McHenry Times

City of Marengo City Council met Sept. 23.

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; Aldeimen Matt Keenum, Mike Miller, Mike DeSerto, Nicole DeBoer, Joseph Mills, Jared Secor and Steve Mortensen, Also present are City Administrator Joshua Blakemore, Acting Chief of Police Paul Fritz, City Attorney David McArdle, WWTP Foreman Jim Mangum, Director of Public Works Dan Streit, Water Foreman Steve Clesceri and Finance Director Jennifer Snelten. Alderman Dennis Hammortree was absent.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 

None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES - September 9, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes Alderman Nicole DeBoer made a motion, seconded by Alderman Mike DeSerto, to approve the minutes from the meeting. The aldermen voted as follows:

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

Nays: 0

Absent: Hammortree 

The motion passed.

APPROVAL OF LIST OF BILLS 

Alderman Nicole DeBoer made a motion, seconded by Alderman Mike Deserto, to approve the list of bills in the amount of $61,676.28. The aldermen voted as follows:

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

Nays; Absent: Hammortree 

The motion passed.

NEW BUSINESS

a. Discussion and Direction on Draft Ordinances Regarding Zoning, Local Taxes and the Use of Cannabis Attorney McArdle discussed possible changes to Chapter 22, Marengo Zoning Code, regarding Adult Use Cannabis. A copy of the ordinance amending Chapter 22 was reviewed by the Council.

The first amendinent outlines the zoning classifications that would be allowed and for what types of cannabis uses. This item will be before the PZC on the 30th of September, The categories are: Adult-Use Cannabis Craft Grower, Adult-Use Cannabis Cultivation Center, Adult-Use Cannabis Dispensing Organization, Adult-Use Cannabis Infuser Organization or Infuser, Aduft-Use Cannabis Processing Organization or Processor and Adult-Use Cannabis Transporting Organization or Transporter. All of these classifications are "Special Use".

The second ordinance, amending Chapter 34, involves possible taxes imposed for cannabis sold at a dispensary within the City's limits. The tax could be set at 0% - or up to 3%. Discussion involved zoning, taxation and use.

The third ordinance, amending Chapter 43, would prohibit the use of cannabis in a public place.

b. Public Hearing Concerning the Intent of the City Council to sell, not to exceed $1,500,000

General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), to pay the Costs of Street Improvements within the City and Refunding Certain Outstanding Alternate Bonds of the City

Alderman Nicole DeBoer made a motion at 7:30 PM, seconded by Alderman Mike DeSerto, to open the Public Hearing regarding the intent of the City Council to sell, not to exceed $1,500,000 General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), to pay the costs of street improvements within the City and refunding certain outstanding alternate bonds of the City. The aldermen voted as follows:

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

Nays; 0

Absent: Hammortree 

The motion passed.

Administrator Blakemore stated: “The intent of the bonds that will be sold by the City is to refund some of the existing debt or to refund the entirety of the existing debt for Prospect Street, and to add an additional $350,000 in new debt to pay for the final invoice on that project. We are required to notify what the intent of these are for, and what we are using these for. Public Notice was provided for in the Northwest Herald and published accordingly."

There were no questions from the Council or the public, and no written correspondence regarding this matter has been received.

Alderman Nicole DeBoer made a motion at 7:32 PM, seconded by Alderman Steve Mortensen, to close the Public Hearing. The aldermen voted as follows:

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

Nays: 0

Absent: Hammortree 

The motion passed.

C. Motion to Accept a Proposal from Hidrostal LLC to Rebuild Two (2) Wastewater Treatment Plant Pumps in an amount not to exceed $17,500 Jim Mangum, WWTP Foreman, spoke to the Council about the 3 influent pumps that are in need of major repairs. It is being recommended that we make repairs to two (2) of the pumps at this time, at a cost of $17,500. The monies for these repairs will be paid from the WWTP Maintenance Equipment line item.

Alderman Nicole DeBoer made a motion, seconded by Alderman Mike DeSerto, to accept a proposal from Hidrostal LLC to rebuild two (2) wastewater treatment plant pumps, in an amount not to exceed $17,500. The aldermen voted as follows:

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

Nays: 0

Absent: Hammortree 

The motion passed.

d. Motion to Accept Change Order #1 to the Municipal Well & Pump Contract Dated August 28, amount, not to exceed $45,600, and total project costs not to exceed $91,200 Administrator Blakemore updated the Council on the repairs to Well 6. The original estimate for the repairs was strictly an estimate as the total cost to repair the well could not be determined until the well was pulled and inspected. The inspection found a hole in the well casing - which requires a patch. The additional cost for the needed repairs is $45,600. Mike Mueller, Project Manager for Municipal Well & Pump was in attendance to answer any questions,

Alderman Nicole DeBoer made a motion, seconded by Alderman Matt Keenum, to accept change order #1 to the Municipal Well & Pump Contract dated August 28, 2019, to add an amount not to exceed $45,600, for a total project cost not to exceed $91,200. The aldermen voted as follows:

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

Nays: 0

Absent: Hammortree

The motion passed.

MAYOR'S STATEMENT AND REPORT Mayor Koziol had nothing to report.

DEPARTMENT HEAD AND STAFF REPORTS Finance Director Jennifer Snelten noted that two reports were handed out to the Council prior to the meeting regarding the month of August.

Director of Public Works Dan Streit updated the Council on the occupancy for the businesses on the East end of town (Dunkin Donuts, Armanetti's and Marengo Community Pharmacy). The inspections have been completed. The leaf collection will begin on the 7th of October.

Acting Chief of Police Paul Fritz was happy to report that production of the new squad car will start on the 28th of September, with delivery expected to be 2 weeks after that. The IGA (Inter-Governmental Agreement) between Marengo and Boone County has been approved, and our officers will be going out to the range on Thursday to qualify with rifles. Lexus Nexus, a computerized accident reporting system is being initiated. This will speed up the process of taking reports, filing them with the State and responding to requests for copies of reports.

=City Administrator Joshua Blakemore reported that the new Public Works staff member started today, and that the department is now fully staffed. The “Paddle the Kish” group is pursuing a grant, and needs the support of the residents to go online and vote for the project. Go to their Facebook page for information, The next will be City Council meeting will be on the 14th of October. There is a matter to be discussed this evening in closed session.

City Attorney David McArdle had no report.

REPORTS AND STATEMENTS FROM CITY COUNCIL 

Alderman DeBoer asked the status on the water hook up for residents living on Ritz. Road, and Attorney McArdle updated the Council with status.

Alderman Miller noted that the "Paddle the Kish" group is one of 25 applicants for a $25,000 grant. Please go online and vote. There will also be an open house at Marengo Township, by the group, on Thursday, September 26, 2019 from 4 to 8 pm.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

a. Discussion of Pending or Imminent Litigation Pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (11)

Alderman Nicole DeBoer made a motion at 8:01 PM, seconded by Alderman Steve Mortensen, to go to Executive Session for a discussion of pending or imminent litigation pursuant to 5 LCS 120/2 (c)(11). The aldermen voted as follows:

Ayes: DeSerto, DeBoer, Mills, Miller, Mortensen, Keemum, and Secor 

Nays: 0

Absent; Hammortree 

The motion passed

ROLL CALL 

Returning from Executive Session at 8:16 PM, are Mayor John Koziol; Aldermen Nicole DeBoer, Matt Keenum, Steve Mortensen, Mike DeSerto, Mike Miller, Jared Secor, and Joseph Mills. Also present are City Administrator Joshua Blakemore and City Attorney David McArdle, Alderman Hammortree was absent.

ADJOURNMENT 

Alderman Steve Mortensen made a motion at 8:17 PM, seconded by Alderman Nicole DeBoer, to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed with a voice vote.

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