Mattoon City Council met Nov. 20.
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, Police Chief Jason Taylor, Deputy Chief Sam Gaines, 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 regular meeting November 6, 2018; bills and payroll for the first half of November, 2018.
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 or questions. Mr. Doug Starwalt, 2609 DeWitt Avenue, questioned the Council about the school bus congestion. Mayor Gover requested Mr. Starwalt to contact the School Administration about the design and Chief Taylor about traffic flow; and thanked him for his question.
Chief Taylor made a presentation for the need of two replacement police officers and more officers citing several statistics, felony arrests, and meth issues. Mr. Matt McCormick of the East Central Illinois Task Force explained the meth issues, statistics for seizures, and appreciation of the support of Mattoon Police Officers. Commissioner Cox inquired about comparables and burglaries. Ms. Sheila Monroe of 408 Crestview expressed her concern of the amount of crime, offenders, “free stuff” provided by our community. Council discussed the budget issues, personnel, deficit of $625,000, absurdity of unwillingness to negotiate by the union when offered a good contract. Mr. Starwalt added praise to the MPD and not opposing a tax increase to help the fire and police. Administrator Gill noted a safety tax could be put on the ballot, but not by the Council. Commissioner Graven suggested Ms. Monroe contact the School Administration to see how they prepared a referendum. Commissioner Owen provided an example of possible revenues from a safety tax.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor Gover seconded by Commissioner Graven moved to approve Council Decision Request 2018-1882, authorizing the employment of Kedrick H. Houser as a replacement probationary patrol officer for the Mattoon Police Department effective December 08, 2018, contingent upon successful completion of background, physical and psychological exams. Officer Donald Munro is retiring in January of 2019.
Mayor Gover opened the floor for questions/comments/discussion. Commissioner Owen stated his intention to vote negatively was strictly due to budgetary reasons.
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.
Chief Taylor provided a background on Mr. Houser.
Mayor Gover seconded by Commissioner Cox moved to approve Council Decision Request 2018-1883. authorizing the employment of Jose Aceves as a replacement probationary patrol officer for the Mattoon Police Department effective February 03, 2019, contingent upon successful completion of background, physical and psychological exams. Captain Rich Heuerman is retiring in May of 2019.
Mayor Gover opened the floor for questions/comments/discussion. Commissioner Owen stated his intention to vote negatively was strictly due to budgetary reasons.
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.
Chief Taylor provided a background on Mr. Aceves.
Commissioner Cox seconded by Commissioner Hall moved to approve Council Decision Request 2018- 1884, approving the Huff & Huff fee proposal in the amount of $30,547.26 for the Bike Trail Project Preliminary Site Assessment (PSI) to conduct field sampling and testing of potentially contaminated soils.
Mayor Gover opened the floor for questions/comments/discussion. Commissioner Hall clarified the bike trail funds were from the Capital Improvement Fund, not General Fund cash. Commissioner Cox noted 80% was from a Federal Grant.
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.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT noted business as usual and preparations of the six-month projections with Finance Director & Treasurer Wright while requesting Department Heads not to purchase anything that could wait. Mayor Gover commended the Department Heads for their efforts and noted personnel as the remaining reduction item. Mayor Gover opened the floor for questions with no response.
CITY ATTORNEY noted busy times by trying to track down the final Pierce Fire Truck settlement check and projects with most of the Department Heads. Mayor Gover opened the floor for questions with no response.
CITY CLERK noted business as usual. Mayor Gover opened the floor for questions with no response.
FINANCE distributed and reviewed the October Financial Report; and noted anticipated receipt of the final property taxes tomorrow receiving about 99% of the levied amount. Mayor Gover opened the floor for questions with no response.
PUBLIC WORKS provided an update on the Marshall Avenue Project, Champaign Avenue Sidewalk Project, WTP Intake Screen Project, and new WWTP Disinfection Process Project for the next agenda. Mayor Gover opened the floor for questions with no response.
FIRE Commissioner Hall had nothing to report.
POLICE had nothing further to report. Mayor Gover opened the floor for questions with no response. ARTS AND TOURISM Commissioner Hall noted a long list of upcoming events.
COMMENTS BY THE COUNCIL
Commissioner Cox and Mayor Gover wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Commissioners Graven, Hall, and Owen had no further comments.
Commissioner Hall seconded by Commissioner Cox moved to adjourn at 7:27 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/112018.docx_.pdf
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