Peoria Standard

City of Pekin City Council met Oct. 24.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Abel.

Mayor Luft requested a moment of silence for the passing of firefighter Jami Lusher.

CALL TO ORDER

City Clerk, Ms. Sue McMillan, confirmed all Councilmember were present except for Councilmember Hohimer who was absent.

Mayor Luft declared a quorum and opened the meeting at 5:30 PM.

Attendee Name	Organization	Title	Status	Arrived
Rick Hilst	City of Pekin	Councilman	Present	5:21 PM
Karen Hohimer	City of Pekin	Councilwoman	Absent	5:19 PM
Dave Nutter	City of Pekin	Councilman	Present	5:19 PM
Becky Cloyd	City of Pekin	Mayor Pro tem	Present	5:21 PM
Lloyd Orrick	City of Pekin	Council Member	Present	5:20 PM
John P Abel	City of Pekin	Councilman	Present	5:20 PM
Mark Luft	City of Pekin	Mayor	Present	5:22 PM

APPROVE AGENDA

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Rick Hilst, Councilman SECONDER: Lloyd Orrick, Council Member AYES: Hilst, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft ABSENT: Karen Hohimer

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Rick Hilst, Councilman SECONDER: Becky Cloyd, Mayor Pro tem AYES: Hilst, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft ABSENT: Karen Hohimer

4.1. City Council - Regular Meeting - Oct 10, 2022 5:30 PM

PUBLIC INPUT

Mark Matthews spoke regarding the snow removal policy and gave recommendations to Council as a per push basis. Mr. Matthews also spoke regarding the skidsteer purchase and felt that the equipment did not meet the requirements as the broom was too wide.

Marie Williams spoke regarding 524 State Street and informed Council that the property owner has numerous vehicles on the corner obstructing the view.

Kirsten Sheets with Trajectory Energy Partners stated that she spoke to Randy Price, the owner of Envirosafe, and informed Council that they will continue to be a good neighbor in the Industrial Park as they continue with construction.

Carla Veatch stated that the Fire Department had suffered a great loss with the passing of Jami Lusher and questioned why the Council did not attend the funeral and visitation.

Amy McCoy announced that the Pekin Community High School Football Team was entering State this weekend. The City and Chamber of Commerce finished the third and final downtown street party and thanked staff for helping. The Big Table event was held to move the region forward to help represent Pekin. Ms. McCoy also stated that it was important that personnel matters be dealt with confidentially and with discretion.

Heather Robertson stated that she was a resident of the community and attended the Big Table with Amy McCoy. Pastor Robertson portrayed hope about Pekin and was not in favor of terminating the City Manager, Mr. Mark Rothert.

Daniel C. Shipman stated he was a resident of Pekin and spoke in favor of the City Manager, Mr. Mark Rothert, and requested Council consider not terminating his employment.

Baylee Gambetti stated that she had sent an email to Council regarding her feelings and thanked staff during this time of turmoil.

Ann Witzig also spoke in favor of the agenda item terminating the City Manager’s employment, spoke against home rule and felt that Council was not performing ethically.

John Burns questioned why there was no cancellation notice posted regarding the Council Meeting on Sunday, October 23, 2022.

Tom Veatch spoke on behalf of Local 524 and thanked Mayor Luft, the Council, Mr. Rothert and the community for the love and support exhibited on Saturday regarding the passing of firefighter Jamie Lusher.

CONSENT AGENDA

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Rick Hilst, Councilman SECONDER: John P Abel, Councilman AYES: Hilst, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft ABSENT: Karen Hohimer

6.1. Tazewell County Animal Control Billing - September 2022

6.2. Accounts Payable To Be Paid Proof List thru October 14, 2022

6.3. Proclamation National American Indian Heritage Month of November

6.4. Resolution No. 491-22/23 Mayor's Appointment of Todd Thompson to the Airport Commission

6.5. Resolution No. 492-22/23 Mayor's Appointment of Steven M. Foster to the Airport Commission

6.6. Receive and File Bids for Chestnut Storm Sewer Improvements Project

6.7. Receive and File Bids for Riverway Drive Patching Project

6.8. Ordinance No. 4020-22/23 Special Use Request at 300/310 Hanna Dr (Case SU 2022-05)

6.9. Ordinance No. 4021-22/23 Variance Request at 141 S Veterans Dr (Case V 2022-11)

6.10. Ordinance No. 4022-22/23 Variance Request at 2800 Court St (Case V 2022- 12)

NEW BUSINESS

7.1. Ordinance No. 4023-22/23 Approving IMLRMA Renewal Invoice Finance Director, Mr. Bruce Marston, presented the request to Council to approve and adopt an ordinance approving the IMLRMA renewal invoice regarding the City’s workers compensation and liability program. Mr. Marston explained that the City could recognize a 1% savings of $11,872.31 if paid before November 18, 2022, otherwise payment was due by December 16, 2022. Paying in two installments was also an option but included an additional 1% installment fee. It was determined that it was not in the best interests of the City to participate in the minimum-maximum option as losses and claim costs were greater than anticipated and would include an additional increase in premium of $200,000. Mr. Marston further explained to Council that the report in the packet provided a chart showing remaining periods that were open, the max loss and min amount loss, and the year to date incurred. Some of the open years were exceeding the minimum loss which will result in additional costs. Not all claims had been submitted.

RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Dave Nutter, Councilman SECONDER: Lloyd Orrick, Council Member AYES: Hilst, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft ABSENT: Karen Hohimer

7.2. Resolution No. 493-22/23 Award Chestnut Storm Sewer Improvements to G.A. Rich

City Engineer, Ms. Josie Esker, presented the request to Council to approve and adopt a resolution awarding the Chestnut Storm Sewer Improvement project to G.A. Rich & Sons, Inc. to provide localized flooding relief by upsizing the existing sewer pipe and installing larger inlets. Ms. Esker added that the improvement would help reduce flooding but would not eliminate it in the area. The bid received was 7% above the Engineer’s estimate.

RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Lloyd Orrick, Council Member SECONDER: Rick Hilst, Councilman AYES: Hilst, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft ABSENT: Karen Hohimer

7.3. Resolution No. 494-22/23 Award Riverway Drive Patching Project to R.A. Cullinan

City Engineer, Ms. Josie Esker, presented the agenda item to Council to approve and adopt a resolution awarding the Riverway Drive Patching Project to R.A. Cullinan & Son to full depth patch damaged pavement and replace damaged curb and gutter. Ms. Esker stated that the city would be looking at overlay at some point in the future. Ms. Esker added that the City received $261,000 from

Alto for damage of the road as the trucks were being detoured during the Front Street Project.

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Lloyd Orrick, Council Member SECONDER: Becky Cloyd, Mayor Pro tem AYES: Hilst, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft ABSENT: Karen Hohimer

7.4. Resolution No. 495-22/23 Approve Purchase of a CAT 236D Skidsteer for Snow Removal

A motion was made by Councilmember Abel seconded by Councilmember Cloyd to approve and adopt Resolution No. 495-22/23 Approve Purchase of a CAT 236D Skidsteer for Snow Removal.

A motion was made by Councilmember Nutter seconded by Councilmember Abel to layover the resolution for a discussion item on the November 14, 2022 City Council Agenda to allow for more information.

Josie clarified that a round table event with contractors was bid ridding.

Mayor Luft stated that Council wanted to give Mr. Matthews time to submit his information. On roll call vote all present voted Aye. Motion carried.

RESULT: POSTPONED [UNANIMOUS] Next: 11/14/2022 5:30 PM MOVER: Dave Nutter, Councilman SECONDER: John P Abel, Councilman AYES: Hilst, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft ABSENT: Karen Hohimer

7.5. Resolution No. 496-22/23 - Award T-Hangar Construction Project to Leander Construction

Public Works Director, Mr. Justin Reeise, presented the agenda item to Council to approve and adopt a resolution to award the T-Hangar Construction Project at the Pekin Municipal Airport to Leander Construction. The Capital Improvement Plan indicated a bond issuance for the project but Finance had indicated that a loan would be more favorable. The debt service would be paid repaid with entitlement funds. The City had $608,109.84 waiting to be reimbursed.

RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: John P Abel, Councilman SECONDER: Dave Nutter, Councilman AYES: Hilst, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft ABSENT: Karen Hohimer

ANY OTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL

Public Works Director, Mr. Justin Reeise, reminded the community that the bulk waste event was scheduled on October 29th from 8am-2pm.

Councilmember Cloyd offered her condolences to the Fire Department for their loss.

Councilmember Nutter gave shout out to the downtown Trunk or Treat and congratulated Pekin High on the football game win.

Mayor Luft thanked Heather Robertson for her words.

EXECUTIVE SESSION 5 ILCS 120/2 (C) 1. PERSONNEL

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Becky Cloyd, Mayor Pro tem SECONDER: John P Abel, Councilman AYES: Hilst, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft ABSENT: Karen Hohimer

9.1. Motion to: Move Into Executive Session to discuss 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) 1. Personnel

A motion was made by Councilmember Cloyd seconded by Councilmember Abel to move into Executive Session to discuss 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) 1. Personnel at 6:35 PM. Motion carried viva voice.

NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED

Council returned to Open Session at 8:15 PM.

10.1. Resolution No. 497-22/23 To Terminate An Employee of the City Mayor Luft announced that all discussion had taken place and that the name of the employee was named in the resolution.

RESULT: APPROVED [4 TO 2] MOVER: Dave Nutter, Councilman SECONDER: Becky Cloyd, Mayor Pro tem AYES: Rick Hilst, Dave Nutter, Becky Cloyd, Lloyd Orrick NAYS: John P Abel, Mark Luft ABSENT: Karen Hohimer

10.2. Resolution No. 498-22/23 To Appoint An Interim Employee of the City

RESULT: APPROVED [4 TO 2] MOVER: Dave Nutter, Councilman SECONDER: Lloyd Orrick, Council Member AYES: Rick Hilst, Dave Nutter, Becky Cloyd, Lloyd Orrick NAYS: John P Abel, Mark Luft ABSENT: Karen Hohimer

ADJOURN

There being no further business of the Council, a motion was made by Councilmember Orrick seconded by Councilmember Nutter to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried voice vote. Mayor Luft adjourned the meeting at 8:18 PM.

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