City of Troy City Council met Nov. 1.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
A. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor David Nonn called the meeting to order at 7:30pm and led the aldermen and meeting attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.
B. Roll Call in Alphabetical Order
Present: Mayor David Nonn; Aldermen Dan Dawson, Tim Flint, Elizabeth Hellrung, Nathan Henderson, Sam Italiano, Debbie Knoll, Tony Manley and Troy Turner. Absent: None. Other Officials Present: City Treasurer Kelly Huelsmann, City Administrator Jay Keeven, City Engineer Tom Cissell, City Attorney Fred Keck, Chief of Police Brent Shownes, Building and Zoning Administrative Coordinator Linda Taake, Public Works Director Rob Hancock, and City Clerk Kim Thomas.
C. Reading and Approval of Minutes
1. Approval of the City Council Meeting Minutes from October 18, 2021.
Moved by Flint. Second by Italiano. Unanimously approved by voice vote of the aldermen.
D. Communications – to be provided by the City Clerk - none
E. Citizen Participation
Joseph Wright, CEO of CTY Enterprises LLC, introduced himself and announced to the council that he was present to answer any questions about the permit for the proposed cannabis dispensary.
F. Mayor's Comments - none
G. City Administrator and City Attorney Comments
1. City Administrator's Comments
Mr. Keeven would like to set up a Public Works Committee meeting to talk about plans for moving forward with the sewer plant expansion. He would also like to get a Finance Committee meeting scheduled to discuss the closing of TIF #1. He would like both of these meetings to be scheduled for next week.
2. City Attorney’s Comments –
Mr. Keck will be meeting with Mr. Keeven tomorrow to go over the tax levy, which will be on the agenda in a couple of weeks. They will also discuss items that will be presented to the upcoming finance committee.
H. Consent Agenda - none
I. Administrative and Community Services Committee Report
1. Results of the Public Hearings and Planning Commission Meeting held on Thursday, October 21, 2021 There were three public hearings, followed by a regular meeting of the Planning Commission on October 21, 2021. The three hearings:
- Light Maintenance Facility – for a special-use permit. Pilot is going to lease ground on the west side of their lot behind the travel center to operate a truck light-maintenance center. The Planning Commission recommended approval by a vote of 6-0. There were no stipulations.
- Coffee Shop in front of Plummer Strip Mall off of Hwy 40 – for a temporary-use permit. The applicants want to install a 12’ x 16’ temporary building to operate a drive-thru coffee shop. The Planning Commission recommended approval by a vote of 6-0, with one stipulation: temporary-use permits are only good for one year. After one year, the city council can approve a one-year extension. No further extensions are authorized according to our Code of Ordinances. The applicants are aware of this. They have been working with and have the support of Mr. Plummer, who owns the land. They believe that, if their business is successful, they will be able to build a permanent structure close to the temporary facility.
- Adult-Use Cannabis Dispensary – for a special-use permit. This proposed business would be located at 904 Edwardsville Road, the building which is south of Cracker Barrel restaurant and east of Taco Bell. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the permit by a vote of 3-2, with four stipulations: (1) acceptable outcome of a traffic study, (2) approved parking plan and restriping of the lot, (3) ensuring easements of both entrances, and (4) installation of a fence between the facility and the Cracker Barrel restaurant.
The Planning Commission president, Aaron Adams, addressed the council on the dispensary. This facility will only offer recreational cannabis, not medical. The main issues with the dispensary were the lack of adequate parking and the additional traffic. Because of this, customers will be able to make appointments. This will help to rectify some of the traffic and parking issues. Off-site parking for employees will possibly be used to further reduce parking issues.
Charles Lorenzo of the planning commission also spoke. His concern is that the dispensary will only offer recreational cannabis. Troy is only authorized one dispensary. Medical cannabis users will have to go to Collinsville.
Mr. Keeven informed the council that the traffic study for the dispensary has been completed. He received it this afternoon and had just finished reviewing it prior to the council meeting. Joseph Wright of CTY Enterprises addressed the council again. He introduced his CTY co-founder and colleague, Gregory Yurovsky. He gave his credentials, which included former Director of the Illinois Cannabis Program, appointed in 2015. Prior to that, he served as an attorney with the Illinois Lt. Governor in the General Counsels’ Office. Prior to that, he worked in Washington D.C. as a member of the congressional staff. He said he understands this issue can sometimes be contentious and there can be strong feelings about it. He wants to do whatever he can to alleviate concerns. Concerning parking and traffic issues, he believes facility parking will be sufficient. Customers would be able to pre-order online and make an appointment for product pick-up. In order to ensure that surges in traffic are addressed, they are exploring several options for additional parking in the area. They will also ensure they have adequate staff for expedient service to customers and staff to work security and parking control. There will be two security officers on-site at all times.
Concerning medical licensing, the state is only offering recreational licenses at this time. The only difference between recreational and medical sales is the taxing. Medical cannabis is subject to a 1% state tax. State tax on recreational cannabis is 10-25%, depending on the THC level.
Mr. Italiano asked where their products come from. Mr. Wright responded that all cannabis sold in the State of Illinois is grown by state-licensed growers in Illinois.
Mr. Henderson asked if it is possible to add medical licensing at a later time. Mr. Wright replied that the state assembly would first need to pass legislature to allow recreational-only licensees to be able to sell medical. If that happens, they will certainly apply for that licensing.
Mayor Nonn asked, if traffic became a problem, would they move exclusively to online ordering. Mr. Wright answered that they could explore that, but if they only allow online ordering, they would still receive customers who are unaware of the process. These customers would create traffic while not creating sales. As the business progresses, they will encourage all customers to pre-order to gradually increase expediency.
2. Building and Zoning Administrative Coordinator’s Report - none
J. Finance and Economic Development Committee Report - none
City Treasurer Report – none
K. Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Committee Report
Mr. Italiano announced that he would like to hold a Law Enforcement Committee meeting on Thursday, November 4th at 6:30pm.
Chief of Police Report
Chief of Police Brent Shownes briefed the committee on the following:
- License Plate Reader (LPR) report – using LPR, they were able to identify the vehicle used in the Realms of Gaming burglary. They also found a missing suicidal subject and a couple of stolen vehicles. These events all occurred in the last week.
- The new Community Service Officer, Chris Coynes, along with the TPD administrative assistant, launched “Operation Fido”. The CSO was finding problems with the chip reader and getting information from the company concerning the location for owners of lost pets. Operation Fido allows pet owners to register their pets in a confidential database, which includes pet information and pictures, to aid in locating the owners. To date, they have 95 pets already registered – in the first week.
- He is expanding the Crime Alert Program (CAP). The program was originally set up for businesses to sign up to receive alerts for criminal activity they need to be aware of. He is now opening the program to the community (HOAs, subdivision Facebook administrators, etc.). The more emails the TPD can get, the more information they can get out to the community.
- A new program, Citizen Initiated Traffic Enforcement (CITE), is coming. This program will give citizens the opportunity to help maintain their safe communities.
L. Public Works Committee Report
1. City Engineer’s Report
Mr. Cissell briefed the following projects:
Carrington Farms – The engineering review of improvement plans is complete and the plans have been sent to the Public Works Director for review. They should be ready to be sent to Osborn next week. Highway Safety Improvement Program/Left Turn Lane on Troy O’Fallon Road at Country Lane – Survey is complete. Design will now start.
Spring Valley Road, Phase 3 – We have a proposal from TWM that is not in the budget. This is for work on Spring Valley Road from Austin Drive to Charleston Drive, in front of Spring Valley Estates. He would like to bring this project to the Public Works Committee for discussion.
McDonald Drive – Will be out for bid this week. Opening of bids on November 18th. It will be on the city council agenda the first meeting in December if good bids are received.
Resurfacing Sr A Bradley Smith Boulevard – Construction was supposed to start last week but could not because of weather. Construction will begin tomorrow.
Serenade Park – Planning Design Studios submitted concept design drawings last week.
Zenk Road Culvert – We have not received the permit from Corps of Engineers yet.
2. Public Works Schedule and Report – attached
3. Public Works Director’s Report
Some projects have been delayed due to bad weather. The roof sealing project began last week. Progress will depend on the weather. The RFP for Automated Meter reading was advertised last week. Responses are due back December 1st. He will need the Public Works Committee’s assistance in reviewing and grading/scoring. He is working on two RFPs for sewer lining and manhole lining. One is ready to go. He will put them both out for bid at the same time for better pricing.
M. Reports of Special Committees (as needed) – none
N. Ordinances and Resolutions called by the City Clerk, with Citizen Participation
1. Ordinance 2021-26 - An Ordinance Concerning Chapter 154 of the Troy Municipal Zoning Code for the Purpose of Granting a Special Use on a Specific Parcel (i.e. Adult-Use Cannabis Dispensary at 904 Edwardsville Road)
Mr. Henderson asked, if approved, what control does the city have over the traffic study? Mr. Keck said the council is voting on the recommendation “as is”. Since the traffic study is included in the planning commission’s recommendation, it will be a requirement. The requestor has to comply with all requirements and stipulations in the planning commission’s recommendation. Action must be taken on the recommendation tonight. This action could include tabling if the council would like additional time to review. Mr. Keeven said he had seen the traffic study, but he believes the council should also have a chance to review it. He did say that he was comfortable with the arrangements made for parking and traffic. Mr. Henderson asked if the traffic study included the impact on Hwy 162. Mr. Keeven stated the study refers to traffic counts on Hwy 162 and says the business should not adversely impact it. He read portions of the traffic study to the council referencing this issue. There was then discussion of Dunkin Donuts and the impact it has had on Hwy 162 traffic. Mr. Cissell said he discussed the need for a traffic study with the planning commission and they then required it as a part of their recommendation to the council. Mr. Cissell said he does not see “stacking” in the parking lot at the dispensary as has been seen at Dunkin Donuts. Per Mrs. Taake, one of things the planning commission talked about, in addition to parking and traffic, was security. The business will have cameras with 360oview around the building. If they see a customer parking at another business (e.g., Cracker Barrel), they will identify the individual and ask them to park elsewhere before they receive service. Mr. Cissell stated that the council is only approving the special use permit, not a building permit. There still has to be a site plan review and an architectural review. Mrs. Taake said other businesses in the area had expressed concern about customers loitering or consuming/smoking outside the building. That will not occur because it is illegal. Motion: To approve Ordinance 2021-26 as presented.
Moved by Turner. Second by Dawson. Vote: Motion passed (Aye = 6; Nay = 2)
Aye: Dawson, Flint, Hellrung, Henderson, Knoll, and Turner.
Nay: Italiano, Manley.
2. Ordinance 2021-27 - An Ordinance Concerning Chapter 154 of the Troy Municipal Zoning Code for the Purpose of Granting a Special Use on a Specific Parcel (i.e. Truck Light-Maintenance Facility at 820 Edwardsville Road)
Mrs. Taake restated that the facility will be located behind the Pilot and to the west. It will be a three bay facility, visible from Edwardsville Road. The purpose is not to draw new customers; it is a service to their existing customers.
Motion: To approve Ordinance 2021-25 as presented.
Moved by Henderson. Second by Knoll. Vote: Motion passed (Aye = 8; Nay = 0)
Aye: Dawson, Flint, Hellrung, Henderson, Italiano, Knoll, Manley, and Turner.
3. Ordinance 2021-28 - An Ordinance Concerning Chapter 154 of the Troy Municipal Zoning Code for the Purpose of Granting a Temporary Use on a Specific Parcel (i.e. Drive-Thru Coffee Shop at 7640 Plummer Business Drive)
Mrs. Taake informed the council that the applicants for this facility, Jason and Sarah Tye, were present. Mr. Tye informed the council that they have been working with Mr. Plummer on this project. They will erect a portable temporary building for now. If, in 8-9 months, they see that their business is a success, they will negotiate again with Mr. Plummer and change to a permanent structure. Jason and Sarah are both military retirees and have moved to Troy because they “love the town”. They want their business
in the chosen location because there is nothing on that side of town. They will be selling coffee, smoothies, and possibly other food/drink items.
Motion: To approve Ordinance 2021-25 as presented.
Moved by Flint. Second by Turner. Vote: Motion passed (Aye = 8; Nay = 0)
Aye: Dawson, Flint, Hellrung, Henderson, Italiano, Knoll, Manley, and Turner.
4. Resolution 2021-29 - A Resolution Authorizing the Payment of Redevelopment Project Costs and Obligations from the Special Tax Allocation Fund #1
This resolution has been postponed until the next council meeting.
O. Closed Session - none
P. Adjournment
Adjournment of the Meeting
Moved by Italiano. Second by Henderson. Unanimously approved by voice vote of the aldermen. Meeting adjourned at 8:44 pm.
http://www.troyil.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11012021-489
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