City of Ottawa City Council met Sept. 1.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Present: Wayne A. Eichelkraut Jr., Thomas G. Ganiere, Marla K. Rodriguez, James J. Less, and Mayor Daniel F. Aussem.
Absent: None.
Commissioner Eichelkraut presented minutes of previous meeting.
Moved by Commissioner Eichelkraut that the minutes of a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Ottawa, Illinois, held on Tuesday, August 18, 2020, be approved as recorded in the permanent files of the City Clerk.
Second by Less.
Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Rodriguez, Less, and Mayor Aussem.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Brent Barron, Chair of the Ottawa Tree Board, commended the City crews, Ameren linemen and AT & T for their efforts following our storm event. He asked all residents to look for dead tree snags and to call City Hall with concerns. He also said to be sure to use a licensed tree service. Brent added that the storm effected all areas of town and we need a recovery plan.
John Breslin addressed the Council regarding item #13 on the agenda. This rezoning request included letters from residents across the street. Mr. Breslin felt that the letters were misrepresentations of the actual property owners. He noted that the petitioners had done a lot of work and had remodeled without a permit. He sited school bus traffic and felt the City should keep its image and reputation and deny spot zoning. Peg Breslin read a letter from Leo Johnson Jr., who is a neighbor and currently in quarantine. She spoke about safety concerns, the speed of traffic in the area, and how the bike lanes have narrowed the road. She also commented on the railroad crossing and the fact that there is a blind spot there. She noted she received no notice of the proposed change.
Commissioner Eichelkraut presented Biweekly Salary Payroll.
Moved by Commissioner Eichelkraut that the Biweekly Salary Payroll of August 21, 2020, in the amount of $424,482.83, be approved and warrants issued.
Second by Rodriguez.
Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Rodriguez, Less, and Mayor Aussem.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Commissioner Eichelkraut presented Monthly Expense Report.
Moved by Commissioner Eichelkraut that the Monthly Expense Report of September 1, 2020, showing expenses in the amount of $937,502.97, be approved and warrants issued.
Second by Ganiere.
Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Rodriguez, Less, and Mayor Aussem.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Commissioner Eichelkraut presented Resolution.
Moved by Commissioner Eichelkraut that a Resolution authorizing the execution of a transit service agreement between the City of Ottawa and the Center for Youth and Family Solutions, regarding NCAT, which has been on file for public inspection since August 18, 2020, be adopted.
Second by Rodriguez.
Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Rodriguez, Less, and Mayor Aussem.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Commissioner Eichelkraut announced that the Generics Band would be playing this Saturday from 5pm-7pm in Washington Park.
Commissioner Rodriguez presented Proposal.
Moved by Commissioner Rodriguez that the Proposal received from Liebhart Construction Inc. in the amount of $10,420.00 to perform repairs to the downtown fire station, which has been on file for public inspection since August 18, 2020, be passed and approved.
Second by Eichelkraut.
Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Rodriguez, Less, and Mayor Aussem.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Council meeting minutes September 1, 2020 page 2
Commissioner Rodriguez presented Quotes.
Moved by Commissioner Rodriguez that the Quotes received from Designs & Signs and H & H builders in the total amount of $16,091.00 for the wayfinding signs, be approved and paid for from the General Corporate and TIF Funds.
Second by Ganiere.
Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Rodriguez, Less, and Mayor Aussem.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Commissioner Rodriguez presented Resolution.
Moved by Commissioner Rodriguez that a Resolution authorizing the execution of a proposal for structural engineering services by Chamlin & Associates Inc., for bridge inspections, be received and placed on file for public inspection.
Second by Eichelkraut.
Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Rodriguez, Less, and Mayor Aussem.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Commissioner Less presented Report of Police Chief.
Moved by Commissioner Less that the Report of Police Chief, Brent A. Roalson, for the month of August 2020, be received and placed on file.
Second by Rodriguez.
Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Rodriguez, Less, and Mayor Aussem.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Commissioner Less presented Report of Fire Chief.
Moved by Commissioner Less that the Report of Fire Chief, Andrew Borkowski, for the month of August 2020, be received and placed on file.
Second by Ganiere.
Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Rodriguez, Less, and Mayor Aussem.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Commissioner Less presented Quote.
Moved by Commissioner Less that the Quote received from Air One Equipment Inc. in the amount of $20,120.00 for new fire hose, be approved and paid for from the General Corporate Fund.
Second by Ganiere.
Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Rodriguez, Less, and Mayor Aussem.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Mayor Aussem presented Report of Registrar.
Moved by Mayor Aussem that the Report of Registrar, Shelly L. Munks, for the month of August 2020, be received and placed on file.
Second by Rodriguez.
Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Rodriguez, Less, and Mayor Aussem.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Mayor Aussem presented Report of Parking Administration.
Moved by Mayor Aussem that the Report of the Parking Administration Department showing fines collected of $520.25, for the month of August 2020, be received and placed on file.
Second by Rodriguez.
Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Rodriguez, Less, and Mayor Aussem.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Mayor Aussem presented Report of Building Official.
Moved by Mayor Aussem that the Report of Building Official, Mathew W. Stafford, for the month of August 2020, be received and placed on file.
Second by Rodriguez.
Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Rodriguez, Less, and Mayor Aussem.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Council meeting minutes September 1, 2020 page 3
Mayor Aussem presented Report of Sidewalk Program.
Moved by Mayor Aussem that the Report of the Sidewalk Program showing 1 participant in the amount of $450.00, for the month of August 2020, be approved and paid for from the General Corporate Fund.
Second by Ganiere.
Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Rodriguez, Less, and Mayor Aussem.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Mayor Aussem presented Resolution/Set public hearing.
Moved by Mayor Aussem that a Resolution authorizing the execution of an annexation agreement between the City of Ottawa and Martin and Kay Graham for property located at 1 Oaklane Drive, be received and placed on file for public inspection. Be it further moved, a public hearing be set for Tuesday, September 15, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers on this said annexation agreement.
Second by Rodriguez.
Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Rodriguez, Less, and Mayor Aussem.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Mayor Aussem presented Resolution.
Moved by Mayor Aussem that a Resolution authorizing the execution of 2 musical performance agreements between the City of Ottawa and 2 artists for 2020 Music in the Park, be received and placed on file for public inspection.
Second by Eichelkraut.
Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Rodriguez, Less, and Mayor Aussem.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Mayor Aussem presented Resolution.
Moved by Mayor Aussem that a Resolution extending the time within which the City of Ottawa has to enforce the restrictive covenant for a buyback for 119 W. Washington Street, owned by Empire Experience LLC, be adopted.
Second by Eichelkraut.
Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Rodriguez, Less, and Mayor Aussem.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Mayor Aussem presented Resolution.
Moved by Mayor Aussem that a Resolution authorizing the execution of a contract between the City of Ottawa and Medcom Benefit Solutions, for 2020 ACA employer reporting, be received and placed on file for public inspection.
Second by Ganiere.
Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Rodriguez, Less, and Mayor Aussem.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Mayor Aussem presented Resolution.
Moved by Mayor Aussem that a Resolution authorizing the execution of an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Ottawa and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, be received and placed on file for public inspection.
Second by Rodriguez.
Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Rodriguez, Less, and Mayor Aussem.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Mayor Aussem presented Resolution.
Moved by Mayor Aussem that a Resolution ratifying actions taken by the Mayor under the Declaration of Emergency and extending the Declaration of Emergency until Tuesday, October 6, 2020, be adopted.
Second by Rodriguez.
Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Rodriguez, Less, and Mayor Aussem.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Council meeting minutes September 1, 2020 page 4
Mayor Aussem presented Request.
Moved by Mayor Aussem that the Request for a variance from the Fence Ordinance from John and Callie Abernathy for property located at 2614 Deer Court, be received and referred to the Zoning Board of Appeals for review and recommendation.
Second by Ganiere.
Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Rodriguez, Less, and Mayor Aussem.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Mayor Aussem presented Report of Zoning Board of Appeals.
Moved by Mayor Aussem that the Report of the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting held on Thursday, August 20, 2020, considering the side yard setback variance request to construct a garage from Edward and Carol Thorsen for property located at 528 6th Avenue, be received and placed on file. Be it further moved, the Council concur with the recommendation of the Zoning Board of Appeals and the variance be granted with the condition that the garage be built no closer than 3 feet from the lot line and no larger than 1200 square feet and the follow up Ordinance be passed and approved.
Second by Ganiere.
Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Rodriguez, Less, and Mayor Aussem.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Mayor Aussem presented Report of the Plan Commission.
Moved by Mayor Aussem that the Report of the Plan Commission meeting held on Monday, August 24, 2020, reconsidering the rezoning request from James and Kathryn Troccoli for property located at 1915 Champlain Street from Class “C-2 General Business District” to Class “C-3 Special Business District”, be received and placed on file. Be it further moved, the Council concur with the recommendation of the Plan Commission and the rezoning request be denied based on the hearings and findings of facts.
Second by Rodriguez.
Ayes: Rodriguez and Mayor Aussem.
Nays: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, and Less. Motion failed.
The Mayor then asked Corporation Counsel for the next step.
Christina Cantlin replied that Corporation Counsel would need to direction to create an Ordinance approving the zoning change for the next Council meeting on September 15, 2020. City Clerk, Shelly Munks, asked if this could be done by a motion. Christina Cantlin replied yes.
Moved by Commissioner Ganiere that Corporation Counsel create the Ordinance for the next agenda approving the zoning change.
Second by Less.
Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, and Less.
Nays: Rodriguez and Mayor Aussem. Motion carried.
Mayor Aussem presented Proclamation.
Moved by Mayor Aussem that a Proclamation naming September 2020 as Census Completion Month in the City of Ottawa, be adopted.
Second by Eichelkraut.
Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Rodriguez, Less, and Mayor Aussem.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Mayor Aussem presented motion to recess.
Moved by Mayor Aussem that this Council recess into Closed Session to discuss matters of personnel and litigation.
Second by Ganiere.
Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Rodriguez, Less, and Mayor Aussem.
Nays: None. Motion carried. Council recessed at 7:42 p.m.
Mayor Aussem presented motion to reconvene.
Moved by Mayor Aussem that this Council reconvene from Closed Session.
Second by Rodriguez.
Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Rodriguez, Less, and Mayor Aussem.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Mayor Aussem presented motion to adjourn.
Moved by Mayor Aussem that this regular meeting be adjourned.
Second by Rodriguez.
Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Rodriguez, Less, and Mayor Aussem.
Nays: None. Motion carried. Council adjourned at 8:28p.m.
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