City of Collinsville City Council met Oct. 12.
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 Jeff Stehman, Councilman David Jerome, Councilman Tony Hausmann, Councilman Donna Green, and Mayor John Miller
Absent: 0
C. INVOCATION
Delivered by Pastor Jennifer Glover of United Church of Christ.
D. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Recited.
E. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS
F. BUSINESS PRIOR TO PUBLIC INPUT
G. COUNCIL DISCUSSION
1. 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
Chief Financial Officer Kris Mooney gave a summary of the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for 2020. The report consists of several sections:
Introductory - information about the City's organization as well as a letter regarding the City's finances.
Financial - statement and explanation of results.
Statistical - financial condition of the City.
Single Audit - comprehensive audit of the City's finances.
He spoke of the audit findings in which 8 adjusting journal entries were identified, all of which were minor adjustments. The auditing firm submitted a management letter which contained suggestions for improvements to strength internal controls related to financial policies. Some of the suggestions were rolled over from previous audits.
CFO Mooney highlighted major fund performances:
General Fund - $27.1 million in revenues and overall deficit of $374,000. Unassigned fund balance was $7.2 million which is 26.7% of revenues.
Water/Sewer - $8.8 million in revenues and a $291,000 deficit. Unrestricted Net Position ended at $4.4 million.
City Manager Bair spoke of the impact COVID had.
Councilman Green inquired of the internal control suggestions to which CFO Mooney advised he is working on implementing.
2. City App and Code Enforcement Discussion
City Clerk Wasser spoke of the City's App as a way to identify and report code violations and road repairs. She gave a brief tutorial on downloading the App as well as how to use the App.
Community Development Director Travis Taylor spoke of internal reorganization within his department as a way to improve code enforcement efforts. He advised Eric Nagel was appointed as Building and Neighborhood Services Manager to oversee the process.
Mr. Nagel advised code violations are identified in one of two ways, discovered by staff or reported by a resident. He mentioned the various ways a resident could report an issue - calling the Nuisance Complaint Hotline, online submission, speaking directly with staff, or the City's mobile App. He spoke of the process used to address a reported code violation:
Site inspection to verify a violation exists.
Written property owner notification which cites the violation(s) and requests remediation by a specific time. If compliance is met by the requested time, the case is closed.
If the violation continues to exist, a second notice is given to the property owner which is an official citation with a court date listed. Depending on the severity and/or frequency of the violation(s), the case may be heard in Municipal Court or at the County level.
Per Code, Municipal Court dates are scheduled 30-45 days out as a Notice to Appear. During the hearing, efforts are made to negotiated compliance. Disposition of the case may vary depending on the outcome (guilty with a fine, continuance to remedy, dismissed).
If deemed necessary to proceed at the County Court, a Notice to Appear is given 30-45 days out. Based on findings, the Court may find the defendant guilty and impose a fine, supervision, or dismiss the case. He advised a warrant may be issued if the defendant fails to appear in court.
Case is closed once the violation is abated and all court order fines received.
He clarified that the City's ultimate goal is compliance.
Mr. Nagel spoke of common code violations (tall grass, inoperable vehicles, accumulation of trash and debris, property maintenance issues.) He mentioned being a good neighbor by not allowing these violations to exist on your property and reporting those that you see.
Director Taylor spoke of the Neighborhood Program as a way to communicate with the residents. He advised the program was halted due to COVID but hopes to reinstate it. He commended Mr. Nagel for his leadership and tenacity.
Councilman Jerome spoke of some issues being subjective in that some may not legally be identified as a nuisance. He mentioned educating the public on what constitutes a nuisance. City Manager Bair agreed and gave an example of some handmade political signs.
A brief discussion was had regarding addressing code violations as not a punitive process but rather a tool to improve the community as a whole and improve property with compliance being the ultimate goal.
Councilman Jerome inquired of resources to help those who may need it. Mr. Nagel advised he is looking into establishing a list of those (churches, youth groups, civic organizations) to assist residents who need help because they may be disabled or unable to maintain their property due to other issues.
Councilman Hausmann spoke in favor of the process and the yellow corrective action signs as a way to inform the public that the issue is being addressed.
Councilman Stehman spoke of code enforcement being the avenue to improve neighborhoods.
Councilman Green indicated a code violation at a neighboring property was one of the reasons why she decided to run for office as a Council member. She reiterated that the process is not to be punitive but to improve the community. She mentioned the Good Neighbor Award that will be presented at the Collinsville Community Awards Dinner event.
Mayor Miller spoke of local civic organizations partnering with the City to clean up trash and debris from streets. He mentioned starting up Neighborhood Watch Programs and promoting clean up efforts within the neighborhood.
H. SPEAKERS FROM THE FLOOR
None.
I. COMMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS - MAYOR
Mayor Miller mentioned he and his wife recently celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary. He mentioned having the opportunity to judge the Mr. Homecoming event.
J COMMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS - COUNCIL MEMBERS None.
K. COMMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS - CITY STAFF
City Manager Bair mentioned upcoming Parks and Recreation programs:
Egg-Tober
Doggie Howl-oween Hunt
Movies on Main Double Feature
Police Chief Steve Evans spoke of the annual Metro East Teen Driver Safety program to be held October 20 and 21 at the Gateway Center. This year the program will host over 1,000 sophomore and junior students from CHS. The program is sponsored by the CMC Rotary. He played a video showcasing the event.
L. CONSENT AGENDA
City Clerk Wasser read the Consent Agenda.
1. Motion to Approve Payment of Bills for the Period Ending October 1, 2021, in the Amount of $956,496.98
2. Motion to Approve Payroll for the Period Ending September 17, 2021, in the Amount of $756,461.43
3. Motion to Approve Minutes of the September 28, 2021 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 Jerome, seconded by Councilman Green, 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 Execute a Rental Agreement with SBIRents, Inc. for Bio-solids Dewatering Equipment
Public Works Director Dennis Kress advised this ordinance would allow for the rental of necessary equipment for the bio-solids dewatering process. The rental rate of equipment is $15,000 per month plus fees for transportation and set up. The equipment will be needed for approximately 7 months until the construction of the bio-solids dewatering project is completed. He advised the current disposal contract with Keller Farms will expire at the end of the year; after which, disposal of bio-solids would be done using the landfill. He indicated equipment rental rate and landfill fees will be less than the disposal rate with Keller Farms.
A motion was made by Councilman Hausmann, 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 Authorize the City Manager to Sign a Change Order in the Amount of $6,734 with Heneghan Construction Services for Storm Water Mitigation at Willoughby Farm
City Manager Bair advised this ordinance would authorize additional work at Willoughby Farm for the mitigation of stormwater issues. He indicated the additional work includes seeding, widening the walkway, and survey. The project is being funded by TIF District 1 and two reimbursement grants. Director Kress gave a brief scope of the project and described the area.
A motion was made by Councilman Stehman, seconded by Councilman Green 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 Authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Broker Agreement with Daniel & Henry
CFO Mooney advised Gallagher Insurance has been the City's broker for the past 15 years for property and casualty insurance. He mentioned the benefits of periodically reviewing services. He advised proposals were solicited with 7 received. Each proposal was reviewed and evaluated based on qualifications and fees. Staff is recommending Daniel and Henry Co. as they are well known in the area and represent over 50 municipalities in Illinois and Missouri. Their proposal also included Claims Management and Loss Control services at no additional cost.
Councilman Jerome spoke of the benefits of being fully insured and less deductibles. City Manager Bair mentioned the frustration with Gallagher Insurance and the additional costs for various services. A motion was made by Councilman Hausmann, 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
P. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Q. ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Councilman Green, seconded by Councilman Stehman to adjourn at 7:51 pm. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5 - Stehman, Jerome, Hausmann, Green, and Miller
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
Abstain: 0
https://collinsville.legistar1.com/collinsville/meetings/2021/10/1488_M_City_Council_21-10-12_Minutes.pdf
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