Metro East Sun

City of Edwardsville City Council met Aug. 20

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Edwardsville City Council took place at 7:00 p.m. at Edwardsville City Hall, located at 118 Hillsboro Avenue in Edwardsville, Illinois, with Mayor Risavy presiding. 

The Pledge of Allegiance recited by all present. 

Council members Krause, Grant, Patton, Miracle and Morrison answered present on roll call. Warren and Farrar were absent-excused. 

Mayor Risavy welcomed everyone in attendance and those viewing on Facebook Live to the meeting. 

Special Recognition/Proclamations/Oaths 

City Clerk, Michelle Boyer administered the Oath of Office for Edwardsville Police Department, Nicholas Metzger. Welcome Officer Metzger! 

Mayor Risavy opened the public comment portion of the meeting. No public comments made. 

Consent Agenda 

Mayor Risavy read Consent Agenda items as follows: 

• Approval of minutes of Council Meeting on August 06, 2024 

• Reports of Elected and Appointed Officials: 

○ Finance Director - Monthly Financial Report (to be distributed) 

○ Finance Department - Monthly Activity Report 

○ Police - Monthly Activity Report 

○ Fire Chief - Monthly Activity Report (Fire and EMS Services) 

• Circuit Clerk's Report 

Motion by Krause, seconded by Miracle to approve the Consent Agenda presented. 

Roll Call on Consent Agenda: Five Ayes with Aldermen Krause, Grant, Patton, Miracle and Morrison voting aye. Motion carried. 

Petitions and Communications 

Aaron Newcomb, member of the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee came forward to deliver a presentation on Week without Driving Challenge. Jo Gipson, from the BPAC committee was also present. The BPAC committee has led bike bus, held Bike and Hike to the Market, and currently is holding the "Slow Downtown" Campaign to remind people to share the roads with pedestrians and cyclists. 

Mr. Newcomb came to present information on the Week without Driving Challenge. The challenge takes place September 30 - October 6, 2024. This is a national movement to bring attention to the challenges Americans face being non-drivers. Thirty percent of US residents do not drive. In Illinois, that number is thirty-three percent. The number includes disabled residents, elderly (who no longer driver), children, teenagers, immigrants and those who cannot afford to own a car. 

Driving is the norm for most people. The Week without Driving Challenge will help encourage people to realize what it is like to not have a car available. Consider how not driving affects your day-to-day decisions. This can help us see our city in new light. The BPAC Committee will have signups available in-person and on the website. Great initiative! Mayor Risavy was he first to sign-up. 

Legislative & Executive 

None 

Legal & Judicial 

None 

City Clerk 

None 

Finance Committee 

Motion by Krause, second by Miracle to approve the Claims -$2,719,407.48 

Roll Call: Five Ayes with Aldermen Krause, Grant, Patton, Miracle and Morrison voting aye. Motion carried. 

Finance Committee will meet on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. in City Hall located at 118 Hillsboro Avenue, Edwardsville, IL 62025. 

Public Services Committee 

Minutes of the Public Services Committee meeting held on August 01, 2024 presented for information and file. 

Motion by Morrison, second by Patton to approve a Resolution Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement with Troy FPD for Emergency Response to Governor's Pkwy and Ridgeview Rd. 

Alderman Morrison commented this is a standard agreement. Chief Whiteford came forward to provide information. Chief Whiteford commented that a part of Troy is actually closer to our newer fire station. It is more efficient for Edwardsville to response to the area instead of Troy. Madison County can change the 911-response map. This is not a change in taxing. Roll Call: Five Ayes with Aldermen Krause, Grant, Patton, Miracle and Morrison voting aye. Motion carried. 

Public Services Committee will meet on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. in City Hall located at 118 Hillsboro Avenue, Edwardsville, IL 62025. 

Administrative & Community Services Committee 

Minutes of Administrative & Community Services Committee meeting on August 01, 2024 were presented for information and file. 

Motion by Grant, second by Krause to approve an Ordinance Establishing an Administrative Procedure for Assessing and Determining Claims under PSEBA for the City of Edwardsville. Alderman Grant commented this is not new legislation, but it establishes a review procedure for claims. City Attorney, Jeff Berkbigler commented this establishes an administrative procedure to review eligibility to provide health insurance for police officer and fire fighters who are injured in the line of duty. 

Roll Call: Five Ayes with Aldermen Krause, Grant, Patton, Miracle and Morrison voting aye. Motion carried. 

Motion by Grant, second by Krause to approve a Resolution Approving the Placement of Banners on Streetscape Light Poles in Downtown Edwardsville for the Madison County Historical Society. 

Alderwoman Grant commented this is rom September 1 - October 7, 2024. This will align with the living history days. 

Roll Call: Five Ayes with Aldermen Krause, Grant, Patton, Miracle and Morrison voting aye. Motion carried. 

Motion by Grant, second by Miracle for Approval of RASE Board Items from the August 06, 2024 meeting: 

1) Veteran's Day Parade on November 11, 2024

2) Global Brew Oktoberfest on September 21, 2024 

3) Friends of Leclaire Movie Night on October 12, 2024 

4) Edwardsville Halloween Parade on October 31, 2024 

Roll Call: Four Ayes with Aldermen Grant, Patton, Miracle and Morrison voting aye. Alderman Krause abstained. Motion carried. 

Motion by Grant, second by Krause to approve a Resolution Authorizing the Application of 2024 OSLAD Grant Fund. 

Alderwoman Grant commented this is in regards to our Parks. If the grant is won, it will change the Leclaire ballfield to LED lighting. Alderman Krause thanked Nate Tingley and the Parks Department for continuing to make investments in our parks. 

Roll Call: Five Ayes with Aldermen Krause, Grant, Patton, Miracle and Morrison voting aye. Motion carried. 

Alderwoman Grant presented the minutes from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting on July 03, 2024 for information and file. 

Administrative & Community Services Committee will meet on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. in City Hall 

Old Business 

Mayor Risavy commented the Criterium Race held this past weekend. He thanked the Rotary and the city employees for all of the hard work. What a great event! 

Mayor Risavy thanked the Police Department for the DARE Car Show. 

New Business 

Mayor Risavy reviewed the press release regarding the member directed grant from Representative Katie Stuart. The City of Edwardsville will receive $2 million dollars for bolstering downtown businesses. The grant will create the Goshen Comments project. The project includes a pedestrian friendly public courtyard. The site will also include a pavilion for performances. Goshen Commons will take place with infrastructure improvements downtown! Thank you Representative Katie Stuart for securing the grant for the city! 

Mayor Risavy reviewed the Governor's Cup award received by the City. The award was in support and collaboration with Madison County Challenger Baseball program. The program is a league for people with disabilities. The games are played at Plummer Family Park. The group is on Facebook. Volunteers help during the games as buddies. The City of Edwardsville Parks and Recreation Department helps with the Challenger Baseball program. The City is proud of this award! 

Closed Session 

None 

Action Taken on Executive Session Items 

None 

There being no further action required, Council adjourned at 7:31p.m. with a motion by Miracle. 

https://www.cityofedwardsville.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08202024-3474