East Central Reporter

Charleston City Council met Tuesday, Dec. 6.

The city council is the duly elected legislative and policymaking body of the city of Charleston. The council is responsible for making policy decisions for the city based on relevant and accurate information received from the city manager and staff.

Here are the minutes as provided by Charleston:

City of Charleston Regular City Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2016 State of Illinois County of Coles ss. City of Charleston

The Council of the City of Charleston, Coles County, Illinois, met for the regular scheduled session at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 6, 2016, at 520 Jackson Avenue, Charleston, Illinois, with Mayor Brandon Combs presiding. The meeting commenced at 6:30 p.m. The Mayor directed the City Clerk to call the roll and the following were physically present and answered affirmatively to the call of his or her name: Council Members Jim Dunn, Matthew Hutti, Jeff Lahr, and Tim Newell, and Mayor Brandon Combs. Other City Officers present were: City Manager Scott Smith; City Attorney Rachael Cunningham; City Clerk Deborah Muller; Police Chief Bryan Baker; Fire Chief Steve Bennett; Comptroller Heather Kuykendall; City Planner Steve Pamperin; Public Works Director Curt Buescher; Parks & Recreation Director Brian Jones; and Building Code Official Alex Winkler.

Mayor Combs welcomed everyone and then led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor Combs then introduced and reviewed the CONSENT AGENDA, which consisted of the following items: 1) MINUTES—Regular City Council Meeting held on November 15, 2016; 2) PAYROLL—Regular Pay Period ending on November 12, 2016; 3) BILLS PAYABLE—December 9, 2016; 4) RAFFLE LICENSE—Citizens Against Child Abuse on November 30, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. to raise funds for Christmas presents for children; 5) RAFFLE LICENSE—CHS Selfless Volleyball Academy on January 7, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. at Charleston High School; and 6) RAFFLE LICENSE—South Eastern Illinois Community Foundation One Stop Community Christmas 5-9 Toys at 8:00 a.m. on December 5, 2016, at 700 W. Lincoln Avenue, Suite 800, to raise funds to provide toys for children, ages 5-9, at the One Stop Community Christmas Annual Event.

A written motion was made by Council Member Hutti and seconded by Council Member Newell that the Consent Agenda be approved as presented.

Mayor Combs directed the City Clerk to call the roll and the following voted Yea: Council Members Dunn, Hutti, Lahr, Newell, and Mayor Combs. Mayor Combs declared the motion carried by a vote of 5 Yeas, Nays—0.

With regard to Item #7, Mayor Combs noted that this Ordinance was similar to an Ordinance approved in July. Now the Ordinance would specifically address affirmative defense regarding the use of false ID’s for entry into bars.

ITEM 7: A written motion was made by Council Member Newell and seconded by Council Member Hutti that the Ordinance amending Ordinance Title: 3-3-16 (A)(4): Alcoholic Beverages: Underaged Persons: Affirmative Defense, be approved and the layover period waived.

Mayor Combs directed the City Clerk to call the roll and the following voted Yea: Council Members Dunn, Hutti, Lahr, Newell, and Mayor Combs. Mayor Combs declared the motion carried by a vote of 5 Yeas, Nays—0.

With regard to Item #8, the Mayor said that this it was required each year that a Resolution be approved accepting the annual report from the Fire & Police Pension Fund Boards.

ITEM 8: A written motion was made by Council Member Lahr and seconded by Council Member Dunn that the Resolution implementing the Provisions of the Illinois Pension Code Act (40 ILCS 5/3-143): Approving Fire & Police Pension Fund Board Report with regard to Annual Tax Levy, be approved and the layover period waived.

Mayor Combs directed the City Clerk to call the roll and the following voted Yea: Council Members Dunn, Lahr, Newell, and Mayor Combs. Council Member Hutti abstained. Mayor Combs declared the motion carried by a vote of 4 Yeas, Nays—0, and 1 Abstention.

With regard to Item #9, the Mayor explained that this was the annual Tax Levy Ordinance, which they would be voting to place on file with the City Clerk for public inspection. It would be on file until it was voted on at the December 20, 2016 Council Meeting.

ITEM 9: A written motion was made by Council Member Dunn and seconded by Council Member Lahr that the Ordinance approving the Annual Tax Levy Ordinance for the Fiscal Year beginning May 1, 2017, and ending April 30, 2018, be placed on file for public inspection.

Mayor Combs directed the City Clerk to call the roll and the following voted Yea: Council Members Dunn, Hutti, Lahr, Newell, and Mayor Combs. Mayor Combs declared the motion carried by a vote of 5 Yeas, Nays—0.

With regard to Item #10, the Mayor said that Sgt. Heath Thornton’s canine partner, Ivan, had reached the age to retire from duty. Chief Baker had requested that the ownership of Ivan be transferred to Sgt. Thornton and his family.

ITEM 10: A written motion was made by Council Member Hutti and seconded by Council Member Newell that the Ordinance authorizing Disposal of Surplus Personal Property in the Police Department, namely the canine named Ivan, by transferring ownership to Ivan’s handler, Sgt. Heath Thornton, be approved and the layover period waived.

Mayor Combs directed the City Clerk to call the roll and the following voted Yea: Council Members Dunn, Hutti, Lahr, Newell, and Mayor Combs. Mayor Combs declared the motion carried by a vote of 5 Yeas, Nays—0.

With regard to Item #11, Mayor Combs explained that this Ordinance would eliminate the registration fee for fire alarm systems. It would also increase the fees for false fire alarms. Incidents of 1-3 false fire alarms would still incur no fee, but incidents of 4-6 false fire alarms would increase from $100 to $250 per occurrence, and incidents of 7 or more false fire alarms would increase from $200 to $500 per occurrence.

ITEM 11: A written motion was made by Council Member Newell and seconded by Council Member Hutti that the Ordinance amending Title 5-6-(1-9): Public Safety, be approved and the layover period waived.

Mayor Combs directed the City Clerk to call the roll and the following voted Yea: Council Members Dunn, Hutti, Lahr, Newell, and Mayor Combs. Mayor Combs declared the motion carried by a vote of 5 Yeas, Nays—0.

The Mayor said that this concluded the Agenda items.

The Mayor then opened the floor to any public comments, communications and presentations. He asked that those doing so come up to the podium and give the Clerk their name and address for the record. He noted that this was solely for the benefit of the Clerk, and was not required. He asked that they limit their comments to 3 minutes and avoid repetition.

There were no comments.

The Mayor asked if there were any comments from Council; there were not.

The Mayor asked if there were any comments from City Manager Smith or City Attorney Cunningham; there were not.

The Mayor then said that he would entertain a motion to adjourn.

A written motion was made by Council Member Lahr and seconded by Council Member Dunn to adjourn.

Mayor Combs directed the City Clerk to call the roll and the following voted Yea: Council Members Dunn, Hutti, Lahr, Newell, and Mayor Combs. Mayor Combs declared the motion carried by a vote of 5 Yeas, Nays—0.

Adjournment: 6:39 p.m.

Minutes approved this 20th Day of December 2016.

Brandon Combs, Mayor

Deborah Muller, City Clerk