City of Collinsville City Council Met Jan. 12

By Kristine Gonzales-Abella

Mar 23, 2021

City of Collinsville City Council Met Jan. 12.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

A. CALL MEETING TO ORDER

Mayor Miller called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.

B. ROLL CALL

Also present: City Manager Mitch Bair, Corporate Counsel Steve Giacoletto, and City Clerk Kim Wasser.

Present: 5 - Councilman Jeff Stehman, Councilman David Jerome, Councilman Tony Hausmann, Councilman Donna Green, and Mayor John Miller

Absent: 0

C. INVOCATION

Delivered by Pastor David Seaton of Heights Community Church.

D. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Recited.

E. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS 1. Award of Achievement - 2020 Green Business Challenge

Deputy City Manager Derek Jackson advised the City received the Award of Achievement for the 2020 Green Business Challenge. He highlighted the City's accomplishments which were recognized by the Green Business Challenge committee for the award.

2. Proclamation - Radon Action Month

Mayor Miller read the Proclamation.

F. BUSINESS PRIOR TO PUBLIC INPUT

1. Ordinance Amending Section 17.060.050 Fence or Wall, Accessory Use of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Collinsville

(Exception: Electrically Charged Fences)

Overview by Caitlin Rice, Associate Planner, the applicant Amarok (fence company) proposed an amendment to the City's Zoning Ordinance in order to allow for a 10' tall, wire and electrically charged security fence at United Rentals. She identified the location and spoke of the potential impact this fence would have on the area. She advised the current Code does not allow for 10' tall fences, wire material, nor electrically charged fencing as it is construed as a dangerous/hazardous design. She displayed pictures of the site as well as the proposed fence line. She described the proposed electric fence design.

She summarized the plan review process for Amarok's fence regulations. The applicant submitted a Variance Application with 3 requests (fence height - 10', material - wire, design - electrically charged). Staff made the recommendation to deny all requests as they are nonconforming. A hearing was held by the Zoning Hearing Officer on September 23, 2020 in which partial relief was granted on the fence height but denied on the wire materials and electric fence. The applicant submitted a proposed text amendment regarding fence regulations to allow for the proposed fence to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission recommended denial of the amendment. She gave a summary of the proposed text amendment submitted by Amarok.

Lastly, she advised that staff affirms the recommendation of the Planning Commission and recommends the City Council to deny the text amendment ordinance.

Communication Development Director Travis Taylor advised a representative of Amarok was present during the Planning Commission hearing and spoke of the electrically charged shock to be minimal. He spoke of the hearing and options given.

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City Council Minutes - Final January 12, 2021

A brief discussion was had regarding the variance application for the fence proposal and the process.

A motion was made by Councilman Green, seconded by Councilman Stehman to deny. The motion failed by the following vote:

Aye: 0

Nay: 5 - Stehman, Jerome, Hausmann, Green, and Miller

Absent: 0

Abstain: 0

G. COUNCIL DISCUSSION

H. SPEAKERS FROM THE FLOOR

Michael Pate, Amarok representative, spoke of the fence proposal as a preemptive safety measure. He indicated his company has installed similar fence designs at other locations. He indicated the electrically charged fence was not dangerous.

I. COMMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS - MAYOR

Mayor Miller spoke of the new year.

J COMMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS - COUNCIL MEMBERS Councilman Hausmann spoke positive of the free food distribution events.

K. COMMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS - CITY STAFF

City Manager Bair added comments regarding the text amendment fence proposal. He advised the applicant was the fence company and not the property owner. He mentioned other options in lieu of the proposed electric fence.

He announced the Madison County Health Department would be administering COVID vaccinations to those who qualify as 1A classification (first responders, nurses, doctors, etc). at the Gateway Center starting January 14.

He gave a brief COVID update and advised the Governor announced that our region may move out of Tier 3 mitigations on January 15.

Police Chief Steve Evans outlined SB 163 SA2:

Elimination of qualified immunity for Police Officers and officials

Mandatory body camera deployment schedule - He advised most cities and agencies are in favor of body cameras but a mandated deployment may be difficult for some agencies with unfunding policies. Prohibited use of force

Felony charges for official misconduct - He explained that failing to comply could result in felony charges against an officer for an act that otherwise would be classified as non-criminal.

Immediate right to communicate with attorney and/or family with cell phone access - He explained how this mandate could be difficult to comply with and how it could hinder an ongoing investigation. Abolition of bail

Chief Evans advised he would be back before Council to clarify the bill if and once it passes legislation. He indicated that many agencies are in favor of reform but the proposed bill is very restrictive. City Manager Bair advised the City has reached out to Illinois Municipal League for guidance but information is pending as the bill continues to change. He mentioned the ramifications the lack of qualified immunity could have in recruiting members to serve on boards/commissions and the increase cost of City insurance.

A discussion was had regarding legislative sessions, training requirements, restrictive mandates, and lack of funding.

Parks and Recreation Director Kimberly Caughran highlighted upcoming events:

Parking Lot BINGO - June 23 at Gateway Center

Ice Cream for Breakfast - February 6 at Activity Center

Youth Baseball and Softball registration

Summer Camp

Aqua Park season passes - May 29 opening day

She also advised the aqua park is hiring seasonal employees and encouraged anyone interested to apply online.

L. CONSENT AGENDA

City Clerk Wasser read the Consent Agenda.

1. Motion to Approve Payment of Bills for the Period Ending December 31, 2020, in the Amount of $6,816,841.86

2. Motion to Approve Payroll for the Period Ending December 31, 2020, in the Amount of $1,377,925.41

3. Motion to Approve Minutes of the December 15, 2020 Council Meeting

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 Hausmann, seconded by Councilman Jerome, to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 5 - Stehman, Jerome, Hausmann, Green, and Miller

Nay: 0

Absent: 0

Abstain: 0

M. NEW BUSINESS

1. Ordinance Authorizing the Mayor to Waive a Sign Package Fee (Collinsville Community Unit School District 10, 201 West Clay Street)

Deputy City Manager Jackson advised the Collinsville Unit 10 School District is requesting a Sign Package Application Fee waiver of $250 for a proposed sign to be installed at Webster School. He described the proposed sign, indicated it was consistent with the City's Sign Code and Uptown Collinsville Design standards. He advised the application is scheduled for review by the Planning Commission on January 14.

A motion was made by Councilman Jerome, seconded by Councilman Stehman to approve. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 5 - Stehman, Jerome, Hausmann, Green, and Miller

Nay: 0

Absent: 0

Abstain: 0

2. Ordinance to Award Bids for 2021 MFT Maintenance Program

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City Council Minutes - Final January 12, 2021

Overview by City Engineer Troy Turner, who advised this ordinance would authorize contracts for the purchase of street maintenance materials through the Motor Fuel Tax. He indicated bids were solicited for asphalt, concrete, rock, storm sewer pipe, and street lights and opened on January 4. Lastly, he advised the City is rejecting a single bid for pipe materials. The City will solicit bids at a later date for pipe materials, FA-6 deicer aggregate, and decorative street lights. A motion was made by Councilman Green, seconded by Councilman Hausmann to approve. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 5 - Stehman, Jerome, Hausmann, Green, and Miller

Nay: 0

Absent: 0

Abstain: 0

3. Ordinance Approving Purchase of a Wide Area Mower from Deere & Company from the State Bid List in the Amount of $44,863.20

Director Caughran advised the purchase of a wide area mower was previously approved in the CIP; however, the item was 2% under budget (purchase is $863.20 more than CIP budget). She spoke of the need for new equipment and the benefits of having a wide area mower.

A motion was made by Councilman Stehman, seconded by Councilman Jerome to approve. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 5 - Stehman, Jerome, Hausmann, Green, and Miller

Nay: 0

Absent: 0

Abstain: 0

4. Resolution in Support of and Authorizing the Mayor to Apply for the Park Enhancement Grant Funds from Madison County

Director Caughran advised this resolution is part of the annual grant application through Madison County. Grant funds ($89,604) would be used towards the capital improvements at Woodland Park for shelter replacements.

A motion was made by Councilman Green, seconded by Councilman Jerome to approve. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 5 - Stehman, Jerome, Hausmann, Green, and Miller

Nay: 0

Absent: 0

Abstain: 0

N. OLD BUSINESS

O. CLOSED SESSION

Mayor Miller asked for a motion to proceed into closed session in accordance with 5 ILCS 120/2(c): 1. Appointment, employment, compensation, discipline or performance of employees

2. Collective Bargaining

A motion was made by Councilman Stehman, seconded by Councilman Jerome to approve. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 5 - Stehman, Jerome, Hausmann, Green, and Miller

Nay: 0

Absent: 0

Abstain: 0

P. ANNOUNCEMENTS

Q. ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Councilman Hausmann, seconded by Councilman Green to adjourn at 7:46 pm. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 5 - Stehman, Jerome, Hausmann, Green, and Miller

Nay: 0

Absent: 0