Illinois Valley Times

Ottawa City Council met Tuesday, Dec. 6.

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.

Here are the minutes as provided by Ottawa:

Ottawa, Illinois December 6, 2016

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

Present: Daniel F. Aussem, Thomas G. Ganiere, James J. Less, Wayne A. Eichelkraut Jr. and Robert M. Eschbach Absent: None.

Commissioner Eichelkraut presented minutes of previous meetings. Moved by Commissioner Eichelkraut that the minutes of a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Ottawa, Illinois, held on Tuesday, November 15, 2016, and the minutes of a special meeting held on Tuesday, November 29, 2016, both be approved as recorded in the permanent files of the City Clerk. Second by Ganiere. Ayes: Aussem, Ganiere, Eichelkraut, Less, and Mayor Eschbach. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mike Weygand of 1010 Congress Street, addressed the Council about the music at Dockside Bar & Grill. He feels it’s disrupting his home and turned in pictures and a petition with 24 signatures on it. He noted that there have been 60 plus music acts since May, a lot of traffic, and prior damage to yards, which he feels will affect his property value. Two citations have been issued from the Ottawa Police Department. The establishment has had music every weekend May – October and he would like their liquor license revoked. He then read a letter from southside resident Mike Larson. Commissioner Eichelkraut asked if he thought that no bars should be allowed to have music. He reply was to turn the music down.

Dan Retoff of 731 East Main Street, added that he can hear the words to all of the songs the bands are singing inside his home. This is affecting his quality of life. Commissioner Eichelkraut added that we had the same problem in 1999 -2000. Back then we tried using the decibel system. Mr. Retoff did note that the Police have been very responsive.

Joan Horwitz of 719 York Street, explained that according to Police reports there have been 40 call complaining about Dockside between May –October. She has sent 28 emails to elected officials and received 2 responses. She attended the July Council workshop and a meeting in September. With living 3?4 of a mile away from the bar, she feels betrayed by the Council. She explained her concerns about property tax values, roads, and decks collapsing. She questioned Section 10-54 item #6 and Section 62-235 of the Municipal Code and inquired what the definition of excessive was. During the summer, bands played past midnight 3 times and weren’t issued citations and she asked why. She is objecting to a license renewal and wondered where the paperwork was so she could formally do so. Mayor Eschbach replied that he had met with Aaron Reynolds and his attorney a few times on complaints. On Thanksgiving Eve, Dockside had an acoustic show with Chris Gelbuda, Zeller’s had music also with bass. The Mayor noted we could once again explore the decibel route, but background noise from cars driving over the bridge and river noise have skewed readings in the past. A remedy may be cutting the hours back. Mr. Retoff added that maybe music could be limited to public events and not private ones.

Commissioner Eichelkraut presented Biweekly Salary Payrolls. Moved by Commissioner Eichelkraut that the Biweekly Salary Payroll of November 18, 2016, in the amount of $328,205.65 and the Biweekly Salary Payroll of December 2, 2016, in the amount of $346,240.33, both be approved and warrants issued. Second by Ganiere. Ayes: Aussem, Ganiere, Eichelkraut, Less, and Mayor Eschbach. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Commissioner Eichelkraut presented Monthly Expense Report. Moved by Commissioner Eichelkraut that the Monthly Expense Report of December 6, 2016, showing expenses in the amount of $967,700.99, be approved and warrants issued. Second by Aussem. Ayes: Aussem, Ganiere, Eichelkraut, Less, and Mayor Eschbach. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Commissioner Eichelkraut presented Ordinance. Moved by Commissioner Eichelkraut that an Ordinance abating the tax heretofore levied for the year 2016 to pay debt service on $2,485,000.00 taxable General Obligation Bonds of the City of Ottawa, LaSalle County, Illinois, be passed and approved. Second by Less. Ayes: Aussem, Ganiere, Eichelkraut, Less, and Mayor Eschbach. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Commissioner Eichelkraut presented Ordinance. Moved by Commissioner Eichelkraut that an Ordinance levying taxes in the City of Ottawa, LaSalle County, Illinois, for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2016, and ending April 30, 2017, and authorizing the City Clerk of the City of Ottawa to certify to the County Clerk of LaSalle County, Illinois, the several amounts required to be raised by taxation for the corporate purposes, of said City for said fiscal year, be received and placed on file for public inspection. Second by Aussem. Ayes: Aussem, Ganiere, Eichelkraut, Less, and Mayor Eschbach. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Commissioner Eichelkraut presented Ordinance. Moved by Commissioner Eichelkraut that an Ordinance authorizing the issuance of Waterworks and Sewerage Revenue bonds of the City of Ottawa, LaSalle County, Illinois, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $4,815,000.00 or, in lieu thereof, General Obligation bonds, Waterworks and Sewerage Alternate Revenue bonds, said bonds being General Obligation bonds for which real property taxes, unlimited as to rate or amount, may be levied, but which are expected to be paid from the net revenues of the combined Waterworks and Sewerage system of the City, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $4,815,000.00 for the purpose of paying the costs of improving the Waterworks and Sewerage system of the City, be received and placed on file for public inspection and a public hearing be set for Tuesday, January 3, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers on said bonds.

Second by Ganiere. Ayes: Aussem, Ganiere, Eichelkraut, Less, and Mayor Eschbach. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Commissioner Eichelkraut presented Resolution. Moved by Commissioner Eichelkraut that a Resolution expressing official intent regarding certain capital expenditures to be reimbursed from proceeds of an obligation to be issued by the City of Ottawa, LaSalle County, Illinois, be adopted. Second by Less. Ayes: Aussem, Ganiere, Eichelkraut, Less, and Mayor Eschbach. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Commissioner Eichelkraut presented Resolution. Moved by Commissioner Eichelkraut that a Resolution authorizing the execution of an engagement letter between the City of Ottawa and William Blair & Company, regarding services for the bond issue, be received and placed on file for public inspection. Second by Aussem. Ayes: Aussem, Ganiere, Eichelkraut, Less, and Mayor Eschbach. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Commissioner Eichelkraut presented Resolution. Moved by Commissioner Eichelkraut that a Resolution authorizing the execution of an engagement letter between the City of Ottawa and Chapman and Cutler LLP, regarding services for bond counsel, be received and placed on file for public inspection. Second by Ganiere. Ayes: Aussem, Ganiere, Eichelkraut, Less, and Mayor Eschbach. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Commissioner Eichelkraut presented Resolution. Moved by Commissioner Eichelkraut that a Resolution authorizing the execution of commodity master agreements between the City of Ottawa and Direct Business Energy LLC, be received and placed on file for public inspection. Second by Aussem. Ayes: Aussem, Ganiere, Eichelkraut, Less, and Mayor Eschbach. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Commissioner Eichelkraut presented Resolution. Moved by Commissioner Less that a Resolution authorizing the permanent transfer of City Funds, regarding the permanent transfer of $400,000.00 from the Revolving Loan Fund to the Enterprise Zone Fund, be adopted. Second by Aussem. Ayes: Aussem, Ganiere, Eichelkraut, Less, and Mayor Eschbach. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Commissioner Aussem presented Resolution. Moved by Commissioner Aussem that a Resolution authorizing the execution of an engineering services agreement between the City of Ottawa and Etscheid Duttlinger & Associates Inc., regarding water main replacements, which has been on file for public inspection since November 29, 2016, be adopted. Second by Less. Ayes: Aussem, Ganiere, Eichelkraut, Less, and Mayor Eschbach. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Commissioner Aussem presented Resolution. Moved by Commissioner Aussem that a Resolution authorizing the execution of an engineering services agreement between the City of Ottawa and Clegg Perkins Electric, regarding an upgrade to the electronic control systems, be received and placed on file for public inspection. Second by Eichelkraut, Ayes: Aussem, Ganiere, Eichelkraut, Less, and Mayor Eschbach. Nays: None. Motion carried.

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

Commissioner Ganiere presented Ordinance. Moved by Commissioner Ganiere that an Ordinance amending Section 102-156 of the Municipal Code of the City of Ottawa, LaSalle County, Illinois, regarding prohibiting parking in certain places, be passed and approved. Second by Aussem. Ayes: Aussem, Ganiere, Eichelkraut, Less, and Mayor Eschbach. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Commissioner Less presented Resolution. Moved by Commissioner Less that a Resolution accepting the dedication of certain real property for public use for streets and utilities and releasing certain right of way interests in certain real property, known as part of the former Bissell Street, be adopted. Second by Eichelkraut. Ayes: Aussem, Ganiere, Eichelkraut, Less, and Mayor Eschbach. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Commissioner Less presented Resolution. Moved by Commissioner Less that a Resolution authorizing the execution of a contract between the City of Ottawa and Clegg Perkins Electric, regarding the installation of new LED heads on Veterans Bridge and relocation of other lights, be received and placed on file for public inspection. Second by Aussem. Ayes: Aussem, Ganiere, Eichelkraut, Less, and Mayor Eschbach. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Commissioner Less announced that the City will once again offer tree chipping after the holidays. Tress can be dropped off at Riordan Pool parking lot.

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

Mayor Eschbach presented Report of Parking Administration. Moved by Mayor Eschbach that the Report of the Parking Administration Department showing fines collected of $1,450.00 for the month of November 2016, be received and placed on file. Second by Eichelkraut. Ayes: Aussem, Ganiere, Eichelkraut, Less, and Mayor Eschbach. Nays: None. Motion carried.

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

Mayor Eschbach presented Report of Sidewalk Program. Moved by Mayor Eschbach that the Report of the Sidewalk Program showing 4 participants in the amount of $5,704.04, for the month of November 2016, be received and paid for from the General Corporate Fund. Second by Ganiere. Ayes: Aussem, Ganiere, Eichelkraut, Less, and Mayor Eschbach. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Eschbach presented Ordinance. Moved by Mayor Eschbach that an Ordinance amending Ordinance 50-2016 which amended the Ottawa Zoning Ordinance for CVS/TMC Illinois 2 LLC, by the addition of the of the unconditional dedication of surplus property, which has been on file for public inspection since November 29, 2016, be adopted. Second by Aussem. Ayes: Aussem, Ganiere, Eichelkraut, Less, and Mayor Eschbach. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Eschbach presented Resolution. Moved by Mayor Eschbach that a Resolution authorizing the execution of an annexation agreement between the City of Ottawa and Marvin and Susan Walsh, for property located at 3 Airport Road, which has been on file for public inspection since November 15, 2016, be adopted. Second by Aussem. Ayes: Aussem, Ganiere, Eichelkraut, Less, and Mayor Eschbach. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Eschbach presented Resolution. Moved by Mayor Eschbach that a Resolution authorizing a contract for sale agreement between the City of Ottawa and Calix Laboy and Albert Richter, for property located at 806 Fulton Street, which has been on file for public inspection since November 29, 2016, be adopted. Second by Ganiere. Ayes: Aussem, Ganiere, Eichelkraut, Less, and Mayor Eschbach. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Eschbach presented Resolution. Moved by Mayor Eschbach that a Resolution authorizing the execution of the first amendment to the option to purchase agreement between the City of Ottawa and Standard Bank & Trust Company as Trustee under Trust No. 17486, regarding the Smith property, be received and placed on file for public inspection. Second by Aussem. Ayes: Aussem, Ganiere, Eichelkraut, Less, and Mayor Eschbach. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Eschbach presented Resolution. Moved by Mayor Eschbach that a Resolution reappointing Christian Newbury to the 911 Board, term to expire December 2019, be adopted. Second by Less. Ayes: Aussem, Ganiere, Eichelkraut, Less, and Mayor Eschbach. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Eschbach presented Report of Zoning Board of Appeals. Moved by Mayor Eschbach that the Report of the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting held on Thursday, November 17, 2016, considering the side yard setback variance request from Walt and Carolyn Pries for property located at 821 Tomahawk Drive, be received and placed on file. Be it further moved, the Council concur with the recommendation of the Zoning Board of Appeals and the side yard setback variance request be granted with the condition that the corner of the overhang on the proposed structure closest to the West lot line be no closer than 2 feet measuring perpendicularly from the West lot line and the follow up Ordinance, be passed and approved. Second by Eichelkraut. Ayes: Aussem, Ganiere, Eichelkraut, Less, and Mayor Eschbach. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Eschbach presented Request. Moved by Mayor Eschbach that the City Clerk be authorized to advertise for Bids for the 2017 Tree Removals. Bids will be received until Wednesday, December 28, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. Second by Eichelkraut. Ayes: Aussem, Ganiere, Eichelkraut, Less, and Mayor Eschbach. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Eschbach presented Proclamation. Moved by Mayor Eschbach that a Proclamation declaring Friday, December 9, 2016, as Freezin’ for a Reezin’ Day in the City of Ottawa, be adopted. Second by Aussem. Ayes: Aussem, Ganiere, Eichelkraut, Less, and Mayor Eschbach. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Eschbach presented Resolution. Moved by Mayor Eschbach that a Resolution authorizing the execution of amendment #2 to the professional services agreement between the City of Ottawa and Fehr Graham, be received and placed on file for public inspection. Second by Ganiere. Ayes: Aussem, Ganiere, Eichelkraut, Less, and Mayor Eschbach. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Eschbach presented motion to recess. Moved by Mayor Eschbach that this Council recess into Closed Session to discuss a matter of collective bargaining. Second by Ganiere Ayes: Aussem, Ganiere, Eichelkraut, Less, and Mayor Eschbach. Nays: None. Motion carried. Council recessed at 8:00 p.m.

Mayor Eschbach presented motion to reconvene. Moved by Mayor Eschbach that this Council reconvene from Closed Session. Second by Ganiere. Ayes: Aussem, Ganiere, Eichelkraut, Less, and Mayor Eschbach. Nays: None. Motion carried.

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

Council adjourned at 9:08 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Shelly L. Munks, City Clerk