearingen to the Beautification Committee
6.7. Schedule of Council Meetings 2022
6.8. Greater Peoria Mass Transit Annual Financial Report
6.9. Sikich LLP City of Pekin Audits For the Year Ended April 30, 2019
PRESENTATION
7.1. Audit Sikich
Mr. Chad Lucas presented the final draft of the audit and an overview of the 2019 audit. Mr. Lucas stated that the audit of FY19 issued 7 separately issued audit reports and an Auditor’s Communication to Council. The communication included a cover letter, a list of adjusting journal entries proposed, a list of entries not made, and a recommendation for improvement for various items. A couple other opinion letters were issued including a letter for internal control compliance with responses by management, which was required.
NEW BUSINESS
8.1. Ordinance No. 3040-21/22 Abatement of Taxes on WWTP bonding of $4,385,000 (Ordinance No. 2870-19/20)
City Manager, Mr. Rothert, explained that each year the Council passes an annual levy abating taxes tied to the WWTP bonding. When the WWTP ordinance was passed, it required payment of such bonds to come out of the levy, but the ordinance stated that you could abate those taxes if you had an alternative funding source, such as the sewer fund. Every year since the adoption of the bond, the City had abated the requirement to levy that debt service through the tax levy, and instead used that alternative sewer fund source of funding.
| RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Rick Hilst, Councilman SECONDER: Karen Hohimer, Councilwoman AYES: Hilst, Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft |
Mr. Rothert explained to Council that every year the property tax levy was passed before the last Tuesday in December. Mr. Rothert described each line item broken down in the packet. The library showed an increase but the public library bonds showed a slight decrease. Mr. Rothert pointed out that the City rate remained flat and reminded Council that the library was separated out on the tax bill.
Councilmember Cloyd questioned why the library had an increase but the City had remained the same.
Mr. Rothert explained that the amount was determined by the Library Board and they may have had increased costs.
Councilmember Orrick discussed the equalized assessed value for the City and how that amount affected property taxes.
| RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Rick Hilst, Councilman SECONDER: Karen Hohimer, Councilwoman AYES: Hilst, Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft |
On June 24, 2013, Council approved a franchise agreement with Peoria Hospitals’ Mobile Medical Services Inc. The term was for 10 years ending June 30, 2023 with two five year options to extend. Both parties agreed to terminate the existing agreement and to create a new one. Mr. Rothert explained that the Notice of Termination was for one year prior, January 1, 2022 and the City wished to honor the original term.
Mayor Luft assured the public that the team was moving into a positive direction and expressed appreciation for staff efforts. Mayor Luft felt it was a win on both sides.
Council discussed the details of the termination and the timeline to move forward. Mr. Rothert assumed that a contract would be finalized before July 1, 2023. A letter would be sent by the first of the year with a notice to terminate.
| RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Rick Hilst, Councilman SECONDER: Becky Cloyd, Councilwoman AYES: Hilst, Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft |
Mayor Luft stated that the new fire engine purchase had not come to Council last year due to COVID.
Council discussed the interest rate on the loan with an option of a variable rate. Mr. Rothert suggested staying with a variable rate with the option of moving to a fixed rate if the variable rate increased.
Fire Chief Trent Reeise explained that the City would receive a $17,000 discount if paid upon signing the contract. The amount would be prorated depending on when it was paid.
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Dave Nutter, Councilman SECONDER: Lloyd Orrick, Mayor Pro-Tem AYES: Hilst, Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft |
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Dave Nutter, Councilman SECONDER: John P Abel, Councilman AYES: Hilst, Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft |
City Manager, Mr. Mark Rothert, explained that the City was involved in a class action lawsuit against the 3 largest opioid distributers. Recently, there had been negotiations to settle and the attorney’s believe it was in the best interests of the City. Illinois passed legislation dealing with the national opioid settlement and if the City chose not to participate it would not proceed to litigation.
City Attorney, Ms. Kate Swise, stated she had nothing specific to add other than to point out that the City hired separate Council for the matter but she had been keeping tabs with the City opioid team. Ms. Swise added that a multi-state settlement agreement had been reached and was still waiting on the details of how the state’s portion would be allocated among the municipalities involved. Council recommended to participate.
Council discussed the possible settlement amount and how the funds could only be used towards opioid abatement but a list of specific uses have not been released.
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Lloyd Orrick, Mayor Pro-Tem SECONDER: John P Abel, Councilman AYES: Hilst, Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft |
Mr. Rothert announced that this was the last week for yard waste pickup.
Human Resources Director, Ms. Sarah Newcomb, announced that the city was looking to hire bus drivers and bus monitors.
Fire Chief Reeise announced that the fire department was officially at Advanced Life Support Level of EMS services and was implemented one month before the agreement stipulated. Fire Engineer Steve Amstuz made sure the training and skills were where they needed to be.
Mr. Rothert recognized Airport Manager Todd Dugan for securing a $1.8M grant for the airport
Council discussed the project accomplishments at the airport.
Councilmember Abel requested increasing the number of demolitions
Councilmember Orrick discussed the October 31, 2021 special council meeting regarding the push tax on video gaming. Councilmember Orrick stated that he firmly believed that the push tax would cause businesses to close and felt that the tax should be repealed at the next Council meeting.
Councilmember Orrick made a motion to repeal the push tax passed on October 31, 2021 seconded by Councilmember Hilst. Mayor Luft reminded Council that a representative was come to speak from the gaming company regarding the push tax. Councilmember Cloyd requested to hear both sides of the story from a business owner perspective and from the machine owners. She felt she did not have enough information to make a fair decision.
Councilmember Orrick withdrew his motion to repeal the push tax seconded by Councilmember Nutter. Councilmember Hilst rescinded his second to the motion to repeal the push tax.
Council continued to discuss providing knowledge and education to Council by operators and other municipalities who have implemented the tax.
EXECUTIVE SESSION 5 ILCS 120/2 (C)
1. PERSONNEL
10.1. Motion to: Move into executive session
A motion was made by Councilmember Orrick seconded by Councilmember Cloyd to move into Executive Session to discuss Session 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)
1. Personnel at 6:40 P.M.
| RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Lloyd Orrick, Mayor Pro-Tem SECONDER: Becky Cloyd, Councilwoman AYES: Hilst, Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft |
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