City of Oglesby City Council met Dec. 7
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
A REGULAR MEETING OF THE OGLESBY CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2020 AT CITY HALL. THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M.
PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS ARGUBRIGHT, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, MAYOR RIVARA, ATTORNEY ANDREONI AND CITY CLERK EITUTIS. ABSENT: CULLINAN
A MOTION WAS MADE BY LIJEWSKI SECONDED BY ARGUBRIGHT to approve the regular meeting minutes from November 16, 2020. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA. ABSENT: CULLINAN
Public comments on agenda items only: none
A MOTION WAS MADE BY ARGUBRIGHT, SECONDED BY CURRAN to approve bills as presented for payment. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA. ABSENT: CULLINAN
AAA Tree Service $26,232.50; Airgas USA LLC $ 92.40; Altorfer Industries, Inc. $ 21,734.00; Ameren Illinois $ 35.08; Ameren IP $ 1,816.52; American Express $ 13.39; Anixter Inc. $ 3,408.00; ASCAP $ 368.76; Axon Enterprise, Inc. $ 1,683.00; Benefit Planning Consultants $ 155.54; Call One $ 2,751.31; Central Il Police Training $ 50.00; Chamlin & Associates $20,989.50; Clegg-Perkins Electric $ 15,513.21; Comcast Business $ 835.17; Communications Direct $ 223.16; Connecting Point $ 420.00; Conway Shield $ 152.50; Core & Main $ 1,060.00; De Lage Landen Financial $ 481.96; Debo Ace Hardware $ 144.59; Double M Trucking $ 460.00; Dresbach Distributing $ 357.55; Edens, Cathie $ 450.72; Edwards, Teresa $ 653.40; Elvin, Katherine $ 809.21; Emergency Medical Products $ 47.34; Fender Menders $ 75.00; Foster Coach Sales $ 1,010.12; Grainger $ 65.68; Gray, Trezonne $ 63.71; Halm’s Auto Parts $ 295.95; Hancock, Noah $ 17.41; Hawkins, Inc. $ 363.12; Heartland Bank & Trust $ 490,600.00; Holloway’s Portable restrooms $ 340.00; Hopkins & Associates $ 900.00; HR Green $ 1,923.00; Humana Insurance $ 34,475.08; Hunter, Austin $ 194.62; Hygienic Institute $ 355.55; Hy-Vee, Inc $ .93; Il Assoc. Of Chiefs $ 150.00; Il Public Risk Fund $ 4,4694.00; Il Valley Excavating $ 1,153.00; IVRD $ 6,159.00; Il Municipal utilities Assoc. $ 100.00; IMUA $ 2,394.00; IVCH $ 64.00; Jack’s Gas & Service $ 40.00; James, Kennedy $ 100.00; John Deere Financial $ 246.16; John Senica Jr. $ 991.87; John’s Service & Sales $ 1,880.00; Kasperski, Dan $ 66.46; Kendrick Pest Control $ 220.00; Kilday, Baxter & Assoc. $ 3,733.61; King Tire $ 358.98; Kittilson’s Garage $ 3,733.61; Klein Thorpe & Jenkins $ 54.00; Landcomp Landfill $ 742.55; Lasalle Office Supply $ 177.31; Lexipol, LLC $ 4,311.00; Malooley Appraisal Service $ 425.00; Martin, Jean $ 809.21; Mautino Distributing Co. $ 54.50; Menards $184.87; Mississippi Valley Pump $ 3,810.00; Moran Trust $ 179.93; MTCO $ 139.87; Municipal Code Corp. $ 900.00; Northern Il Ambulance $ 2,491.07; Northwest Lineman College $ 3,645.00; Old Dominion Brush $ 85.63; Peru Auto Electric $ 33.00; Peru Greenhouse Landscaping $ 3,170.00; Pollard Water $ 309.90; potter, Callie $ 208.71; Putnam County Painting $ 88,000.00; Quick, Erin $ 71.75; Ragan Communications, Inc. $ 450.00; Rathe & Woodward, LLC. $ 50,913.08; Reishus, Eric $ 809.21; Reishus, Margaret $ 404.61; Reishus, Marlin $ 404.61; Reishus, Paul $ 809.21; republic Services $ 28,590.00; Sam Harris Uniforms $ 274.00; Smart Source LLC $ 3,393.69; Smith’s Sales & Service $ 1,100.00; Springfield Electric $ 341.73; St. Margaret’s health $ 168.00; Standard Life Insurance $ 801.25; Staples Credit Plan $ 226.01; Vecchi, Steven $ 100.00; TEST Inc. $ 144.00; Uline $ 802.44; USPS $ 707.02; Universal utility Supply $ 4,388.28; Utility Purpose Solutions $ 1,125.00; Weber, Drake $ 18.51; Western Aggregates LLC $ 328.03; WEX Fleet Services $ 2,463.03
TOTALS $ 856,078.11
A MOTION WAS MADE BY CURRAN, SECONDED BY LIJEWSKI to approve an agreement for engineering services for North School Avenue water main replacement. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA. ABSENT: CULLINAN. Commissioner Argubright questions why the work is being done prior to being approved. Commissioner Curran states that either way the work has to get done and by doing so now should the city become eligible for a grant having the study would help acquire points on their behalf.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY ARGUBRIGHT, SECONDED BY LIJEWSKI to place on file 1139-122120 an Ordinance declaring developer in default of a TIF redevelopment agreement by and between the City of Oglesby and Reishus, LLC. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT. CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA. ABSENT: CULLINAN. Attorney Andreoni states that Richard Janko is not in default. Reishus LLC is in default and will not receive any more money from the TIF>
A MOTION WAS MADE BY CURRAN, SECONDED BY ARGUBRIGHT to place on file 1140-122120 an Ordinance approving and authorizing the execution of a redevelopment agreement between the city of Oglesby and Devine Floral and Design. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA. ABSENT: CULLINAN. Attorney Andreoni explains this business utilized the city’s façade program in 2019 and the ordinance is to state that the façade reimbursement comes from TIF money that has been paid to the business. Commissioner Curran questions item # 11 on the agenda as to why the amount varies from items #9,10 and 12. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA. ABSENT: CULLINAN
A MOTION WAS MADE BY ARGUBRIGHT, SECONDED BY CURRAN to place on file 1141-12210 an Ordinance approving and authorizing the execution of a redevelopment agreement between the City of Oglesby and Gary Grosenbach. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA. ABSENT: CULLINAN.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY LIJEWSKI, SECONDED BY CURRAN to place on file 1142-122120 an Ordinance approving and authorizing the execution of a redevelopment agreement between the City of Oglesby and Oscar’s Automotive. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA. ABSENT: CULLINAN. Commissioner Lijewski states that it is pending review of the dollar amount.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY LIJEWSKI, SECONDED BY CURRAN to place on file 1143-122120 an Ordinance approving and authorizing the execution of a redevelopment agreement between the City of Oglesby and Nick Carrico. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA. ABSENT: CULLINAN.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY ARGUBRIGHT, SECONDED BY CURRAN to place on file 1144-122120 an Ordinance approving and authorizing the execution of a redevelopment agreement between the City of Oglesby and Dave and Laura Weiden, Oglesby TIF District I. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA. ABSENT: CULLINAN. Commissioner Argubright explains the Weiden’s have paid the back taxes and purchased the property next to Cortileno’s on Walnut Street and are planning on tearing it down and adding an outdoor patio. They are asking for the city to contribute $5,000.00 to the cost of the tear down.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY ARGUBRIGHT, SECONDED BY LIJEWSKI to place on file 1145-12210 an Ordinance levying taxes for all corporate purposes for the City of Oglesby, LaSalle County Illinois for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2020 and ending April 30, 2021. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA. NAYS: CURRAN. ABSENT: CULLINAN. Attorney Andreoni explains that the levy is increased each year by approximately 5%. Attorney Andreoni reads what funds will be increased and decreased as the majority of the increase is to cover the police pension levy and that the City will still have to come up with additional money. Commissioner Curran states he is not a fan of raising static taxes just because the City can. Commissioner Curran has concerns that if the city continues to have a surplus why raise property taxes? Commissioner Argubright states that the city has to account for infrastructure costs and police pension. Commissioner Curran said water & sewer rates were raised to help. Commissioner Argubright questions where the funds will come from if taxes are not raised. Mayor Rivara states there are major infrastructure problems that need to be addressed. Mayor Rivara was hoping to lower electric rates by one penny. Mayor Rivara discusses the need for the additional electrical feed from Ameren that would improve the city’s reliability. Attorney Andreoni discusses the figures on the proposed increase. Commissioner Curran has concerns with unilaterally raises taxes the maximum amount. Commissioner Curran states that one property taxes are raised they will not be lowered. Attorney Andreoni states that if the 5% raise is not approved more money will have to be paid from other funds to cover the police pension fund. Commissioner Curran states he would rather supplement from other funds rather than raise taxes and would like to see if not happen every year. Mayor Rivara states that has been part of the problem in the past (kicking the can down the road). Attorney Andreoni gives more information on the findings from Lauerbach & Amen LLP. Attorney Andreoni states the he believes the City of Oglesby has also levied what was recommended by the Department of Insurance in the past. Commissioner Curran gives his reasons why the police pension should be funded from another source. Commissioner Lijewski agrees that no one generally wants to raise taxes but feels there should be a surplus. Commissioner Curran asks what metric would have to be hit to not have to raise taxes? Commissioner Argubright states fully fund the police pension. Attorney Andreoni states that if taxes aren’t raised the money would have to be taken out of other accounts in order to supplement the police pension fund. Commissioner Lijewski states the data they have in regards to the surplus is only through April 2020. Attorney Andreoni states the audit for 2020-2021 will not reflect the tax increase until April 2022 audit.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY ARGUBRIGHT, SECONDED BY CURRAN to place on file Ordinance abating the taxes heretofore levied for the year 2020, payable in the year 2021, to pay debt service on general obligation refunding bonds (alternate revenue source) Series 2013 for the City of Oglesby, LaSalle County, Illinois. Attorney Andreoni states that this Ordinance is passed every year. The Series B bonds were recently refinanced this year lowering the APR. Attorney Andreoni states the abatement ordinance does not have to be adopted by December, but the tax levy Ordinance must be filed by the last Tuesday in December. Mayor Rivara believes the rate was cut in half with the refinance.
Old Business: none
Public Comments: none
Commissioner Reports:
Argubright: none
Lijewski: Police Department was busy with 13 accident and 97 traffic stops and are staying as safe as possible. The Police Department will be handing out hot chocolate for the 12/13/2020 Christmas event. The officer of the month is Hugo Gonzales. The Fire Department had 17 call outs. There is a mandatory mask requirement in place. The Ambulance department had 73 call outs, 31 were transfers. Several of the cases had COVID positive patients. Commissioner Lijewski encourages residents to wear their masks, clean high traffic areas and to social distance and keep gatherings small. The numbers in Oglesby are over 300 and encourages everyone to stay safe.
Curran: hydrant flushing has been completed. No weak areas were identified. Commissioner Curran spoke with the iFiber company and states surveys may be coming in the near future. Commissioner Curran also encourages residents to be safe and have a happy holiday.
Cullinan: absent
Mayor’s report: would like to get a working meeting scheduled in January (the 11th). The transmission tolls have increased. The Christmas event is scheduled for December 13, 2020 and the Mayor gives details about the event.
Attorney Andreoni states he is not available on January 11th. The Council agrees on January 12th, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.
A MOTION TO ENTER INTO CLOSED SESSION WAS MADE BY ARGUBRIGHT, SECONDED BY LIJEWSKI, AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA. ABSENT: CULLINAN
A MOTION TO RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION WAS MADE BY CURRAN, SECONDED BY LIJEWSKI AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA. ABSENT: CULLINAN
A MOTION WAS MADE BY ARGUBRIGHT, SECONDED BY CURRAN to adjourn the regular meeting. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA. ABSENT: CULLINAN
http://www.oglesby.il.us/newsite/regular-meeting-minutes-december-7-2020/
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