City of Collinsville City Council met Nov. 8.
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: 4 - Councilman Tony Hausmann, Councilman Jeff Stehman, Councilman David Jerome, and Mayor John Miller
Absent: 1 - Councilman Donna Green
C. INVOCATION
Delivered by Pastor Dale Barnhurst of Seventh-day Adventist Church.
D. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Recited.
E. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS
1. Yard of the Year Presentation
Mayor Miller presented the Yard of the Year award to Mark and Charlotte Popov of 33 Chelsea Road.
2. Retirement of Police Officer Jose Cerna - 20 Years of Service
Police Chief Steve Evans acknowledged Jose Cerna on his retirement. Mayor Miller thanked him (Cerna) for his years of service and presented him with a retirement plaque.
3. National Apprenticeship Week, November 14-20, 2022
Attachments: Proclamation
Mayor Miller read the Proclamation. He introduced Tony Fuhrmann, Director of the Madison County Employment and Training Department. Mr. Fuhrmann thanked Council for their support and spoke of his department's apprenticeship program. He advised an apprenticeship roundtable event is scheduled for November 15 at the Gateway Center with approximately 150 people in attendance. He mentioned the Food Truck Apprenticeship Project and the S.T.E.P. Program (Secondary Transition Experience Program) at the Collinsville High School.
F. BUSINESS PRIOR TO PUBLIC INPUT
G. COUNCIL DISCUSSION
1. 2023 Budget Assumptions
City Manager Bair advised the City is working to finalize its proposed budget for 2023. He advised the task is complicated due to the pending vote regarding the City's Home Rule status; however, the budget is being prepared with the assumption that Home Rule will remain. He introduced Finance Director Dustin Ziebold.
Director Ziebold spoke of the City's property tax allocation in which most goes to pay for Fire and Police Pensions (2023 - 93.08% = $3,028,647 of the estimated proposed tax levy leaving $225,268 or 6.92% for the general fund). He spoke of the expiration of TIF District 1 and the properties contained within that district fully returning to the tax rolls thereby establishing a new base rate adding an estimated $50 million back into the based EAV. He elaborated that the City is not requesting additional revenues from property taxes for the general fund therefore this results in a reduced rate and lower taxes paid by residents and property owners in Collinsville. He explained the 2022 Property Tax Levy Rate was 0.729300 and the projected 2023 Property Tax Levy Rate would be 0.671539. This proposed rate of 0.6715 is the lowest since 2014 in Madison County and since 2013 for St. Clair County properties in Collinsville. City Manager Bair clarified that this discussion is based on if the City retains Home Rule status.
Next, he (Ziebold) spoke of Capital Projects. He advised he is recommending a 10 year plan for planning purposes for each City department. This plan would allow management and staff to work annually to set aside excess revenues into a segregated fund with the sole purpose of funding large scale projects (infrastructure, equipment, facilities). He explained the purpose is to limit the amount of debt in financing and minimize interests costs. He indicated a 10 year plan provides for a more strategic approach. He explained the creation of a "Capital to be Assigned Account." He described it as a place holder account which allows for Unassigned Fund Balance funds and other funds accumulated to be allocated for particular projects while also considering grants and other offsetting revenue sources.
Director Ziebold explained the Unassigned Fund Balance represents unspent revenues from prior years. Excess funds can be used responsibly and strategically to meet capital project goals. He recommends Council to utilize a portion the Unassigned Fund Balance in the 2023 Budget to fund capital projects. Also, he is recommending fully budgeting in the Unassigned Fund Balance account in a manner that maintains a 20% target. City Manager Bair spoke of utilizing the abundance in the Unassigned Fund Balance to offset the costs of capital projects. A brief discussion was had regarding the Unassigned Fund Balance that is in the positive due to conservative spending due to COVID and an increase in sales tax revenues.
Lastly, he spoke of debt services and recommended taking an aggressive approach to pay down outstanding long-term liabilities. He spoke of paying off revenue bonds that would open up revenues within the Hospitality Fund for capital projects for Parks and Gateway Center.
H. SPEAKERS FROM THE FLOOR
None.
I. COMMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS - MAYOR
Mayor Miller spoke of the family-friendly Fall Festival event sponsored by Navigation Church. He encouraged the public to recognize Veteran's Day and attend the American Legion Veteran's Day parade to be held on Friday at 10:00 am in the Uptown area. Lastly, he read a thank you note the City received referencing the annual Anderson Acres block party event. He spoke of Collinsville being a great community.
J COMMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS - COUNCIL MEMBERS
Councilman Jerome mentioned it being election night and hoped for a good outcome. He congratulated the Collinsville High School Football team.
Councilman Hausmann thanked the Rotary Club for installing the wheelchair accessible swing at Woodland Park and the Boy Scout Troop who put in new railings on the foot bridge.
K. COMMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS - CITY STAFF
Parks and Recreation Director Kimberly Caughran spoke of the Christmas Light-Up Parade and event at the Collins House immediately afterwards on Saturday, December 3 starting at 5:30pm.
L. CONSENT AGENDA
City Clerk Wasser read the Consent Agenda.
1. Motion to Approve Payment of Bills for the Period Ending October 28, 2022, in the Amount of $1,405,120.74
2. Motion to Approve Payroll for the Period Ending October 14, 2022, in the amount of $826,881.87
3. Motion to Approve the October 25, 2022 Council Meeting Minutes
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 Stehman, to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 4 - Hausmann, Stehman, Jerome, and Miller
Nay: 0
Absent: 1 - Green
Abstain: 0
M. NEW BUSINESS
1. Ordinance Authorizing the Mayor to Execute a Letter of Understanding between the Illinois Department of Transportation and the City of Collinsville, Illinois, with Regard to the Maintenance of Beltline Road from IL 157 to IL 159
City Engineer Troy Turner advised this Ordinance would execute a Letter of Understanding with IDOT regarding the maintenance of Beltline Road. He advised IDOT has the project letting scheduled for January 20, 2023 for resurfacing of Beltline Road. He advised IDOT submitted plans to the City on August 10. A meeting was held with IDOT on September 7 to discuss safety concerns and issues with the plans. IDOT submitted their Letter of Understanding to the City shortly thereafter which did not address the City's concerns and issues. The City submitted a redline version of the Letter of Understanding to IDOT but they failed to reply. He advised the City agrees that the pavement is in very poor condition and needs repairs, but advised the scope should be expanded. He denoted issues:
Plan specifications do not meet the City's minimum standards and could not be adequately reviewed. Driving lanes and center turn lane do not meet the City's minimum width standard of 11 feet. Safety concerns are not addressed.
Scheduling conflict with proposed shutdown of Rt. 157.
However, he indicated staff is recommending approval due to the deteriorating condition of Beltline Road.
Councilman Stehman inquired as to the width of the lanes on Beltline Rd. to which Mr. Turner advised IDOT will not be expanding the width as that would cause for reconstruction of the roadway instead of just resurfacing.
Councilman Jerome clarified that IDOT is aware of the City's safety concerns and issues. Mr. Turner advised they (IDOT) was informed of the issues during their meeting and issues are highlighted within the City's Ordinance.
A motion was made by Councilman Stehman, seconded by Councilman
Hausmann to approve. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 4 - Hausmann, Stehman, Jerome, and Miller
Nay: 0
Absent: 1 - Green
Abstain: 0
2. Ordinance Dissolving the Special Tax Allocation Fund and Terminating the Designation of the Tax Increment Redevelopment Project Area No. 1 (TIF
District 1) Within the City of Collinsville
City Manager Bair advised TIF District 1 expires on December 31, 2022. He indicated 2021 property taxes were levied and collected in 2022. State statues requires the City to pass an Ordinance terminating/dissolving the Redevelopment Project Area for TIF District 1. He advised the City fulfilled all notice requirements and indicated approval of the Ordinance terminates the Redevelopment Project Area and TIF District 1 on December 31, 2022.
Mayor Miller spoke of how the TIF program allotted for many improvements to the area and increased the EAV. City Manager Bair agreed and mentioned various infrastructure improvements as well.
A motion was made by Councilman Hausmann, seconded by Councilman
Jerome to approve. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 4 - Hausmann, Stehman, Jerome, and Miller
Nay: 0
Absent: 1 - Green
Abstain: 0
N. OLD BUSINESS
O. CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Miller asked for a motion to proceed into closed session in accordance with 5 ILCS 120/2(c): 11. Pending or Threatened or Imminent Litigation
A motion was made by Councilman Jerome, seconded by Councilman
Stehman to approve. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 4 - Hausmann, Stehman, Jerome, and Miller
Nay: 0
Absent: 1 - Green
Abstain: 0
P. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Q. ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Councilman Hausmann, seconded by Councilman Jerome to adjourn at 7:28 pm. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 4 - Hausmann, Stehman, Jerome, and Miller
Nay: 0
Absent: 1 - Green
Abstain: 0
https://collinsville.legistar1.com/collinsville/meetings/2022/11/1602_M_City_Council_22-11-08_Minutes.pdf
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