Metro East Sun

City of Fairmont President and Board of Trustees met March 7.

Here is the minutes as provided by the board:

           President Bregen called the meeting to order followed by the opening prayer and pledge of allegiance.

           Clerk Richard Ramirez recorded attendance. The following were in attendance: Trustees: David Suarez, Guadalupe Hernandez, Raul Munoz, Michael Suarez, Michael Fiudo, and Charles Arriola. Also, in attendance were; Treasurer Juan Mena, Police Chief/Administrator Scott Penny, Fire Chief Robert Allen and Public Works Director Roger Juenger.

          The motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting of February 21, 2018 was made by Michael Suarez seconded by Raul Munoz. Roll Call Vote: David Suarez, yes; Guadalupe Hernandez, yes; Raul Munoz, yes; Michael Suarez, yes; Michael Fiudo, pass; and Charles Arriola, yes. Motion Passed

Treasurer's Report

          Treasurer Mena asked the board to approve a switch from AT&T Cellular service to Verizon. The treasurer reported that currently the village cell phones are in two places, AT&T and Verizon. The switch will save the village approximately $130 per month. The treasurer and Ms. Rodriguez have a meeting set up with Verizon to consider the phone systems for village buildings as a next step.

          The motion was made by David Suarez and seconded by Charlie Arriola to approve the switch from AT&T Cellular (cell phones and tablets) service to Verizon. Roll Call Vote: David Suarez, yes; Guadalupe Hernandez, yes; Raul Munoz, yes; Michael Suarez, yes; Michael Fiudo, yes; and Charles Arriola, yes. Motion Passed

Clerk's Report

          Clerk Ramirez presented a Building Permit Building Application for New Electric Service Poles to be located in the Kansas City Southern Railway Company's Willows Tower Yard, Wissehr Electric Contractor.

          The motion was made by Michael Suarez and seconded by Guadalupe Hernandez to approve the Building Permit Building Application for New Electric Service Poles to be located in the Kansas City Southern Railway Company's Willows Tower Yard, Wissehr Electric Contractor. Roll Call Vote: David Suarez, yes; Guadalupe Hernandez, yes; Raul Munoz, yes; Michael Suarez, yes; Michael Fiudo, yes; and Charles Arriola, yes. Motion Passed

           Clerk Ramirez presented Ordinance No. 732, An Ordinance amending Ordinance Number 682 regulating the sale of alcoholic liquor in the Village of Fairmont City.

           The motion was made by David Suarez and seconded by Michael Suarez to approve Ordinance No. 732, An Ordinance amending Ordinance Number 682 regulating the sale of alcoholic liquor in the Village of Fairmont City. Roll Call Vote: David Suarez, yes; Guadalupe Hernandez, yes; Raul Munoz, yes; Michael Suarez, yes; Michael Fiudo, yes; and Charles Arriola, yes. Motion Passed

           The clerk presented Ordinance No. 733, An Ordinance pertaining to parking in the Village of Fairmont City.

           After a brief discussion the motion was made by Michael Fiudo and seconded by Guadalupe Hernandez to approve Ordinance No. 733, An Ordinance pertaining to parking in the Village of Fairmont City. Roll Call Vote: David Suarez, yes; Guadalupe Hernandez, yes; Raul Munoz, yes; Michael Suarez, yes; Michael Fiudo, yes; and Charles Arriola, yes. Motion Passed

Report of Police Chief/ Administrator

          Chief Penny reported a letter regarding sewer billing for the hotels and trailer parks has been drafted. He would like to have a meeting with the treasurer to finalize a process.

          The chief also reported a letter has been drafted addressing the mowing of private property. He reported Mr. Mena has constructed a data base to identify the properties. The treasurer suggested a fee of.01 per foot of mowing. The sample property was 25 feet by 125 feet at a cost of $40.00.

          The president had some suggestion to add to the letter. There was a discussion regarding collection and non-payment of fees. There was a suggestion to mail the notification certified. There was also discussion regarding the content of the existing ordinance regarding grass. Trustee Munoz questioned the possibility of hiring out the mowing should the owners want the village to do it.

Report of Zoning Administrator - No Report

Report of Fire Chief

          Fire Chief Allen reported a successful testing of the village siren the previous day.

Report of the Public Works Director

          Public Works Director Juenger the Kamadulski Company will be resuming work on the sewer lift project on Monday, March 12, 2018 weather permitting.

          The director reported the CDBG PY'18 (Community Development Block Grant Program Year) has been submitted.

          Mr. Juenger has been approached by the Collinsville Unit 10 District regarding "the little library”. The little library is a box with doors on it that has books in it. The boxes would be distributed around town, the trailer courts for example, and are directed for use by the children there. The district will pay for all of it and asks the village simply erect them. President Bregen asked Mr. Juenger to check with Katie Heaton of the city library to assure there is no conflict with them.

          The motion was made by Charles Arriola and seconded by Raul Munoz to approve participation in the "little library" program hosted by the Collinsville Unit 10 School District by erecting the boxes, pending Fairmont City Library approval, was made by Charles Arriola and seconded by Raul Munoz. Roll Call Vote: David Suarez, yes; Guadalupe Hernandez, yes; Raul Munoz, yes; Michael Suarez, yes; Michael Fiudo, yes; and Charles Arriola, yes. Motion Passed

Committee Reports

Community Relations & Communications - Chair - Charles Arriola

          Trustee Charles Arriola reported the Illinois Municipal League Magazine has an interesting article on the handling of delinquent vehicles throughout the state, in the latest issue. He suggested everybody read it considering the same problems have been on the board table at the last few meetings.

           Mr. Arriola reported, in speaking with the treasurer, the extra summer help that was hired last year will no longer be needed the end of summer. The help was kept on while Anthony Morales was out with back surgery. Mr. Morales is back to work. Mr. Arriola would like to see a list of projects to consider while the extra help is still on board.

          The trustee has been hearing complaints regarding the gym. People are complaining about not being able to get cards. The people who have cards are complaining because much of the equipment is need of repair. Chief Penny reported there has been a lot going on in the department and without staff to keep up with the building and equipment he would have no problem shutting it down. There was a discussion concerning the issue. Some questions were raised about cost, equipment and card distribution. No conclusion was drawn.

           Trustee Arriola also brought up the possibility of updating the community center. He suggested painting, possibly replacing the stalls in the bathrooms. He also wanted to compliment the landscaping the street department has been working outside the center.

Economic/Finance, Development, Planning, and Tourism - Chair - Michael Fiudo - No Report

Streets, Sewers, Grounds, Building & Parks - Chair Michael Suarez - No Report

Public Health & Housing - Chair- Raul Munoz - No Report

Police/Public Safety-Chair- Guadalupe Hernandez

          Ms. Hernandez reported her son is in the catechism classes at Holy Rosary. His class is preparing for the sacrament of confirmation. There are 15 to 20 participants in the class and they are expected to do 50 hours of community service. The trustee thought the clean up at the trailer courts the board has been discussing at the last few meetings would be a perfect place for the group to chip in and count a few hours. There was a discussion. President Bregen asked everyone to consider various possibilities to put the group to work.

Fire Protection – Chair – David Suarez – No Report

President's Report

           President Bregen asked for an update regarding the status of engineering with the retirement of Randy Burke. Public Works Director Roger Juenger reported he put in a call to Mr. Burke but he was out of the office last week. He will make another attempt.

          The president asked the board to consider the vacancy on the Zoning Board with the passing of Carolyn Hrabusicky. Trustee Michael Suarez suggested Josie Oseguera Del Rio, who runs a small grocery in one of the trailer courts. She has ties to the trailer court. She once was the manager there. The President would like to fill the vacancy at the next meeting.

          There was a discussion regarding an email forwarded from Pat Marsh of the CAC (Christen Activity Center). Ms. Marsh and her group would like to have some more picnic tables available for the summer lunch program. They would like to get together with the community in getting the material donated and build tables with volunteers.

          There was a discussion addressing the age of the existing tables, the cost of purchasing new wood tables verses fiberglass tables, if the tables should be anchored, the practice of loaning the tables out and other fine points on the use and number of tables the village needs. It was also considered the cost be in the grant the village recently applied for Rose Lake Park. No conclusions were drawn and Chief Penny and Public Works Director Juenger will follow up with a few more details. Everyone agreed the lunch program should be retained.

           Chief Penny forwarded an article from the Belleville News Democrat regarding various licensing fees charged in area villages/cities in the area. There was a discussion regarding a report the treasurer had showing the breakdown distribution of video gaming revenue. The president asked Treasurer Mena to provide the village fee schedule for the next meeting. The board members were unaware of the profits involved in the gaming program. The gas stations located on each end of Collinsville Road were the highest in revenue for the village.

Public Comment

          A resident wanted to know who will be in charge of the grass cutting program.

          The same resident reported he has finally been in touch with Ameren regarding the street light in the alley behind his house. Ameren has been all over the village replacing the street lighting.

          The resident also reported he has been networking with a number of people that are interested in helping out with cleaning up the town and would like the board to set a date.

          Another resident, also a member of the library board, reported the teen generation club at the library is thriving. A representative from the Lessie Bates group, involved with the teens, has 25 summer jobs available for Fairmont City kids. He invited those present to refer teens they may know.

          The resident asked for a brief overview of the Ordinance 732 pass at the meeting tonight. President Bregen explained the ordinance was necessary to increase the number of liquor licenses available. The numbers have increased from the original ordinance.

          He also was grateful for the parking ordinance in memory of his neighbor who recently passed away.

          The resident also reported 2 parcels are up for St. Clair County Tax Auction near village property. One parcel is next to the soccer field on Maryland Avenue. Trustee Arriola was aware of the property and said it is underwater every time it rains. The other parcel is believed to be tax exempt currently belonging to the village. Chief Penny will be following up on the issue.

Municipal Bills

          A motion that the bills be accepted as presented, in the amount of $22,864.52 and authorized for payment was made by Michael Suarez and seconded by Call Vote: David Suarez, yes; Guadalupe Hernandez, yes; Raul Munoz, yes; Michael Suarez, yes; Michael Fiudo, yes; and Charles Arriola, yes. Motion Passed

Adjournment

          With that, a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by David Suarez and seconded by Michael Fiudo. Roll Call Vote: David Suarez, yes; Guadalupe Hernandez, yes; Raul Munoz, yes; Michael Suarez, yes; Michael Fiudo, yes; and Charles Arriola, yes. Motion Passed

The meeting was adjourned.

http://fairmontcityil.com/docs/minutes/2018/03_07_2018.pdf