City of Tuscola City Council met Sept. 14.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The regular meeting of the City Council was called to order with Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Waldrop, and Mayor Kleiss in attendance, Alderman Slaughter was absent. Mayor Kleiss led the Pledge of Allegiance. Public Comment - No Comments Consent Agenda Mayor Kleiss went over the items on the consent agenda for September 14, 2020:
1. The minutes of the August 24, 2020 meeting
2. Payment of bills totaling $241,229.91
3. Request for Christie Clinic drive-thru flu shot clinic on October 10, 2020
4. Tuscola Area Ministerial Alliance request to hold a drive thru nativity at Ervin Park December 6, 2020
5. Tuscola School District request to allow a bike parade September 28, 2020
6. Cindy Little request to hold a craft market on Festival Corner October 3, 2020
Day moved to approve the items on the consent agenda. Shoemaker seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Waldrop. Day moved to approve the consent agenda for September 14, 2020. Waldrop seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Waldrop.
Requested Time on the Agenda - None
Mayor
Mayor Kleiss reminded council the new solid waste contract will present a learning curve over the next month or so. He asks everyone to be patient while the transition to new totes is made. After a question from Hoey about tote size, Administrator Hoel explained the new totes are the same size as current totes (if they were issued by Advanced). Residents may request smaller totes or multiple totes. Hoel added some residents have already received their new totes, Questions should be directed to City Hall.
City Clerk - No Report
City Treasurer
Treasurer Long reported Eddie Boutilier and Red Barn Veterinary Services are delinquent on their TIF loans. Long added Red Barn Veterinary Services is very nearly caught up.
City Attorney - Nothing
City Administrator - Nothing
Resolutions
Treasurer Long discussed the possibility of the city paying off the 2012 MFT bond early. Long stated the fund balance has enough to pay off the debt service for the two years left ($50,000 each) and still cover operating expenses. Also, by paying off these bonds early, the city will save some interest expense. Long added once these two payments are made, the only debt the city will have is the IEPA low interest loans for water/sewer. Long went on to say this past year the state has increased the amount local governments receive for their roads. Also, we have been paying the annual oil and chip from the general fund the past few years so we've been able to save the MFT funds to pay off the 2012 bond. In addition, this year the state did a bond issue that will give some revenue to local governments for a large project. Tuscola will receive $95K each year for the next three years, Long stated. These funds have to be earmarked for a large street project and cannot be used for repairs or oil/chip. Long ended by saying by paying off the 2012 bond we will be ahead of the curve and can pay cash for the next big project. Hoey moved to approve a MFT Obligatory Retirement Resolution for the 2021 debt service on series 2012 bonds. Rund seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Waldrop. Waldrop moved to approve a MFT Obligatory Retirement Resolution for the 2022 debt service on series 2012 bonds, Shoemaker seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Waldrop.
Other
Administrator Hoel followed up with some discussion held during the last meeting regarding the CURE program and the possibility of municipalities being reimbursed for some expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the Executive Order of March 16, 2020, some city employees have worked from home, had a modified work schedule, or worked reduced hours Hoel stated, A personnel policy memorandum has been prepared for COVID -19 workplace policies and administrative leave due to Covid-19. This policy is in response to the public health emergency and is meant to protect employees and residents from Covid-19 exposure and to positively contribute to fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. The policy contains background information, general guidance, continuation of services; payroll/benefits; and continuity of operations; travel/training; facilities, and leave guidance for confirmed or potential Covid-19 cases. Morris moved to approve the City of Tuscola Covid-19 personnel and payroll memorandum. Shoemaker seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Waldrop.
● Administrator Hoel gave a brief update on the Ervin Park project. The tennis courts have been torn out; the south courts will likely require more work than originally planned. Hoel added he is amazed at the number of questions he gets about pickle ball courts. The new courts will be striped for both tennis and pickle ball, Hoel stated. Nets will be sized for tennis but adjustable to pickle ball height.
● Mayor Kleiss reported citizens and mayors of other municipalities have been asking what he plans for Trick-or-Treat this year. He would like council to give this some thought for future discussion. Treasurer Long reported Anna and Devin are working on a virtual Halloween with activities and snack pick-up.
● Shoemaker asked about the Ironhorse drainage project. Administrator Hoel reported we still do not know. The engineers are having difficulty identifying what is out there now. They have done some exploratory digging with no results. Hoel went on to say our timeline is in jeopardy and he is deferring to our bond counsel about options. Hoel ended by saying this project will not happen this year.
The motion to adjourn was made by Hoey and seconded by Morris. Mayor Kleiss wished Hoey a Happy Birthday! VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Waldrop.
https://tuscola.org/file/846/minutes%209-14-20.pdf
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