East Central Reporter

Mattoon City Council met March 6.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

Mayor Gover presided and called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

Mayor Gover led the Pledge of Allegiance.

The following members of the Council answered roll call physically present: Yea Commissioner Dave Cox, Yea Commissioner Sandra Graven, Yea Commissioner Rick Hall, Yea Commissioner Preston Owen, and Yea Mayor Tim Gover.

Also physically present were City personnel: City Administrator Kyle Gill, City Attorney Daniel C. Jones, Finance Director &Treasurer Beth Wright, Public Works Director Dean Barber, Assistant Fire Chief Sean Junge, Police Chief Jason Taylor, Arts & Tourism Director Angelia Burgett, and City Clerk Susan O’Brien.

Consent Agenda:

Mayor Gover seconded by Commissioner Hall moved to approve the consent agenda consisting of minutes of the budget work session February 16 and regular meeting February 20, 2018; Fire Department reports for the month of January, 2018; bills and payroll for the last half of February, 2018; and CCRP Home Rehab Expenses.

Administrator Gill noted the Coles County Regional Planning–Development Commission Home Rehab expenses were paid through a State grant and allowed for three homes to have approximately $25,000 in repairs within the City of Mattoon. Commissioner Cox questioned the Fire Department Report calls. Assistant Chief Junge stated Chief Nichols prepared the report, but did state that one incident equaled one call including false alarms. Mayor Gover opened the floor for further questions with no response.

Mayor Gover declared the motion to approve consent agenda carried by the following vote: Yea Commissioner Cox, Yea Commissioner Graven, Yea Commissioner Hall, Yea Commissioner Owen, Yea Mayor Gover.

Presentations, Petitions And Communications:

Mayor Gover opened the floor for Public comments with no response.

New Business:

Commissioner Owen seconded by Commissioner Hall moved to approve Council Decision Request 2018-1825, approving a water adjustment in the amount of $1,019.53 for Partridge Inc. due to a water leak.

Mayor Gover opened the floor for questions/comments. Director & Treasurer Wright noted the cold weather caused burst pipes, so we may have one more to approve in the near future.

Mayor Gover declared the motion carried by the following vote: Yea Commissioner Cox, Yea Commissioner Graven, Yea Commissioner Hall, Yea Commissioner Owen, Yea Mayor Gover.

Department Reports:

City Administrator/Community Development noted concentration on the budget, negotiations, and a point-to-point wireless connection intergovernmental agreement between Charleston and Mattoon; and stated FY18 budget adjustments were to be made before FY19 budget is passed. Mayor Gover opened the floor for questions with no response.

City Attorney noted business as usual with a response from Pierce Fire Truck which contained two options and requires further explanation by the attorney. The Council needed to think about which option would be acceptable once the formula was explained. Administrator Gill stated the City had $89,000 in cab work with additional repairs resulting in total expenses of $110,000. Attorney Jones noted Danville and Mattoon were the exceptions to the lawsuit because the municipalities have already paid for the repairs. Mayor Gover opened the floor for questions with no response.

City Clerk noted 106 Early Voters in the Primary Election, attended the Department Head Budget meeting and a Safety Committee meeting; otherwise, business as usual. Mayor Gover opened the floor for questions with no response.

Finance noted budget preparations with Administrator Gill; and sharing of the deficit budget projections with FY20 and beyond with assumptions with the Department Heads and the need for doing something different. Mayor Gover opened the floor for questions with no response.

Public Works noted the crews had moved into the new Public Works Building and Upchurch should have the bike trail design by next week; and preparation of the parking lot paving documents at 21st and Broadway to be completed in the near future. Mayor Gover inquired as to the 12th Street generator. Director Barber stated the generator could be used at one of the pump stations as backup. Council discussed the generator’s use. Mayor Gover opened the floor for further questions with no response.

Fire noted cooperation with the Coles County Airport Authority in preparing for its FAA inspection, providing an audit of fire training records. Mayor Gover opened the floor for questions with no response.

Police noted a new requirement of a college degree or military experience for entry-level police candidates per the Board of Fire & Police Commissioners, experienced around 1,424 calls since the last meeting, and requested clear direction on the ambulance issue. Council discussed the ambulance, deficit budget, upcoming meetings with union representatives and pending arbitrators’ regulatory decisions. Mayor Gover opened the floor for questions with no response.

Arts And Tourism announced the Town Hall meeting preparation at the YMCA, Art in Our Community Art Exhibit with 130 exhibitors, and the upcoming Gardenfest (formerly Herbfest) in May. Mayor Gover opened the floor for questions with no response.

Comments By The Council:

Commissioners Cox, Graven, Hall and Owen had no further comments.

Mayor Gover seconded by Commissioner Graven moved to recess to closed session at 6:57 p.m. pursuant to the Illinois Open Meetings Act for the purpose of the discussion of collective negotiating matters between the City of Mattoon and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees (5ILCS/20 (2)(C)(2)); and litigation is affecting the City and an action is probable or imminent (5ILCS/20 (2)(C)(11)).

Mayor Gover declared the motion carried by the following vote: Yea Commissioner Cox, Yea Commissioner Graven, Yea Commissioner Hall, Yea Commissioner Owen, Yea Mayor Gover.

Council reconvened at 7:28 p.m.

Council discussed the increase to the schedule of fees including fireworks.

Commissioner Hall seconded by Commissioner Graven moved to adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

Mayor Gover declared the motion carried by the following vote: Yea Commissioner Cox, Yea Commissioner Graven, Yea Commissioner Hall, Nay Commissioner Owen, Yea Mayor Gover.

http://mattoon.illinois.gov/sites/default/files/citycouncil/030618_0.pdf