City of Tuscola City Council met June 22.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
A pre-council meeting study session was called to order at 7:00 pm. Those present: Day, Hoey, Morris, Shoemaker, Waldrop, Mayor Kleiss. Alderwoman Truitt was absent. Rund arrived at 7:02 pm; Slaughter arrived at 7:15 pm.
The purpose of the study session was to discuss the proposed FY 21 budget prepared by Treasurer Long and Administrator Hoel, with input from the committees. Long and Hoel went over the proposed budget and pointed out changes (due to COVID) to what would be a more typical budget for the city.
1. Income reduced due to COVID impacts
2. No large gatherings; no pool income/expenses; no summer help or festival expenses
3. Continue reserve funding levels - can be changed if funds are needed
4. Overall salary increase of 2%
5. Utility budget reduction due to installation of solar panel systems
Comments and planned expenses from committees:
● TIF - access road for Love's development. Extend TEDI agreement @ $100K/yr.
● Public Safety/Police - Budgeted overtime @ 7.5% of regular wages; upgrade computer and network; new squad car and evidence incinerator.
● Public Safety/Fire - replace approximately 1/4 of bunker gear. Plan to apply for grants to replace all. Public Works/Equipment – In addition to squad car, fire chief vehicle is being replaced (budgeted FY 20); also plan to replace park utility vehicle, street F450 truck; replace network servers @ City Hall and upgrades to software. General/Street - MFT to pay for annual chip and tar this year.
● Water - assume some months of waived penalties and temporary hold on water shut offs. Operating lines level with FY 20. Planned expenses - tower inspection and cleaning; billing and meter reading software update; replace collector antenna for auto read meters; sandblast and paint Tuscola meter station; install new purchasing interface for bulk water; purchase new locator and leak detection listing device.
● Sewer - hire employee with some licenses and continue with current staffing. Portion of servers and billing and meter reading software, replacement collector antenna will be paid from sewer.
● MFT - Rebuild Illinois funds coming in for 3 years. Will accumulate funds and plan for one large street project. All existing bonds paid off.
● Administrative - In addition to salary increases, necessary technology upgrades will be made this FY. Several administrative items will be discussed at a later date.
The regular meeting of the City Council was called to order with Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop, and Mayor Kleiss in attendance. Alderwoman Truitt was absent. Mayor Kleiss led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Comment - None
Consent Agenda
Mayor Kleiss went over the items on the consent agenda for June 22, 2020:
1. The minutes of the June 8, 2020 meeting
2. Payment of bills totaling $118,561.59
3. Financial report for May 2020
Hoey moved to approve the items on the consent agenda. Morris seconded. VOTE YEA*Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop. Shoemaker moved to approve the consent agenda for June 22, 2020. Rund seconded. VOTE YEA* Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop. Mayor
Mayor Kleiss announced the city received a thank you from the newly crowned Miss Tuscola, Kali Pierce. The city gave a pool pass as a gift to Miss Tuscola. The pass will be honored next summer.
Mayor Kleiss asked for approval of his annual appointments of officer, boards, and commissions. List attached to minutes. Slaughter moved to approve the Mayor's annual appointments of officers, boards, and commissions as presented, effective May 1, 2020 - April 30, 2021. Morris seconded. VOTE YEA* Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.
City Clerk - No Report
City Treasurer
Treasurer Long reported Eddie Boutilier and Red Barn Veterinary Services are delinquent on their TIF loans. Red Barn Veterinary continues to make payments. Long called council's attention to the flyer announcing Sparks in the Park virtual events for the week of July 4". Also, council has a free copy of the Downtown History Walking Tour booklet highlighting downtown buildings/businesses. These booklets can be purchased for $5. Proceeds will go to the Douglas County Museum.
City Attorney - Nothing
City Administrator
Administrator Hoel made council aware of a potentially serious issue he and the city crews have been dealing with, Our water supply has been in jeopardy the last week or so, Hoel stated. We have not been getting the volume of water from Champaign we are accustomed to. Hoel went on to say we are looking very hard at issues on our side of the meter station but this problem is on the other side; it's a problem with water coming into town. A valve problem at the Sadorus pump station was repaired and the situation improved; however, we are still not getting the volume of water and are unable to keep the tower full. Hoel added Arcola and West Prairie, and Pesotum are also concerned about the water supply and all entities have been meeting with Illinois American and pump vendors in hopes of finding an answer. Hoel stated there is water sold upstream from our Sadorus pump station, and we have multiple users on the line. We need to verify there is enough water to meet demand and check our pump station to be sure it is. delivering the output it should. The study we have started on our system may very well morph . into an expansion involving the water agency. Hoel added he thinks we are losing water downstream but no one has found a leak yet. Hoel ended by saying this is an issue he thinks is under control but was critical a few days ago.
Other
● Mayor Kleiss stated he agrees with Councilman Rund's assessment of the proposed budget that the city is in good financial shape, thanks to the careful planning and management of council and the city staff. Kleiss thanked everyone for their hard work, careful considerations, and cooperation during this tough time. Shoemaker moved to adopt the FY 21 budget, as presented, for the period May 1, 2020 - April 30, 2021, Waldrop seconded. VOTE YEA* Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.
● Day moved to approve the FY 21 annual wage and salary schedule, as presented. Schedule attached. Rund seconded. VOTE YEA* Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.
● The FY 21 appropriation ordinance is available for public viewing at City Hall. The ordinance is also available on the website; citizens can also request an electronic or hard copy of the ordinance. Action will be taken on the appropriations ordinance by the last meeting in July
● Mayor Kleiss opened discussion on the tents the city provided to restaurants during Coronavirus Stage III. The current lease agreement for these ends June 30. Ilinois is scheduled to go to Stage IV the end of June and restaurants will be able to begin inside seating. Mayor Kleiss suggests extending the tent at the Community Building for another to accommodate musicians that have been booked through July to perform on the weekends. Administrator Hoel thinks the cost would be someone around $2600 for another 30 days. The tent on Main Street, outside Joe's will be removed. Shoemaker asked if the tent on the Community Building lot would interfere with events scheduled in the building. Treasurer Long answered only small events are being scheduled right now and it is unlikely parking will be an issue. Also, any groups are able to use the tent on a first come first served basis as long as there are no musicians booked to perform on their chosen dates/times.
The motion to adjourn was made by Slaughter and seconded by Morris. VOTE YEA* Day, Hoey, Morris Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.
https://tuscola.org/file/826/minutes-6-22-20.pdf
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