Metro East Sun

City of Edwardsville Administrative and Community Services Committee met October 12.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

Public Comment:

1. Approval of minutes for September 28, 2017 ACS Meeting-Motion to approve (Krause), Seconded (Morrison) and voted all ayes.

2. Correspondence & Announcements:

A. Monthly Permit Report-September 2017

3. Council Matters

A.) Filed for Second Reading: None

B.) New Items:

1.) An Ordinance Amending Chapter 14 Animals - Domesticated Chickens – The amendment to the animal ordinance would allow licensing for keeping domesticated chickens - This is essentially the ordinance that would lay out the allowance to have 50 licenses to allow 6 female chickens, no roosters permitted, within single family zoned homes. The license is currently 3 years as Written in this ordinance. These chickens will have to be in commercially constructed Coops. There will have to be a certain design standard for that. Food and waste will have to be kept in air-tight and water proof containers. One of the benefits of chicken waste is that it can be used as fertilizer. This ordinance gives homeowners associations an out. If the homeowners association covenants does not allow for this type of condition, this ordinance gives deference to that. Alderman Morrison asked how many homeowners associations have covenants or by-laws that would prohibit either the animals themselves or the structures that would be required. Alderman Risavy believes that it would include all subdivisions in his ward. Eric Williams stated that it would probably include all subdivisions in the last 10-15 years. Alderman Risavy stated he would like to know how this will work. Alderman Krause said a permit would have to be secured from Public Works for the construction of the coop. Next, the CSO's would need to inspect and report back to the City Clerk's office. The City Clerk's office will then issue the license for $25. The license will be good for 3 years. After that, the license would have to be applied for again. There was a lengthy discussion about the different issues that could come up with this. Alderman Morrison asked what the cost is to set this type of operation up. Alderman Krause said he saw a commercial coop and run for about $800 that would fit about 5 chickens. Alderman Morrison asked how 6 became the maximum number of chickens. Jeff Pauk stated that is usually the maximum in most ordinances. The average hen makes a noise level between 60-70 decibels which is about that of an average human Conversation. Whereas, a dog barking is about 90 decibels. The discussion continued with individuals in favor of this speaking regarding their experiences with chickens. Alderman Risavy would like to reach out to the City of Collinsville to see if they've had any problems with allowing chickens in their City and would like to check with all the HOA'S in his ward to see where they stand on this issue. Alderman Morrison agreed that all the aldermen should take this to the residents to find out what everyone thinks of this. Motion to table this in Committee to discuss with other aldermen, staff, and citizens (Risavy), seconded (Krause) and voted all ayes.

2.) Resolution Authorizing Request for Proposals for the Sale and Development of Madison County's Plum Street Property - Alderman Morrison feels this is a comprehensive request for proposal. He would like language incorporated about Walkability, bikeability, and bike parking. He stated he likes the idea that there could be mixed use. Walt Williams stated if it's approved at the next Council meeting, it will be sent out by November 1 and due to be received back by January 19, 2018 by 3:00pm. Motion to approve (Krause), seconded (Morrison) and voted all ayes.

3.) Approval to AWard the Watershed Nature Center Parking Lot Lighting Improvements Contract to JF Electric in the amount of $71,185 - This came in over budget. The scope of the work is to provide 5 new lights. There will be 2 lights within the Watershed Nature Centerparking lot and 3 new lights along the parking lot by the basketball and sand volleyball courts. This will be an aesthetic improvement. Long term, it will reduce utility costs. All lights would be LED lights. JF Electric was the only Company that bid on this. This project was initially budgeted at $50,000. Since that time, JF Electric said the price of copper has gone up 20%. There will be a couple different outlet banks being provided. This will help with events being held in the parking lot. Alderman Krause asked how the $21,000 difference would be made up. Eric Williams stated JF Electric would be willing to do a time and materials Contract not to exceed this amount. Another option would be the Madison County Sustainability Grant funds that could offset this additional cost. The additional cost could also be offset through value engineering. Motion to approve (Krause), seconded (Morrison) and voted all ayes to forward to Council.

4.) An Ordinance Amending Chapter 114, Article II, Division 3 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Edwardsville (Designation of Stop Intersections) - This item establishes the intersection of Third Avenue and Longfellow as a four way stop - This has been approved by Public Safety. Public Services wanted it to be elaborated on more. The revised ordinance was distributed at this point. Motion to approve (Krause), Seconded (Morrison) and voted all ayes to forward to Council.

5.) An Ordinance Amending Chapter 118, Article II, of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Edwardsville (Sewer) - This revision of the sewer ordinance reflects a change in Sewer usage for new Customers and residents that move within the City (pending recommendation from Public Services Committee) - Public Services has recommended this. In 2015, we revised how we were billing customers. At the time, there was a provision in the ordinance that had a minimum charge if they were new residents in which they were charged 12,000 gallons per bill. That provision was struck in the ordinance in 2015. We are proposing to reinstitute that with this ordinance for Single family homes and duplexes. We are proposing to establish a charge for Someone Who just moves into their house and doesn't have a winter average established. Motion to approve (Morrison), seconded (Krause) and voted all ayes to forward to Council.

C.) Items Held in Committee:

1.) Edwardsville Cool Cities Climate Action Plan (discussed as new business and held at ACS 8/10/17) - Motion to continue to hold in Committee (Krause), seconded (Morrison) and voted all ayes.

D.) Items Returned to Committee: None

4. Boards and Commissions:

A.) Plan Commission

B.) Zoning Board of Appeals

C.) Human Relations Commission

D.) Historic Preservation Commission

E.) Recreation, Arts and Special Events Board

F.) ETEC

G.) Library Board

H.) Band Board

I.) Cool Cities

5. Old Business:

6. New Business: Alderman Risavy Stated there has been discussion about green space. There has been the feeling that it may be too easy to buy out of green space. Committee briefly discussed this. Alderman Risavy would like this to be a topic of discussion at the next meeting.

7. Next ACS Meeting: Thursday, November 2, 2017 at 5:30 pm at City Hall

8. Adjournment - Motion to adjourn (Morrison), seconded (Krause) and voted all ayes.

http://www.cityofedwardsville.com/vertical/sites/%7B34A7A41D-E4CE-406F-A478-1AB1C7AFC835%7D/uploads/ACS_Minutes_10-12-17.pdf