City of Jerseyville City Council met June 27.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor Kevin Stork called the regular session of the Jerseyville City Council to order Tuesday, June 27th at City Hall beginning at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present were Commissioners Anthony Steckel, Steve Pohlman, John Miles, Zachary Crawford, and Mayor Stork. City Attorney William Strang was present.
Comm. Pohlman led the opening prayer and pledge of allegiance was recited.
MINUTES
A motion was made by Comm. Pohlman, seconded by Comm. Miles, to approve the minutes from the regular meeting held Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Roll call vote showed all voted aye, no nays, motion carried.
BILLS
A motion was made by Comm. Steckel, seconded by Comm. Crawford, to approve the bills as presented for June 27, 2023, in the amount of $312,294.73. Roll call vote showed all voted aye, no nays, motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
A. A motion was made by Comm. Crawford, seconded by Comm. Steckel, to approve a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Board from their meeting held June 15, 2023, from Hansen Packing Company LLC, Ryan Hansen as President, to rezone 807 State Hwy 16, from the current zoning classification of M-1 to M-3 for intended use as a animal slaughterhouse and meat processing/packaging facility with the understanding should the property be sold and no longer operates as a slaughterhouse, the zoning will revert back to M-1. Owner Dave Hansen and Attorney Laef Lorton were present to answer questions. Mr. Hansen confirmed the operations will be the same as they operated before in keeping everything self-contained, processed in a timely manner, and refrigerated. He acknowledged they will also offer deer processing. The cattle/livestock will be processed based on a schedule with an approximate of 10-12 animals being processed weekly. Roll call vote showed all voted aye, no nays, motion carried.
B. A motion was made by Miles, seconded by Crawford, to refer the petition submitted by Lucky Johnson to rezone 508 East Exchange St. from the current zoning of R-3 to M-1 for intended use as a parking lot/green space back to the Planning and Zoning Board for further review and more detailed plans. Attorney Laef Lorton was present representing Lucky Johnson noting the Planning and Zoning did not recommend on a vote of 3 nays to 2 ayes and further explained to the Council Mr. Johnson is willing to install a fence around the property so that his equipment and trucks are enclosed and maintain the area properly. He also offered that if the property is sold later the new owner would follow the same conditions. Regarding the surface of the parking area, Attorney Lorton said Mr. Johnson will follow the city code. Comm. Steckel raised a point of concern that the adjacent property owners are not aware of equipment being parked in the area. Chief Norman referred to City code stating it is mandatory that a fence must be installed along residential areas. Comm.
Pohlman further expressed his concerns about the adjacent property owners not aware it is going to be used as a business parking lot. Attorney Lorton stated Mr. Johnson will maintain the property as expected by the City and referenced the property across the street and the parking area that Ameren occupies nearby with their equipment. Mayor Stork mentioned the concern of children walking in the area and the potential of additional work for City staff regarding code violations. Mayor Stork appreciates Mr. Johnson and Attorney Lorton for trying to find an area appropriate for his business, however he hoped it was more of an industrial area. Mayor Stork suggested the Council consider referring the application back to the Planning and Zoning Board with the caveat of adding the fence, clarify with adjacent property owners of what is going to occupy the space, and a defined layout of the property as to where the entrance is going to be located in consideration of traffic flow. Chairman Jeff Heitzig mentioned the Planning and Zoning Board was trying not to set a precedent with parking lots in residential areas. Comm. Miles feels a rock surface, nor an asphalt surface will last with its intended use. After some discussion, it was agreed that the petition will be presented to the Planning and Zoning Board at their meeting scheduled for July 20, 2023, with the adjacent property owners being notified prior to the meeting with the additional information as requested by the Council. City Attorney Strang agreed it was not necessary to publish in the newspaper. Roll call vote showed all voted aye, no nays, motion carried.
C. A motion was made by Comm. Pohlman, seconded by Comm. Miles to approve the reappointment of Josh Hileman, Gerald Schleper, and Kevin Weber as trustees to the Jerseyville Library Board with terms being July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2026. Roll call vote showed all voted aye, no nays, motion carried.
D. A motion was made by Comm. Steckel, seconded by Comm. Crawford, to approve a tax incrementing financing small commercial grant application submitted by Chris and Brenda Lorton for 201 North State Street for façade improvements. Chris Lorton was present. Jeff Soer stated Mr. Lorton intends to replace two big windows at a reimbursement cost of $1,367.00 per TIF grant guidelines. Roll call vote showed all voted aye, no nays, motion carried.
E. A motion was made by Comm. Pohlman, seconded by Comm. Steckel to approve the fiscal year 2023-24 appropriations ordinance for public inspection with a public hearing to be held Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at 5:45 p.m. at City Hall. Comm. Steckel mentioned this year’s ordinance is comparable with the last couple of years. Some line items in the Road and Bridge fund are higher with the anticipation of upcoming projects such as Hollow and Pleasant Street. Mayor Stork noted any modifications to the ordinance will be discussed at the public hearing prior to final approval. Roll call vote showed all voted aye, no nays, motion carried.
F. A motion was made by Comm. Crawford, seconded by Comm. Steckel, to approve with regret the resignation of Tim Dean with the Fire Department. Chief Norman stated Mr. Dean decided to resign due to his family commitments, making it difficult for him to attend training. Roll call vote showed all voted aye, no nays, motion carried.
G. A motion was made by Comm. Miles, seconded by Comm. Pohlman, to approve the resignation of Josh Heltsley with regret from the Street Department effective June 30, 2023. Mayor Stork read his letter of resignation. Director of Public Works Manns stated he was a great employee and will be missed. Chief Norman mentioned Josh is currently a probationary firefighter and is planning to stay on if his schedule allows. Roll call vote showed all voted aye, no nays, motion carried.
H. A motion was made by Comm. Crawford, seconded by Comm. Miles to approve a professional engineering services agreement with Benton and Associates Inc. for final design/permitting/bidding/construction/grant administrative services, related to Lion’s Club Park Improvements Phase 2 project, partially funded via an Illinois Department of Natural Resources Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Grant agreement #OS-23-2286 and authorizing the Mayor, City Clerk, and Director of Public Works to sign associated paperwork. Mayor Stork mentioned this grant relates to the Splash pad and bathhouse that was previously approved. Director of Public Works Manns stated this is a lump sum agreement for basic services for construction and administrative services for managing the IDNR grant paperwork. Roll call vote showed all voted aye, no nays, motion carried.
I. A motion was made by Comm. Miles, seconded by Comm. Crawford, to approve the City securing a $2,000,000.00 commercial line of credit from Royal Banks and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the business loan agreement, commercial line of credit agreement and note, resolution government entity, and all other related documents for the line of credit transaction. Mayor Stork explained the City currently has an investment earning over %5 rate of return and this line of credit will be at a rate of 3.75% with the money being used to fund previously approved capital projects. Roll call vote showed all voted aye, no nays, motion carried.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mayor Stork announced Rock the Block on June 30th from 6 to 9 p.m. by the firehouse, farmer’s market being held every Tuesday from 4-76 p.m. at City Center Plaza with no market being held on July 4th, Fireworks will be held July 4th at the American Legion beginning at dusk, and Jersey County Fair Parade will be held July 11th beginning at 6 p.m. also noting the Council meeting will be held at 5 p.m. that night. Comm. Miles mentioned the Hollow Project Phase 1 with Director of Public Works Manns stating a bid letting of June 16th with Stutz Excavating being the low bidder. Also stating the bid came in over 5% over the latest engineer estimate and the City will need to decide whether they want to accept the bid and then prepare a letter for IDOT to be approved at the next Council meeting stating their decision.
Sherry Droste was present to speak to the Council thanking them for allowing the yarn bomb at City Center Plaza which was a tremendous success and their permission for the cow parade which will be a part of the Jersey County parade this year with a total of sixty-two cows. She also requested permission, on behalf of the Jersey County Arts Council, to create a Rock Snake display at City Center Plaza. In consensus, the Council approved her request to display a Rock Snake at City Center Plaza.
PUBLIC COMMENT – None
ADJOURNMENT
Being no other business to be discussed, a motion was made by Comm. Steckel, seconded by Comm. Miles, to adjourn the meeting at 6:58 p.m. Roll call vote showed all voted aye, no nays, motion carried.
https://jerseyville-il.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/MINUTES-CITY-COUNCIL-MEETING-JUNE-27-2023.pdf
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