City of Collinsville City Council met Aug. 24

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Oct 25, 2021

City of Collinsville City Council met Aug. 24.

Here are 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 Tony Hausmann, Councilman Donna Green, Councilman Jeff Stehman, Councilman David Jerome, and Mayor John Miller

Absent: 0

C. INVOCATION

Delivered by John McLaughlin of Heights Community Church.

D. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Recited.

E. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS

1. Presentation of the Yard of the Month Contest Winners for August:

1st Place - Walter Delaney, 112 Westmoreland

2nd Place - Leo and Beverly Larose, 2017 Ravenwood

Mayor Miller presented Mr. Delaney of 112 Westmoreland with a plaque and gift card.

F. BUSINESS PRIOR TO PUBLIC INPUT

G. COUNCIL DISCUSSION

1. Sports Complex Discussion - Sports Facilities Advisory Group

Evan Eleff of Sports Facilities Advisory spoke of the company which was founded in 2003, served over 2,000 communities, and participating in $15 billion in planned and funded facilities. He advised that Sports Facilities can help through the process to include planning, financial support, development, management and networking. He spoke of the scope of the work based on the request for proposal that included reviewing existing data and market analysis as well as on-site meetings and planning sessions with staff, Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau Director and other user groups.

He indicated the goal is to create a facility that produces an economic impact, improves access to local recreation, and makes for a sustainable operating model for future use. He mentioned the advantages that Collinsville has with various hotels and restaurants available as well as the partnership with the tourism bureau. He spoke of expanding programs with new sports and a wide age group. Mr. Eleff advised he met with representative from Collinsville Extreme group who indicated parents of the league spent $1.9 million last year in travel expenses for tournaments with 17% of the players on a full scholarship. He spoke of funding mechanisms such as TIF funds, Business District funds, Hotel/Motel Tax, and grants to facilitate improvements.

Lastly, he advised the advisory group will review facility programs, establish a financial forecast, conduct an economic impact analysis, prepare site design, research funding options and report back to Council with findings.

City Manager Bair spoke of the days events. He mentioned the frustration expressed by members of the Collinsville Extreme league. He spoke of the feasibility study as a way to determine what the complex can support in the community. He mentioned utilizing a business plan model in order to achieve success He spoke of the data given by the tourism bureau with regards to hospitality funds for the community.

Councilman Jerome spoke of his desire for improvements to the sports complex and mentioned the need for it to be self sufficient with regards to operational expenses. He inquired of private donations for the project to which Mr. Eleff advised private donations could be solicited and indicated 85% of the projects he has been involved in has received private funding.

Councilman Green spoke of the parks history while under different management. She expressed her excitement to hear and see plans of improvement.

City Manager Bair spoke of this as a tremendous opportunity for the community and a way to increase programs which will overall improve the qualify of life for our residents.

Councilman Stehman spoke of the benefits of a feasibility study before proceeding with improvements. Mayor Miller spoke of the park district. He mentioned the benefits of hosting tournaments.

H. SPEAKERS FROM THE FLOOR

None.

I. COMMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS - MAYOR

Mayor Miller spoke in favor of the plan to improve the Sports Complex and was encouraged by the presentation from the Sports Facility Advisory Group,

J COMMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS - COUNCIL MEMBERS None.

K. COMMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS - CITY STAFF

Police Chief Steve Evans spoke of the Youth Academy, which was held as a week long program with 2 sessions this summer. A video highlighting the program and shown. He later thanked the staff who participated in hosting the academy.

City Manager Bair advised the City of Collinsville received the Madison County Career and Technical Education System Business Supporter of the Year award.

Director Kimberly Caughran of the Parks and Recreation Department announced upcoming events: Garage Sale - September 25, 7am-11am, at the Activity Center

Halloween Costume Swap - September 25, 10:30am-11:30am, at the Activity Center

Archery Class - September 4-25, at Willoughby

Basic Horse Care - September 19, at Willoughby

She also advised the Aqua Park is only open during the weekends as many of the employees are in school. The last day open will by Labor Day.

L. CONSENT AGENDA

City Clerk Wasser read the Consent Agenda.

1. Motion to Approve Payment of Bills for the Period Ending August 13, 2021, in the Amount of $514,189.27

2. Motion to Approve Payroll for the Period Ending August 6, 2021, in the Amount of $803,845.87

3. Motion to Approve Minutes of the August 10, 2021 Council Meeting

4. Resolution Reappointing Members to the Collinsville Cool Cities Committee (Rosalie Marconi and Bailey Lutz)

5. Resolution Requesting Permission from Illinois Department of Transportation to Close Main Street for Annual Collinsville High School Homecoming Parade (October 7)

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 - Hausmann, Green, Stehman, Jerome, and Miller

Nay: 0

Absent: 0

Abstain: 0

M. NEW BUSINESS

1. Ordinance Authorizing the Mayor to Sign an Inter-Governmental Grant Agreement with Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for Unsewered Communities Planning Grant

Public Works Director Dennis Kress advised this ordinance would authorize a grant agreement with the IEPA in the amount of $30,000 for the study and preparations for sewer expansion into Sugar Bend Estates and Deer Creek subdivisions.

Councilman Stehman inquired of the history behind this effort. Director Kress advised the City has been looking into expanding sewers into the subdivision over the last 20 years using various efforts. The study will give the City a plan for construction and allow for additional grants to be applied for.

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

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

Nay: 0

Absent: 0

Abstain: 0

2. Ordinance Authorizing the Mayor to Sign a Professional Services Agreement with Oates Associates in the Amount of $34,675 (Planning Study for the Extension of Sanitary Sewers into Sugar Bend Estates and Deer Creek Subdivisions)

Overview by Director Kress, who advised this ordinance would authorize a professional service agreement with Oates and Associates in the amount of $34,675 in order to conduct the planning study for the sewer expansion project into Sugar Bend Estates and Deer Creek subdivisions. The study will be used for future grant applications towards the project. Funding for the study will be from the IEPA grant ($30,000) and Wastewater Collections operational budget.

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

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

Nay: 0

Absent: 0

Abstain: 0

3. Ordinance Authorizing an Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission Settlement Contract Lump Sum Petition and Order (Eckmann)

City Manager Bair advised this ordinance would authorize a worker's compensation settlement in the amount of $45,000 with Troy Eckmann. Mr. Eckmann was injured on July 22, 2020 during the course of his employment. All benefits have been paid and the case is ready for a resolution. A motion was made by Councilman Green, seconded by Councilman Stehman to approve. The motion carried by the following vote:

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

Nay: 0

Absent: 0

Abstain: 0

N. OLD BUSINESS

O. CLOSED SESSION

P. ANNOUNCEMENTS

Q. ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Councilman Hausmann, seconded by Councilman Jerome to adjourn at 7:34 pm. The motion carried by the following vote:

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

Nay: 0

Absent: 0