City of Collinsville City Council met April 12

By Kristine Gonzales-Abella

Jun 10, 2022

City of Collinsville City Council met April 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 Donna Green, Councilman Jeff Stehman, Councilman David Jerome, Councilman Tony Hausmann, and Mayor John Miller

Absent: 0

C. INVOCATION

Delivered by Pastor Myles Holmes of Revive Church.

D. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Recited.

E. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS

1. Presentation of the Empty Bowl Fundraiser check to the Collinsville Food Pantry

The Collinsville Women's Club presented a check to the Collinsville Food Pantry in the amount of $15,566.29 from the Empty Bowl Fundraiser.

2. Introduction of New City Employees:

Kristen Siebert, Superintendent of Recreation

Jay Favor, Superintendent of Utilities

City Manager Bair introduced new employees, Kristen Siebert and Jay Favor. Mayor Miller welcomed them.

F. BUSINESS PRIOR TO PUBLIC INPUT

G. COUNCIL DISCUSSION

1. Bed and Breakfast and Short Term Rental Discussion

Associate Planner Caitlin Rice gave an overview of the background regarding bed and breakfast/short term rentals. She highlighted potential amendments and asked for Council's input:

- Bed and Breakfast regulations and allowed within certain zoning districts.

- Short-Term Rental regulations and allowed within certain zoning districts.

- Special Use Permit process (Planning Commission's role and administrative approval).

Councilman Stehman spoke in favor of strengthening regulations to allow for bed and breakfast establishments in specially zoned districts rather than single family residential areas. He mentioned the need for established standards and regular inspections. He spoke in favor of staff approval process instead of the Planning Commission. Lastly, he spoke of the need to restrict short-term rentals to commercial districts due to potential issues (parking, noise, etc). He was not in favor of allowing short-term rentals within single family neighborhoods but suggested the uptown area.

Councilman Jerome spoke of the reasons behind the City's zoning districts. He spoke of the need to maintain integrity of residential areas. He mentioned the different standards, regulations and inspection process for commercial structures versus homes. He spoke of the inability to regulate such businesses utilizing Special Use Permits. He commented that homes used for commercial purposes or business ventures need to be inspected on a regular basis to ensure adequate safety measures.

Councilman Hausmann agreed with Councilman Jerome's comments and spoke of his concerns with using the Special Use Permit process. He too spoke of the issue to regulate and inspect. He inquired as to when does a short-term rental unit become similar to that of a hote/motel type of business. He also inquired as to the collection of hotel tax for such establishments. He is of the opinion that such businesses should not be within single family residential neighborhoods.

A brief discussion was had regarding the Special Use Permit process by the Planning Commission.

City Manager Bair advised the City's goal is to preserve single family neighborhoods. He spoke of the need for standards and regulations for bed and breakfast establishments, as well as short-term rental units. He agreed that it is problematic in collecting hotel tax from short-term rentals. He mentioned the need for clarification on short-term rental units to be permissible in business districts or prohibited from the City all together. Lastly, he advised surrounding communities do not allow for Airbnb units or short-term rentals.

Discussion was had regarding where b&b's and short-term rentals could be located as well as where they should not be. They discussed regulations and the need to modify inspection code to allow for frequent inspections. They mentioned maximum occupancy requirements and other aspects.

Senior Planner Andi Yancey advised staff will draft an ordinance for Council's review based on items discussed.

H. SPEAKERS FROM THE FLOOR

Cara McCulley spoke of her Airbnb business at 918 St. Louis Road. She indicated she has ran this business out of her home for the past 3 years to subsidize her income. She spoke of previous occupants and house rules.

Shannon Connor spoke of her Airbnb shared home at 722 St. Louis Road. She too mentioned house rules and reported no issues. She spoke of the many guests who have stayed at her home.

I. COMMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS - MAYOR

Mayor Miller mentioned the beginning of spring and ask the public to watch for children playing outside. He reminded the citizens to not blow grass clippings into the roadway. He spoke of Easter and the meaning of the holiday.

J COMMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS - COUNCIL MEMBERS None.

K. COMMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS - CITY STAFF

City Manager Bair clarified that short-term rentals have always been illegal within the City.

Parks and Recreation Director Kimberly Caughran spoke of upcoming events:

Barn Dance at Willoughby Farm, April 29

Camp Kahok summer camp registration

City-Wide Yard Sale, April 29-30

Sponsor and decorate wooden candle in honor of Collinsville's sesquicentennial

L. CONSENT AGENDA

City Clerk Wasser read the Consent Agenda.

1. Motion to Approve Payment of Bills for the Period Ending April 1, 2022, in the Amount of $1,318,570.66

2. Motion to Approve Payroll for the Period Ending March 18, 2022, in the Amount of $1,035,131.35

3. Motion to Approve Minutes of the March 22, 2022 Council Meeting

4. Resolution Requesting Permission from the Illinois Department of Transportation to Close Main Street for Horseradish Festival

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

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

Nay: 0

Absent: 0

Abstain: 0

M. NEW BUSINESS

1. Ordinance Authorizing the Waiver of Fees Related to the Construction of a Single Family Residence (501 Forest Drive)

Council was informed of a typographical error in the ordinance attached to the agenda and the correct fee amount for consideration to be waived is $1,769.53.

Senior Planner Yancey advised Habitat for Humanity has requested building permit fees to be waived on a single family residence they will be building at 501 Forest Drive. The construction permit fee is $1,769.53 (building permit and occupancy). Staff supports the request to waive the fee as Habitat is a non-profit organization.

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

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

Nay: 0

Absent: 0

Abstain: 0

2. Ordinance to Award Bid and Authorize Contract with Kohnen Concrete Products, Inc. in the Amount of $22,740 (St. Louis Rd. Stormwater Project, CIP #22-006)

Kevin Madden, Associate Engineer, advised this would award bid and authorize contract with Kohnen Concrete Products for materials associated with the St. Louis Rd. Stormwater Project. He indicated this project was approved in the 2022 Capital Improvement Plan. The project consists of 14 stormwater structures and approximately 1,700 feet of stormwater sewers which will begin on St. Louis Rd. at Maple St. and ends at Watt Street. Overall, the project will provide for adequate drainage and eliminate stormwater that runs under a resident's garage.

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

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

Nay: 0

Absent: 0

Abstain: 0

3. Ordinance Approving the Purchase of Trucks from Morrow Brothers Ford from the State Bid List in the Amount of $136,570 (CIP #PR22-001, PR22-002, PR22-003)

Director Caughran advised this ordinance would authorize the purchase of 3 trucks from the State Bid List. The purchase of these trucks were previously approved in the 2022 CIP; however, 1 truck returned over budget while the other 2 were under making the overall purchase of all 3 trucks slightly over budget at $136,570 total instead of $135,000.

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

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

Nay: 0

Absent: 0

Abstain: 0

4. Ordinance Further Amending Collinsville Ordinance #4766 to Amend Territory and to Expand and Add Incentives to the Madison County Discovery Enterprise Zone

City Manager Bair advised this ordinance would amend the Madison County Discovery Enterprise Zone to add property into the district. The added properties are on Mall Street and Bellevue Drive. A motion was made by Councilman Stehman, seconded by Councilman

Hausmann to approve. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 5 - Green, Stehman, Jerome, Hausmann, 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 pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c): 1. Appointment, employment, compensation, discipline or performance of employees

3. The selection or performance of a person in a public office

11. Pending or Threatened or Imminent Litigation

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

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

Nay: 0

Absent: 0

Abstain: 0

P. ANNOUNCEMENTS

Q. ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Councilman Jerome, seconded by Councilman

Hausmann to adjourn at 7:46 pm. The motion carried by the following vote:

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