Metro East Sun

City of Belleville City Council met Dec. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Gregory called this meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 

City Attorney Garrett Hoerner 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 Attorney Garrett Hoerner called roll of Department Heads: City Treasurer, Sarah Biermann; City Attorney Hoerner; Police Chief, Matt Eiskant; Fire Chief, Stephanie Mills; Finance Director, Jamie Maitret; Director of Public Works, Jason Poole; Director of Wastewater, Randy Smith; Library Director, Leander Spearman; Interim Director of IT, Ty Buckner; City Engineer, Scott Saeger; Director of Health, Housing & Building, Scott Tyler; Director of Economic Development, Planning & Zoning, Clifford Cross; Director of Human Resources, William Clay; Director of Maintenance, Mike Schaefer; Director of Recreation, Don LaChance. 

Excused: City Clerk Gain Meyer 

None. 

PLEDGE 

PUBLIC HEARING 

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 

Sean McElligot: On Social Media I hear a lot of negativity about the town, but actually I was given a term paper from my masters and I focused on the post (inaudible) industrial towns and (inaudible) I discovered about Belleville the home values in the past eighteen months are a conservative estimate are up 7% (inaudible) 29 now I conducted a (inaudible) myself of 14.1% and I bring this up because America as a whole is up 5% increase in homes and I also not this firsthand on my block, this year alone, we have had the two small cottage houses that have been rehabbed and both sold for over $200,000. (Inaudible) my own home (inaudible) went up about $10,000 – I am just saying don't let negativity cloud next year, I think things are on the right direction it just takes perseverance. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 

James Claron: I am a Belleville resident, and I am also a substitute teacher for Belle Valley School. I have a statement that I want to read here, should be about three minutes long. I moved to Belleville in an apartment in east Belleville in 2000, then moved to another apartment in downtown Belleville until 2003 and finally into a house in west Belleville earlier this year. To show my commitment, having lived half my life in Belleville, I also have a burial plot in Mt. Hope. According to the US Census, Belleville officially became the largest city in southern Illinois in 1990 taking the title from East St. Louis. According to the 1970 census, Belleville officially surpassed the 40,000-population mark. This was across twelve square miles. The 2020 Census reported 42,400 across twenty-three square miles. This is half the population density of 1970, basically the same population across more land. Using 1970's density would equate to over 78,000 people living in the city limits of Belleville in 2020. Between 1978 - 2020 the US Census also reported O'Fallon, Illinois growing from 7,300 across five square miles to over 32,000 across sixteen square miles. While Edwardsville grew from a population from 11,100 across eight square miles, to over 26,800 across twenty square miles. When young people look for housing, they look primarily at three things: schools, crime, and taxes. I want to focus on the taxes part. According to a September 1, 2023 Edwardsville Intelligencer article, Edwardsville proposed raising its sales tax rate to have the State required 90% funding for pensions both Police and Fire by 2040 as well as greenspace for the community enhancing projects and according to that mayor "Increasing our sales tax rate which is paid by all who shop and dine in Edwardsville, helps keep our property tax rate among the lowest in our area." This is what Belleville should be doing to attract more young home buyers. Have those who shop and dine here flip the bill, not the homeowners. If you pass this tax levy through a property tax increase tonight, you will ensure by 2040, O'Fallon will surpass us like we did East St. Louis by replacing (inaudible) in southern Illinois we will lose the (inaudible) will be lost. 

PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS & APPOINTMENTS 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES 

Alderperson Eros made a motion second by Alderperson Schaefer to approve the City Council Minutes and Executive Session Meeting Minutes of December 4, 2023. 

Members voted aye. 

Motion carries. 

CLAIMS, PAYROLL AND DISBURSEMENTS 

Alderperson Eros made a motion second by Alderperson Schaefer to approve claims and disbursements in the amount of $1,353,256.85 and payroll in the amount of $931,592.70. 

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. 

REPORTS 

ORAL REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES, SPECIAL COMMITTEES AND ANY OTHER ORAL REPORTS FROM THE ELECTED OFFICIALS OR STAFF 

BOARD OF FIRE & POLICE COMMISSIONERS 

Alderperson Anthony made a motion second by Alderperson Whitaker to approve the following hires and promotions: 

Motion to approve the hire of Anfirnee Wilkinson, Brennin Kimes, Abby Hauser, Derrick Gregg, Antoine Smith, and Tyler Brooks as Probationary Officers effective Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 12:01am 

Motion to approve the hire of Julian Blount and Sean Hall as Probationary Firefighters effective Monday, January 8, 2024 at 12:01am 

Motion to approve the promotion of Battalion Chief Jessie Garnica to Assistant Chief, Captain Joe Ellison to Battalion Chief, Engineer Josh Owens to Captain, Firefighter Adam Meloan to Engineer, effective Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 12:01am 

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. 

MASTER SEWER 

Alderperson Dintelman made a motion second by Alderperson Stiehl to sell/transfer/scrap the following vehicles from Sewer Lines: 1986 Ford Rodder (VIN#37297) and from Wastewater Treatment Plant: 1991 Chevy Pickup (VIN# 51385), 2006 GMC Sierra Pickup with Snowplow (VIN# 89932) and 2010 Ford F160 Pickup (VIN# 98503) 

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. 

FINANCE 

Alderperson Whitaker made a motion second by Alderperson Schneider to approve 2023 Tax Levy 

Motion to approve lowest responsible bid from GIVSCO Construction Company in the amount of $25,375 for Fire Engine House #2 Remodel and $39,668 for Fire Engine House #3 Remodel 

Motion to waive formal bidding procedures and purchase two (2) new 2024 Ford Expedition SUVs from Broadway Ford in the amount of $108,630.00 for the Fire Department, with Broadway Ford matching the Illinois State bid price. 

Motion to approve changes to the City Special Events and Hiring of City Services Billing Policy, effective 05/01/2024: 

Police Department rates updated annually to coincide with union contract wage changes for Officers/Sergeants; 

Police Department outsourced for security (businesses, schools, etc) remain billed at 100% of the rate at time of service; Fitness Events and Special Events (5k/walks, marathons, Art on Square, Oktoberfest, Chili Cook-Off, Pridefest, etc) billed at 80% of City cost(s) 

Alderperson Elmore: I just wanted to comment on the Public Participation, I think it was fantastic. I want to make sure that the public realizes that, yes, we do have different tax amounts in different areas, sometimes it could be a TIF there is a Downtown Tax and most recently the self-storage tax. So, we do look very closely at those certain tax areas that you mentioned. 

Mayor Gregory: I would like to remind people that for every $100,000 of the assessed value of your home, it will be $53 a year increase, which is estimated am I correct Jamie? When you consider that it is like $4.70 a month more. Sometimes when you talk about sales tax, you might spend more than $4.70 a month more in sales tax extra high sales tax. I just wanted to explain what we estimate it to be. And of course, this is because of the pensions that we are required by law through the State of Illinois and the State of Illinois invests that money and sometimes you make money on that, sometimes it stays stagnant and sometimes it goes up, that is the reason that we are in this situation that we are having right now. 

Members voting aye on roll call: Eros, Randle, Ferguson, Anthony, Ovian, Dintelman, Schaefer, Stiehl, Rothweiler, Elmore, Weygandt, Sullivan, Osthoff, Whitaker, Duco, Schneider. (16) 

Motion carries. 

ADMINISTRATION 

Alderperson Eros made a motion second by Alderperson Schaefer to extend the Special Use Permit to establish and operate an adult-use cannabis dispensing organization in RE: Case #20-APR22 Blounts & Moore Holdings LLC, located at 7300 Twin Pyramid Parkway (07-13.0-107-002) until August 31, 2024 

Motion to extend the Special Use Permit for a liquor license and outdoor dining in RE Case #05-JAN22 G Level and Square (DBA: The Harp Pub), located at 1112 West Main Street (08-21.0-332-003 & 08- 21.0-332-004) until June 30, 2024 

Members voting aye on roll call: Randle, Ferguson, Anthony, Dintelman, Schaefer, Stiehl, Rothweiler, Elmore, Weygandt, Sullivan, Osthoff, Whitaker, Schneider, Duco, Eros. (15) 

Members voting nay on roll call: Ovian (1) 

Motion carries. 

COMMUNICATIONS 

None. 

PETITIONS

None. 

RESOLUTIONS

None.

ORDINANCES 

Alderperson Eros made a motion second by Alderperson Schaefer to read Ordinance 9230, 9231, 9232, 9233, and 9234 by title only. 

All members present voted aye. 

Motion carries. 

ORDINANCE 9230-2023 

An Ordinance Authorizing Sale/Conversion of Personal Property (1986 Ford Rodder - Sewer Lines) (1991 Chevy Pickup, 2006 GMC Sierra Pickup with Snowplow and 2010 Ford F160 Pickup - Wastewater Treatment Plant) 

ORDINANCE 9231-2023 

An Ordinance Providing for the Annual Tax Levy Upon Real Estate Situated within the Corporate Limits of the City of Belleville, in the County of St. Clair and the State of Illinois, Subject to Taxation, for the Fiscal Year Commencing on the 1st Day of May 2023 and ending on the 30th Day of April 2024. 

ORDINANCE 9232-2023 

An Ordinance Abating all the Taxes hereto Levied for the Year 2023 to Pay the Principal of and Interest on General Obligation Bonds of the City of Belleville, Illinois. 

ORDINANCE 9233-2023 

A Zoning Ordinance in RE CASE #20-APR22 - Blounts & Moore Holdings LLC 

ORDINANCE 9234-2023 

A Zoning Ordinance in RE CASE #05-JAN22 - G Level and Square (DBA: The Harp Pub) 

Alderperson Eros made a motion second by Alderperson Schaefer to approve the Ordinances as read. 

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) 

Motion carries

UNFINISHED BUSINESS 

None. 

MISCELLANEOUS & NEW BUSINESS 

Alderperson Rothweiler made a motion second by Alderperson Schaefer to pay the Motor Fuel Claims in the Amount of $66,117.78. 

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. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

None.

ADJOURNMENT 

Alderperson Elmore made a motion second by Alderperson Eros to adjourn at 7:23 p.m. 

All members voted aye. 

Motion carries.

https://www.belleville.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_12182023-3148