ASSUMPTION CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, AUGUST 4th, 2021
Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Bromwell Lodge by Mayor Roger Cox who led the Pledge of Allegiance and was live via Facebook.
Roll call was answered by Alderperson Sue Burgess, Joe Cochran, Derek Page, Selena Reed, and Melody Stuart. Also present were Mayor Roger Cox, Attorney Jordan Klein, Treasurer Debbie Damery, Street Supt Darin Damery and City Clerk Janet Waller.
Present in the audience were Mark Bingham from Chastain & Associates, Marilyn Ashinhurst, Pat Barry, Kandy Smith and Jake Leonard from the Golden Prairie News.
Absent was Alderperson Barb Coughlin.
Council Member Page, seconded by Council Member Burgess, made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 7, 2021 Council Meeting. Motion carried with Alderperson Reed, Page, Cochran, Stuart and Burgess. Alderperson Coughlin was absent.
Council Member Burgess, seconded by Council Member Cochran, made a motion to approve the minutes of the Special Council Meeting with correction of the adjournment time. Motion carried with Alderperson Burgess, Cochran, Page Reed and Stuart voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Coughlin was absent.
Council Member Burgess, seconded by Council Member Cochran, made a motion to approve the payment of bills on the Warrant Sheets. Motion carried with Alderperson Page, Stuart, Reed, Burgess and Cochran voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Coughlin was absent.
Public Comments on Agenda Items:
The public commented on the Robert Rules of Order.
Treasurer’s Report:
CD # Invested at Term_____
General 1212724 $20,173.52 FNB Pana 3 month
Council Member Reed, seconded by Council Member Burgess made a motion to renew general CD 1212724 for $20,173.52 at Treasurer’s discretion at best possible rate. No discussion. Motion carried with Alderperson Stuart, Burgess, Page, Reed and Cochran voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Coughlin was absent.
Mayor’s Comments:
Mayor Cox gave an update on the potential property for the Water Plant.
Mayor Cox will continue to look for funding for a tornado siren. The Fire Department is in need of new equipment and does not have funding for the tornado siren.
The doorknobs at the park were replaced for the automatic locking doors. The total cost was $1,641.00. The original cost was $1,300.00.
Mayor Cox is continuing to work on where the senior citizens disbursement from the property tax comes from.
The City continues to await possible funding for the new Water Plant with the assistance of Congressman Rodney Davis.
Mayor Cox will be looking over the committees and changing the Alderman in the near future.
City Attorney:
Attorney Klein updated the council on the FOIA request.
The Slag Pile trust platt survey was discussed. The ground is approximately 1.65 acres cannot be farmed and does the City with to accept the survey or pay to have another survey done. The council agreed to accept the survey and move forward.
The ordinance for the sewer rate increase was discussed. The council will vote in September for the possible increase.
Attorney Klein updated the council on the Robert Rules of Order, open meetings and FOIA information. A handout was presented to the council.
Attorney Klein discussed the 2 different versions of the remote meeting ordinance. Attorney Klein discussed the permissive inclusive or the inclusion as a right. The council was in agreement for Version 1 of the permission inclusion. Attorney Klein will have an ordinance for the September meeting.
Attorney Klein suggested the council consider having the IML do a self-evaluation service and an independent consultant to help solve some issues with the council. The cost is $500.00 for IML plus the cost of the consultant.
An update on 315 N St John was given by Attorney Klein. They are still waiting on the deed from the owner.
The property at 712 E Illinois has a court date of September 13.
Under New Business:
An application for the TIF Façade was presented to the council for the Knick Knack Shoppe. Council Member Page, seconded by Council Member Burgess, made the motion to approve the TIF Façade application for the Knick Knack Shoppe. Motion carried with Alderperson Reed, Page, Stuart, Burgess and Cochran voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Coughlin was absent.
The Assumption Festival will be held August 19 thru August 21, 2021. Council Member Reed, seconded by Council Member Cochran, made a motion to approve the 2021 Assumption Festival from August 19 thru August 21, 2021. Motion carried with Alderperson Burgess, Cochran, Page, Reed and Stuart voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Coughlin was absent.
The council discussed the Robert Rules of Order.
The Master Park Plan was presented to the council. The Mayor suggested that steps be presented before work is done. The council discussed the name of the Park and would like more discussion regarding the name. Council Member Cochran, seconded by Council Member Burgess, made a motion to approve Phase 1of the Master Park Plan for the Park on Illinois Street. Motion carried with Alderperson Stuart, Cochran, Page, Reed and Burgess voting aye and 0 nays.
The council continued discussion on the possible purchase on a new tornado siren. Mayor Cox will get more information along with a final price from Craig Antenna.
The cost of the Sanitary Sewer Disbursement for Petersburg Plumbing was $148,769.68 and engineering fees were $22,397.84 for a total of $171,167.52. Council Member Cochran, seconded by Council Member Stuart, made a motion to approve the Sanitary Sewer Disbursement for Petersburg Plumbing was $148,769.68 and engineering fees were $22,397.84 for a total of $171,167.52. Alderperson Burgess, Reed, Page, Stuart and Cochran voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Coughlin was absent.
Engineer Mark Bingham from Chastain and Associates gave an update on the Sanitary Sewer Project. Petersburg Plumbing continues to work near Samuel and Oak Street. The road work
and landscaping will begin work in the fall. There are still some upgrades to be done to the Pump Station.
An update on Water Project Phase 1 by Engineer Mark Bingham continues to discuss placement of the nitrate vessels. We are currently meeting compliance with the nitrates.
Engineer Mark Bingham updated the council on Water Project Phase 2 regarding the deadlines for the location and the City continues to wait on possible funding for the new water plant.
An update regarding the Sanitary Sewer Project Phase 2 noted that the Sewer Rate Ordinance is being drafted and the draft will be submitted to the EPA for their approval. Construction is scheduled for Spring 2022 for the northwest part of the City.
The council noted that cars have been speeding on Samuel Street.
There was a watermain break at the Tacusah apartments. The leak will be fixed on August 5, 2021.
A letter was received from 208 N Walnut and they would like their property restored to the previous original condition before the work from the Water Project was done. Further discussion will be done at the committee meeting.
Public Comments:
The public questioned the FOIA request that was discussed by Attorney Klein.
Council Member Page, seconded by Council Member Burgess, made a motion to adjourn the council meeting at 8:22 pm. Motion carried with Alderman Page, Cochran, Burgess, Reed and Stuart voting aye and 0 nays. Alderman Coughlin was absent.
__________________
Janet Waller City Clerk
Council Member Page, seconded by Council Member Cochran, made a motion to approve the August 4, 2021 City Council minutes. Motion carried with Alderman Burgess, Cochran, Page, Reed and Stuart voting aye and 0 nays. Alderman Coughlin was absent.
Wednesday, AUGUST 4th, 2021
Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Bromwell Lodge by Mayor Roger Cox who led the Pledge of Allegiance and was live via Facebook.
Roll call was answered by Alderperson Sue Burgess, Joe Cochran, Derek Page, Selena Reed, and Melody Stuart. Also present were Mayor Roger Cox, Attorney Jordan Klein, Treasurer Debbie Damery, Street Supt Darin Damery and City Clerk Janet Waller.
Present in the audience were Mark Bingham from Chastain & Associates, Marilyn Ashinhurst, Pat Barry, Kandy Smith and Jake Leonard from the Golden Prairie News.
Absent was Alderperson Barb Coughlin.
Council Member Page, seconded by Council Member Burgess, made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 7, 2021 Council Meeting. Motion carried with Alderperson Reed, Page, Cochran, Stuart and Burgess. Alderperson Coughlin was absent.
Council Member Burgess, seconded by Council Member Cochran, made a motion to approve the minutes of the Special Council Meeting with correction of the adjournment time. Motion carried with Alderperson Burgess, Cochran, Page Reed and Stuart voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Coughlin was absent.
Council Member Burgess, seconded by Council Member Cochran, made a motion to approve the payment of bills on the Warrant Sheets. Motion carried with Alderperson Page, Stuart, Reed, Burgess and Cochran voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Coughlin was absent.
Public Comments on Agenda Items:
The public commented on the Robert Rules of Order.
Treasurer’s Report:
CD # Invested at Term_____
General 1212724 $20,173.52 FNB Pana 3 month
Council Member Reed, seconded by Council Member Burgess made a motion to renew general CD 1212724 for $20,173.52 at Treasurer’s discretion at best possible rate. No discussion. Motion carried with Alderperson Stuart, Burgess, Page, Reed and Cochran voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Coughlin was absent.
Mayor’s Comments:
Mayor Cox gave an update on the potential property for the Water Plant.
Mayor Cox will continue to look for funding for a tornado siren. The Fire Department is in need of new equipment and does not have funding for the tornado siren.
The doorknobs at the park were replaced for the automatic locking doors. The total cost was $1,641.00. The original cost was $1,300.00.
Mayor Cox is continuing to work on where the senior citizens disbursement from the property tax comes from.
The City continues to await possible funding for the new Water Plant with the assistance of Congressman Rodney Davis.
Mayor Cox will be looking over the committees and changing the Alderman in the near future.
City Attorney:
Attorney Klein updated the council on the FOIA request.
The Slag Pile trust platt survey was discussed. The ground is approximately 1.65 acres cannot be farmed and does the City with to accept the survey or pay to have another survey done. The council agreed to accept the survey and move forward.
The ordinance for the sewer rate increase was discussed. The council will vote in September for the possible increase.
Attorney Klein updated the council on the Robert Rules of Order, open meetings and FOIA information. A handout was presented to the council.
Attorney Klein discussed the 2 different versions of the remote meeting ordinance. Attorney Klein discussed the permissive inclusive or the inclusion as a right. The council was in agreement for Version 1 of the permission inclusion. Attorney Klein will have an ordinance for the September meeting.
Attorney Klein suggested the council consider having the IML do a self-evaluation service and an independent consultant to help solve some issues with the council. The cost is $500.00 for IML plus the cost of the consultant.
An update on 315 N St John was given by Attorney Klein. They are still waiting on the deed from the owner.
The property at 712 E Illinois has a court date of September 13.
Under New Business:
An application for the TIF Façade was presented to the council for the Knick Knack Shoppe. Council Member Page, seconded by Council Member Burgess, made the motion to approve the TIF Façade application for the Knick Knack Shoppe. Motion carried with Alderperson Reed, Page, Stuart, Burgess and Cochran voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Coughlin was absent.
The Assumption Festival will be held August 19 thru August 21, 2021. Council Member Reed, seconded by Council Member Cochran, made a motion to approve the 2021 Assumption Festival from August 19 thru August 21, 2021. Motion carried with Alderperson Burgess, Cochran, Page, Reed and Stuart voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Coughlin was absent.
The council discussed the Robert Rules of Order.
The Master Park Plan was presented to the council. The Mayor suggested that steps be presented before work is done. The council discussed the name of the Park and would like more discussion regarding the name. Council Member Cochran, seconded by Council Member Burgess, made a motion to approve Phase 1of the Master Park Plan for the Park on Illinois Street. Motion carried with Alderperson Stuart, Cochran, Page, Reed and Burgess voting aye and 0 nays.
The council continued discussion on the possible purchase on a new tornado siren. Mayor Cox will get more information along with a final price from Craig Antenna.
The cost of the Sanitary Sewer Disbursement for Petersburg Plumbing was $148,769.68 and engineering fees were $22,397.84 for a total of $171,167.52. Council Member Cochran, seconded by Council Member Stuart, made a motion to approve the Sanitary Sewer Disbursement for Petersburg Plumbing was $148,769.68 and engineering fees were $22,397.84 for a total of $171,167.52. Alderperson Burgess, Reed, Page, Stuart and Cochran voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Coughlin was absent.
Engineer Mark Bingham from Chastain and Associates gave an update on the Sanitary Sewer Project. Petersburg Plumbing continues to work near Samuel and Oak Street. The road work
and landscaping will begin work in the fall. There are still some upgrades to be done to the Pump Station.
An update on Water Project Phase 1 by Engineer Mark Bingham continues to discuss placement of the nitrate vessels. We are currently meeting compliance with the nitrates.
Engineer Mark Bingham updated the council on Water Project Phase 2 regarding the deadlines for the location and the City continues to wait on possible funding for the new water plant.
An update regarding the Sanitary Sewer Project Phase 2 noted that the Sewer Rate Ordinance is being drafted and the draft will be submitted to the EPA for their approval. Construction is scheduled for Spring 2022 for the northwest part of the City.
The council noted that cars have been speeding on Samuel Street.
There was a watermain break at the Tacusah apartments. The leak will be fixed on August 5, 2021.
A letter was received from 208 N Walnut and they would like their property restored to the previous original condition before the work from the Water Project was done. Further discussion will be done at the committee meeting.
Public Comments:
The public questioned the FOIA request that was discussed by Attorney Klein.
Council Member Page, seconded by Council Member Burgess, made a motion to adjourn the council meeting at 8:22 pm. Motion carried with Alderman Page, Cochran, Burgess, Reed and Stuart voting aye and 0 nays. Alderman Coughlin was absent.
__________________
Janet Waller City Clerk
Council Member Page, seconded by Council Member Cochran, made a motion to approve the August 4, 2021 City Council minutes. Motion carried with Alderman Burgess, Cochran, Page, Reed and Stuart voting aye and 0 nays. Alderman Coughlin was absent.