AGENDA
CITY OF SALEM
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2009
6:00 P.M.
I. Call to Order
II. Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
III. Approval of Minutes – February 2, 2009 and February 9, 2009
IV. Presentation of Petitions/Public Comments
V. Mayor’s Report and Presentations
VI. City Council Action
1. Request for 15-Minute Parking Sign – Pat’s Day Care Home, 313 W. McMackin
2. Request to Change Raffle License Fees – Gretchen L. Cavaletto/American Legion
3. Snow Removal From Downtown Sidewalks
4. Consideration of Recommendation from Planning Commission Regarding Construction on Nonconforming Lots
5. Consideration of Loan From General Fund to Motor Fuel Tax Fund
6. Bills Payable
VII. City Manager Report
VIII. City Attorney Report
IX. City Council Report
X. Approval of Closed Session Minutes
XI. Adjournment
Thomas F. Christie
City Manager
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MINUTES
CITY OF SALEM
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2009
6:00 P.M.
I. Call To Order
The Salem City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, February 17, 2009, at the hour of 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Salem City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Leonard E. Ferguson.
Council Members present upon roll call:
Councilman Tom Carr
Councilman Joe Hotze
Councilman Harold Blank
Councilman David Black
Mayor Leonard E. Ferguson
Others Present:
City Manager Thomas F. Christie
City Attorney Michael R. Jones
City Clerk Jane Marshall
Finance Director Marilyn Shook
Public Works Director John Pruden
Assistant to City Manager Bev West
Economic Development Director Tracey McDaneld
Chief of Police Ronald Campo
Code Enforcement Officer Brad Crow
Recreation Director Sherry Daniels
Media: Salem Times Commoner, WJBD Radio, Centralia Sentential, and several members of the public.
Absent:
DOEM Director Terry Mulvany
Library Director Kim Keller
II. Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
Opening prayer led by Councilman Carr, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
III. Approval of Minutes – february 2, 2009 and february 9, 2009
Minutes of Regular City Council Meeting of February 2, 2009 were presented for review.
Councilman Black moved and Councilman Carr seconded the motion to approve the minutes of Regular Council Meeting of February 2, 2009 as written and waive the reading. Roll call vote. AYES: Councilmen Hotze, Blank, Black and Carr. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
Minutes of Special City Council Meeting of February 9, 2009 were presented for review.
Councilman Black moved and Councilman Blank seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the special City Council Meeting of February 9, 2009 as written and waive the reading. Roll call vote. AYES: Councilmen Blank, Black, Carr and Hotze. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
IV. Presentation of Petitions and Public Comments
· Request for reconsideration of increased Swim Team Fees
Brian Hood, 3803 Hester Lane, representing Salem Swordfish Swim Team, asked City Council to reconsider the recent increase in swim team fees and also to reconsider the requirement for swim team members to purchase a pool pass at least until the new pool is completed. He expressed concern that one-third of the team would drop because of this and that another one-third will drop because of the economy. City Manager Christie commented that the increase was at the recommendation of the Recreation Board, just to break even. At the suggestion of Councilman Black, the City Manager indicated this issue will be placed on next agenda for further consideration.
· Request for Review of Off-Premise Signage and Banners
Stacey Maxey, 3359 Tonti Road, representing The Petal Parlor, 1441-B W. Whittaker and Pam Bandy, 7088 Martin Road, Alma, representing Festivities Card and Party store, 1449 W. Whittaker requesting the city ordinance regarding off-premise sign be reviewed. They are considering renting advertising space for signage and banners at a vacant gas station lot on West Main Street for businesses in Westgate Shopping Center to advertise. Following discussion, this issue is to be referred back to the Planning Commission for consideration.
V. Mayor’s Report and Presentations
Resolution 2009-01 – HB-063 and SB-043 – Resolution of Opposition
Mayor Ferguson distributed information from Illinois Enterprise Zone Association regarding HB-063 and SB-043, which if passed would have a detrimental effect on municipalities Enterprise Zones and TIF Districts. He asked Council support in opposition to these bills. Councilman Black moved and Councilman Carr seconded the motion to have a resolution prepared expressing Council’s opposition to passage of HB-063 and SB-043. Roll call vote. AYES: Councilmen Black, Carr, Hotze, and Blank. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
U.S. Route 50 Four-Lane Expansion Update
Mayor Ferguson reported that a letter from the U.S. Route 50 Four-Lane Coalition is being drafted to Senator Richard Durbin requesting funding as a part of the America Recovery economic stimulus legislation. Explaining the need is a phase 1 NEPA evaluation for the initial 15 mile phase of the 76 mile U.S. Route 50 four-lane expansion to begin in Salem with the I-57 and U.S. 50 continuing east 15 miles, IDOT estimation of cost $8,000,000.00.
VI. City Council Action
1. Request for 15 Minute Restricted Parking Sign – Pat’s Day Care Home, 313 W. McMackin
A written request dated January 29, 2009 was received from Patricia L. Crippen, 313 W. McMackin Street to have a “15 Minute” parking limit sign placed directly in front of her business. City Manager Christie indicated that neither he nor Director Pruden see a problem with granting this request, however suggested the hours be from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Councilman Black moved and Councilman Blank seconded the motion to approve 15 minute parking restriction and signage located at Pat’s Day Care Home at 313 West McMackin Street between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Roll call vote. AYES: Councilmen Carr, Hotze, Blank, and Black. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
(City Attorney to prepare an ordinance.)
2. Request to Change Raffle License Fees – Gretchen L. Cavaletto/American Legion
Gretchen Douglas Cavaletto, 5258 England Road, Kell, IL, representing the American Legion, addressed Council requesting the raffle fee structure be reconsidered. She asked that a flat fee per night be considered instead of a fee for each raffle played per day. Following discussion, the City Attorney was instructed to research this issue and report back to Council.
3. Snow Removal From Downtown Sidewalks
City Manager Christie reported that a petition was received by the City Clerk last week that was signed by 49 patrons of CURVES, 111 East Main. The petition read “Downtown patrons are frustrated! Due to the ice-covered, snow-covered sidewalks and parking areas downtown, shopping areas are treacherous. Does the city own shovels? What happened to the motto SHOP SALEM?” He commented that Director Pruden does not see a big issue of removing the snow from the sidewalks. Councilman Black commented that the big problem is that the snow that is plowed from the street is being pushed up against the parking spaces, making it very difficult for people to enter the sidewalks from the street. He suggested that this issue be discussed with IDOT to see if they could
scrape the snow toward the middle of the street and then it could be scooped into trucks to be hauled away. Public Works Director Pruden was instructed to research this issue.
4. Consideration of Recommendation from Planning Commission Regarding Construction on Non-conforming Lots
City Manager Christie reported, at the request from the Mayor and Council, the Planning Commission reviewed the current city code regarding non-conforming lots. The Planning Commission concluded that the current city code was appropriate and recommended no change. Mayor Ferguson and City Council acknowledged receipt of recommendation from the Planning Commission and the issue was discussed further. Mayor Ferguson commented that a property owner should be permitted to place another building on a vacant lot in the same footprint as one that has been removed. This would enable property owners to make the highest and best use of the property as well as add properties to the tax roles. Councilman Black agreed, indicating there should be a means to do this. City Manager
Christie indicated there are not many requests for building permits on non-conforming lots and Ms. West and Public Works Director Pruden added that the Planning Commission has approved variance requests for two properties due to hardship. City Manager Christie commented that the Code states that request for variance can be made. Ms. West explained the variance process and indicated people are encouraged to request a variance to the Planning Commission. Following discussion, it was suggested that this issue be returned to the Planning Commission for further review to determine if there is some way property owners would be able to use their property.
5. Consideration of Loan From General Fund to Motor Fuel Tax Fund
City Manager Christie reported that last fiscal year, due to increased infrastructure work; the Council authorized a loan of $100,000 from the General Fund to the Motor Fuel Tax Fund, with the intent of the Council that the loan is repaid when the Motor Fuel Tax Fund acquired additional revenue. Finance Director Shook advises that MFT now has sufficient funds for the repayment. Councilman Black moved and Councilman Carr seconded the motion to
Approve repayment of the loan in the amount of $100,000 from the Motor Fuel Tax Fund to the General Fund. Roll call vote. AYES: Councilmen Hotze, Blank, Black and Carr. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
6. Bills Payable
Bills payable listing for period ending February 16, 2009 for a total amount of $855,557.35 was presented for review. Following review, Councilman Hotze moved and Councilman Black seconded the motion to approve bills payable as presented, less payment to Joe Hotze Ford in the amount of $723.02. Roll call vote. AYES: Councilmen Black, Carr, Hotze, and Blank. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
Councilman Carr moved and Councilman Blank seconded the motion to approve bills payable to Joe Hotze Ford in the amount of $723.02. Roll call vote. AYES: Councilmen Carr, Blank and Black. NAYS: None. Abstain: Hotze Motion declared carried.
VII. City Manager Report
1. Part-Time Employee for Theatre
City Manager Christie reported that the Theatre Board needs part-time help for around ten hours a week. They have asked if the City could hire a person as a part-time employee and the Theatre Board would reimburse the City for the expenses. No objections were heard from the Council
2. Congratulated the Daffy-Dill Garden Club upon their acceptance by the AAS Board of Directors to become an official Flower All-America Selections Display Garden. This designation was achieved by the Garden Club’s work at the Bryan Statue Memorial Gardens.
3. Federal Stimulus - Expressed concern that IEPA is proposing to handle the stimulus money as loans and not as grants, indicating this will cut back upon projects.
VIII. City Attorney Report
No Report.
IX. City Council Report
Councilman Carr reported a Mardi Gras celebration was held at the community center this week end.
Councilman Hotze commented that Hotze Road and Airport Road were rotor-milled last year and the roads are a little rough, but Public Works Director Pruden indicated that they will level out. Hotze suggested that the city rotor-mill each street.
Councilman Blank and Black – No Report.
Mayor Ferguson commented that the City should go ahead and put up directional signs, suggesting having some made like the green street signs.
Finance Director Shook reported that the budget worksheets have been handed out to the department directors and the budget process is moving forward.
X. Adjournment
Councilman Black moved and Councilman Blank seconded the motion to adjourn at 7:55 p.m. Roll call vote. AYES: Councilmen Carr, Hotze, Blank and Black. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.
Jane Marshall, CMC
City Clerk
Minutes approved by City Council as written March 2, 2009.
| 