Tuscola City Council met Monday, Oct. 24.
The Tuscola City Council meets at 7:30 p.m on the second and fourth Monday of every month. If a city-recognized holiday falls on those days, the meeting is rescheduled for the following Tuesday. The meetings are held at the Tuscola City Hall, 214 N. Main.
Here are the minutes as provided by Tuscola:
October 24, 2016
CITY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY OF DOUGLAS STATE OF ILLINOS TUSCOLA CITY HALL October 24, 2016
The regular meeting of the City Council was called to order with Cleland, Day, Henderson, Hoey, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Truitt, Waldrop, and Mayor Kleiss in attendance. Mayor Kleiss led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Comment - None
Consent Agenda Mayor Kleiss Went over the items on the consent agenda:
Minutes of the October 11, 2016 meeting
Financial report for September 2016
Payment of bills totaling $130,355.54
Pay request from Owen Tucker in the amount of $8134.99, for the Doris Subdivision infrastructure
Pay request from Adkisson Construction in the amount of $8155.25, for roof repairs
Hoey moved to approve the items on the consent agenda. Shoemaker seconded. Administrator Hoel pointed out both pay requests are in addition to the total bill amount. VOTE YEA" Cleland, Day, Henderson, Hoey, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Truitt, Waldrop. Henderson moved to approve the Consent agenda for October 24, 2016. Cleland seconded. VOTE YEA* Cleland, Day, Henderson, Hoey, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Truitt, Waldrop.
Requested Time on the Agenda
Paul Wisowaty addressed council on behalf of the Tuscola Salvation Army Kettle Drive to go Over their plans for the holiday season collections. Wisovaty stated the Salvation Army would begin collecting after Thanksgiving and would like to station volunteers downtown and at the mall exit each Saturday until Christmas. Wisovaty added he plans to ask permission to collect at the Post Office during the Christmas Town celebration. Wisowaty went on to say that out of 75 communities in the Heartland District, Tuscola finished seventh last year in collections. Wisovaty then Collected his first funds of the 2016 Season from the Council.
Mayor - No Report Kleiss wished good luck to all sports teams participating in post season play.
City Clerk - No Report
City Treasurer
Treasurer Long reported the TIF delinquencies are Eddie Boutilier, Red Barn Vet Services, and Rachel Puckett. Long called council's attention to the Annual Treasurer's Report for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2016. This will be published in the Tuscola Journal, as required. Any questions should be directed to Treasurer Long. Mayor Kleiss asked if the property tax delinquency discussed at the last meeting had been resolved. Administrator Hoel reported the delinquency has been substantially caught up at this time.
City Attorney - No Report City Administrator - No Report
Mayor Kleiss opened discussion on the Library Director salary increase by stating an increase would be needed to keep the position exempt and comply with the US Department of Labor's guidance for exempt status. The Department of Labor has set $47,476 as the new minimum annual Wage for exempt employees, Kleiss added. Day moved to increase Library Director Devin Black's annual wage to $47,500, in order to comply with the Department of Labor's recent ruling. Slaughter seconded. VOTE YEA" Cleland, Day, Henderson, Hoey, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Truitt, Waldrop.
Administrator Hoel discussed the property tax levy estimate with council. Last year's levy was 3%, which resulted in a decrease in the tax rate because the EAV increased by slightly more than the 3%. Hoel went on to say Treasurer Long is projecting a 2.35% EAV growth; however, the actual numbers will not be made available by the county until after the levy ordinance is due. Long and Hoel suggest preparing the levy using a 4% increase over last year's extension. A 4% increase will not require a public hearing and could be adjusted, if needed. Treasurer Long added that unless something crazy happens with the EAV, this increase should keep the numbers flat. Truitt moved to approve the property tax levy estimate of $622,974, which includes the Library, and represents a 4% increase over last year's extension. Cleland seconded. VOTE YEA" Cleland, Day, Henderson, Hoey, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Truitt, Waldrop.
Mayor Kleiss asked if anyone felt strongly about the placement of a stop sign at the intersection of Scott and Embarras. Alderman Henderson stated he had been contacted by a resident two months ago about this matter. The resident felt there was a lot of speeding and near accidents. Henderson went on to say the City put a "cross traffic does not stop' sign on Scott Street and he has not heard anything since. Chief Hastings stated he has had no complaints and this is not a problem area. Administrator Hoel added it is not uncommon for citizens to think cars are speeding in their neighborhoods when they actually are not. Chief Hastings agreed, adding 30 MPH does seem fast when you are close to the road.
Mayor Kleiss honored Administrator Hoel for his 20 years with the city by stating Tuscola is a much better place as a result of Hoel's service. Hoel told council he left the Army on a Thursday in October, 1996, and drove home. He made an offer on a house, got married on Saturday, Went on a week's honeymoon, and came back to begin working for the city the following Monday.
The motion to adjourn was made by Henderson and seconded by Truitt. VOTE YEA* Cleland, Day, Henderson, Hoey, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Truitt, Waldrop.
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