City of Belleville City Council met Nov. 19.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor Mark Eckert called this meeting to order.
Mayor Eckert explained the disaster procedures. Mayor Eckert reminded anyone speaking this evening to step up to a microphone because the meetings are being taped and posted the next day on the website. Mayor Eckert requested City Clerk Meyer to call roll. Members present on roll call: Alderman Hazel, Alderman Kinsella, Alderwoman Pusa, Alderman Buettner, Alderman Randle, Alderman Tyler, Alderman Anthony, Alderman Ovian, Alderwoman Schaefer, Alderman Dintelman, Alderwoman Stiehl, Alderman Gaa, Alderman Weygandt, Alderman Elmore, Alderman Wigginton and Alderman Barfield.
ROLL CALL DEPARTMENT HEADS
Roll Call Department Heads: City Clerk, Jennifer Gain Meyer, City Treasurer Hardt and City Attorney Hoerner; Fire Chief, Tom Pour; Finance Director, Jamie Maitret; City Engineer, Tim Gregowicz; Director of Maintenance, Ken Vaughn; Human Resource Director, Sherry Salvatore; Director of Parks and Recreation, Debbie Belleville; Director of Public Works, Jason Poole; Director of Wastewater, Royce Carlisle; Director of Economic Development, Annissa McCaskill; Director of Library, Leander Spearman.
Police Chief, Bill Clay and Health and Housing Interim Director, Jeff Heidorn were excused.
PLEDGE
Boy Scout Troop 53 led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
PUBLIC HEARING
None.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
None.
PRESENTATIONS. RECOGNITIONS & APPOINTMENTS
Mayor Eckert read a proclamation recognizing Shop Small Saturday, November 24, 2018.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Alderman Dintelman made a motion seconded by Alderwoman Stiehl to approve City Council Meeting Minutes- November 5, 2018.
All members voted aye.CLAIMS, PAYROLL, AND DISBURSEMENTS
Alderman Elmore made a motion seconded by Alderwoman Pusa to approve claims and disbursements in the amount of$985,389.80 and payroll in the amount of$849,125.63.
Members voting aye on roll call: Hazel, Kinsella, Pusa, Buettner, Randle, Tyler, Anthony, Ovian, Schaefer, Dintelman, Gaa, Stiehl, Weygandt, Elmore, Wigginton, Barfield. ( 16)
REPORTS
None.
ORAL REPORTS
TRAFFIC COMMITTEE
Alderman Ovian made a motion seconded by Alderwoman Pusa to approve No Through Truck Traffic on South 11th Street from West Main Street to South Belt West.
All members voted aye.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Alderman Kinsella made a motion seconded by Alderman Weygandt to approve Worker's Compensation and Property/Liability Insurance package with Safety National, Chubb and IPRF.
Members voting aye on roll call: Kinsella, Pusa, Buettner, Randle, Tyler, Anthony, Ovian, Schaefer, Dintelman, Gaa, Stiehl, Weygandt, Elmore, Wigginton, Barfield, Hazel. ( 16)
Alderman Kinsella made a motion seconded by Alderwoman Schaefer to approve increasing final year of current auditing services contract by a net cost of$ 1, 400.
Members voting aye on roll call: Pusa, Buettner, Randle, Tyler, Anthony, Ovian, Schaefer, Dintelman, Gaa, Stiehl, Weygandt, Elmore, Wigginton, Barfield, Hazel, Kinsella. ( 16)
Alderman Kinsella made a motion seconded by Alderwoman Schaefer to approve budget amendments as recommended by the Finance Director.
Members voting aye on roll call: Buettner, Randle, Tyler, Anthony, Ovian, Schaefer, Dintelman, Gaa, Stiehl, Weygandt, Elmore, Wigginton, Barfield, Hazel, Kinsella, Pusa. ( 16)
PLANNING COMMISSION
Alderman Dintelman made a motion seconded by Alderwoman Schaefer to approve Rainstorm Express Car Wash ( Rusty Modesty, EROP LLC): Site Plan, Landscape Plan, and Architectural Elevations for a Rainstorm Express Car Wash at 5700/5900 North Belt West (a portion of parcel numbers 08- 18.0- 100-023 and 08- 18. 0- 100- 022) located on a 1. 4 acre, " C- 2" Heavy Commercial District zoned parcel. Ward 8
Planning Commission recommended APPROVAL of Site Plan with the Stipulation that the necessary Subdivision Plat is approved by the City of Belleville and recorded with St. Clair County.
Members voting aye on roll call: Randle, Tyler, Anthony, Ovian, Schaefer, Dintelman, Gaa, Stiehl, Weygandt, Elmore, Wigginton, Barfield, Hazel, Kinsella, Pusa, Buettner. ( 16)
Alderman Dintelman made a motion seconded by Alderman Elmore to approve Ashland Storage Belleville (Alan Sinn): Site Plan and Architectural Elevations for a commercial storage facility at 653 Carlyle Avenue ( Parcel number: 08- 23. 0- 305- 020) located on a 4. 13 acre, " C- 2" Heavy Commercial District zoned parcel. Ward 7Planning Commission recommended APPROVAL ofSite Plan with the contingency Ashland Storage works with staffonfinal material selection forfencing
Members voting aye on roll call: Tyler, Anthony, Ovian, Schaefer, Dintelman, Gaa, Stiehl, Weygandt, Elmore, Wigginton, Barfield, Hazel, Kinsella, Pusa, Buettner, Randle. ( 16)
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & ANNEXATION COMMITTEE
Alderman Kinsella made a motion seconded by Alderman Gaa to approve a development agreement with Larissa Photography for the remodeling of the existing facility located at 19 South High Street.
Discussion.
Alderman Randle stated at the August 20, 2018 City Council meeting he voted no on the proposal to give tax dollars to a local business so it could demolish a building they did not yet own for the purpose of expanding its current location. One of his colleagues on city council approached him after that meeting to inquire for his reasons opposing the request. Alderman Randle said he laid out his reasons for voting no. That said business does not generate sales tax which means there is no return on that $ 50,000 investment by the city. As he drove home from the meeting, he thought about the alderman's questions and wondered if he did a disservice to the other aldermen, the constituents of Ward 3 and the taxpayers in this city who do not have a reference point for his decision.
Reasons for voting no.
The Tax Increment Allocation Act for TIF provides for a number of different uses and too many to include here. When he prioritized he found the infrastructure to be the driving force for using TIF dollars. Repairing our streets, curbs and sidewalks has huge impact. It touches everything from sustaining property values to improving public safety.
This is a driving force for people reinvesting in their homes. That is the primary mission. When we entertain other idea, when we seek to deviate from that mission there need to be overwhelming evidence that the economic interest of the city will be served by sales tax dollars generated as a result in the taxpayer investment. That is not the case with these two requests. He believes that when TIFs are created they are designed to be self-sustaining and he believes they should be held to that standard. That means the money from any expenditure by that TIF should come from the revenue generated within that TIF. In other words, he doesn't use his neighbors money to make repairs to his home.
According to the treasurer's report from the city council meeting of November 5, 2018 as of September 30, 2018 TIF 17 had cash on deposit balance $ 34,388.38. The current tax year levy was $ 7, 313. 60 with interest income of$ 12.98 for a total receipts of$ 7,326.58. The total cash available of $45, 533. 38. It should be noted that total disbursements for other improvements totaled expenses of$9, 195. 00. We are spending more than the TIF takes in. But, when asked, why we could not draw on the current balance of$34,388.38 for these requests it's because the money is already committed.
The two development agreement be presented tonight are $ 5, 000/ea coming out of TIF 17 funds. It does not detail these funds must be transferred from TIF 3 in order for the funds to be available. What that means is those that paid in to TIF 3 will forgo the use of those tax dollars within their districts. Arguments were made that$ 5, 000 would not go far to resurface a street.
He agrees; however, he finds such argument to be rationalizing a decision to remove money from one district where there are taxpayers waiting on improvements to benefit another who has not made such sacrifice. Once again, we are robbing Peter to pay Paul. The cumulative effect of taking $5, 000.00 here and $ 5, 000.00 there all of a sudden is $ 10,000.00 and he can point to a lot of sidewalks that could be replaced and made safer if that money stayed in TIF 3.
A realty company generates $ 0 sales tax. $ 0 return to the general fund. The photography business generates 1/ 10 of the normal sales tax rate. For every $ 1, 000.00 in sales results in tax amounts of $6. 71 and what comes back to the city is pennies of that amount. Dollars spent helping non-revenue producing entities occupying buildings downtown are dollars not spent somewhere else where they are sorely needed. We should be using this money to make repairs i.e. fixing sidewalks in front of someone's home that will benefit from the added safety.
If we truly cared about our neighbors and taxpayers that is where our focus should be. That is the principle he employs and the reasons he is voting no.
With respect to transferring money from TIF3 to TIF 17.just because you can do something doesn't mean you should. It would be different if this were a major project crossing TIF district lines but that is just not the case. In this instance, the business owner should burden the cost.not the taxpayer.
Mayor Eckert stated the money has been earmarked for facade improvements from TIF 3. The owners will be putting $80,000.00 - $ 100,000.00 in investments.
Members voting aye on roll call: Anthony, Schaefer, Dintelman, Gaa, Stiehl, Weygandt, Elmore, Wigginton, Barfield, Hazel, Kinsella, Pusa, Tyler. ( 13)
Member abstaining: Ovian. ( 1)
Members voting nay on roll call: Buettner, Randle. ( 2)
Alderman Kinsella made a motion seconded by Alderman Gaa to approve a development agreement with Nester Realty Inc. for fagade improvements at 12 E. Main Street.
Members voting aye on roll call: Schaefer, Dintelman, Gaa, Stiehl, Weygandt, Elmore, Wigginton, Barfield, Hazel, Kinsella, Pusa, Tyler, Anthony. ( 13)
Member abstaining: Ovian. ( 1)
Members voting nay on roll call: Buettner, Randle. (2)
STREETS AND GRADES COMMITTEE
Alderman Wigginton made a motion seconded by Alderman Dintelman to approve Municipal Estimate of Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code in the amount of $ 1, 980,539.50 for 2019-2020. ( MFT Funds)
Members voting aye on roll call: Schaefer, Dintelman, Gaa, Stiehl, Weygandt, Elmore, Wigginton, Barfield, Hazel, Kinsella, Pusa, Buettner, Randle, Tyler, Anthony, Ovian. ( 16)
COMMUNICATIONS
Alderwoman Schaefer made a motion seconded by Alderwoman Stiehl to approve the below communications:
OLD BELLEVILLE HISTORIC LUMINARY WALK 12/08/18 - Request from Belleville Historical Society, Gustave Koerner House, St. Clair County Historical Society and Neighbors of Abend and Garfield to hold the" The Old Belleville Historic Luminary Walk" Saturday, December 8, 5: 00pm to 9:00pm. Street closure request East Garfield from Mascoutah Avenue to Abend Street and Abend Street from East Lincoln to East Garfield 12:00pm to 9:30pm. Additional request of barricades and street sweeping prior to event.
ONESIE BAR CRAWL 01/ 19/ 19 - Request for multiple establishments to hold an Onesie Bar Crawl, Saturday, January 19, 2019 starting at 1: 00 p.m.
All members voted aye.
PETITIONS None.
RESOLUTIONS
Alderwoman Schaefer made a motion seconded by Alderwoman Pusa to read by title only Resolution 3340-2018.
All members voted aye.
Alderman Kinsella made a motion seconded by Alderwoman Pusa to approve RESOLUTION 3340-2018 A Resolution amending the annual budget of the City of Belleville, Illinois for the fiscal year beginning on the first day of May 2018 and ending on the 30th day ofApril 2019.
Members voting aye on roll call: Dintelman, Gaa, Stiehl, Weygandt, Elmore, Wigginton, Barfield, Hazel, Kinsella, Pusa, Buettner, Randle, Tyler, Anthony, Ovian, Schaefer. ( 16)
ORDINANCES
Alderman Anthony made a motion seconded by Alderwoman Schaefer to read by Title Only Ordinance 8275-2018.
All members voted aye.
Alderwoman Schaefer made a motion seconded by Alderwoman Pusa to approve ORDINANCE 8275-2018 An ordinance amending Chapter 75 ( Traffic Schedules) of the Revised Ordinances of the City ofBelleville, Illinois as amended, by amending portions of sections thereof.
Members voting aye on roll call: Gaa, Stiehl, Weygandt, Elmore, Wigginton, Barfield, Hazel, Kinsella, Pusa, Buettner, Randle, Tyler, Anthony, Ovian, Schaefer, Dintelman. ( 16)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Mayor Eckert reminded everyone about the Santa Parade and the Gingerbread Cookie Day.
MISCELLANEOUS & NEW BUSINESS
Alderman Wigginton made a motion seconded by Alderwoman Stiehl to approve Motor Fuel Claims in the Amount of$75,297.92.
Members voting aye on roll call: Stiehl, Weygandt, Elmore, Wigginton, Barfield, Hazel, Kinsella, Pusa, Buettner, Randle, Tyler, Anthony, Ovian, Schaefer, Dintelman, Gaa. ( 16)
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Alderman Kinsella made a motion seconded by Alderwoman Pusa to go into executive session to discuss personnel, litigation, workers' compensation, property acquisition, transfer of property, ( 5 ILCS 120/ 2( c)( 21)).
All members voted aye.
Entered executive session at 7:29 p.m. Resumed from Executive Session at 8: 08 p.m.
Alderwoman Schaefer made a motion seconded by Alderman Weygandt to approve a settlement in the amount of$25,446.00.
Members voting aye on roll call: Weygandt, Elmore, Wigginton, Barfield, Hazel, Kinsella, Pusa, Buettner, Randle, Tyler, Anthony, Ovian, Schaefer, Dintelman, Gaa. ( 16)
Members voting nay on roll call: Stiehl. ( 1)
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Wigginton made a motion seconded by Alderman Weygandt to adjourn at 7:42 pm.
http://www.belleville.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11192018-1845
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