City of Tuscola City Council met May 8.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The regular meeting of the City Council was called to order with Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop and Mayor Kleiss present. Alderman Shoemaker was absent. Mayor Kleiss led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Comment
Several citizens were in attendance to witness the opening of the time capsule found in the 1902 corner stone of the recently demolished Presbyterian Church on South Main. Administrator Hoel pointed out today (5/8) is the 165th anniversary of the founding of the Presbyterian Church in Tuscola. After some time spent opening the capsule, newspapers, TCHS student publications, and other printed materials were discovered. All were water logged. It is hoped the papers can be separated so they can dry out and be readable. Judy Landeck asked where the corner stone would be placed. Council will research and decide at a later date.
Consent Agenda
Mayor Kleiss went over the items on the consent agenda:
Minutes of April 24, 2023 meeting
Payment of bills totaling $286,156.02
Pace for Petey 5K run and route, September 30, 2023
Outdoor movie nights with street closures June 2, July 7, and August 4
Tuscola GSA booster club Pound the Pavement for Pride 5K Color Run/Walk June 10
Day moved to approve the items on the consent agenda. Morris seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop. Hoey moved to approve the consent agenda for May 8, 2023. Rund seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop.
Mayor
Newly elected aldermen were given the oath of office by Clerk Leamon and seated at the council table for the next four years. Ward 1 - Juanita Brace; Ward II - Terra Waldrop; Ward II David Slaughter; Ward IV - Michael Morris.
Mayor Kleiss opened discussion on a Foreign Fire Insurance Board. This board is a mechanism for the TFD to receive funds annually for the purchase of equipment, tools, etc., for the department's use. The funds come from out of state property tax insurance companies who provide property insurance within Illinois. In order to receive these funds, a local Foreign Fire Insurance Board made up of firefighters must be established. Upon the recommendation of Chief Moody the following firefighters will make up this board: Dalton Donnals, Brian Endres, Rob Hardwick, Bill Hemmer, Bill Schweighart, and Bryce Yantis. Slaughter moved to approve the members of the Foreign Fire Insurance Board, as presented. Brace seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop.
City Clerk - No Report
City Treasurer - No Report
City Attorney - No Report
City Administrator - No Report
Contracts and Agreements
Mayor Kleiss asked for approval of repair expenses for a second water leak. This leak was under the railroad tracks at the Main Street crossing. Day moved to waive formal bidding on the emergency water leak repairs on Main Street. Brace seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop. Hoey moved to authorize the emergency water repairs on Main Street at time and materials with Cross Construction. Slaughter seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop. Mayor Kleiss encourages all citizens to sign up for Code Red for emergency notifications. Administrator Hoel pointed out Code Red in now Hyper Reach and citizens need to sign up for Hyper Reach. This can be done on the city's website. Boil order information is also on the City's website. When a boil order is in effect, tests are taken until a sample comes back clean. Sometimes more than one clean sample is required before lifting the boil order. It takes 18 hours to test a water sample. Morris asked if the railroad comes in and checks when there is a leak under the tracks. Administrator Hoel answered the railroad is notified and is able to measure and check the status of the crossing.
Day moved to approve the audit engagement letter submitted by Larsson, Woodyard & Henson, LLP, for auditing services in the amount of $27,750, with a possible increase of $2650, if a yellow book audit is required for grant funds. Waldrop seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop.
Slaughter moved to approve fire equipment purchases in the amount of $17,850, from Air One Equipment, Inc. Morris seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop.
Treasurer Long updated council on the Local Government Health Plan renewal beginning July 1, 2023. Long stated this is the health plan we went with in January for a six month enrollment period. In order to be set up on the state fiscal year, renewal is required. Long added rates have increased by eight percent. Some employee premiums will increase and some will stay the same depending on which plan they chose. Rund moved to approve the Local Government Health Plan renewal effective July 1, 2023. Waldrop seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop.
Slaughter moved to approve the revised proposal from I-57 Roofing in the amount of $36,732.12, for the repairs of the Library roof. This amount includes funds of $6600, for prevailing wages which were not included in the original estimate. Brace seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop.
Hoey moved to approve the lease with Gina Romine for the Tropical Sno concession at the pool. This is a three month lease at $250 per month. Day seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop.
Morris moved to approve the second revision to the temporary summer employee hires. This revision adds Tristan Gadomski as a certified lifeguard. Waldrop seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop.
The motion to adjourn was made by Slaughter and seconded by Brace. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop.
https://tuscola.org/council-meeting-documents
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