City of Anna City Council Met July 20.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The Anna City Council met in regular session at Anna City Hall at 5:03 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Steve Hartline. The roll call went as follows: Present were Commissioner Michael Bigler, Commissioner Kathy Bryan, Commissioner Bryan Miller, Commissioner Martha Ann Webb and Mayor Steve Hartline.
A motion was made by Commissioner Webb and seconded by Commissioner Bryan that it be RESOLVED TO APPROVE THE JULY 6, 2021 ANNA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION MINUTES AS THE OFFICIAL MINUTES OF SAID MEETING. A vote was taken upon the motion with the following results. Commissioner Bigler, Commissioner Bryan, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Webb and Mayor Hartline voted yea. Mayor Hartline declared the motion carried.
David Frank introduced himself to the council. Mr. Frank voiced his concern regarding safety issues within town; in specific to individuals whom are troubled. He explained that an individual recently was on his property and it very much concerned him and his family. He stated he does not have a solution; however, feels very strongly that the administration and elected officials should be resourceful and try to come up with a solution. Mayor Hartline said the council will follow up on the concerns, that they were valid concerns. He stated we have local resources and will discuss and follow up. Commissioner Webb stated that there was an individual in her neighborhood sleeping on her neighbor’s deck. City Administrator Bigler said she asked Police Chief Watkins to find out why individuals were being released directly after arrest. Administrator Bigler stated Chief Watkins said the City of Anna was only allotted a certain number of beds at the jail and that if the violation is a misdemeanor the individual is ticketed and released. Ms. Bigler stated she will follow up with the Union County to see if this method will continue or if it was implemented due to Covid-19. Mayor Hartline stated that the courts have just recently opened back up and there is quite a backlog. Attorney Foley commented that there is a nationwide drug and mental health epidemic. Commissioner Webb stated it would be great to find a grant for housing for those individuals. Commissioner Miller commented that local police officers have been driving individuals to Carbondale because of the organizations there that offer help. Commissioner Webb stated that many local churches have been offering food; however, many individuals still have no where to go. Commissioner Miller commented that he was very grateful for the recent drug bust in the area by our local law enforcement.
City Administrator Bigler updated the council on the following projects; Codification of our ordinances is underway, this includes Administrator Bigler reviewing these and reaching out to Illinois Codification Services with any questions. The Route 146 project is unfortunately delayed; currently the estimated start date is August 2nd. The free swim days being sponsored by various local businesses and individuals has been very successful; currently, 14 days have been sponsored, including a day with a record high 242 kids visiting the pool. The estimate for Hadley’s Haven is being finalized this week; with fundraising to be underway shortly. July 15th the OSLAD grant period will be open for applications. Commissioner Bigler asked when the design will be ready. City Administrator Bigler stated the estimate and design should be ready this week and that she has began the application process but has not completed it due to the estimate and design still being prepared. Commissioner Bryan asked about the OSLAD grant and what it would cover. Administrator Bigler informed the council the grant is a matching 50/50 grant, up to $400,000. She stated the money raised by Hadley’s Haven will be combined with grant money for the project costs. Commissioner Miller asked if the land was given to Hadley’s Haven, and if so, which land. City Administrator Bigler stated that it was decided to have one, all inclusive playground; therefore, the new playground will replace the current playground in the same location it is currently. Discussion was held regarding placing the old playground equipment throughout the city in abandoned property the city owns and therefore providing different neighborhoods easy access to enjoy. City Administrator Bigler stated she would provide maps and updates after the quote is given, hopefully this week.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bryan and seconded by Commissioner Webb that it be RESOLVED TO APPROVE TO PAY ALL APPROVED BILLS. A vote was taken upon the motion with the following results. Commissioner Bigler, Commissioner Bryan, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Webb and Mayor Hartline voted yea. Mayor Hartline declared the motion carried.
Keith Moran presented a feasibility/eligibility study. He discussed how the area qualifies under Illinois TIF law. He stated the area east to west could potentially be a future industrial area. He explained that property that was missed when previously discussing had been added and that the older area of town, the downtown, would be available for re-development and additional properties. Currently the TIF map includes 533 parcels and 462 development parcels. Within the last 3-4 years, the area has had negative growth, this area is not growing like the rest of the areas of town. The City of Anna met the requirements, the feasibility study showed this. The older areas have the potential for rehabilitation, the downtown revitalization, through the improvement program. This program includes but is not limited to demolishing buildings that have deteriorated, utility problems such as aging water and gas lines, flooding and storm water issues; the funds can even be used for the matching portion for grant funding. The City of Anna should generate funds quickly and will then be able to begin projects soon. A public hearing will be scheduled for September 21st, 2021 following a meeting adopting the collection of tax funds beginning in 2022. Commissioner Bigler requested a 3–5-year estimate of funding. Mr. Moran stated he would get this information to the council. Mr. Moran also stated there would also need to be a joint review board meeting to inform the taxing districts as well as mailings to everyone within 750 ft from the TIF district area. Commissioner Bigler asked if these are all of the legal requirements we need to follow. Mr. Moran stated that we are following all of the TIF requirements and that most of those upset do not have a good understanding of TIF. Commissioner Bigler asked about Wal-Mart and why that was not included. Mr. Moran explained that you want to include properties that are aging and Wal-Mart is already developed as well as the Hospital that was mentioned earlier. You want the TIF district to be large enough to create income but not too large for taxing entities to lack capture.
A motion was made by Commissioner Webb and seconded by Commissioner Bryan that it be RESOLVED TO APPROVE PLACING FEASIBILITY STUDY ON FILE FOR 10 DAYS. A vote was taken upon the motion with the following results. Commissioner Bigler, Commissioner Bryan, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Webb and Mayor Hartline voted yea. Mayor Hartline declared the motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bryan and seconded by Commissioner Webb that it be RESOLVED TO APPROVE HIRE OF AIDEN BASS AS FULL-TIME PART-TIME LABORER EFFECTIVE JULY 25TH, 2021. A vote was taken upon the motion with the following results. Commissioner Bigler, Commissioner Bryan, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Webb and Mayor Hartline voted yea. Mayor Hartline declared the motion carried.
The discussion regarding City of Anna social media was tabled. Mayor Hartline stated he will follow up with City Administrator Bigler.
City Administrator Bigler stated she and Commissioner Bigler and Commissioner Miller had discussed the City of Anna getting involved in the Union County Color Fest. They had the idea of closing East and West Davie Streets as well as Lafayette Street and providing live music outside, arts and crafts, vendors, food trucks and allowing alcohol to be sold and taken outside in the permitted area. Administrator Bigler stated, with that being said, there would need to be modifications to our current Liquor Control Ordinance, adding a section regarding City of Anna sponsored block parties; and that she wanted to run this by the council and discuss. Commissioner Bigler commented that an event such as this would attract and accommodate multiple people with various items and would be a family-oriented event. Mayor Hartline commented that there would definitely need to be police presence. Commissioner Miller stated that he had already spoken to Chief Watkins, and he said they could accommodate an event such as this. Administrator Bigler said she will add the Liquor Control Ordinance with the appropriate modifications to the next meeting’s agenda. Commissioner Bryan commented that it was recently brought to her attention the changes regarding seller and server ages in the Illinois Liquor Ordinance; she asked if the City of Anna has updated and included these modifications to our ordinance. City Administrator Bigler stated she would check with the State of Illinois and insure we are enforcing these updated requirements.
A motion was made by Commissioner Webb and seconded by Commissioner Bryan that it be RESOLVED TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 2021-12; SALE OF SURPLUS REAL ESTATE AT 104 CASEY STREET. A vote was taken upon the motion with the following results. Commissioner Bigler, Commissioner Bryan, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Webb and Mayor Hartline voted yea. Mayor Hartline declared the motion carried.
Commissioner Bigler discussed the council keeping the idea of mini playgrounds, utilizing old playground equipment, in mind when dealing with properties in the future. Commissioner Webb commented that it would be nice to reach out to Habitat for Humanity or a similar organization to perhaps get involved with properties in the area.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bryan and seconded by Commissioner Webb that it be RESOLVED TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 2021-13; SALE OF SURPLUS REAL ESTATE AT 305 SYCAMORE STREET. A vote was taken upon the motion with the following results. Commissioner Bigler, Commissioner Bryan, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Webb and Mayor Hartline voted yea. Mayor Hartline declared the motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bryan and seconded by Commissioner Webb that it be RESOLVED TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 2021-14; SALE OF SURPLUS REAL ESTATE AT 623 E. HIGH STREET. A vote was taken upon the motion with the following results. Commissioner Bigler, Commissioner Bryan, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Webb and Mayor Hartline voted yea. Mayor Hartline declared the motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bryan and seconded by Commissioner Webb that it be RESOLVED TO APPROVE CITY PARK USAGE REQUEST FOR ANNA JR. HIGH BASEBALL & SOFTBALL JULY 19TH-OCTOBER 6TH, 2021.A vote was taken upon the motion with the following results. Commissioner Bigler, Commissioner Bryan, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Webb and Mayor Hartline voted yea. Mayor Hartline declared the motion carried.
Commissioner Bigler stated that Public Works Manager, Gary Dahmer, is reaching out to softball coach Pat Pitts and the baseball coach to discuss field upkeep and what is needed.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bryan and seconded by Commissioner Webb that it be RESOLVED TO APPROVE CITY PARK USAGE REQUEST FOR UNION COUNTY COUNSELING 5K OCTOBER 23RD, 2021. A vote was taken upon the motion with the following results. Commissioner Bigler, Commissioner Bryan, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Webb and Mayor Hartline voted yea. Mayor Hartline declared the motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner Webb and seconded by Commissioner Bryan that it be RESOLVED TO APPROVE CITY USAGE REQUEST FOR AJCHS HOMECOMING PARADE PERMIT SEPTEMBER 24TH, 2021. A vote was taken upon the motion with the following results. Commissioner Bigler, Commissioner Bryan, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Webb and Mayor Hartline voted yea. Mayor Hartline declared the motion carried.
Commissioner Webb stated she is very concerned with the condition of many headstones at the cemetery. She commented that many of these are busted and or leaning. She stated that the upkeep of the grounds such as grass was in immaculate condition but the headstones themselves are an issue. City Administrator Bigler stated that she will look into whether the city is liable for the upkeep of the headstones. Mayor Hartline stated he has never heard of the city being responsible and that he would like to see something in writing if this is the case. Public Works Manager Dahmer stated there are an estimated 200 stones down currently. Commissioner Miller stated that perhaps we can reach out to the families and see if they are willing to fix and if they are not, perhaps we need to remove them for safety purposes. Commissioner Webb stated we cannot remove the stones, especially when many families are probably unreachable. City Administrator Bigler stated she will do some research on the responsibly of the upkeep and will get back to the council on what she finds.
A motion was made by Commissioner Webb and seconded by Commissioner Bryan that it be RESOLVED THAT THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE ANNA CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 20th, 2021 BE ADJOURNED AT 6:29 P.M. A vote was taken upon the motion with the following results. Commissioner Bigler, Commissioner Bryan, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Webb and Mayor Hartline. voted yea. Nay – none. Mayor Hartline declared the motion carried.
https://cityofanna.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/July-20-2021-Regular-Session-Minutes.pdf
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