City of Edwardsville City Council met March 7
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The regularly scheduled meeting of the Edwardsville City Council was held at 7:01 p.m. in Edwardsville City Hall, located at 118 Hillsboro Avenue in Edwardsville, Illinois, with Mayor Risavy presiding.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present.
Alderman Morrison, Krause, Farrar, Warren, Stack, Burns and Grant answered present on roll call.
Mayor Risavy requested a motion to allow Alderman Stack to participate in the Council meeting via Zoom.
Motion by Krause, second by Burns to allow Alderman Stack to participate via Zoom. Roll Call: Six Ayes with Alderman Morrison, Krause, Farrar, Warren, Stack, Burns and Grant voting aye. Alderman Stack abstained. Motion carried.
Mayor Risavy welcomed everyone in attendance and those viewing on Facebook Live to the meeting.
Special Recognition/Proclamations/Oaths
Mayor Risavy announced Employee Excellence Award recipients, Jennifer Spiller, Payroll and Benefits Coordinator, and Catherine Keck, Administrative Assistant Human Resources and Legal. Mayor Risavy read from the nomination. The city has sixty-two more employees from 2021 to 2022. The HR team has assisted the growth with amazing positive attitudes. Jennifer and Catherine both believe in the power of a TEAM atmosphere and make everyone feel welcome. The city is fortunate to have such wonderful employees!
Petitions and Communications
Mayor Risavy presented a letter from Zoning Board of Appeals regarding a Special Use Permit for Gateway Commerce Center Drive West (PID 18-1-14-26-00-000-005.008) for information and file.
Mayor Risavy presented a letter from Zoning Board of Appeals regarding a Variance for 1279 University Drive for information and file.
Mayor Risavy presented a letter from Zoning Board of Appeals regarding a Variance for 1243 University Drive for information and file.
Mayor Risavy opened the public comment portion of the meeting. One public comment was made. Andrea Miracle came forward to speak about Placement of Temporary Banners on Streetscape Light Poles in Downtown Edwardsville by the Edwardsville Community Foundation (ECF). Ms. Miracle is the Executive Secretary for the Edwardsville Community Foundation. She thanked the city for considering the banners. ECF is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of existence. Twenty-five banners will be special projects and events that the ECF has been a part of over the last twenty-five year. The additional five banners are the ECF logo. The banners will increase awareness of the ECF mission. The banners will celebrate past accomplishments and bring awareness to future projects.
Consent Agenda
Mayor Risavy read Consent Agenda items as follows:
• Approval of minutes of Council Meeting on February 21, 2023
• Group Health Insurance Fund Report - $56,851.23
• Executive Session: Purchase or Lease of Real Property for the use of the Public
Body pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5)
Motion by Krause, seconded by Burns to approve the Consent Agenda presented. Roll Call on Consent Agenda: Seven Ayes with Aldermen Morrison, Krause, Farrar, Warren, Stack, Burns and Grant voting aye. Motion carried.
Legislative & Executive
Motion by Farrar, second by Krause to approve a Class B Liquor License: Reine (Bar/Café), John Deppen, 921 South Arbor Vitae, #101, Edwardsville, IL 62025 (former Peel building) Class B: Retail sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises only. Roll Call: Seven Ayes with Aldermen Morrison, Krause, Farrar, Warren, Stack, Burns and Grant voting aye. Motion carried.
Legal & Judicial
None
City Clerk
None
Finance Committee
Motion by Burns, second by Warren, to approve Claims $1,036,122.01 (Regular). Roll Call: Seven Ayes with Aldermen Morrison, Krause, Farrar, Warren, Stack, Burns and Grant voting aye. Motion carried.
Finance Committee will meet on Thursday, March 16, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. in City Hall located at 118 Hillsboro Avenue, Edwardsville, IL 62025.
Public Safety Committee
Minutes of the Public Safety Committee meeting held on January 31, 2023 presented for information and file.
Motion by Stack, second by Farrar for approval of a Resolution Authorizing the Sole
Source Purchase of Diesel Particulate Exhaust Removal System for the East Fire Station at a Cost not to exceed $60,000.00.
Alderman Stack said this is an exhaust system for the new fire station.
Roll Call: Seven Ayes with Aldermen Morrison, Krause, Farrar, Warren, Stack, Burns and Grant voting aye. Motion carried.
Public Safety Committee will meet on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall located at 118 Hillsboro Avenue, Edwardsville, IL 62025.
Public Services Committee
Minutes of the Public Services meeting held on February 14, 2023 presented for information and file.
Motion by Morrison, second by Grant to approve Utility Bill adjustment request for 445 South Buchanan Street.
Alderman Morrison said this is a request from a local business owner to adjust the utility bill. The location is a laundromat. He said there is no reason to adjust the bill. Neither staff nor the committee recommended to approve the request. The committee is recommending the denial. There are no extenuating circumstances such as running water or something broken. The business was receiving a lower rate from a clerical error. Ryan Zwijack said they were getting winter averaging that residents get. The sewer was adjusted inappropriately for a few years. The city will not expect the business to pay back the difference. Jeanne Wojcieszak came forward to comment the business was getting the lower rate for five bill cycles. The property was mistakenly marked as a residential property. Ms. Wojcieszak explained the difference between the residential rates versus business.
Roll Call: Seven Nays with Aldermen Morrison, Krause, Farrar, Warren, Stack, Burns and Grant voting nay. Motion denied.
Motion by Morrison, second by Krause for approval to aware the Gateway Commerce Center Drive West Pavement Patching Contract to RCS Construction, Inc. in the amount of $624,298.05.
Alderman Morrison said the city received four bids. RCS Construction was the most competitive bid.
Roll Call: Seven Ayes with Aldermen Morrison, Krause, Farrar, Warren, Stack, Burns and Grant voting aye. Motion carried.
Motion by Morrison, second by Grant for approval of a Professional Services Agreement with TWM, Inc. for the development of a Pavement Management System. Alderman Morrison said this is a program to provide a complete analysis and inventory of the city roadways. It will enable the city to prioritize road projects based on condition and use. He commented that many of the surrounding communities have something like this in place.
Roll Call: Seven Ayes with Aldermen Morrison, Krause, Farrar, Warren, Stack, Burns and Grant voting aye. Motion carried.
Alderman Morrison presented the Change Order #1 for the North Buchanan Street Water Main Improvements in the increased amount $9,450.00 for information and file.
Public Services Committee will meet on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. in City Hall located at 118 Hillsboro Avenue, Edwardsville, IL 62025.
Administrative & Community Services Committee
Minutes of Administrative & Community Services Committee meeting held on February 16, 2023 received for information and file.
Motion by Krause, second by Grant to approve an Ordinance Amending Chapter 114, Section 114-302 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Edwardsville – Parking Prohibited at All Times (100 Block of Coventry Place).
Alderman Krause said this would restrict parking on both sides of Coventry. This was a constituent request. ACS recommends approval 3-0.
Roll Call: Seven Ayes with Aldermen Morrison, Krause, Farrar, Warren, Stack, Burns and Grant voting aye. Motion carried.
Motion by Krause, second by Burns to approve an Ordinance Amending Chapter 114, Article II, Division 3 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Edwardsville - Designation of Stop Intersections (2nd Street and Lincoln Street).
Alderman Krause said this would make the intersection a four-way stop. ACS recommends approval 3-0.
Roll Call: Seven Ayes with Aldermen Morrison, Krause, Farrar, Warren, Stack, Burns and Grant voting aye. Motion carried.
Alderman Krause presented an Ordinance Certifying the Official Zoning Map of the City of Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois for first reading.
Motion by Krause, second by Grant to approve a Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Apply for Park Commission Funds from Madison County.
Alderman Krause said this would be for the repayment of the remainder of the $200,000 capital improvement low-interest loan and the $750,000 Urban Development Action Grant loan for the construction of Plummer Family Park. ACS recommended 3-0. Roll Call: Seven Ayes with Aldermen Morrison, Krause, Farrar, Warren, Stack, Burns and Grant voting aye. Motion carried.
Motion by Krause, second by Burns to approve a Resolution Approving a Special Use Permit for a Bus Passenger Transfer Facility at a Property Located on Gateway Commerce Center Drive West.
Alderman Krause commented Madison County Transit requested a special use permit for the transfer facility. This was approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals 5-0 and at ACS 3-0.
Roll Call: Six Ayes with Aldermen Krause, Farrar, Warren, Stack, Burns and Grant voting aye. Alderman Morrison abstained. Motion carried.
Motion by Krause, second by Grant to approve a Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign a License Agreement for the Illinois Route 159 Shared Use Trail Phase 1 & 2 with Madison County Transit.
Alderman Krause said this is for the construction, operation and maintenance of a shared use path along Route 159. It will connect the Goshen Trail from Magnolia south. ACS recommends approval 3-0.
Alderman Farrar commented that he would vote no on this project. He addressed global warming and the affect our community and environment. Alderman Farrar said that the city council has an effect on global warming. He said we are paving over a 10-foot wide path that is seven football fields long. He feels we should consider the need to have another path. Why are we doing this? What purpose does the path serve? Alderman Farrar commented he does not feel this is a safety issue. He feels this is just so the residents do not have to cross the street. He pointed out that we already have a way to get to the downtown without crossing the street. Mr. Krause suggested we approach IDOT to install a crosswalk Terra Verde and/or Magnolia.
Alderman Morrison commented that the number one cause of air pollution in the United States is toxic vehicle emissions from single occupancy vehicles. He said the city is trying to change people's behavior. He feels that crossing 159 is unsafe for families. He said the city is encouraging people to use the paths to bike to downtown. Alderman Morrison said this would improve walk-ability and bike-ability.
Alderman Krause commented asked if a signalized crosswalk can be installed. Alderman Morrison said there is not much room for children riding bikes. Ryan Zwijack said they are trying to keep every existing tree.
Alderman Krause asked if the city investigated a signalized crosswalk at Magnolia. Eric Williams said that was just permitted as a crosswalk with signs. If the city wanted to add the push button beacons he thought IDOT may approve those. Any crossings drivers are required to yield. Alderman Krause asked about the cost of signalized crosswalks. Jeanne Wojcieszak answered they are $38,000.
Alderman Krause understands Alderman Farrar's concerns. He said going forward can we look at installing a signalized cross walk.
Alderman Farrar commented that we are spending money on the wrong problem. If the street is to unsafe, maybe the city should investigate other factors. He said there have been no accidents or near misses. The Public Safety Committee has received no notifications of safety in this area.
Ryan Zwijack said staff had received several requested for a cross walk at Terra Verde and IDOT has said no. Eric Williams said the original grant application was through the Department of Natural Resources and some of that was connecting the two trails. Mayor Risavy said how important a walkable/bikeable community is to the city. He feels this is solving a problem.
Alderman Farrar is unclear what problem this solves.
Alderman Grant said this is a gamble if this will get more people biking. She thinks it is a gamble to cross in the crosswalk. She likes the fact that we put the sidewalks in and welcome families to use it.
Alderman Farrar feels we already have access on the trail system.
Alderman Krause verified that none of the cost would be city funds. Ryan Zwijack said the city will pay for it and be reimbursed.
Roll call: Five Ayes with Aldermen Krause, Warren, Stack, Burns and Grant voting aye. Alderman Farrar voted no. Alderman Morrison abstained. Motion carried.
Motion by Krause, second by Grant for approval to Award the Illinois Route 159 Shared Use Trail, Phase 1 & 2.
Alderman Krause this is for the construction costs.
Roll call: Six Ayes with Aldermen Morrison, Krause, Warren, Stack, Burn and Grant voting aye. Alderman Farrar voted no. Motion carried.
Motion by Krause, second by Burns for approval of Letter of Understanding for IDOT Contract 76M87 - Resurfacing of IL RT 157 from St. Louis Street to South University Drive.
Alderman Krause said the city will continue to abide by the current maintenance agreement on Route 157. ACS approved 3-0.
Roll Call: Seven Ayes with Aldermen Morrison, Krause, Farrar, Warren, Stack, Burns and Grant voting aye. Motion carried.
Motion by Krause, second by Grant to approve a Resolution Approving the Placement of Temporary Banners on Streetscape Light Poles in Downtown Edwardsville by the Edwardsville Community Foundation.
Roll Call: Seven Ayes with Aldermen Morrison, Krause, Farrar, Warren, Stack, Burns and Grant voting aye. Motion carried.
Alderman Krause presented the following items for information and file:
a) Zoning Board of Appeals minutes - December 21, 2022
b) Cool Cities minutes - January 19, 2023
Administrative & Community Services Committee will meet on Thursday, March 16, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. in City Hall located at 118 Hillsboro Avenue, Edwardsville, IL 62025.
Old Business
New Business
Mayor Risavy welcomed Penny Weaver is the new editor at the Intelligencer.
Mayor Risavy thanked everyone who attended and participated in the Business Forecast Breakfast. James Arnold for moderating, Desiree Gerber for the behind the scenes work. Mayor Risavy thanked Norm Droll to work on audio issues.
Closed Session
Motion by Stack, second by Farrar to enter into Closed session at 7:48 p.m. to discuss one item regarding Executive Session: Purchase or Lease of Real Property for the use of the Public Body pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5)
Council entered into Executive Session at 7:50 p.m.
Motion by Grant, second by Stack to end closed session reconvene council meeting.
Council reconvened at 8:18 p.m.
Action Taken on Executive Session Items
None
There being no further action required, Council adjourned at 8:19 p.m. with a motion by Stack.
https://www.cityofedwardsville.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03072023-2910
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