McHenry Times

City of Marengo City Council met May 28.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

 CALL TO ORDER 

Mayor John Koziol called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

Mayor John Koziol led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL Present this evening are Mayor John Koziol; Aldermen Matt Keenum, Mike Miller, Mike DeSerto, Nicole DeBoer (entered the meeting at 7:10), Dennis Hammortree, Jared Secor, Joseph Mills and Steve Mortensen. Also present are City Administrator Joshua Blakemore, Interim Chief of Police Paul Fritz, City Attorney David McArdle and Finance Director Jennifer Snelten.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 

An individual asked 5 questions of the Council regarding the status of 300 West LLC/Arnold Engineering and the road/water line project for Ritz Road and Railroad Street. Attorney McArdle spoke to her about. making a call with her to the EPA about the questions and the delay.

A trustee for Riley Township talked about the proposed agreement between the City and Riley Township for repairs and paving to Coon Creek Road. The Council will be discussing this proposal under New Business.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES - May 13, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes Alderman Steve Mortensen made a motion, seconded by Alderman Mike DeSerto, to approve the minutes from the meeting. The aldermen voted as follows:

Ayes: Mortensen, Miller, Mills, DeSerto, Hammortree and Secor 

Nays: 0

Absent: DeBoer 

Abstain: Keenum 

The motion passed.

APPROVAL OF LIST OF BILLS Alderman Joseph Mills made a motion, seconded by Alderman Mike DeSerto, to approve the list of bills in the amount of $242,936.19. The aldermen voted as follows:

Ayes: Mills, Hammortree, Mortensen, Miller, Secor, DeSerto and Keenum 

Nays: 0

Absent: DeBoer 

The motion passed.

NEW BUSINESS

a. Motion to Approve the Request from Riley Township, to participate in Cook Creek Road Paving Project in an amount not to exceed $10,400

Administrator Blakemore reviewed the information that was presented at the last meeting. Dave Diamond, Riley Township Road Commissioner, spoke about the project and why the township was approaching the City for this project. There was concern about a possible re-alignment of the entry onto Coon Creek Road once building in that area occurs. As there are no plans at this time for development, that concern would be addressed at that time. Alderman DeBoer questioned if an agreement could be made between the City and the Township regarding plowing of roads, and Mr. Diamond said they would be willing to talk about that.

Alderinan Dennis Hammortree made a motion, seconded by Alderman Steve Mortensen, to approve the request from Riley Township, to participate in the Coon Creek Road Paving Project, in an amount not to exceed $10,400. The aldermen voted as follows:

Ayes: Secor, Hammortree, DeBoer, Mortensen and Keenum 

Nays: Mills, DeSerto and Miller 

The motion passed

b. Motion to Approve an Ordinance Amending the Special Use Permit for 631 E. Grant Highway, to

allow for a Professional Office Use in the B-3 Zoning District The property in question is the former State Farm office building. Paula Rieghins is purchasing the building, and the current permit allows for use as an insurance office. This amendment will allow her to use the building for her professional office.

Alderman Nicole DeBoer made a motion, seconded by Alderman Matt Keenum, to approve an ordinance amending the Special Use Permit for 631 E. Grant Highway, to allow for a professional office use in the B-3 Zoning District. The aldermen voted as follows:

Ayes: Hammortree, Keenum, Secor, DeSerto, Miller, Mills, Mortensen and DeBoer 

Nays: 0

The motion passed.

c. Motion to Approve an Amendment to the Economic Development Consulting Agreement with Teresa Nortillo, regarding services to join the Harvard - Woodstock Enterprise Zone, in an amount not to exceed $15,000 Teresa Nortillo presented an amendment to the agreement between NCG (Nortillo Consulting Group) and the City, to include work on applying to become a member of the Harvard -- Woodstock Enterprise Zone. She explained the benefits of joining the group, and reviewed the process and costs,

Alderman Nicole DeBoer made a motion, seconded by Alderman Matt Keenum, to approve an amendment to the Economic Development Consulting Agreement with Teresa Nortillo, regarding services to join the Harvard - Woodstock Enterprise Zone, in an amount not to exceed $15,000. The aldermen voted as follows:

Ayes: Miller, DeBoer, Mortensen, Keenum, Mills and Secor 

Nays: DeSerto and Hammortree

The motion passed.

d. Motion to Waive the Competitive Bid Process, and Authorize the Purchase of a Squad Car as per the FY 2019/2020 Budget, in an amount not to exceed $24,454

Interim Police Chief Fritz presented information regarding the purchase of a 2019 Dodge Charger PPV. Included with his information were the various prices that he received for that vehicle from Sunnyside

Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram ($24,454), Veto Enterprises (+$363), Napleton Fleet Group (+$621) and the State Bid dealership in Taylorville, IL (+$621). He recommended purchasing the vehicle through Sunnyside. The additional cost to outfit the new vehicle will be about $3400. This will replace the 2014 Chevy Impala, with 115,000 miles.

Alderman Mike DeSerto made a motion, seconded by Alderman Steve Mortensen, to waive the competitive bid process, and to authorize the purchase of a squad car as per the FY 2019/2020 budget, in an amount not to exceed $24,454. The aldermen voted as follows:

Ayes: DeSerto, DeBoer, Secor, Miller, Mortensen, Keenum, Hammortree and Mills 

Nays: 0

The motion passed.

MAYOR'S STATEMENT AND REPORT 

Mayor Koziol expressed his thanks to the American Legion for the Memorial Day Ceremonies. It was well attended by the residents of Marengo.

DEPARTMENT HEAD AND STAFF REPORTS 

Finance Director Jennifer Snelten had provided the monthly (April) report as well, the Budget Trend report, and the WWTP Expansion Fund information. She invited the newly elected aldermen to meet with her and review the budget and the various funds involved.

Interim Police Chief of Police Paul Fritz spoke to the Council about changes that will occur on July 1st, involving new laws that will take effect at that time. They will be attending a class on June 4, involving the change in fines (criminal and traffic assessment). He will be working with David McArdle's office regarding the new tobacco law (which eliminates fines and consequences for underage persons). The City will need to update the tobacco ordinance to comply with the new law.

City Administrator Joshua Blakemore advised that the City was upgrading their server, working through the usual problems with the new updates, etc. He spoke briefly about the mapping for the possible Enterprise Zone. The part-time office assistant at the Public Works office is going to be moving to Arizona, so the position will need to be filled following her move.

City Attorney David McArdle advised that the Council would be going into Executive Session.

City Clerk Connie Boxleitner advised the Council that a review of the Executive Session minutes would be done at the second meeting in June (6-24-2019). The Aldermen should stop by the Clerk's office anytime after the 10th of June, to read through the minutes.

REPORTS AND STATEMENTS FROM CITY COUNCIL 

None

EXECUTIVE SESSION

a. Discussion of Pending or Imminent Litigation Pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (11) Alderman Nicole DeBoer made a motion at 8:00 PM, seconded by Alderman Matt Keenum, to go to Executive Session for a discussion of pending or imminent litigation pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (11). The aldermen voted as follows:

Ayes: DeBoer, Hammortree, Keenum, Mortensen, DeSerto, Miller, Mills and Secor

Nays: 0

The motion passed.

ROLL CALL 

Present at 8:41 PM, following Executive Session, are Mayor John Koziol; Aldermen Mike DeSerto, Matt Keenum, Jared Secor, Joseph Mills, Nicole De Boer, Mike Miller, Dennis Hammortree and Steve Mortensen. Also present are City Administrator Joshua Blakemore and City Attorney David McArdle.

Mayor Koziol updated the Council on a meeting between the City and the Baxter-Woodman Engineering

firm regarding their possibly being used for future projects. They will also contact the Robinson firm. Attorney McArdle noted that the City did not need to make one firin their sole engineering firm. They can use the best firm for the specific project.

Administrator Blakemore clarified with the Council that the funds for the Coon Creek Project would be taken from the City's Contingency Fund.

ADJOURNMENT Alderman Nicole DeBoer made a motion at 8:42 PM, seconded by Alderman Steve Mortensen, to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed with a voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:42 PM.

https://ln.sync.com/dl/748154080/ybiubhwd-r6awy2mf-dbtsyse8-49nruphk/view/doc/2900017000010