East Central Reporter

City of Casey City Council met Feb. 19.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Nik Groothuis was present and called the Meeting to Order and led the Pledge of Allegiance:

Roll Call:

Present: Alderman Dane

Alderman Dennis

Alderman Nichols

Alderman Todd

Alderman Washburn

Alderman Williams

Absent: None

A quorum was declared

Public Forum:

Eleanor Markwell presented an idea about renaming the street behind the high school after Ralph Fitch. Mr. Fitch was a teacher at the High School and his classes helped build all the homes behind the High School. Mayor Groothuis recommended Street and Alley Chairman Dennis get a meeting to talk about this change.

Jim Bolin was present and talked about the public restrooms he built behind the mailbox. He asked since they were public restrooms if the City would pay for the utilities at that location. Mayor Groothuis said they have looked into this and it costs about $3,000 for the past year for utilities at this location. Mr. Bolin also asked if the City could look at the Ditch behind Dollars and Sense and possible fill in part of it. He wants to have a tractor pull in his lot behind there during Crazy Casey Days. Superintendent Biggs said he would look at that property. Mr. Bolin also said he would donate the material for this project.

Mayor Groothuis if there was a motion regarding the Public Restrooms. Alderman Dane motioned approval to pay for the Utilities at the Public Restrooms behind the Mailbox, seconded by Alderman Williams. Upon roll call the vote was:

Ayes: 6 – Dane, Dennis, Nichols, Todd, Washburn and Williams Nays: 0 – None

Motion declared carried

Community Affairs:

Dave Liebenow with the Casey Chamber of Commerce gave an update on what the Chamber is working on and some of the upcoming events they have. He also presented their new idea on a Visitor’s Guide and Business Directory. They are also doing a membership drive and will be looking for sponsors for the Business Directory.

Howard Loftis with Casey In Action presented a check for $782.98 to pay for slide matts to be put underneath the slides at the playground at the Park. This will help keep a safe and flat surface for under the slides.

Alderman Nichols motioned approval to accept the donation from Casey In Action, seconded by Alderman Dane. Upon roll call the vote was:

Ayes: 6 – Dane, Dennis, Nichols, Todd, Washburn and Williams

Nays: 0 – None

Motion declared carried

Mr. Loftis then requested permission to use NE 2nd Street between East Main and East Alabama for Market Thyme again this Summer. They will have the market on Friday mornings in June, July and August.

Alderman Todd motioned approval to allow CIA to use the City Street for their Market Thyme, seconded by Alderman Dane. Upon roll call the vote was:

Meeting Minutes:

Mayor Groothuis looked for a motion to approve the Minutes of the February 4th, 2019 Council Meeting.

Alderman Washburn motioned approval of the Minutes of the February 4th, 2019 Council

Meeting, seconded by Alderman Dane. Upon roll call the vote was:

Ayes: 4 – Dane, Dennis, Todd and Washburn

Nays: 0 – None

Abstain: 2 – Nichols and Williams

Motion declared carried

Officers Reports:

Clerk Mumford looked for approval of the February 19th, 2019 Bills Payable in the amount of $175,587.50.

Alderman Dennis motioned approval of the February 19th, 2019 Bills Payable in the amount of $175,587.50, seconded by Alderman Washburn. Upon roll call the vote was:

Ayes: 6 – Dane, Dennis, Nichols, Todd, Washburn and Williams

Nays: 0 – None

Motion declared carried

Attorney Shoaff requested approval to go into Executive Session for the discussion of Personnel, Collective Bargaining and possible Property Litigation.

Alderman Williams motioned approval to go into Executive Session, seconded by Alderman Todd. Upon roll call the vote was:

Ayes: 6 – Dane, Dennis, Nichols, Todd, Washburn and Williams

Nays: 0 – None

Motion declared carried

Executive Session began at 6:32 p.m.

Alderman Dane motioned approval to resume the regular meeting, seconded by Alderman Dennis. Upon roll call the vote was:

Ayes: 6 – Dane, Dennis, Nichols, Todd, Washburn and Williams

Nays: 0 – None

Motion declared carried

Regular meeting resumed at 7:24 p.m.

Superintendent Biggs reported that the Screw Press was delivered at the Sewer Plant and should be set up and running within 3 weeks.

With Chief Jenkins absent Mayor Groothuis brought up the Dog Catcher issue. After some discussion Alderman Williams made the following motion:

Alderman Williams motioned approval to just allow the Police Department to handle any rabid or aggressive dog calls for this Fiscal Year, seconded by Alderman Todd. Upon roll call the vote was:

Ayes: 6 – Dane, Dennis, Nichols, Todd, Washburn and Williams

Nays: 0 – None

Motion declared carried

Economic Development Director Maulding reported that we need to postpone the approval of the agreement with Coles County Regional Planning until they get more information from the State.

New Business:

Public Restroom Discussion was talked about earlier in the meeting.

Unfinished Business:

Mayor Groothuis brought up the properties the City has recently received. Attorney Shoaff reported that the titles were free and clear and if the Council wished they could bid out each property.

Alderman Dane motioned approval to do a sealed bid publication for the following properties:

401 East Adams, 603 S Central, 605 S Central, 4-6 S Central, 14-16 W Main and the Landfill property, seconded by Alderman Williams. Upon roll call the vote was:

Ayes: 6 – Dane, Dennis, Nichols, Todd, Washburn and Williams

Nays: 0 – None

Motion declared carried

Alderman Reports:

Alderman Williams reported that he had a concerned citizen bring up the stop sign behind the high school, and they thought it needed to be monitored a little more.

Alderman Nichols called a Finance Committee Meeting for Tuesday March 5th, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.

Alderman Dennis called a Street and Alley Committee Meeting for Tuesday March 12th, 2019 at 5:15 p.m.

Alderman Dane brought up the possibility of the paper start an “Ask Your Alderman” where citizens can submit questions and then the Alderman respond to the paper.

Alderman Todd wanted to clarify that at the last council meeting he was mistaken, it wasn’t 105 trout caught by one person, that amount was caught by multiple people over a time period.

Mayor Reports:

Alderman Groothuis reported that he has a meeting scheduled with the various groups for the old Kroger lot discussion.

There was no further Business of the City Council for the February 19th, 2019 Council Meeting.

Adjournment:

Alderman Dennis motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Washburn. Upon roll call the vote was:

Ayes: 6 – Dane, Dennis, Nichols, Todd, Washburn and Williams

Nays: 0 – None

Motion declared carried

Adjournment of the City Council was at 7:54 p.m.

http://www.cityofcaseyil.org/sites/casey.sdsaccess.net/files/Agenda%20Minutes/021919%20Minutes.pdf