McHenry Times

City of Marengo City Council met April 27.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER 

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

ROLL CALL 

Present this evening are Mayor John Koziol; Aldermen Matt Keenum, Mike DeSerto, Nicole DeBoer, Darin Mobley, Jared Secor and Steve Mortensen. Also present are City Administrator Joshua Blakemore, Interim Chief of Police Paul Fritz, City Attorney David McArdle, Director of Public Works Dan Streit and Finance Director Jennifer Snelten. Aldermen Mike Miller and Dennis Hammortree were absent.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 

A resident who works for a company that makes hand sanitizer would like to donate a 5 gallon container to the City of Marengo Police Department, Public Works, and Rescue Squad. He will meet with Administrator Blakemore and explain the mixing and specific handling instructions. It is EPA Registered

A resident offered his appreciation and thanks to the Fire Department, Rescue Squad, Police and all the front line personnel who are out there taking care of things.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES - April 13, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes 

Alderman Nicole DeBoer made a motion, seconded by Alderman Mike DeSerto, to approve the minutes from the April 13, 2020 meeting, with the correction to add Public Works Director Dan Streit to the roll call. The aldermen voted as follows:

Ayes: Keenum, Mortensen, DeBoer, Secor, DeSerto and Mobley 

Nays:

Absent:Miller and Hammortree 

The motion passed.

APPROVAL OF LIST OF BILLS 

A question was asked regarding the addition of 2 security cameras, and Chief Fritz explained where the cameras were placed. A request was made to have the attorneys billings show the hours expended for time spent on various projects, etc., similar to what the engineering firm is doing.

Alderman Nicole DeBoer made a motion, seconded by Alderman Jared Secor, to approve the list of bills, in an amount not to exceed $96,328.06. The aldermen voted as follows:

Ayes: Secor, Mortensen, DeBoer, Mobley, DeSerto and Keenum 

Nays:

Absent: Hammortree and Miller The motion passed.

NEW BUSINESS

a. Motion to Ratify Change Order to Agreement with Luco Land Development for Storm Sewer Repairs in the amount of $1,500, with a total not to exceed an amount of $14,091.60. 

Public Works Director Streit explained the problem that occurred during the storm sewer repairs, and the need for the additional amount. The problem was from a repair done 15+ years ago.

Alderman Nicole DeBoer made a motion, seconded by Alderman Steve Mortensen, to ratify a change order to the agreement with Luco Land Development for storm sewer repairs, in the amount of $1,500, with a total not to exceed an amount of $14,091.60. The aldermen voted as follows:

Aye: Mobley, Secor, DeSerto, DeBoer, Mortensen and Keenum

Nay:

Absent: Hammortree and Miller 

The motion passed.

b. Motion to Approve a Transfer from the General Fund to Capital Improvement Fund, Police Pension Fund, Retirement Fund, Police & Street Vehicle Replacement Funds, and Capital Improvement Streets Fund Administrator Blakemore reviewed the information with the Council, outlining his suggestions on transfers of surplus funds to various funds. Recommendations are: $40,435 - Police Pension Fund; $47,350 -- Retirement Fund; $72,000 - Capital Improvement Fund; $55,000 - Streets Vehicle Replacement Fund; $28,000 - Police Vehicle Replacement Fund; $203,173 - Capital Improvements Streets Fund. When questioned on the projected cost for Prospect Street, Administrator Blakemore noted a cost of $2,400,000. The City has received news that the application through the Council of Mayors have ranked the project 4th out of 26 projects submitted, and therefore is eligible for federal funding on the fiscal years of 2021/2022 and 2022/2023. The amount of the grant is $1,500,000.

Alderman Nicole DeBoer made a motion, seconded by Alderman Matt Keenum, to approve a transfer from the General Fund to the various funds as recommended. The aldermen voted as follows:

Aye: Keenum, Mobley, DeSerto, Secor, Mortensen and DeBoer 

Nay:

Absent: Hammortree and Miller 

The motion passed.

c. Motion to Approve an Ordinance Making the Supplemental Appropriations for FY 2019/2020 Finance Director Snelten talked about the reason for the Supplemental Appropriations Ordinance. A change by the police department staff that determined the PD Drug Forfeiture Fund reserves could be used to offset the cost of equipment installed in the new M5 squad car.

Alderman Nicole DeBoer made a motion, seconded by Alderman Steve Mortensen, to approve an ordinance making the Supplemental Appropriations for FY 2019/2020. The aldermen voted as follows:

Aye: DeSerto, DeBoer, Mortensen, Keenum, Secor and Mobley 

Nay:

Absent: Miller and Hammortree

The motion passed.

MAYOR'S STATEMENT AND REPORT 

Mayor Koziol thanked everyone for continuing on and staying healthy.

DEPARTMENT HEAD AND STAFF REPORTS 

Director of Public Works Dan Streit advised that in going through old reports, one was discovered from 2013, wherein it was indicated that there is a hole in the top of the water tower on South Street. They are checking into this and if it is true, the hole will be fixed.

Finance Director Jennifer Snelten had nothing further.

Interim Chief of Police Paul Fritz advised that officers would be going to the shooting range in staggered groups of 3 at a time, May 5 and May 6, to qualify per state requirements.

City Administrator Joshua Blakemore was happy with the information on the General Fund, but was not looking forward to the information on the water/sewer fund. At this time, the stay at home order through the Governor has been continued through the end of May. Therefore, the May meetings will again be done telephonically.

City Attorney David McArdle had no report,

REPORTS AND STATEMENTS FROM CITY COUNCIL 

Alderman DeBoer asked about the lawsuit that had been filed regarding the Governors “Stay at Home" order, and how it affects Marengo. Attorney McArdle explained that the lawsuit, and the determination by the court, only affects the specific individual (or locality) that filed the lawsuit.

ADJOURNMENT 

Alderman Nicole DeBoer made a motion at 7:27 PM, seconded by Alderman Darin Mobley, to adjourn the meeting. As there were no dissenting votes, the Clerk declared the meeting adjourned.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TO28ZL4upq7BAc3W2PTQGxIlbVkfNsNilnR2hlQrR5U/edit