City of Casey Committee of the Whole met May 18.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
The Regular Meeting of the City Council was held Monday May 18th, 2020; beginning at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Nik Groothuis was present over Zoom and called the Meeting to Order:
Roll Call:
Present: Alderman Mumford – Zoom
Alderman Richardson - Zoom
Alderman Ruffner - Zoom
Alderman Todd – In City Council Chambers
Alderman Williams – In City Council Chamber
Absent: Alderman Washburn
A quorum was declared.
Public Forum:
None
Community Affairs:
None
Meeting Minutes:
Mayor Groothuis looked for approval of the minutes of the May 4th, 2020 City Council Meeting.
Alderman Richardson motioned approval of the minutes of the May 4th, 2020
City Council Meeting, seconded by Alderman Mumford. Upon roll call the vote was:
Ayes: 5 – Richardson, Ruffner, Todd, Williams and Mumford
Nays: 0 – None
Absent: 1 – Washburn
Motion declared carried
Officers Reports:
Clerk Mumford looked for approval of the May 18th, 2020 Bills Payable. Alderman Ruffner motioned approval of the May 18th, 2020 Bills Payable in the amount of $128,893.59, seconded by Alderman Williams. Upon roll call the vote was:
Ayes: 5 – Ruffner, Todd, Williams, Mumford and Richardson
Nays: 0 – None
Absent: 1 – Washburn
Motion declared carried
Attorney Shoaff presented an updated Policy Manual for the City of Casey Employees for approval.
Alderman Williams motioned approval of the updated City of Casey Policy Manual, seconded by Alderman Mumford. Upon roll call the vote was:
Ayes: 5 – Todd, Williams, Mumford, Richardson and Ruffner
Nays: 0 – None
Absent: 1 – Washburn
Motion declared carried
Superintendent Biggs reported that he was still waiting to hear back on the Energy Audit for the former Martin’s IGA property. The utility guys are currently trimming a lot of trees across town.
He also reported that he reangled parking in a section downtown. After some discussion the Council like the angle and recommended he go ahead and redo all of the downtown parking.
Collector Hickox reported that she had sent out 16 letters to customers who haven’t paid since this pandemic started. She hopes to hear back from most of them soon.
Economic Development Director Maulding reported that she was trying to get the information together for the Rebuild Illinois grant application. Coles County Regional Planning will be submitting this application for the City. If the grant is awarded, they will have an administrative fee of around $30,000. Maulding will also be working on updating our City website over the next few weeks.
New Business:
1. Finance Committee Chairman Williams reported on the Finance Committee Meetings held on 5/7/2020 and 5/14/2020. They are continuing work on the Appropriations and will hopefully have them wrapped up over the next 2-3 weeks.
2. Ordinance and License Committee Chairman Todd reported on the meeting held on 5/14/2020 where they discussed the request to create a new pour liquor license for the IGA Property. The committee is going to recommend not creating a new liquor license.
Alderman Todd motioned approval to deny the creation of a new pour liquor license for the former IGA property, seconded by Alderman Williams. Mr. Shah was present and Mayor Groothuis allowed him to ask some questions and after some discussion the reasoning for not allowing this type of license was because of the location of the property in proximity to the School. After more discussion Mayor Groothuis called for a vote:
Ayes: 5 – Williams, Mumford, Richardson, Ruffner and Todd
Nays: 0 – None
Absent: 1 – Washburn
Motion declared carried
Unfinished Business:
1. Downtown Parking – Mayor Groothuis mentioned that they haven’t met yet to discuss the downtown parking issue, but he has sent a letter to downtown business owners reminding them of the 2 hour parking limit.
2. Summer Park Activities/COVID-19 Discussion – Mayor Groothuis wanted to remind people that the park in general is open. The Campground is open, please keep spaces between campers. The ball diamonds are open as long as there aren’t 10 or more participants. Pavilion and picnic area’s are open as long as their aren’t 10 or more people.
The playground and skate park are closed until further notice. The fireworks are still planned to be shot off on the 4th of July, but will look at that at a closer time. Alderman Ruffner has some concerns with baseball and softball not being able to play this summer.
He also talked about his thoughts on reopening business. He would like for the Council to pass a resolution in support of what Clark County Board passed, but since it isn’t on tonight’s agenda, they won’t be able to vote on it. Attorney Shoaff had some concerns with the boundary line at downtown park area and would like for the downtown park group to meet and discuss what the plan is going forward. Mayor Groothuis will get with the group and get a meeting set.
Alderman Reports:
Alderman Mumford would like to get a copy of the letter the Mayor sent out to downtown business regarding parking. She also asked Director Maulding about IHDA/Comprehensive Plan, but those are on hold currently due to COVID. But they are still doing what they can to get them completed.
Alderman Ruffner asked Chief Henderson if he talked to the Finance committee about a possible K9 and they have talked about it. He also thanked the Nursing home for the parade they had this past weekend for the residents.
Alderman Todd reported that he has been looking at the downtown parking issues and may have a solution. He brought up the possibility of the City purchasing a lot downtown that is current just grass and make it a parking lot. He asked the other Alderman to think about it and we can discuss it at the next Council Meeting.
Mayor Reports:
Mayor Groothuis reported that after talking with Collector Hickox he is going to recommend the City not do late fees and shut offs through the month of June as well. They can revisit this at the second meeting in June. He is going to bring back City Hall staff to normal hours next week and the utility workers back to normal on June 1st. He has received notice from the Illinois Liquor Commission that any Liquor Holder that sells food is now also able to sell curbside and deliver alcohol. He is going to get a letter sent out to the liquor holders informing them of this.
Mayor Groothuis requested executive session for discussion on Personnel.
Alderman Mumford motioned approval to go in Executive Session for discussion on personnel, seconded by Alderman Ruffner. Upon roll call the vote was:
Ayes: 5 – Williams, Mumford, Richardson, Ruffner and Todd
Nays: 0 – None
Absent: 1 – Washburn
Motion declared carried
Executive Session started at 7:24 p.m.
Alderman Todd motioned approval to resume the regular meeting, seconded by Alderman Mumford. Upon roll call the vote was:
Ayes: 5 – Mumford, Richardson, Ruffner, Todd and Williams
Nays: 0 – None
Absent: 1 – Washburn
Motion declared carried
Regular Meeting resumed at 7:49 p.m.
Mayor Groothuis reported that there is no action needed after Executive Session.
There was no further Business of the City Council for the May 18th, 2020 Council Meeting.
Adjournment:
Alderman Ruffner motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Richardson. Upon roll call the vote was:
Ayes: 5 – Richardson, Ruffner, Todd, Williams and Mumford
Nays: 0 – None
Absent: 1 – Washburn
Motion declared carried
Adjournment of the City Council was at 7:51 p.m.
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