City of Jerseyville City Council met June 14.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The Jerseyville City Council held their regular meeting at the Jerseyville City Hall at 6:00 p.m. via teleconference due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The public was invited to attend by calling the teleconference phone number.
ROLL CALL: Present were Commissioners Kevin Stork, Steve Pohlman, Nick Bexheti, and Mayor William Russell. City Attorney William Strang was also present. Commissioner Zachary Crawford was absent.
Comm. Pohlman led the opening prayer and Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
A motion was made by Comm. Stork, seconded by Comm. Bexheti, to approve the minutes from the meeting held Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Roll call vote showed all voted aye, no nays, motion carried.
A motion was made by Comm. Stork, seconded by Comm. Bexheti, to approve the bills as presented for June 14, 2022, in the amount of $398,985.28. Roll call vote showed all voted aye, no nays, motion carried.
A presentation was made by the Jerseyville Public Library Board to discuss the proposed Library expansion project. Librarian Anita Driver spoke to the Council regarding the project stating the estimated cost of the expansion has gone from $3.6 million to $5.8 million with the Board now considering eliminating certain aspects of the project to save money. This includes the expansion of the second-floor renovations of the 1987 addition but would like to keep the other proposed renovations. By eliminating the second-floor renovation this decreased the three bids on hand currently to approximately $4.5 million not including the possible 10% contingency. She noted the City has graciously offered to loan $1.6 million towards the project and the Board is comfortable with that amount to payback. The Board is requesting from the City to contribute, in addition to the loan, a $1.75 million donation. The Board believes there will still be a shortage of $575,000.00 that they feel they can raise by other outside donations with fundraising events. Without additional support, the Board does not feel it would be fiscally responsible to continue with the project and the need to decline the State grant of $1.67 million. In that case, the Board has considered using their cash on hand to do renovations to the 1987 addition and other routine maintenance. A drawing of the 1st and 2nd floor of the Library was provided to the Council. Mr. Steve Leblanc, Board member, spoke to the Council and asked if the City would consider a construction manager who would work with the Library to help save on some construction costs. Mayor Russell addressed the Board and agreed the Library is a vital part of our community and it is unfortunate the construction costs being as they are and the timing, but the Council will need to discuss the Library’s request. The Mayor mentioned the Library Board speaking to the County about supporting this project which the Board responded they have not. Anita mentioned she will call and see if the State has a deadline on awarded grant and would let the Council know so discussions can continue.
On behalf of the Library Board, Librarian Anita Driver introduced the newly appointed Librarian, Ms. Judy Pruitt. Ms. Pruitt is originally from Minneapolis Minnesota and who holds a master’s degree in library science. Anita invited everyone to a meet and great for Ms. Pruitt on June 21, 2022.
A motion was made by Comm. Stork, seconded by Comm. Bexheti, to approve a resolution recognizing June as Dementia Awareness month. Mayor Russell read the resolution. Roll call vote showed all voted aye, no nays, motion carried.
A motion was made by Comm. Stork, seconded by Comm. Bexheti, to approve a request from the Jersey County Business Association (JCBA) to utilize the City Jefferson street parking lot for “street fair” on June 28th only and approved waiving the fee and usage of event fencing with intentions of discussing at the next Council meeting possible approval of future street fairs as being requested by JCBA. The JCBA originally requested the usage of the City Jefferson parking lot once a month from June through October. Roll call vote showed all voted aye, no nays, motion carried.
A motion was made by Comm. Stork, seconded by Comm. Bexheti, to approve a resolution for Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to close State Hwy #67 for the Jersey County Fair Parade to be held Tuesday, July 12, 2022, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Roll call vote showed all voted aye, no nays, motion carried.
A motion was made by Comm. Bexheti, seconded by Comm. Stork, to approve a request from Tammy Powell on behalf of Special Olympics of a fundraising event to be held Saturday, September 17, 2022, from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the intersections of State Hwy #67 and State Rt. #16 and State Rt. #109 and West County Road. Roll call vote showed all voted aye, no nays, motion carried.
Under new business, Director of Public Works, Bob Manns questioned the Library Board if they would consider borrowing more money from the City if the City was able to extend the offer. Librarian Anita Driver spoke of her reservations of the Library being strapped for funds and not interested in taking a loan out for more than 20 years. Commissioner Stork reminded the Council voted to not go below the $20 million that is being held reserved from the sale of water/wastewater unless the Council agreed it is feasible and would get a return on an investment including paying back the fund.
No public comment.
A motion was made by Comm. Stork, seconded by Comm. Bexheti, to go into closed session to discuss personnel/collective bargaining matters. Roll call vote showed all voted aye, no nays, motion carried.
Being no action being taken from closed session and no other business to be discussed, a motion was made by Comm. Stork, seconded by Comm. Bexheti, to adjourn the meeting at 6:36 p.m. Roll call vote showed all voted aye, no nays, motion carried.
https://jerseyville-il.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/MINUTES-CITY-COUNCIL-JUNE-14-2022.pdf
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