City of Tuscola City Council met Oct. 13.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The regular meeting of the City Council was called to order with Day, Hoey (virtual), Morris, Shoemaker, Waldrop, and Mayor Kleiss in attendance. Alderpersons Brace, Rund, and Slaughter were absent. Sean Conner, Tuscola VFW, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Comment - No Comments
Consent Agenda
Mayor Kleiss went over the items on the consent agenda:
1. The minutes of the September 28, 2020 meeting
2. Payment of bills totaling $107,621.74
3. Request to conduct fundraising and/or toy donation on November 14, 2020, for the Toys for Tots Program
4. Request for street closure November 11, 2020, for Veterans Day Parade and dedication of Tuscola Serves sign
5. Meals for Veterans 5K run route November 21, 2020
Sean Conner reported the Toys for Tots program gave out 3,192 toys and 400 books to 449 children in Douglas County last year. This year's campaign for donations will be conducted following COVID guidelines. Conner also stated the Veteran's Day parade on November 11 will begin at 11:00 am at the Courthouse and end at the park for a dedication of the newly placed Tuscola Serves sign. Day moved to approve the items on the consent agenda. Waldrop seconded. VOTE YEA* Day, Hoey, Morris, Shoemaker, Waldrop. Day moved to approve the consent agenda for October 13, 2020. Shoemaker seconded. Alderman Rund arrived at 7:34 pm. VOTE YEA* Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Waldrop. Mayor Kleiss noted before the VFW and Carmen Morgan left the chambers that he really appreciates Carmen coming to council with an idea that benefits the city and taking charge to see it through to completion.
Mayor
Mayor Kleiss read a proclamation declaring November 1, 2020, as National Family Literacy Day, and stated he made this proclamation at the Douglas County Stephen A. Douglas DAR Chapter meeting earlier in the evening. Nancy Willamon, Literacy Chairman of the chapter, thanked the Mayor and council for making the proclamation and supporting DAR. Sara Tondini, chapter Vice Regent, and Sheryll Herschberger, Regent, were also in attendance,
On behalf of the city, Mayor Kleiss offered condolences to the family of Joe Slaughter. Mr. Slaughter passed away on Saturday, October 10, 2020. Mayor Kleiss added he has known Joe all his life; he had a great attitude and sense of humor. Joe was also an unassuming person. He served in WWII as a first scout and was awarded a bronze star, purple heart and four silver stars, all awarded for combat. Kleiss added for someone to have all these military accomplishments, you would never know it from Joe Slaughter. We should all aspire to have these attributes. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Joe Slaughter family.
City Clerk - No Report
City Treasurer
Treasurer Long reported Eddie Boutilier and Red Barn Veterinary Services are delinquent on their TIF loans,
City Attorney - No Report
City Administrator
Administrator Hoel reported he has been in contact with the owner of the building with the collapsing roof on the corner of Carico and North Central: The owner and his insurance company are taking steps to address the issue and are keeping the city apprised. Mayor Kleiss asked about leaf collection. Foreman Cruzan reported leaf clean-up will begin Monday, October 19, 2020.
Ordinances
Morris moved to approve ordinance 2020-0-9, an ordinance authorizing the execution of the Mlinois Municipal League Risk Management Association minimumn/maximum contribution agreement in the amount of $139,924.43, for January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2022. Waldrop seconded. Administrator Hoel pointed out this renewal is actually a bit less than last year due to natural lowering of insured value on some equipment. In addition, by participating in the min/max agreement, the city will save $17,000 on premiums. In the event of a big loss we would be liable for an additional $51,000. Hoel ended by saying the city has participated in the IMLRMA Min/Max program since 2008, We were required to pay the additional amount only one year (hail storm) since 2008. VOTE YEA* Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Waldrop.
Contracts and Agreements
Administrator Hoel asked for approval of an agreement for inspection of the water tower, included in this year's budget. The inside and outside will be inspected for sanitary, safety, structural and coating issues, Shoemaker moved to approve the agreement with Utility Service Co. Inc., in the amount of $950 for inspection of the water tower. Rund seconded. VOTE YEA* Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Waldrop. Other
> Administrator Hoel gave an update on the Ironhorse drainage project timeline. Hoel stated he has investigated all concerns and has confirmation the drainage project can proceed and be in compliance with the bond process and objection period. The project bid opening will be prior to the November 23, 2020 council meeting. If there is an acceptable low bid, we can file a property tax levy for the Special Service Area by the end of December deadline. Once a bid is accepted, the 90 day objection period will begin. The awarded contract will call for a spring construction but will allow us to terminate if there is a successful objection period. If an objection is successful, the property tax levy will be abated before the end March deadline.
> Hoey moved to approve the annual Holiday Bonus of $125 to all employees and fire fighters. Rund seconded. VOTE YEA* Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Waldrop.
> Administrator Hoel asked council to be thinking about a property tax levy for the coming year. He and Mayor.Kleiss recommend trying to stay within the 2-4% increase as we have in prior years and not over 5%.
> Mayor Kleiss mentioned residents received some communication from Homefield Energy regarding the aggregation program the city takes part in for electric service. This program is voluntary. Residents should do nothing if they wish to stay in the program. If residents would rather purchase from Ameren or another energy provider they can opt out of the Homefield aggregate by returning the form they received in the mail.
> Mayor Kleiss also mentioned some residents are being billed in error for recycling. Recycling charges are not included with the water/sewer/garbage bill the city sends each month. Residents receiving bills from Advanced Disposal for recycling can call the company and get the charges removed. This is a holdover from the previous method of recycling service. With the new contract all charges are billed by the city.
The motion to adjourn was made by Morris and seconded by Waldrop. VOTE YEA* Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Waldrop.
https://tuscola.org/file/852/minutes-10-13-20.pdf
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