Metro East Sun

City of Belleville Finance Committee met Oct. 12.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

In Attendance:

(A) Finance Committee Members

Ken Kinsella, Alderman

Dave Pusa, Alderman

Scott Ferguson, Alderman

Raffi Ovian, Alderman

Shelly Schaefer, Alderman

Chris Rothweiler, Alderman

Dennis Weygandt, Alderman

Roger Barfield, Alderman

(B) Guests

Kevin Tepen, C.J. Schlosser & Company

(C) Staff 

Jamie Maitret, Finance Director 

Dean Hardt, Treasurer 

Eric Schauster, Asst Director Economic Development

Chairman Kinsella called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

Chairman Kinsella opened public participation. There was no public participation. Public participation was closed.

Alderman Kinsella asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the September 14, 2020 meeting.

Motion

Alderman Ferguson made a motion to approve the minutes from September 14, 2020. Alderman Rothweiler seconded. Roll call vote was taken. Alderman Pusa, Ferguson, Ovian, Schaefer, Rothweiler, Weygandt, Barfield and Kinsella all voted yes. The motion passed.

Development Agreement with RSA Avanti Magna, LLC (IDES & IDVA) Eric Schauster explained that this project is for the remodeling of a portion of the existing facility at 7650 Magna Drive. They are investing at least $767,496 to complete the project, retaining 44 FTE jobs via tenants Illinois Department of Employment Security and

Department of Veterans Affairs, creating 17 additional FTE jobs via the tenants within first year of operation, and an additional 17 FTE jobs via the tenants within the second year. They are agreeing to remain at the site for at least 5 years. The City will reimburse them $13,750 for eligible remodeling costs when complete, and another $13,750 after May 1, 2021, all from TIF #3. Discussion followed.

Motion

Alderman Schaefer made a motion to approve a development agreement with RSA Avanti Magna, LLC for remodeling at 7650 Magna Drive, to house the Illinois Department of Employment Security and the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs. Alderman Weygandt seconded. Roll call vote was taken. Alderman Pusa, Ferguson, Ovian, Schaefer, Rothweiler, Weygandt, Barfield and Kinsella all voted yes. The motion passed.

Development Agreement with RSA Avanti Magna, LLC (DCFS)

Eric Schauster explained that this project is for the remodeling of a portion of the existing facility at 7650 Magna Drive. They are investing at least $633,093 to complete the project, retaining 43 FTE jobs via tenant Illinois Department of Children & Family Services, creating 7 additional FTE jobs via the tenant within first year of operation, and an additional 5 FTE jobs via the tenant within the second year. They are agreeing to remain at the site for at least 5 years. The City will reimburse them $11,250 for eligible remodeling costs when complete, and another $11,250 after May 1, 2021, all from TIF #3. Discussion followed.

Motion

Alderman Ferguson made a motion to approve a development agreement with RSA Avanti Magna, LLC for remodeling at 7650 Magna Drive, to house the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services. Alderman Pusa seconded. Roll call vote was taken. Alderman Pusa, Ferguson, Ovian, Schaefer, Rothweiler, Weygandt, Barfield and Kinsella all voted yes. The motion passed.

Demolition Bid for Demolition of 20 Properties

A demolition bid was done for the demolition of 20 properties throughout the City. The low bidder was Hank’s Excavating & Landscaping at $188,700. These demolitions will be paid for with the demolition grant from the State.

Motion

Alderman Ovian made a motion to approve the low bid from Hank’s Excavating & Landscaping for the demolition of 20 properties. Alderman Rothweiler seconded. Roll call vote was taken. Alderman Pusa, Ferguson, Ovian, Schaefer, Rothweiler, Weygandt, Barfield and Kinsella all voted yes. The motion passed.

FY2020 Audit Reports

Jamie Maitret introduced our auditor, Kevin Tepen. Kevin went over the highlights of the main financial statements. For the General Fund, we finished the year with a decrease in fund balance of only $4,775, which was essentially breaking even. This was after a transfer of $565,000 to cover insurance claim costs in the Insurance Fund. It was also after the effects of the lower revenue receivable accruals due to revenue decreases from the start of the pandemic. The TIF Funds balance increased by approximately $2.4 million. When combining the other non-major governmental funds, those funds’ fund balance increased by approximately $850,000 as well, with the biggest increase coming from the Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) fund. The Sewer Fund had an increase in net position of approximately $1.6 million. The Pension Funds had a combined decrease in net position of approximately $2.3 million. Kevin also discussed the changes in debt of the City from page 42 of the report. Discussion followed.

Motion

Alderman Schaefer made a motion to approve the FY2020 Audit Reports. Alderman Pusa seconded. Roll call vote was taken. Alderman Pusa, Ferguson, Ovian, Schaefer, Rothweiler, Weygandt, Barfield and Kinsella all voted yes. The motion passed.

Discussion and Possible Motion on Increase to Elected Officials Salaries Alderman Kinsella reminded the committee that if any increases are to be done, it must be voted on and approved six months before the start of the new term. He reminded everyone that the Mayor, Clerk, and Treasurer took a voluntary freeze in pay this year, but if no raises are approved, these positions will go four more years without an increase. Dean Hardt stated that if increases are approved, he would refuse the raise for the coming years if he is elected again. There was discussion of what amount the raises would be, if some years would be 0%, and the timing of this with the ongoing pandemic. Discussion followed.

Motion

Alderman Ovian made a motion to have no raises to the elected officials salaries for the next four year term. Alderman Rothweiler seconded. Roll call vote was taken. Alderman Pusa, Ferguson, Ovian, Schaefer, Rothweiler, Weygandt, Barfield all voted yes. Alderman Kinsella voted no. The motion passed.

Revenue Sources

Motion to receive and file.

Motion

Alderman Schaefer made a motion to receive and file the revenue sources. Alderman Ferguson seconded. Roll call vote was taken. Alderman Pusa, Ferguson, Ovian, Schaefer, Rothweiler, Weygandt, Barfield and Kinsella all voted yes. The motion passed.

Motion to Adjourn

Alderman Rothweiler made a motion to adjourn at 7:40 pm. Alderman Schaefer seconded. Roll call vote was taken. Alderman Pusa, Ferguson, Ovian, Schaefer, Rothweiler, Weygandt, Barfield and Kinsella all voted yes. The motion passed.

https://www.belleville.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10122020-2335