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Decatur City Council Minutes - February 16, 2010 05:30PM
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On Tuesday, February 16, 2010 the City Council of the City of Decatur, Illinois met in Regular Meeting and Study Session at 5:30 P.M. in the City Council Chambers, One Gary K. Anderson Plaza, Decatur, Illinois. Mayor Michael T. McElroy presided; together with him being Councilmen Adam M. Brown, Jerry J. Dawson, Larry W. Foster, Patrick S. Laegeler, Julie Moore Wolfe, and Dana M. Ray. All seven members were present. Mayor McElroy declared a quorum present.
City Manager Ryan P. McCrady attended the meeting.
Mayor McElroy led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Invocation was given by J. J. Hairston, Pastor, Galilee Baptist Church.
The minutes of the meeting of February 1, 2010 were presented. Councilman Laegeler moved the minutes be approved as written; seconded by Councilwoman Ray, and on call of the roll, Councilmen Dawson, Foster, Laegeler, Moore, Ray, Brown, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Mayor McElroy called for New Business.
There were no Proclamations or Recognitions.
Sue Neisslie, President of the Coalition of Neighborhood Organizations (CONO), addressed City Council regarding the Neighborhood United Association, formerly the Roosevelt Neighborhood Organization. This neighborhood association was organized in June 2001 and its boundaries are Grand Avenue, Eldorado Street, Monroe Street, and Fairview Avenue. The Association was organized with the assistance of DOVE and activities and events include monthly meetings, a Back to School rally, a weed and seed neighborhood participant, neighborhood cleanups, a designated stop for National Night Out and the Association recently obtained permission to operate the concession stand at Garfield Park. The Association is concerned with drug trafficking and noise ordinance violations. Ms. Neisslie also highlighted the Nelson Park Neighborhood Association; said boundaries are Route 36 East, North 22nd Street, Nelson Park Boulevard, Powers Boulevard, and all of Nelson Park. Nelson Park Neighborhood Association was established four years ago. Association members hold monthly meetings, participate in National Night Out, have a chili cook off event, neighborhood cleanups and have a disaster preparedness plan. Nelson Park Association officers conduct a neighborhood survey to assist its senior members.
Ordinance No. 2010-04, approving the Tax Increment Finance District Pines Shopping Center Redevelopment Plan, was presented.
Councilman Foster moved the ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilman Laegeler, and on call of the roll, Councilmen Dawson, Foster, Laegeler, Moore, Ray, Brown, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Ordinance No. 2010-05, designating the Tax Increment Finance District for the Pines Shopping Center Redevelopment Project Area, was presented.
Councilwoman Moore moved the ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilman Dawson, and on call of the roll, Councilmen Dawson, Foster, Laegeler, Moore, Ray, Brown, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Ordinance No. 2010-06, adopting the Tax Increment Finance District for the Pines Shopping Center Redevelopment Project Area, was presented.
Councilman Dawson moved the ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilman Foster, and on call of the roll, Councilmen Dawson, Foster, Laegeler, Moore, Ray, Brown, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Ordinance No. 2010-07, amending Planned Development District for property located at 1800 East Lake Shore Drive on petition of St. Mary’s Hospital, was presented.
Councilman Brown moved the ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilman Laegeler, and on call of the roll, Councilmen Dawson, Foster, Laegeler, Moore, Ray, Brown, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Resolution R2010-20, approving Amendment to Local Agency Agreement with the State of Illinois Department of Transportation for Restoration of MacArthur Road Bridge at Stevens Creek, was presented.
Councilman Laegeler moved the resolution do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Ray, and on call of the roll, Councilmen Dawson, Foster, Laegeler, Moore, Ray, Brown, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Resolution R2010-21, allocating Motor Fuel Tax Funds for Restoration of MacArthur Road Bridge at Stevens Creek, was presented.
Councilwoman Moore moved the resolution do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Ray, and on call of the roll, Councilmen Dawson, Foster, Laegeler, Moore, Ray, Brown, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Resolution R2010-22, accepting Bid and authorizing Contract with Global Infrastructure, Special Operations Group, LLC, for Lake Decatur Dam Repair Project (CP2009-02), was presented.
Councilman Brown moved the resolution do pass; seconded by Councilman Foster, and on call of the roll, Councilmen Dawson, Foster, Laegeler, Moore, Ray, Brown, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Resolution R2010-23, authorizing Agreement with Bodine Electric for William Street Pump Station Motor Control Center Replacement, was presented.
Councilman Dawson moved the resolution do pass; seconded by Councilman Foster, and on call of the roll, Councilmen Dawson, Foster, Laegeler, Moore, Ray, Brown, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Resolution R2010-24, accepting Proposal and authorizing Engagement Contract with Clifton Gunderson LLP for Financial Audit Services, was presented.
Councilwoman Ray moved the resolution do pass; seconded by Councilman Brown, and on call of the roll, Councilmen Dawson, Foster, Laegeler, Moore, Ray, Brown, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Resolution R2010-25, accepting Bid of Bill Jacobs Joliet LLC for Four Police Pursuit Vehicles, Decatur Police Department, was presented.
Councilwoman Ray moved the resolution do pass; seconded by Councilman Laegeler.
City Manager McCrady responded to Council’s question stating that police calls for service are a top priority and there are no plans to decrease the need for the number of police patrol vehicles.
Councilman Laegeler moved that that resolution be amended to accept the Bid of Miles Chevrolet for Four 2010 Chevrolet Impala Police Pursuit Vehicles; seconded by Councilwoman Moore, and on call of the roll, Councilmen Foster, Laegeler, Moore, Ray, Brown, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. Councilman Dawson abstained. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Upon call of the roll to approve Resolution R2010-25 as amended, Councilmen Foster, Laegeler, Moore, Ray, Brown, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. Councilman Dawson abstained. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Resolution R2010-26, accepting Bid of Miles Chevrolet for One 2010 Chevrolet Full Size Utility Vehicle, Decatur Police Department, was presented.
Councilman Foster moved the resolution do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Moore, and on call of the roll, Councilmen Foster, Laegeler, Moore, Ray, Brown, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. Councilman Dawson abstained. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Ordinance No. 2010-08, authorizing Consumption of Alcoholic Liquor in Central Park for Annual Summer Blues Concerts, was presented.
Councilman Dawson moved the ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilman Foster, and on call of the roll, Councilmen Dawson, Foster, Laegeler, Ray, Brown, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. Councilwoman Moore abstained. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Ordinance No. 2010-09, amending City Code Chapter 34, Traffic, regarding Parking Enforcement Modifications, was presented.
Councilman Dawson moved the ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilman Foster.
City Manager McCrady remarked that some of the parking modifications may take two months to handle administratively and responded to Council’s questions stating that the percentage of agreements made with citizens for unpaid parking fines is unknown; a number of unpaid parking fines are sent to a collection agency; if an agreement has been signed and the owner is current and compliant staff will not boot and tow the vehicle; those with numerous unpaid parking fines and no agreement with the city are subject to having their vehicle “booted and towed” but after receiving prior notice from the city; and it is not certain the number that might be subject to a license suspension.
Councilman Brown stated his support for a majority of the parking modifications but does not agree with increased parking fees.
Following discussion, Councilmen Dawson, Foster, Laegeler, Moore, Ray, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. Councilman Brown voted nay. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Mayor McElroy called for Consent Calendar Items A through E and asked if any Member of Council wished to remove an item from Consent Calendar. Items A through E were approved by Omnibus Vote.
Councilman Dawson moved that Consent Calendar Items A through E be approved by Omnibus Vote; seconded by Councilwoman Ray, and on call of the roll, Councilmen Dawson, Foster, Laegeler, Moore, Ray, Brown, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
A. Receiving and filing minutes of the City Plan Commission meeting of December 3, 2009; the Civil Service Commission meeting of January 5, 2010; the Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Commission meeting of January 27, 2010; and the Fire Pension Board of Trustees meeting of January 5, 2010.
B. Resolution R2010-27 approving and releasing Confidential Minutes of Council Executive Sessions.
C. Resolution R2010-28 approving Expenditure of City Funds for Emergency Water Main Repair at 150 West Pershing Road.
D. Resolution R2010-29 authorizing Action regarding Unsafe Structures located at 565 W. Division, 1055 N. Dunham, 717 N. Edward, 1729 N. Edward, 926 S. Franklin, 1136 E. Grand, 1137 E. Grand, 1204 E. Hickory, 1245 E. Leafland, 245 W. Leafland, 1348 W. Macon, 1159 N. Main, 1015 W. Marietta, 1089 W. Marietta, 918 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, 1673 N. Monroe, 1853 N. Morgan, 2357 E. Prairie, 2357 N. Rosedale, 1344 S. Silas, 1232 W. Sunset, 1167 N. Union, 1413 N. Union, 1504 N. Walnut Grove, and 1012 W. Wood.
E. Resolution R2010-30 authorizing Submission of Grant Application to the State Fire Marshal for the Decatur Fire Department.
This being the time set for Appearance of Citizens, no one indicated they wished to speak.
There was no Other Business.
Councilman Foster moved the Council recess to Study Session for the purpose of a Review of the January 2010 Financial Report and a Discussion regarding the City Manager’s Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2010 / 2011; seconded by Councilman Laegeler, and on call of the roll, Councilmen Dawson, Foster, Laegeler, Moore, Ray, Brown, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
The first item of business was a Review of the January 2010 Financial Report. City Manager McCrady remarked that on the national front there are some signs of recovery but it will be months before it is felt at a local level. Mayor McElroy expressed a concern with the General Fund for the current fiscal year and next fiscal year and would like to see an additional $500,000.00 in the General Fund. A majority of City Council supported the Mayor’s recommendation.
No formal action was taken.
The final item of business was a Discussion regarding the City Manager’s Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2010 / 2011. City Manager Ryan P. McCrady addressed City Council. During the current economic climate, the city’s goal is to provide consistent, high-quality, critical public services with a limited amount of financial resources. City Manager McCrady remarked that the proposed spending plan does not contain any tax increases on city residents as directed by City Council. The recommended plan reduces the city’s General Fund expenses by a projected $3.95 million along with a reduction in city staff of 51 positions. City Manager McCrady informed Council that the salaries of non-represented employees have been frozen and operating budgets for MIS, Fleet Maintenance and the Water Department reduced. The recommended budget also includes the results of the Voluntary Severance Plan of October 2009. City Manager McCrady commented on the overall budgetary philosophies including the deposit of nearly $2 million in sales and income tax revenue into the General Fund those revenues typically had been used to fund projects in the Capital Improvement Fund. City Manager McCrady informed Council that the recommended budget allows for the replacement of only a minimal amount of equipment and vehicles. As a result of this decision, the vacant positions for a mechanic and fleet supervisor were replaced to handle equipment and vehicle related issues. As previously mentioned, the city’s non-represented employees will not receive any salary increase but the recommended budget does contain funding for salary increases that are a part of the current collective bargaining agreements. City Manager McCrady informed Council that the recommended budget includes 12 authorized but unfunded positions. Funding for the Decatur Sister Cities Committee has been reduced from $15,000.00 to $7,500.00. Additionally, funding for City Center Decatur has been reduced by $25,000.00; the Senior Center by $7,000.00; and the Decatur Area Convention and Visitors Bureau by $24,000.00. Also, funding was eliminated for school crossing guards from the Police Department budget. In closing, City Manager McCrady commented that citizens will see a difference in how things are done, for example, it may take longer for yards to be mowed. The City Manager suggested budget discussions with various departments during the three meetings in March with the budget adopted at the Council’s first meeting in April.
Members of City Council commented on the manager’s presentation with some expressing concern about a reduction in the Decatur Convention and Visitors Bureau budget since this entity is a revenue generator for the City; whether the Decatur Park District has been contacted to help the Senior Center; whether to completely cut funding for the Decatur Municipal Band or inform the officers of their need to conduct fund raising events; and a request for a list of what the city is funding that may not be necessary.
City Manager McCrady responded to Council’s questions stating that this budget is sustainable but next year the city will need funding for capital improvements and equipment replacement adding the city needs to have the long term goal of $5 to $6 million in the General Fund; and providing a list of items and / or agencies that may not be necessary is subjective.
A majority of Council supported the Mayor’s directive that there be between $550,000.00 and $600,000.00 in the fund balance by April 30, 2010.
Victor Osuna, Council 31 representing General Services Local 268, stated he is against the budget and the city should not add to the its unemployment rate. Additionally, any cut backs in fire and police are critical services. Mr. Osuna commented on the recently discussed dredge operations and the extra money required to outsource this project. In closing, Mr. Osuna stated the city needs to look at innovative ways to improve our economy.
No formal action was taken.
There being no further business, Councilwoman Moore moved the meeting be adjourned; seconded by Councilman Dawson, and on call of the roll, Councilmen Dawson, Foster, Laegeler, Moore, Ray, Brown, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. The Mayor declared the meeting adjourned at 6:40 P.M.
Celeste F. Harris, City Clerk
Approved: March 1, 2010