Village of Fairmont City Board of Trustees met Oct. 6.
Here are 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.
Village Clerk Killian Weir took attendance. The following were in attendance: Trustees: David Suarez, Raul Munoz, Robert Belba, Michael Fiudo and Charles Arriola. Trustee Guadalupe Hernandez was absent. Also, present were Treasurer Carlos Gomez, Police Chief Gerald Brown, Public Works Director Roger Juenger, Deputy Treasurer Sally Rodriguez and Building Inspector James Sehr.
At this time Mayor Suarez introduced Officers Christian Unser and Nicholas Hensley and asked Clerk Killian Weir to administer the Police Department Oath of Office to the new hires. Congratulations, applause and photos followed.
A motion to approve the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, September 19, 2021, was made by Raul Munoz and seconded by Charles Arriola. Roll Call Vote: David Suarez, yes; Raul Munoz, yes; Robert Belba, yes; Michael Fiudo, yes; Charles Arriola, yes. Trustee Guadalupe Hernandez was absent.
Motion Passed
Treasurer's Report
Treasurer Carlos Gomez gave a brief review of current financial conditions and reported the financials will be presented at the next meeting after the bank statements are received.
Clerk's Report
Clerk Weir presented a Building Permit Application 5606 Collinsville Road, Cement Patio for Business, Mariscos El Najar, Alejandro Najar Camacho, Business Owner, Gerardo Mendez, Property Owner. In the absence of the applicant Mayor Suarez asked Building Inspector James Sehr if he is familiar with the application. Inspector Sehr reported he has in fact inspected the site and the application. The inspector admitted he could not understand exactly what the intention is.
With that, Mayor Suarez decided to table the application until further clarification can be made.
Report of Police Chief
Chief Brown requested a Closed Session regarding personnel.
Police Chief Brown asked the board to consider the purchase of Lexipol Solutions Software. The software is a policy and procedural manual system which would keep the department apprised of any changes to the laws. The system is designed for a daily regime by officers to sign in. Once signed in any changes in procedures and or laws is reported and a brief line of questioning is provided to assure understanding. The company employs lawyers to keep up with the everchanging laws regarding policing and will back it up with legal assistance.
The cost of the system is $5,866.00 per year. The mayor and the police commissioner attended the zoom presentation and were very impressed and believe it will benefit the officers and the village. The chief reported he is actively seeking a Safety Grant through the Illinois Municipal League to help fund the program.
With no objections the motion was made by Robert Belba and seconded by Charles Arriola to accept the Lexipol Solutions Proposal, at an annual rate of $5,866.00. Roll Call Vote: David Suarez, yes; Raul Munoz, yes; Robert Belba, yes; Michael Fiudo, yes; Charles Arriola, yes. Trustee Guadalupe Hernandez was absent.
Motion Passed
Report of Fire Chief
Fire Chie Allen reported the fire department is currently struggling with a mixed matching array of mask and air tanks in each truck. The chief has received a proposal from of Mallory Safety and Supply LLC. which would help to correct the problem. The proposal as presented in detail and parts totaled to $6,000.00. The chief summarized the amount which includes 22 masks and 15 air packs. He described the purchase as Phase 1 of 2. The first phase needs to be in place before Phase 2 can be completed. Phase 2 will conclude with each fire fighter having a personal mask which is a federal requirement of the Department of Labor and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration).
The chief has asked the Fireman's Association for funding and it agreed to provide half, $3,000.00. Fire Chief Allen asked the board to provide the other half, $3,000.00. With that, the motion was made by Robert Belba and seconded by Raul Munoz to approve the purchase proposal submitted by Mallory Safety and Supply LLC. of $6,000.00 with the Fairmont City Fireman's Association providing $3,000.00 the village providing $3,000.00. Roll Call Vote: David Suarez, yes; Raul Munoz, yes; Robert Belba, yes; Michael Fiudo, yes; Charles Arriola, yes. Trustee Guadalupe Hernandez was absent.
Motion Passed
Mayor Suarez asked the fire chief for a time line. Fire Chief Allen went through the process to conclude it would be at least a month.
Chief Allen reported the Annual Open House held in October will be canceled again this year due to COVID concerns. He has met with Katie Heaton and is setting up for virtual book reading as they did last year. Ms. Heaton stated it was a huge success last year and is looking forward to its return. The chief hopes to get back to real time next year.
With reference to previous reporting of applying for a grant from the Fire Marshal's Office for lost fund-raising capability due to COVID retractions, the results are in as of 5pm this day. Department applications through the state were numbered at 36. Four St. Clair County departments were awarded. The Fairmont City Fire Department is one of them and will be in receipt of $8,540.00. The chief reported the application was rather grueling and he worked with the Firemen's Association to get it done. He was very pleased with the result, as were those present.
Again, working with Katie Heaton, the fire chief reported the brochure is out and the 2nd Annual Christmas Lighting Celebration is set for November 20, 2021 from 2pm-6pm. All the Christmas cheer, Santa, Food Trucks, live reindeer and more are in place and the Tree Lighting is scheduled for 5:15pm.
At this time the decision has been made to proceed with a parade to distribute the toys for the Toy Drive, Saturday, December 4, 2021. Should further COVID restriction be mandated the backup plan is already in place from last year.
Report of the Public Works Director - No Report
Committee Reports
Police/Public Safety-Chair- Charles Arriola
Trustee Arriola wanted to point out he, the mayor and the police chief did some investigating of area police departments using the Lexipol Solutions product. All the chiefs reported nothing but satisfaction with the product and its use.
The trustee asked the Building Inspector for an update on a burned trailer that the owner had received notice to remove. The inspector reported nothing has been done and a citation will be issued next.
Trustee Arriola also asked the inspector to reach out to the owner of the building at 5401 Collinsville Road where the Foodland Grocery is. The trees and brush growing around the property is a mess.
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 - No Report
Streets, Sewers, Grounds, Building & Parks - Chair - David Suarez - No Report
President's Report
Mayor Suarez reported the village has been awarded another St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Grant in the amount of $25,000.00. The plan is to resurface the grounds under the Kinder Park equipment and provide electricity to the smaller pavilion at Rose Lake Park.
Charter is still working on the design map as of the last communication.
The mayor informed those present the Phase Ill Street Project will be on the agenda at the next meeting.
Public Comment
A representative from the library reported the library is being gifted by Home Depot to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. A number of volunteers will be at the library this Saturday for 5 hours of "home" improvements. The group will be painting, cleaning and sprucing the place up. The library is grateful and excited.
As a resident the same person reported being a recycler and pointed out there are no signs. Sally Rodriguez reported her office has tried to get signs but the company doesn't have them.
Another resident inquired about not having any Spanish speaking policemen and if there is any intention on bringing some to the police force. Chief Brown reported they have someone in mind but the individual will need to go through the academy first. The academy is closed for this year and the applicant will be enrolled when the academy resumes early next year. The chief also reported the village has devoted civilian employees currently willing to help out on call. Ms. Rodriguez shared an incident where the State Police called her office and Ms. Pacheco was able to help them out by phone. She added Ms. Pacheco did a wonderful job and it was an emotional situation.
A resident who previously complained about the property at 3912 Cookson that was involved in a fire reported the yard is a mess again. The Police Chief reported it took a phone call to get the owner out the last time. He asked the resident to call the police department the next time it appears out of hand. Building Inspector Sehr let the resident know the damage part of the building is now a civil lawsuit and the village is limited in what can be demanded of the residence.
A resident in attendance asked if the Lexipol software includes mental health disability training. Chief Brown reported it most certainly does and that sort of training is a state requirement of all officers.
At this time the public was asked to leave building for Closed Executive Session.
Closed Executive Session
At this time the motion was made by Raul Munoz and seconded by Michael Fiudo to enter into enter into Executive Session regarding a legal matter. Roll Call Vote: David Suarez, yes; Raul Munoz, yes; Robert Belba, yes; Michael Fiudo, yes; Charles Arriola, yes. Trustee Guadalupe Hernandez was absent.
Motion Passed 7:35pm
The motion was made by Michael Fiudo and seconded by Charles Arriola to return to the regular order of business. Roll Call Vote: David Suarez, yes; Guadalupe Hernandez, yes; Raul Munoz, yes; Robert Belba, yes; Michael Fiudo, yes; Charles Arriola, yes. Motion Passed 7:53pm
The motion to approve payment of the bills as presented on this day, October 6, 2021, in the amount of$ 47,572.88, was made by Robert Belba and seconded by Charles Arriola. Roll Call Vote: David Suarez, yes; Raul Munoz, yes; Robert Belba, yes; Michael Fiudo, yes; Charles Arriola, yes. Trustee Guadalupe Hernandez was absent.
Motion Passed
Adjournment
With that, a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Charles Arriola and seconded by Michael Fiudo. Roll Call Vote: David Suarez, yes; Raul Munoz, yes; Robert Belba, yes; Michael Fiudo, yes; Charles Arriola, yes. Trustee Guadalupe Hernandez was absent. Motion Passed
The meeting was adjourned.
https://mcclibraryfunctions.azurewebsites.us/api/munidocDownload/31192/3ff19cdbcc3a4/pdf
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