Village of Fairmont City President and Board of Trustees met Aug. 7.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The meeting began with an opening prayer and pledge of allegiance.
President Michael Suarez called the meeting to order.
Clerk Richard Ramirez recorded attendance. The following were in attendance:
VILLAGECLERK
Trustees: David Suarez, Guadalupe Hernandez, Raul Munoz, Robert Belba, Michael Fiudo and Charles Arriola. Also, in attendance were Treasurer Juan Mena, Police Chief/Administrator, Scott Penny and Public Works Director Roger Juenger.
The motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting of July 17, 2019 was made by Charles Arriola and seconded by Guadalupe Hernandez. Roll Call Vote: David Suarez, yes; Guadalupe Hernandez, yes; Raul Munoz, yes; Robert Belba, yes; Michael Fiudo, yes; Charles Arriola, yes.
Motion Passed
Treasurer's Repo
Treasurer Mena presented the financial report for the month of July, 2019 with a brief summary.
Treasurer Mena reported the Loan Application with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency that he reported as approved at the last meeting did not make the funding cut for this year. The village application was number 82 and only 55 grants will be honor in this fiscal year, 2019-2020. The grant is expected to be honored in the fiscal year 2020-2021 and the treasurer will be monitoring the process closely.
Clerk's Report
Clerk Ramirez presented a Building Permit Application, 2801 N 43rd Street, Home Restoration,WalkerManagementContractor,VinodGupta,Owner. Mayor Suarez is familiar with the project and he and Chief Penny advised the applicant to submit an Enterprise Zone
Application.
With everything in order, the motion was made by Robe Belba and seconded by Raul Munoz to approve the Building Permit Application, 2801 N 43rd Street, Home Restoration, Walker Management Contractor, Vinod Gupta, Owner. Roll Call Vote: David Suarez, yes; Guadalupe Hernandez, yes; Raul Munoz, yes; Robert Belba, yes; Michael Fiudo, yes; Charles Arriola, yes.
Motion Passed
The clerk presented a Building Permit Application, 3922 Maple, Room Addition, Miguel Ortiz Cortez Owner. The chief reported the permit was in order and an Enterprise Zone Application has been submitted, also.
With no objections the motion was made by David Suarez and seconded by Guadalupe Hernandez to approve the Building Permit Application, 3922 Maple, Room Addition, Miguel Ortiz Cortez Owner. Roll Call Vote: David Suarez, yes; Guadalupe Hernandez, yes; Raul Munoz, yes; Robert Belba, yes; Michael Fiudo, yes; Charles Arriola, yes.
Motion Passed
Mr. Ramirez presented a Liquor License Application, 5606 Collinsville Road, Mariscos Sea Food, El Najar LLC, Alejandro Najar Camacho Registered Agent, 2516 N 36th Street.
Mr. Camacho was in attendance and Mayor Suarez asked if the hours of operation will be changing with the addition of liquor to the business. Mr. Camacho reported the hours would remain the same and the liquor will be served as a menu item in his restaurant.
The motion was made by Guadalupe Hernandez and seconded by Raul Munoz to approve the Liquor License Application, 5606 Collinsville Road, Mariscos Sea Food, El Najar LLC, Alejandro Najar Camacho Registered Agent, 2516 N 36th Street. Roll Call Vote: David Suarez, yes; Guadalupe Hernandez, yes; Raul Munoz, yes; Robert Belba, yes; Michael Fiudo, yes; Charles Arriola, yes.
Motion Passed
The clerk's o ice received a last-minute item for the agenda a Business License Application from Tony's Tacos, 5100 Collinsville Road, a Mobile Food Vendor, Antonio Oseguera owner. Mayor Suarez repo ed Tony has been selling his tacos outside his sister's store, La Tiendita Grocery, without knowledge of the need for licensing. Mr. Oseguera has since been notified and presented the appropriate certifications with his application on Tuesday to the clerk's office. The vendor will be doing a weekend business. The mayor noted the business came to the attention of the authorities when the lines became so long on Fridays a passerby wondered what was going on.
The clerk asked the board for consideration at tonight's meeting and will be on the agenda as old business for the next meeting and approval or disapproval so noted.
There were no objections and the motion was made by Guadalupe Hernandez and seconded by Charles Arriola to approve the Business License Application from Tony's Tacos, 5100 Collinsville Road, a Mobile Food Vendor, Antonio Oseguera owner. Roll Call Vote: David Suarez, yes; Guadalupe Hernandez, yes; Raul Munoz, yes; Robert Belba, yes; Michael Fiudo, yes; Charles Arriola, yes.
Motion Passed
Also not included on the agenda for this meeting, but was an item on the agenda for the previous meeting, the clerk presented a Business License Application, A2Z Furniture, 3380 Kingshighway, Amiee Ward, Owner. The owner had not been in attendance at the previous meeting and Mayor Suarez tabled the item.
Mr. and Mrs. Ward were in attendance and apologized for missing the last meeting due to an emergency at their home. The couple proceeded to inform the board that they have been operating out of the flea market located next to 3380 Kingshighway and looked into the property to expand their sales. The couple sells used household goods, including household appliances, small and large, furniture, antiques and even bicycles.
They reported themselves as community oriented, and family owned and operated. Aimee Ward is a member of the American Red Cross. The business o ers discounts to military and first responders. Emergency donations are also part of their business.
There were some questions regarding the building, storage and trash disposal. Members of the board were well aware of the owner of the building, Pablo Orozco, doing some renovation work there. The couple reported they have no intention of removing walls or adding them and Pablo Orozco informed them the bathroom has to be private there at this time, since it would require costly renovations.
Robert Belba reported the fire chief has done a preliminary inspection there and is waiting for the details of the business to finalize. As Fire Chief Allen is out of town until next week the item was tabled by Mayor Suarez. The mayor asked the clerk to include it under Old Business for the August 21st, 2019 meeting.
The Wards thanked the board for their time and assured them of their complete cooperation in maintaining the appearance of the property.
Report of Police Chief/Administrator
Chief Penny reported Dan Allison and Gerald Brown would like to come back to the community in a part-time status as police officers. Chief Penny asked the board to reinstate the former employees.
With no objection the motion was made by David Suarez and seconded by Charles Arriola to reinstated Dan Allison and Gerald Brown as part-time police o icers. Roll Call Vote: David Suarez, yes; Guadalupe Hernandez, yes; Raul Munoz, yes; Robe Belba, yes; Michael Fiudo, yes; Charles Arriola, yes.
Motion Passed
Administrator Penny reported he has consulted the village lawyer about putting the unsold property from the last sale on notice again. The chief learned the requirements have changed and the surplus property listing needs to be published three times with a certain amount of days between and a certain amount of days prior to the sale. The administrator also found out there is no specifics to where the information is published, for example the last publication was in the Belleville News Democrat at the cost of $350. Mr. Penny uses the East St. Louis Monitor for adds to his personal business. He sent the previous add to them for a
quote. The monitor can publish it for $100. He asked the board to consider the publication for the unsold surplus property in the East St. Louis Monitor.
The motion was made by Raul Munoz and seconded by Robert Belba to approve publication of the Sale of Surplus Property notice in the East St. Louis Monitor, as necessary. Roll Call Vote: David Suarez, yes; Guadalupe Hernandez, yes; Raul Munoz, yes; Robe Belba, yes; Michael Fiudo, yes; Charles Arriola, yes.
Motion Passed
Report of Zoning Administrator - No Report
Report of Fire Chief
Trustee Robert Belba reported in the chief absence. The fire chief suggests an inspection of the El Cerrito Grocery upon completion of the extensive renovations being done on the building. Mayor Suarez asked the police chief to compose a letter of notice to the business that the license is suspended while the work is being done. The village will reinstate the license upon results of a fire inspection.
Report of the Public Works Director
Public Works Director Juenger reported he is getting overwhelmed with request for trucks in response to the ordinance warning being issued. Some of the persons are very demanding. The mayor gets these calls at home and lets residents know they have to wait in line for trucks. Trustee Guadalupe Hernandez has also received numerous calls regarding the same issue.
Chief Penny expressed concerns that undefined and inconsistent information being distributed is a problem. There was a discussion regarding the issue. It was also suggested persons receiving warning tickets be notified that they do not qualify for a city truck upon receipt of the warning ticket. The individual is responsible for getting rid of the trash without village equipment.
A local resident in attendance felt very strongly the village should continue to provide equipment to residents cleaning up, even if they have a warning. A discussion fu hered and agreement was made that no trucks being loaned out to persons issued warning or tickets for ordinance violation. Residents with no tickets can still get trucks.
The motion was made by Raul Munoz and seconded by Guadalupe Hernandez to approve the policy that residents receiving warnings or tickets for ordinance violations are no longer eligible to borrow city dump trucks for personal clean up. Roll Call Vote: David Suarez, yes; Guadalupe Hernandez, yes; Raul Munoz, yes; Robert Belba, yes; Michael Fiudo, yes; Charles Arriola, yes.
Motion Passed
Committee Reports
Police/Public Safety-Chair- Charles Arriola
Trustee Arriola reminded those present the Fairmont City Youth Group is holding a fund raiser Saturday August 17, 2019. There will be a 9am soccer game among the group and at 10 the Fairmont City group will face a St. Louis group. The event takes place at Granby Park and refreshments will be on sale in abundance. The trustee asked those present to support the cause. The group is looking to purchase soccer goals.
Economic/Finance, Development, Planning, and Tourism - Chair - Michael Fiudo - No Report
Fire Protection - Chair - Robert Belba, Sr. - No Report
Community Relations & Communications - Chair - Raul Munoz - No Report
Public Health & Housing - Chair- Guadalupe Hernandez
Trustee Hernandez asked for a status on the street department student workers. Public Director Juenger reported they have all been doing great but it will end next week when they return to school.
Streets, Sewers, Grounds, Building & Parks - David Suarez
Trustee Suarez wanted to thank the Street Department for the wonderful job they do.
For the amount of sta in the department the trustee feels they do not get the respect they deserve for all they do. It seems all he ever hears are complaints about what does not get done.
President's Report
The mayor reminded those present the Gateway Pet Guardian Clinic will be held August 17, 2019 on the lawn of Rose Lake Park from 10am-12pm. The group will be passing out flyers' door to door before the event. Extra flyer copies are available at the village annex. A flyer is required to be able to participate in the free service. Dogs must be on leashes and cats must be in crates to be serviced.
Mayor Suarez reported there are a couple dead trees in the Rose Lake Park. He has consulted with local tree service, A-Z, for a bid. A-Z provided a bid of $1,900.00 to cut both trees and grind each stump. Those present agreed that price was more than agreeable.
The motion was made by Raul Munoz and seconded by David Suarez to approve the bid provided by A-Z Tree Se ice to cut two trees in Rose Lake Park in the amount of $1,900.00. Roll Call Vote: David Suarez, yes; Guadalupe Hernandez, yes; Raul Munoz, yes; Robert Belba, yes; Michael Fiudo, yes; Charles Arriola, yes.
Motion Passed
The mayor wanted to thank the Street Depa ment for their tireless work completing the playground section of the Rose Lake Park project. It's open. There is still a section undone. There are grant monies on the way to finish the next section, underneath the swings.
Mayor Suarez also want to thank the Police Depa ment for their persistence in making an arrest in the vandalized stop signs case. The mayor hopes surrounding communities and other prank minded groups, like gangs, think twice before coming back to the village.
Mayor Suarez asked for an Executive Session Regarding personnel.
Public Comment
A local resident who has been disgruntled with traffic on the east side of town asked, once again, for a stop sign at 60th and Drummond. Mayor Suarez responded that the village will not be putting a stop sign on a dead-end street. The resident reported the dead-end sign was vandalized. The mayor agreed to replace the dead-end sign. The resident agreed to not stop asking for the stop sign.
Another resident attending the meeting reported being pleased to see the playground in use. The resident was not sure the users were supposed to be in there due to the orange fencing surrounding the area. The mayor explained the fencing is due to the unfinished park of the playground but the playground equipment is usable.
A resident that regularly attends the meeting reported the town looks great. This resident received an ordinance warning and assured the board it would be taken care of.
Executive Session
At this time Mayor Suarez asked for a motion to enter into Executive Session after the exit of the public.
The motion was made by David Suarez and seconded by Robert Belba. Roll Call Vote: David Suarez, yes; Guadalupe Hernandez, yes; Raul Munoz, yes; Robert Belba, yes; Michael Fiudo, yes; Charles Arriola, yes.
Motion Passed 7:44pm
The motion was made by Charles Arriola and seconded by David Suarez to return to the regular order of business from an Executive Session. David Suarez, yes; Guadalupe Hernandez, yes; Raul Munoz, yes; Robert Belba, yes; Michael Fiudo, yes; Charles Arriola, yes. Motion Passed 8:05pm
The motion was made by Guadalupe Hernandez and seconded by Raul Munoz to hire Brian Mena as a full-time maintenance person to be supervised by Public Works Director Roger Juenger and paid at the same rate of a non-COL street department laborer. Roll Call Vote: David Suarez, yes; Guadalupe Hernandez, yes; Raul Munoz, yes; Robert Belba, yes; Michael Fiudo, yes; Charles Arriola, yes.
Motion Passed
Municipal Bills
The motion to approve payment of the bills as presented in the amount of $28,705.38 was made by Charles Arriola and seconded by Robert Belba. Roll Call Vote: David Suarez, yes; Guadalupe Hernandez, yes; Raul Munoz, yes; Robert Belba, yes; Michael Fiudo, yes; Charles Arriola, yes.
Motion Passed
Adjournment
With that, a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Charles Arriola and seconded by Raul Munoz. Roll Call Vote: David Suarez, yes; Guadalupe Hernandez, yes; Raul Munoz, yes; Robert Belba, yes; Michael Fiudo, yes; Charles Arriola, yes.
Motion Passed
The meeting was adjourned.
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