City of Anna City Council met Feb. 1
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The Anna City Council met in regular session at Anna City Hall at 4:59 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Acting Mayor Michael Bigler. The roll call went as follows: Present were Commissioner Kathy Bryan, Commissioner Bryan Miller, Commissioner Martha Ann Webb and Acting Mayor Michael Bigler. Mayor Steve Hartline was absent.
A motion was made by Commissioner Webb and seconded by Commissioner Miller that it be RESOLVED TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 18TH, 2022 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 Bryan, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Webb and Acting Mayor Bigler voted yea. Nay – none. Mayor Hartlinewas absent. Acting Mayor Bigler declared the motion carried.
Acting Mayor Bigler asked that Dale and Monica Russell come up to the podium to speak. Mr. Russell explained that he talked with Gary Dahmer about the need for A/C installed at the concession stand. The unit would cost between $700 and $1,000. Acting Mayor Bigler stated that it would be a permanent fixture to the building, it is something that needs to be done and should have already been done. He expressed that the city is thankful that Just Chill will be operating the concession stand this year. Mr. Russell also explained that the screens are all busted out and they would prefer plexiglass be installed. Just Chill will be doing a grand opening on April 2nd with food, music and door prizes. Commissioner Webb asked what time. Mr. Russell stated from 11AM – 7PM.
Pete Housman addressed the council about securing dates and co-sponsorship for 2022 Pumpkin Town. The event will be put on by the AJ Rotary Club, Shawnee Hills Arts Council and the City of Anna. Decorating will be October 16th to the 20th, ribbon cutting the 20th and tear down the 1st and 2nd of November. Mr. Housman said there is a possibility of a few special events during Pumpkin Town as well. These events would include a meet and greet event including fire pits, a teen howl October 22nd, and a kids party on October 29th. Mr. Housman reported that the car counter had 2,200 visitors during the time it was set up for 2021. Mr. Housman said if he needed to fill out an application, he would. Acting Mayor Bigler said yes, we will need an application. Mr. Housman asked the council if they had any further questions. Commissioner Bryan asked if there was a theme. Mr. Housman reported that they are doing a kids art competition with themes to be voted on.
Sean Belcher addressed the council regarding a bill he received for an illegal burn. He stated that he would like to know what happened. His contractor received a citation from the Union County Sheriff’s Department, then it was gone the next day. Mr. Belcher stated that he has filled out a FOIA request for dispatch records. Administrator Bigler clarified that his FOIA was with Union County, not the City of Anna. Assistant Fire Chief Todd Harris explained that the Anna Fire Department was dispatched on scene of a structure fire with no one present. Assistant Chief Harris called Police Chief Bryan Watkins, who informed him that this fire was outside of city limits. Assistant Chief Harris then called dispatch, who explained that someone called earlier and said a barn was being torn down and it was being burned down. A Union County Sheriff’s Deputy showed up onsite and said it was an illegal burn and it should be extinguished. Assistant Chief Harris explained that the structure wasn’t truly a barn since it had siding, a shingled roof, appliances, and other items. City Administrator Dori Bigler explained that the citation received from the county for an illegal burn is separate and unrelated to the bill received from the City of Anna, which was for the Fire Department services rendered. Mr. Belcher thanked the city for clarifying. He also added a thank you for the activities and events that the city is sponsoring.
Discussion was held regarding the Treasurer’s Report. City Administrator Bigler inquired with the council regarding a complaint received by the Mayor regarding the timing of the Treasurer’s Report. Commissioner Miller stated that it is in the ordinance, the one that outlines the city administrator job. Administrator Bigler asked if Commissioner Miller could share the ordinance and section number. She stated that if the timing of the report needed to be updated, it was no problem, it will be the same information regardless of which meeting it is presented.
Administrator Dori Bigler reported on the following projects: (1) We are working with Prevent Child Abuse Illinois to participate in Child Abuse Prevention month, which is April. We will be turning the street lights blue on Davie Street and Herman Wright Drive for the month of April. We might be doing a few other things, which will be reported out at a future date. (2) We discovered that the batch of AP checks approved at the 12/21 meeting and mailed out on 12/22 through USPS were not delivered. We checked the check numbers and none of them had cleared. We created a spreadsheet and cut manual checks for all of these last week. We typed a letter and sent it with the replacement check. All local vendors got the checks hand delivered, nonlocal vendors were mailed. The post office wasn’t aware of any issues and only explained that the mail possibly ‘got on the wrong truck’. (3) As a follow up from last meeting, Administrator Bigler checked with Jonesboro, Cobden and Dongola regarding the Union County Animal Control contract. Jonesboro tabled it, Cobden tabled it and requested more information on the increase, and Dongola received it after their monthly meeting, so it hasn’t been discussed yet. Administrator Bigler will follow up at the next meeting on the status of these. (4) Previously it was reported that we might be able to draw down the remainder of our APP Round 4 grant. Administrator Bigler submitted the documents and it was approved. We were able to draw the remaining $2,833.80, which will go towards the demolish expenses of 204B E Vienna. (5) Ordinance 2016-04 outlines the city’s requirements for signs. There are numerous signs around town that are in violation of this ordinance. Does the council want to enforce this ordinance or update it? The consensus was to update the ordinance. (6) On January 25, 2022 we had a bid opening for the water project. We received 4 bids for the valve and hydrant portion, which will be on the next agenda for approval. We received zero bids for the tank painting portion. Ted Beggs will be contacting the IEPA about the requirements and getting it out for bid again. (7) We have been working with Clarida, USDI and Choate for nearly a year about their gas project. It is finally in motion, as last week the agreement came out of review, was signed and executed. We anticipate the increase in consumption due to Aeriz and Choate will double the city’s current usage. (8) As a heads up, at the next meeting Randy Buelna will be on the agenda in reference to 202 Chestnut. This property was declared a public nuisance on November 1, 2016, and in January 2020 received a court order for demolition. It hasn’t been demolished due to funding. Mr. Buelna will be requesting a proposal to purchase and clean up the property.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bryan and seconded by Commissioner Webb that it be RESOLVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2022-02; PART-TIME SALARIES. A vote was taken upon the motion with the following results. Commissioner Bryan, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Webb and Acting Mayor Bigler voted yea. Nay – none. Mayor Hartline was absent. Acting Mayor Bigler declared the motion carried.
City Administrator Dori Bigler reported that the updates to the Drug/Alcohol Policy are in section B(5) a return to duty testing was added and section C(4) instead of listing the cut off levels, it cites the code; therefore if the code changes, our policy will still be relevant.
A motion was made by Commissioner Webb and seconded by Commissioner Bigler that it be RESOLVED TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 2022-02; EMPLOYEE DRUG & ALOCHOL ABUSE POLICY. A vote was taken upon the motion with the following results. Commissioner Bryan, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Webb and Acting Mayor Bigler voted yea. Nay – none. Mayor Hartline was absent. Acting Mayor Bigler declared the motion carried.
Administrator Bigler explained that the municipal telecommunications tax rate limit increased from 5% to 6% and Ordinance 2022-03 will increase our rate to 6%.
A motion was made by Commissioner Miller and seconded by Commissioner Bryan that it be RESOLVED TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 2022-03; SIMPLIFIED MUNICIPIAL TELECOMMUNICATION TAX RATE CHANGE . A vote was taken upon the motion with the following results. Commissioner Bryan, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Webb and Acting Mayor Bigler voted yea. Nay - none. Mayor Hartline was absent.
Acting Mayor Bigler declared the motion carried.
Administrator Bigler explained that Ordinance 2022-04 is an IML model ordinance, which should have been passed by the Anna City Council in 2004. Acting Mayor Bigler stated the question that this is a mandate. City Attorney Foley stated that yes, it is required by the state legislator.
A motion was made by Commissioner Webb and seconded by Commissioner Bryan that it be RESOLVED TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 2022-04; IMPLEMENTING THE PROVISIONS OF THE STATE OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES ETHICS ACT IN THE CITY OF ANNA. A vote was taken upon the motion with the following results. Commissioner Bryan, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Webb and Acting Mayor Bigler voted yea. Nay – none. Mayor Hartline was absent. Acting Mayor Bigler declared the motion carried.
City Administrator Bigler explained that the Mayor had scheduled individual meetings with each commissioner prior to this meeting to go over Ordinance 2022-05; Council Censure Policy. Commissioner Bigler inquired if anyone can make a complaint. City Attorney Foley stated that a council member has to bring the complaint forward. Commissioner Bigler added that he read over the ordinance and he believes it opens up more avenues for the council to be held accountable. Commissioner Bryan asked if there is a time limit and gave an example of a commissioner stole a car 10 years ago. City Attorney Foley stated that it would be regarding activity while holding office. Commissioner Bryan inquired if she was correct in thinking that the censure is a reprimand and the ethics ordinance is a law and would be grounds for removal. City Attorney Foley stated that a public official cannot be recalled in Illinois.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bryan and seconded by Commissioner Webb that it be RESOLVED TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 2022-05; COUNCIL CENSURE POLICY. A vote was taken upon the motion with the following results. Commissioner Bryan, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Webb and Acting Mayor Bigler voted yea. Nay – none. Mayor Hartlinewas absent. Acting Mayor Bigler declared the motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner Webb and seconded by Commissioner Bryan that it be RESOLVED TO APPROVE THE LAST CHANCE/PROBATION AGREEMENT. A vote was taken upon the motion with the following results. Commissioner Bryan, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Webb and Acting Mayor Bigler voted yea. Nay – none. Mayor Hartlinewas absent. Acting Mayor Bigler declared the motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bryan and seconded by Commissioner Webb that it be RESOLVED TO APPROVE THE ZONING PERMIT FOR COLLIN FREUND AT 925 N. MAIN ST. A vote was taken upon the motion with the following results. Commissioner Bryan, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Webb and Acting Mayor Bigler voted yea. Nay – none. Mayor Hartline was absent. Acting Mayor Bigler declared the motion carried.
Commissioner Bryan asked Police Chief Watkins about the post he made on social media regarding burglaries and if there were specific incidents or neighborhoods they should be aware of. Chief Watkins stated that it was just a friendly reminder.
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 FEBRUARY 1, 2022 BE ADJOURNED AT 5:43 PM. A vote was taken upon the motion with the following results. Commissioner Bryan, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Webb and Acting Mayor Bigler voted yea. Nay – none. Mayor Hartline was absent. Acting Mayor Bigler declared the motion carried.
https://cityofanna.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/FEBRUARY-1-2022-MINUTES-REGULAR-SESSION.pdf
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