Illinois Valley Times

The Ottawa City Council met Oct. 4 to take legal action against various properties.

Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the council"

The Ottawa City Council includes the mayor, the city clerk and four commissioners. Meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at city hall, 301 W. Madison St.

Ottawa, Illinois October 4, 2016

Regular meeting of the Council of the City of Ottawa, Illinois.

Present: Daniel F. Aussem, Thomas G. Ganiere, and James J. Less. Absent: Wayne A. Eichelkraut Jr. and Robert M Eschbach.

Commissioner Ganiere presented minutes of previous meeting. Moved by Commissioner Ganiere that the minutes of a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Ottawa, Illinois, held on Tuesday, September 20, 2016, be approved as recorded in the permanent files of the City Clerk. Second by Less. Ayes: Ganiere, Less, and Mayor Pro Tem Aussem. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Vanessa Worley, of 902 Ottawa Avenue, congratulated Ottawa Friendship House on 50 years. Ms. Worley has worked for a Public School District for around 25 years. She originally intended on doing a presentation which included an hour’s worth of video footage of Ottawa Avenue traffic. She counted over 150 cars in that time frame. She is concerned about the traffic safety at 824 Ottawa Avenue, the proposed group home location for Ottawa Friendship House. She is also concerned about property taxes and property values decreasing should the conditional use permit be granted. When asked if she had anything in writing to back up the claim, that her property would be decreased in value, between 3-4%, she answered no. She is worried that there will also be a stress on public services.

Beth Mangold, of Ottawa Friendship House, countered the property value and safety concerns. She stated that property values have actually gone up in group home areas, because of group homes being a good neighbor. She also added that she has 40 years in the field.

James Bodine, of 819 Ottawa Avenue, resides across the street and wondered if background checks are done for employees regarding criminal pasts/sex offenders. Ms. Mangold responded that everyone is finger printed and no criminals or sex offenders are hired.

Jerry Halterman, has 2 handicapped boys himself that reside at Sullivan House in Ottawa. The facility is top notch and they receive great care. He extended an invitation to Ms. Worley for a tour, so she could become better acquainted with one of Ottawa’s group homes.

Stanley Carpenter, a resident of OFH, added how they will each have their own room. Kathy Suroski, noted that they are proponents of Ottawa Friendship House and delighted that they will be their new neighbors. She only wondered about vehicles. Beth Mangold replied that there will be 1 van and 2 staff, so possibly 3-4 vehicles at the most at one time, since the residents do not drive.

Commissioner Ganiere presented Report of Police Chief. Moved by Commissioner Ganiere that the Report of Police Chief, Brent A. Roalson, for the month of September 2016, be received and placed on file. Second by Less. Ayes: Ganiere, Less, and Mayor Pro Tem Aussem. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Commissioner Ganiere presented Report of Fire Chief. Moved by Commissioner Ganiere that the Report of Fire Chief, Steve Haywood, for the month of September 2016, be received and placed on file. Second by Less. Ayes: Ganiere, Less, and Mayor Pro Tem Aussem. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Commissioner Less presented Resolution. Moved by Commissioner Less that a Resolution appropriating $175,500.00 of Motor Fuel Tax Funds for the 4-H Road Reconstruction project, be adopted. Second by Ganiere. Ayes: Ganiere, Less, and Mayor Pro Tem Aussem. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Commissioner Less presented Resolution. Moved by Commissioner Less that a Resolution authorizing the execution of an engineering services agreement between the City of Ottawa and Renwick & Associates Inc., for the 4-H Road Reconstruction Project, be received and placed on file for public inspection. Second by Ganiere. Ayes: Ganiere, Less, and Mayor Pro Tem Aussem. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Commissioner Less presented Request. Moved by Commissioner Less that the Request for an alley vacation from TMC Illinois 2 LLC, CVS Pharmacy, located near the northeast intersection of Columbus Street and Norris Drive be received and a public hearing be set for such vacation on Tuesday, November 15, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Second by Ganiere. Ayes: Ganiere, Less, and Mayor Pro Tem Aussem. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Pro Tem Aussem presented Report of Registrar. Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Aussem that the Report of Registrar, Shelly L. Munks, for the month of September 2016, be received and placed on file. Second by Ganiere. Ayes: Ganiere, Less, and Mayor Pro Tem Aussem. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Pro Tem Aussem presented Report of Parking Administration. Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Aussem that the Report of the Parking Administration Department showing fines collected of $2,252.00 for the month of September 2016, be received and placed on file. Second by Less. Ayes: Ganiere, Less, and Mayor Pro Tem Aussem. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Pro Tem Aussem presented Report of Building Official. Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Aussem that the Report of Building Official, Michael J. Sutfin, for the month of September 2016, be received and placed on file. Second by Ganiere. Ayes: Ganiere, Less, and Mayor Pro Tem Aussem. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Pro Tem Aussem presented Report of Sidewalk Program. Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Aussem that the Report of the Sidewalk Program showing 3 participants in the amount of $1,220.25, for the month of September 2016, be approved and paid for from the General Corporate Fund. Second by Ganiere. Ayes: Ganiere, Less, and Mayor Pro Tem Aussem. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Pro Tem Aussem presented Biweekly Salary Payroll. Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Aussem that the Biweekly Salary Payroll of September 23, 2016, in the amount of $328,727.48, be approved and warrants issued. Second by Less. Ayes: Ganiere, Less, and Mayor Pro Tem Aussem. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Pro Tem Aussem presented Monthly Expense Report. Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Aussem that the Monthly Expense Report of October 4, 2016, showing expenses in the amount of $786,091.85, be approved and warrants issued. Second by Ganiere. Ayes: Ganiere, Less, and Mayor Pro Tem Aussem. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Pro Tem Aussem presented Resolution. Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Aussem that a Resolution authorizing the execution of a transit service agreement between the City of Ottawa and Horizon House of the Illinois Valley Inc., which has been on file for public inspection since September 20, 2016, be adopted. Second by Less. Ayes: Ganiere, Less, and Mayor Pro Tem Aussem. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Pro Tem Aussem presented Resolution. Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Aussem that a Resolution authorizing the execution and amendment of a downstate operating assistance grant agreement, be adopted. Second by Ganiere. Ayes: Ganiere, Less, and Mayor Pro Tem Aussem. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Pro Tem Aussem presented Resolution. Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Aussem that a Resolution authorizing the execution of transit service agreements between the City of Ottawa, Probation & Court Services, and the Center for Youth & Family Solutions, be received and placed on file for public inspection. Second by Less. Ayes: Ganiere, Less, and Mayor Pro Tem Aussem. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Pro Tem Aussem presented Resolution. Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Aussem that a Resolution authorizing the execution of a supplemental engineering services agreement between the City of Ottawa and Renwick & Associates Inc., regarding the Madison Street Storm Sewer and water main project, which has been on file for public inspection since September 20, 2016, be adopted. Second by Ganiere. Ayes: Ganiere, Less, and Mayor Pro Tem Aussem. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Pro Tem Aussem presented Resolution. Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Aussem that a Resolution authorizing the execution of a sale of public property agreement between the City of Ottawa and CL Real Estate LLC, for property located at 112 West Madison Street, be received and placed on file for public inspection. Second by Ganiere. Ayes: Ganiere, Less, and Mayor Pro Tem Aussem. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Pro Tem Aussem presented Resolutions. Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Aussem that Resolutions authorizing the transfer of certain real property from the City of Ottawa to Starved Rock Homes Development Corporation, regarding 1845 LaSalle Street and 412 West Washington Street, be adopted. Second by Less. Ayes: Ganiere, Less, and Mayor Pro Tem Aussem. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Pro Tem Aussem presented Resolution. Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Aussem that a Resolution authorizing legal action against property located at 1203 Fulton Street, be adopted. Second by Ganiere. Ayes: Ganiere, Less, and Mayor Pro Tem Aussem. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Pro Tem Aussem presented Resolution. Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Aussem that a Resolution authorizing legal action against property located at 205-207 West Main Street, be adopted. Second by Less. Ayes: Ganiere, Less, and Mayor Pro Tem Aussem. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Pro Tem Aussem presented Requests. Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Aussem that the Requests for variances for properties located at 900 Pearl Street and 2308 Cherie Lane, both be received and referred to the Zoning Board of Appeals for review and recommendation. Second by Ganiere. Ayes: Ganiere, Less, and Mayor Pro Tem Aussem. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Pro Tem Aussem presented Report of Plan Commission. Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Aussem that the Reports of the Plan Commission meetings held on Wednesday, September 21, 2016, and Monday, September 26, 2016, considering the Preliminary and Final Plat for Steinhour Subdivision located at 1711 and 1713 Guion Street, the Re-Subdivision of Brookside Residential Lot 1, and a proposed zoning amendment to add truck stop diesel fueling stations to the Municipal Code, be received and placed on file. Be it further moved, the Council concur with the recommendations of the Plan Commission and the Preliminary and Final Plats for Steinhour Subdivision be approved, the Re-Subdivision of Brookside Residential Lot 1 be approved subject to the 8 conditions in the Plan Commission minutes, and truck stop diesel fueling stations be added to the Municipal Code as a conditional use in the Class E-“Industrial District’ and the follow up Ordinances be passed and approved. Second by Ganiere. Ayes: Ganiere, Less, and Mayor Pro Tem Aussem. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Pro Tem Aussem presented Report of Plan Commission. Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Aussem that the Report of the Plan Commission meeting held on Monday, September 26, 2016, considering the conditional use permit request for Ottawa Friendship House for property located at 824 Ottawa Avenue, be received and placed on file. Be it further moved, the Council concur with the recommendation of the Plan Commission and the conditional use permit request be granted and the follow up Ordinance be passed and approved. Second by Ganiere. Ayes: Ganiere, Less, and Mayor Pro Tem Aussem. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Pro Tem Aussem presented Plats. Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Aussem that the Preliminary and Final Plat of Consolidation received from CVS Pharmacy be received and referred to the Plan Commission for review and recommendation. Second by Ganiere. Ayes: Ganiere, Less, and Mayor Pro Tem Aussem. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Pro Tem Aussem presented motion to adjourn. Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Aussem that this regular meeting be adjourned. Second by Ganiere. Ayes: Ganiere, Less, and Mayor Pro Tem Aussem. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Council adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Shelly L. Munks, City Clerk