City of Collinsville City Council met July 9.
Here is the agenda provided by the Council:
A. Call meeting to order Meeting called to order by Jeff Stehman, Mayor Pro Tem, at 7:00 pm.
B. Roll call Also present: City Manager Mitch Bair, Corporate Counsel Steve Giacoletto, City Clerk Kim Wasser and Deputy Clerk Kendra Cunningham.
Present: 3 -Councilman Donna Green, Councilman Cheryl Brombolich, and Councilman Jeff Stehman
Absent: 2 - Councilman David Jerome, and Mayor John Miller
C. Invocation Delivered by Pastor David Seaton of Collinsville Community Church.
D. Pledge of allegiance Recited.
E. Proclamations/recognition/presentations
F. Business prior to public input
G. Council discussion
1. Establishment of a Cool Cities Committee
Assistant City Manager Derek Jackson gave a brief explanation of what a Cool Cities Committee is.
He advised this was brought to the City's attention during the 2017 Town Hall meeting. He indicated there are approximately 90 municipalities that participate with 5 local cities (Edwardsville, Godfrey, Alton, Glen Carbon, and Granite City). The group is a Sierra Club led initiative that works with local municipalities in efforts to develop sustainable practices. Their goal is to reduce carbon footprint and find energy savings options but may have other goals specific to the area. They also focus on reducing air pollution, improve public health and reduce energy costs. He displayed a list of committee initiative goals that have been achieved by local committees. He advised there would be no financial impact on the City and the committee would be an advisory board only. He spoke of the opportunity for grants. He spoke of the City's initiative that coincides with the Cool Cities efforts. He asked of Council's input and consideration with regard to the committee's purpose, membership number, qualifications, and terms. He spoke of the surrounding communities membership numbers. He spoke of the Green Business Challenge that the City recently enrolled in. He mentioned receiving support letters for a Cool Cities Committee from various people.
City Manager Bair mentioned the Cool Cities program offers a lot of practical efforts the City could do (LED lighting, solar power, smart water meters) as well as open space planning.
Mayor Pro Tem Stehman inquired of an energy audit that was done on City facilities to which Public Works Director Dennis Kress confirmed.
Councilman Brombolich spoke of volunteers to serve with certain backgrounds, experience or knowledge. Asst. City Manager Jackson indicated a variety of volunteers would be helpful with some expertise. He advised he has already been approached by some wishing to volunteer.
2. Discussion regarding the amendment of the liquor code
City Manager Bair updated the Council regarding mobile bartender license. He advised staff contacted the Illinois Liquor Control Commission and other municipalities that permit mobile bartenders as well as vendors. He advised the ILCC regulates such instances as special use permits while other cities regulate it in various ways. He spoke of limiting such permits to one-day events with two (2) permits per year for an applicant. Corporate Counsel added language to control the appearance of the vehicles and operations. He asked for Council's comments and advised a draft ordinance could be presented as a discussion item or under New Business at the July 23 meeting.
Corporate Counsel Giacoletto advised a draft ordinance could be ready by the next Council meeting. Councilman Brombolich suggested placing the draft ordinance as a discussion item.
Councilman Green inquired of insurance with an application to which City Manager Bair advised proof of insurance would be required.
City Manager Bair mentioned that the mobile bartender applicant would need to have a valid Business License with the City. A brief discussion was had regarding the cost of mobile bartender license in other municipalities.
Mayor Pro Tem Stehman spoke of his previous comment about the applicant needing to already have a liquor license with the City and know understands that would be too restrictive. He inquired of legal issues with the City having a liquor license. Corporate Counsel Giacoletto advised the City would be required to have adequate insurance coverage.
Mayor Pro Tem Stehman inquired of addressing maintenance around the sidewalk dining areas. City Manager Bair advised staff recently had a meeting regarding sidewalk dining. They addressed how the area functions, hours of operation, smoking regulations, cleanliness, etc. He advised this issue will go before the Planning Commission to clean up the language and address issues.
H. Speakers from the floor
Stephanie Malench indicated she is in support of the efforts for establishing a Cool Cities Committee in Collinsville. She advised she is a resident and loves Collinsville because of its convenient location. She mentioned issues of concern - lack of large recycling containers, no recycling efforts for multifamily units, minimal green space and lack of walkable connections between residential areas and shopping districts.
Virginia Woulfe-Beile introduced herself as a member of the Sierra Club. She spoke of her support for the City's initiative. She mentioned the positive efforts by the Council and citizen involvement opportunities. She mentioned grant opportunities.
Jerry Young spoke of the progress in building his solar house on Juda Street. He mentioned his desire to participate as a committee member and the importance of sustainability efforts. He spoke of landscaping with native plants. He mentioned benefits of pervious methods for stormwater. He also mentioned height restricts for turbines.
Chris Krusa introduced himself as being from Glen Carbon and displayed his Cool Cities t-shirt. He advised he is the chairman for the Glen Carbon Cool Cities Committee which was adopted in 2011 by ordinance. He spoke of their efforts - greenhouse gas inventory, created action plan, participation in Solarize Metro East initiative, community education, park improvements, etc. He spoke of various Mayor's endorsing the program.
Phil Astrauskas spoke of comments made by Councilman Jerome with regards to his (Astrauskas) previous remarks. He inquired of the City Manager's residency. He spoke of the need for sidewalks on Summit and Keebler. He thanked various people for their efforts to dissolve CARD. He mentioned a sign on W. Main. He inquired of the status regarding the Moto Mart development. He suggested increasing the number of elected Council members.
I. Comments & Announcements - Mayor
None.
J. Comments & Announcements - Council members
None.
K. Comments & Announcements - City Staff
City Manager Bair spoke of implementing informational signage for improvements/infrastructure projects such as the one displayed on W. Main Street. He mentioned the free curbside limp pickup due to recent storms. He advised that no new requests for pickup will be accepted as that ended at 5 pm today. He mentioned the Main Street resurfacing project as being underway with paving to occur after July 29.
City Manager Bair addressed comments by speakers. He advised that petitions regarding the dissolution of CARD will be available at City Hall (customer service counters of Community Development and Finance Department). He spoke of the Summit Ave. project that is in queue for federal funding. This project will address traffic and sidewalks. He indicated the Moto Mart development delay as being a corporation issue. He indicated they are working through changes in their design. He further advised the City is currently looking at options to handle stormwater, native landscaping, and wind turbos.
Mayor Pro Tem Stehman spoke of the time frame regarding projects involving outside funding. Director Kress explained the funding application submitted this year is for consideration of work to be done in 2021. Illinois Department of Transportation guidelines requires funding applications to be completed and submitted 2-3 years in advance for consideration. He concurred with Councilman Brombolich that there are numerous other municipalities submitting applications for projects and that it is a competitive process. Director Kress concurred with Mayor Pro Tem Stehman that the Summit Ave. project will be costly and time consuming due to the slopes, connecting roads, steep driveways and may require additional property acquisition. He further advised the project will need to be developed in phases.
Mayor Pro Tem Stehman reiterated that the City is having to catch up on improvements that have not been addressed for quite some time. City Manager Bair indicated that, prior to 2017, only approximately $300,000 - $350,000 was invested per year on local road improvements. In 2017, the City spent over $750,000 for mill and overlay projects. He spoke of the Council's and City's commitment to much-needed improvements. Councilman Brombolich spoke of the opportunities to apply for additional funding for such improvements. She too spoke of the need for improvements and the difficulties in making so many improvements within a short amount of time as we attempt to catch up. She commended staff for evaluating and prioritizing projects. City Manager Bair spoke of the capacity to perform the improvements with current resources. He spoke of updating the Capital Improvement Plan to address these issues. He spoke of staff's ability to find grant funding for various projects.
Director Kress mentioned the City's growth back in the 80's and 90's. He indicated those roads have reached their usefulness and are now in need of repairs or replacements before subsurface deterioration begins.
I. Consent Agenda
City Clerk Wasser read the Consent Agenda. Councilman Brombolich advised she would be voting on the minutes as she watched the video of the June 25 Council meeting.
1. Motion to approve payment of bills for the period ending June 29, 2018, in the amount of $1,267,814.94
Attachments:
Agenda Item Report
BOARD LIST 06-18-18 UTILITY REBATES
BOARD LIST 06-22-18
BOARD LIST 06-28-18
BOARD LIST 06-29-18
2. Motion to approve payroll for the period ending June 15, 2018, in the amount of $631,433.10 Attachments:
Agenda Item Report
Board List 06-15-18.pdf
3. Motion to Approve Minutes of the June 25, 2018 Meeting
Attachments:
Agenda Item Report
06252018RegMtg.pdf
4. Resolution requesting permission from Illinois Department of Transportation to close Main Street for Smokin' On Main Event
Attachments:
Agenda Item Report
Ordinance
Certificate of Insurance
Mayor Miller asked if the Council wished to pull any items prior to a Motion. No items were pulled. A motion was made by Councilman Brombolich, seconded by Councilman Green, to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Green, Brombolich, and Stehman
Nay: 0
Absent: 2 - Jerome, and Miller
Abstain: 0
M. New Business
1. Ordinance Providing for a Regulation of and Application for Small Wireless Facilities in the City of Collinsville
Attachments:
Agenda Item Report
50 ILCS 835 Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act
IML Small Wireless Facilities FAQs
IML Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Ordinance Drafters' Notes
Ordinance
City Manager Bair explained that recent legislation was enacted that regulates small cell wireless facilities. He explained what small cell deployments are and the various types of antennas or towers that will be attached to street lights or utility poles. He indicated that Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act dictates the rates and height restrictions. He mentioned poor wireless services in the Eastport Plaza/Gateway Dr. area. He advised that small cells would help solve the problem of low signal capacity and high wireless demand where coverage is limited. He spoke of how the legislature and Governor failed municipalities with regards to this Act - limited the municipality's ability to regulate, lost revenues, dictated fee caps, exemption clause for Chicago, and no regulatory authority for Home Rule municipalities. A discussion was had regarding the confusion surrounding the Act, what constitutes a small wireless facility and the appearance of public right-of-ways.
A motion was made by Councilman Green, seconded by Councilman Brombolich to approve. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Green, Brombolich, and Stehman
Nay: 0
Absent: 2 - Jerome, and Miller
Abstain: 0
2. Ordinance Providing for Small Cell Antenna/Tower Right-of-Way Siting in the City of Collinsville
Attachments:
Agenda Item Report
50 ILCS 835 Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act
IML Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Ordinance Drafters' Notes
IML Small Wireless Facilities FAQs
Ordinance
City Manager Bair advised this ordinance focuses on the location criteria of small cell antennas or towers along public right-of-ways. He advised that Collinsville is working with SWICMA (Southwestern Illinois City Managers Association) to ensure all the municipalities are adopting similar language.
A motion was made by Councilman Brombolich, seconded by Councilman Green to approve. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Green, Brombolich, and Stehman
Nay: 0
Absent: 2 - Jerome, and Miller
Abstain: 0
3. Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to sign an Agreement with Illinois Department of Revenue for Alcoholic Liquor Enforcement Pilot Program
Attachments:
Agenda Item Report
Ordinance
Agreement
Overview by City Clerk Wasser, who advised this ordinance would allow for the continuation of the Liquor Enforcement Pilot Program, State FY July 2018 - June 2019. The City has participated in the program for the past 2 years. She highlighted the program by explaining the City will conduct inspections on behalf of the Illinois Liquor Control Commission of all the facilities in Collinsville that has a liquor license. IDOR will compensate the City $75 per inspection. Inspections will be conducted by trained staff within the Fire Dept., Police Dept. and Community Development. Staff will also address code violations and Life Safety issues during the liquor inspections. She explained the inspection process as taking up to 30 minutes per site, depending on the type of establishment (on-site consumption locations takes longer than packaged liquor businesses). She advised the City currently has 59 liquor license holders (35 on-site consumption and 24 packaged liquor).
Mayor Pro Tem Stehman inquired if the compensation covers the City's time to which she advised it does.
A motion was made by Councilman Brombolich, seconded by Councilman Green to approve. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Green, Brombolich, and Stehman
Nay: 0
Absent: 2 - Jerome, and Miller
Abstain: 0
N. Old Business
O. Closed Session
P. Announcements
Q. Adjournment
A motion was made by Councilman Green, seconded by Councilman Brombolich to adjourn at 8:08 pm. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Green, Brombolich, and Stehman
Nay: 0
Absent: 2 - Jerome, and Miller
Abstain: 0
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