City of Belleville City Council met June 20.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor Gregory called this meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
City Clerk Gain Meyer called roll. Members present on roll call: Alderperson Whitaker, Alderperson Schneider, Alderperson Duco, Alderperson Eros, Alderperson Randle, Alderperson Ferguson, Alderperson Anthony, Alderperson Ovian, Alderperson Dintelman, Alderperson Schaefer, Alderperson Stiehl, Alderperson Rothweiler, Alderperson Elmore, Alderperson Weygandt, Alderperson Sullivan, Alderperson Osthoff.
ROLL CALL DEPARTMENT HEADS
City Clerk Gain Meyer called roll of Department Heads: City Treasurer, Sarah Biermann; City Attorney, Garrett Hoerner; Police Chief, Matt Eiskant; Fire Chief, Lloyd Stinson; Finance Director, Jamie Maitret; Director of Public Works, Jason Poole; Director of Wastewater, Randy Smith; Library Director, Leander Spearman; Director of IT, Eric Walls; City Engineer, Sal Elkott; Director of Health, Housing & Building, Scott Tyler; Director of Economic Development, Planning & Zoning, Clifford Cross; Director of Human Resources, William Clay, Director of Communications & PR, Kathy Kaiser; Director of Maintenance, Mike Schaefer.
PLEDGE
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Alderperson Schneider made a motion second by Alderperson Whitaker to go into executive session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)).
Members voting aye on roll call: Whitaker, Schneider, Duco, Eros, Randle, Ferguson, Anthony, Ovian, Dintelman, Schaefer, Stiehl, Rothweiler, Elmore, Weygandt, Sullivan, Osthoff. (16)
Motion carries.
None.
PUBLIC HEARING
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Pastor Milton: Lincoln Street. I am here today because I am trying to stand before this Council and the Mayor and all those who are in a position to assist us in an ongoing problem, we have a problem with our neighbor which is the Grafted Wine and Bar which is adjacent or right behind our building with the water runnage. They have actually buried a pipe in their property and routed it directly to the back of our church property and I came here and spoke to you all at the end of 2021, so this has been going on since 2021. They routed all of their gutters from the buildings (inaudible) into that one pipe and (inaudible) almost 45 inches of that pipe protruding onto our property towards the sewer or drain that is on the back of our property which is causing damage to the property to the outside. I have spoken to the owners several times, sent a letter and now we have over $2,000 in damages and we will continue to get damages from the outside in. The entire back wall of the church is starting to deteriorate from the inside out because we can't get away from the washout. It has flooded the basement out. I am asking, we have had the engineer come out and he said, yeah, that is not right, I don't know how it got like this, but someone in this, someone had to approve that inspection when that was done. We need some help. I've hired an attorney, but I am not getting anywhere. We need some help; I am trying to stand before you all to ask for some assistance because it is not right for them to do a Christian Church like that.
Jason Wilson: Integrity Tattoos. I am working on trying to move my business into the downtown Special Interest District, I will be here tonight participating and seeing how that goes and thank you for processing.
Alex Erbs: Illinois Self-Storage Association. I am also a local business owner of the Gateway Storage brand. We have three locations here in Belleville. Obviously, a lot of us have seen the new Self-Storage Tax that has been proposed on the table here. I really would strongly disagree with this, this not only hurts the overall Self-Storage owners in this area, but it also hurts the constituents in this market too. Most of these facilities are family-owned and operated in this market and it is really going to be hurtful for both the ownership and the tenants that we serve. Obviously, that is just from the Self-Storage Association side, as a local owner here, it is a little bit frustrating, and we have now been part of this community for over eight years. I stood in front of other Councils that were asking not to pass Self- Storage facilities and they keep getting approved for multiple locations within the region. We purchased our facility back when knowing what the circumstances were in the community and now it feels like after we have asked not to approve more and more locations now it is feeling like a slap on the wrist back at us by saying let's tax them by putting all these facilities that have taken over retail space that we strongly talked against. We are a team that also has a lot of facilities that border Belleville and compete against Swansea, St. Clair County, and other jurisdictions it is going to be really tough to bring in more people to the City of Belleville when they can go right across the street to our competitors and pay lower prices that aren't taxed. I really hope you consider voting against the proposed tax.
PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS & APPOINTMENTS
Mayor Gregory asked for a moment of silence in Memory of our former Mayor, Mark W. Eckert
Presentation of donation from Belleville Exchange Club to the Belleville Parks Department
Presentation from Bi-State Development Agency, Kevin Scott, General Manager - update on MetroLink safety - TABLED
Alderperson Eros made a motion second by Alderperson Schaefer to approve Mayor Gregory's appointment of Cassandra Thompson to serve the remainder of a 3-year term expiring in May 2024 on the Library Board.
Members voting aye on roll call: Schneider, Duco, Eros, Randle, Ferguson, Anthony, Ovian, Dintelman, Schaefer, Stiehl, Rothweiler, Elmore, Weygandt, Sullivan, Osthoff, Whitaker. (16)
Motion carries.
Alderperson Randle made a motion second by Alderperson Eros to approve Mayor Gregory's appointment of Scott Saeger as Assistant City Engineer, effective July 20, 2023, at 12:01 a.m.
Members voting aye on roll call: Duco, Eros, Randle, Ferguson, Anthony, Ovian, Dintelman, Schaefer, Stiehl, Rothweiler, Elmore, Weygandt, Sullivan, Osthoff, Whitaker, Schneider. (16)
Motion carries.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Alderperson Stiehl made a motion second by Alderperson Schaefer to approve City Council Meeting Minutes and Executive Minutes of June 5, 2023.
All members present voted aye.
Motion carries.
CLAIMS, PAYROLL AND DISBURSEMENTS
Alderperson Rothweiler made a motion second by Alderperson Ferguson to approve claims and disbursements in the amount of $3,521,170.14 and payroll in the amount of $1,001,172.35.
Members voting aye on roll call: Eros, Randle, Ferguson, Anthony, Ovian, Dintelman, Schaefer, Stiehl, Rothweiler, Elmore, Weygandt, Sullivan, Osthoff, Whitaker, Schneider, Duco. (16)
Motion carries.
None.
REPORTS
ORAL REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES, SPECIAL COMMITTEES AND ANY OTHER ORAL REPORTS FROM THE ELECTED OFFICIALS OR STAFF
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Alderperson Whitaker made a motion second by Alderperson Rothweiler to purchase three (3) 2023 Ford F-150 Pursuit Rated Police Responder vehicles in the amount of $64,840.00 each, one (1) 2023 Ford F-150 Pursuit Rated Police Responder vehicle in amount of $59,970.00, and two (2) 2023 Ford Police Interceptor Utility AWD vehicles in the amount of $57,660.00 each; waiving the formal bidding procedures and purchasing from the State Bid award vendor Morrow Brothers for six (6) vehicles totaling $369,810.00
Members voting aye on roll call: Randle, Ferguson, Anthony, Ovian, Dintelman, Schaefer, Stiehl, Rothweiler, Elmore, Weygandt, Sullivan, Osthoff, Whitaker, Schneider, Duco, Eros. (16)
Motion carries.
ORDINANCE & LEGAL REVIEW
Alderperson Stiehl made a motion second by Alderperson Randle to amend Chapter 34 (Taxation) by adding Section 34.048 (Self-Service Storage Facility Accommodations Tax)
Members voting aye on roll call: Ferguson, Anthony, Dintelman, Schaefer, Stiehl, Rothweiler, Elmore, Weygandt, Sullivan, Osthoff, Whitaker, Schneider, Duco, Eros, Randle. (15)
Members voting nay on roll call: Ovian (1)
15:1
Motion carries.
Alderperson Stiehl made a motion second by Alderperson Schaefer to amend Chapter 162 (Zoning), Section 123.006(A)(2) (Adult-use Cannabis Craft Grower)
Alderperson Ovian: Where will this be once we approve it?
Mayor Gregory: It will be on Route 15 where the old Oncology Office was.
Members voting aye on roll call: Anthony, Ovian, Dintelman, Schaefer, Stiehl, Rothweiler, Elmore, Weygandt, Sullivan, Osthoff, Whitaker, Schneider, Duco, Eros, Randle, Ferguson. (16)
Motion carries.
Alderperson Stiehl made a motion second by Alderperson Schaefer to repeal Ordinance 8237-2018 Chapter 154 (Property Maintenance Code) Sections 154.70 through 154.83 (Vacant Property Program)
Alderperson Ovian: This is an ordinance that we are going to probably vote down tonight and if we do, it is a big mistake and I will tell you why; I wrote it, I am very familiar with it, four communities were basically invested in it, three in Illinois, one in Missouri, University City. The problem you are going to have here is, we are the only city in the State of Illinois that has vacant housing has to register. Once identified they are given fifteen days in order to register, if not, they will be fined. There are fines associated, the second thing is, in the State of Illinois and even in our country there is no ordinance that basically says that if you are the owner of derelict property that you will have to go ahead and once we indicate that it needs to be torn down, you will have to put up a cash bond, so the citizens of our City does not get stuck with it. Finally, this is one that really irritated me because I asked for the accounting of Omnigo, which is the software program and the cost of the IPads, what I got back was a pushback that said it was privileged information and I am not entitled to it. If I am not entitled to it, then what in the hell am I doing on the City Council? All I saw was, Jenny, all I saw was the cost for the Omnigo which was $30,000, after that I don't know if it was $15,000 or it was $18,058 a month or what the total was for the IPads.
City Clerk Gain Meyer: You didn't ask for anything with the IPads.
Alderperson Ovian: It was somewhere around $45,000 we have never had it used in order to update our housing program not at all. The sad part of it is we paid for Pig-In-A-Poke. That said, vote on it ladies and gentlemen, let your conscious be your guide. But I feel sorry for the taxpayers.
Alderperson Stiehl: Alderperson Ovian, you were at that meeting, and you heard the Director of Housing speak to the lack of personnel that he has to do this.
Alderperson Ovian: You have a lack of personnel but that is not the only reason for it to fail. I couldn't get any help when it was under the previous predecessor of the Director of Housing. We never knew when we were going to have a meeting and I brought it up to her many times. Secondly, you cannot go ahead and run it by manpower only, you have to look at whether or not your equipment is present century. You can't do things by pad and pencil; you have to use software and you have to integrate it with the IPad in order to make things work Mary. That is the way things are done today.
Members voting aye on roll call: Dintelman, Schaefer, Stiehl, Rothweiler, Elmore, Weygandt, Sullivan, Osthoff, Whitaker, Schneider, Duco, Eros, Randle, Ferguson, Anthony. (15)
Members voting nay on roll call: Ovian (1)
15:1
Motion carries.
Alderperson Stiehl made a motion second by Alderperson Eros to amend Title XI (Business Regulations), Section 111.01 (Tattoo Parlors)
Alderperson Randle: I would like to offer an amendment to change the total from two to four in the City and no more than two in the Special Service Area. That is the amendment I am offering that is my motion, Eros second.
Alderperson Ovian: Do we have any tattoo parlors now that are operating illegally based on the number count.
Mayor Gregory: No sir. We had one, Integrity who is here tonight.
City Clerk Gain Meyer: We do not have any illegal tattoo parlors, we have two that are licensed, we don't have any other businesses in town.
Alderperson Ovian: What about the one on Clearview? That is operating out of a residence.
City Clerk Gain Meyer: That is being handled by the Health Department and Code Enforcement and the State.
Mayor Gregory: So, we would be going from currently from zero - -
City Attorney Hoerner: In the order of things, first you need to vote on motion to amend unless there is further discussion on that and then after that, you vote on the Ordinance as amended
Alderman Randle: My motion is to amend the motion before you to allow for a total of four tattoo parlors in the City of Belleville and no more than two in the Special Service Area.
Alderperson Stiehl: So, you would change that sentence that says City to issue more than two licenses?
City Clerk Gain Meyer: It would be a total of four and only two would be allowed in the Special Service District.
Members voting aye on roll call: Dintelman, Schaefer, Stiehl, Rothweiler, Elmore, Weygandt, Sullivan, Osthoff, Whitaker, Schneider, Duco, Eros, Randle, Ferguson, Anthony. (15)
Members voting nay on roll call: Ovian (1)
15:1
Motion carries.
City Attorney Hoerner: Now you need to vote on the motion
Eros so moved, Schaefer second.
All members present voted aye.
Motion carries.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & ANNEXATION COMMITTEE
Alderperson Randle made a motion second by Alderperson Eros to approve a Development Agreement with Trolley Circle Limited Partnership for the development of a new 70 Unit 55+ Senior Independent Living Apartment Community (1110 Comwest Parkway).
Alderman Ovian: I just want to know on this development is this going to be with private money or is there any --
Mayor Gregory: Would you like to address that?
Director of Economic Development, Planning & Zoning, Clifford Cross: You have already considered this case, last year, for the approval of the development itself. This is just the Development Agreement to move it forward, the answer is yes, there are going to be tax credits that will be utilized to fund this project in addition to some private finances. So yes, there will be some, but it is not low income or anything like that.
Members voting aye on roll call: Schaefer, Stiehl, Rothweiler, Elmore, Weygandt, Sullivan, Osthoff, Whitaker, Schneider, Duco, Eros, Randle, Ferguson, Anthony, Ovian, Dintelman. (16)
Motion carries.
Alderperson Randle made a motion second by Alderperson Eros to accept the revised Abend Street Request for Proposal Agreement Contract for 123-127 Mascoutah Avenue
Members voting aye on roll call: Stiehl, Rothweiler, Elmore, Weygandt, Sullivan, Osthoff, Whitaker, Schneider, Duco, Eros, Randle, Ferguson, Anthony, Ovian, Dintelman, Schaefer. (16)
Motion carries.
PLANNING COMMISSION
Andria Powell: Site Plan approval for a proposed 1,632 square foot addition to the existing 3,042 square foot building at 110 Mascoutah Avenue within the "C-2" (Heavy Commercial) district (Parcel: 08-22.0-348-007) Ward 7. Planning Commission recommended Approval, with a vote of 8-0.
Trolley Circle Limited Partnership: Site Plan approval for a proposed 70 Unit 55+ Senior Independent Living apartment community located at 1110 Comwest Parkway within the "C-2" (Heavy Commercial) district (Parcel: 07-13.0-108-005) Ward 8. Planning Commission recommended Approval, with a vote of 8-0.
Alderperson Dintelman made a motion second by Alderperson Schaefer to approve the request as presented.
Members voting aye on roll call: Rothweiler, Elmore, Weygandt, Sullivan, Osthoff, Whitaker, Schneider, Duco, Eros, Randle, Ferguson, Anthony, Ovian, Dintelman, Schaefer, Stiehl. (16)
Motion carries.
ADMINISTRATION
Alderperson Eros made a motion second by Alderperson Schaefer to extend the Special Use Permit to construct a planned residential apartment community for independent living senior households 55+ years of age in RE Case#09-FEB22 Trolley Circle LTD PTNSP / Woda Cooper Companies, Inc. located at 1110 Comwest Parkway (07-13.0-108-005) until April 18, 2024.
All members present voted aye.
Motion carries.
COMMUNICATIONS
KURT MUELLER MEMORIAL CONCERT – 07/20/2023
Request from Mueller Furniture to host Kurt Mueller Memorial Concert, Thursday, July 20, 2023, 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Use of Paderborn Square 5:00pm to 9:30pm. Additional City services: picnic tables, trash toters and electric.
ST. TERESA PARISH PICNIC - 08/26/2023
Request from St. Teresa Catholic Church to host their Parish Picnic, Saturday, August 26, 2023, 4:00pm to 12:00am. No street closures. Additional City services: picnic tables, trash toters and one (1) Police Officer.
Alderperson Eros made a motion second by Alderperson Schaefer to approve the Communications as read.
All members present voted aye.
Motion carries.
None.
None.
PETITIONS
RESOLUTIONS
ORDINANCES
Alderperson Schaefer made a motion second by Alderperson Eros to read Ordinances 9165, 9166, 9167, 9168 and 9169 by title only.
Alderperson Randle: Mayor, just for clarification purposes, would 15D include the amendment?
Alderperson Ovian: Are we going to read these individually?
Mayor Gregory: There is a motion on the floor right now
All members present voted aye.
Motion carries.
ORDINANCE 9165-2023
An Ordinance Amending Chapter 34 (Taxation) of the Revised Code of Ordinances of Belleville, Illinois, as Amended, by Adding Section 34.048 (Self-Service Storage Facility Accommodations Tax)
Alderperson Eros made a motion second by Alderperson Schaefer to approve Ordinance 9165.
Members voting aye on roll call: Elmore, Weygandt, Sullivan, Osthoff, Whitaker, Schneider, Duco, Eros, Randle, Ferguson, Anthony, Dintelman, Schaefer, Stiehl, Rothweiler. (15)
Members voting nay on roll call: Ovian (1)
15:1
Motion carries.
ORDINANCE 9166-2023
An Ordinance Amending Title XI (Business Regulations), Section 123.006 (Adult-Use Cannabis Craft Grower) of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Belleville, Illinois as Amended
Alderperson Eros made a motion second by Alderperson Schaefer to approve Ordinance 9166.
Members voting aye on roll call: Weygandt, Sullivan, Osthoff, Whitaker, Schneider, Duco, Eros, Randle, Ferguson, Anthony, Ovian, Dintelman, Schaefer, Stiehl, Rothweiler, Elmore. (16)
Motion carries.
ORDINANCE 9167-2023
An Ordinance Repealing Chapter 154 (Property Maintenance Code) Sections 154.70 through 154.83 (Vacant Property Program) of the Revised Code of Ordinances of the City of Belleville, as Amended
Alderperson Eros made a motion second by Alderperson Schaefer to approve Ordinance 9167.
Members voting aye on roll call: Sullivan, Osthoff, Whitaker, Schneider, Duco, Eros, Randle, Ferguson, Anthony, Dintelman, Schaefer, Stiehl, Rothweiler, Elmore, Weygandt. (15)
Members voting nay on roll call: Ovian (1)
15:1
Motion carries.
ORDINANCE 9168-2023
An Ordinance Amending Title XI (Business Regulations), Section 111.001 (Tattoo Parlors) of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Belleville, Illinois as Amended
Alderperson Eros made a motion second by Alderperson Schafer to approve Ordinance 9168.
Members voting aye on roll call: Osthoff, Whitaker, Schneider, Duco, Eros, Randle, Ferguson, Anthony, Dintelman, Schaefer, Stiehl, Rothweiler, Elmore, Weygandt, Sullivan. (15)
Members voting nay on roll call: Ovian (1)
15:1
Motion carries.
ORDINANCE 9169-2023
A Zoning Ordinance in RE CASE #09-FEB22 Trolley Circle LTD, PTNSP/Woda Cooper Companies, Inc. (extension until April 18, 2024)
Alderperson Eros made a motion second by Alderperson Schaefer to approve Ordinance 9169.
Members voting aye on roll call: Whitaker, Schneider, Duco, Eros, Randle, Ferguson, Anthony, Ovian, Dintelman, Schaefer, Stiehl, Rothweiler, Elmore, Weygandt, Sullivan, Osthoff. (16)
Motion carries.
None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
MISCELLANEOUS & NEW BUSINESS
Alderperson Rothweiler made a motion second by Alderperson Ferguson to pay the Motor Fuel Claims in the Amount of $313,227.80.
Members voting aye on roll call: Schneider, Duco, Eros, Randle, Ferguson, Anthony, Ovian, Dintelman, Schaefer, Stiehl, Rothweiler, Elmore, Weygandt, Sullivan, Osthoff, Whitaker. (16)
Motion carries.
ADJOURNMENT
Alderperson Schaefer made a motion second by Alderperson Eros to adjourn at 9:06 p.m.
Alderperson Ovian: Before we adjourn the meeting - -
Mayor Gregory: Raffi, we have already adjourned the meeting.
Alderperson Ovian: No, I said before we adjourn the meeting, I would like to bring this up, let's just resolve this. We have Ordinances that we are not following Mayor, and it basically affects my Ward, and I would like to see something be done that we go ahead and follow the Ordinances that we have on the books that effect properties, and if we don't, we are not doing a service to the community.
All members voted aye.
Motion carries.
https://www.belleville.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_06202023-3029
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