McLean County Times

City of Pontiac City Council met Oct. 7.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The regular meeting of the Pontiac City Council was held on Monday, October 7, 2019 in the City Hall Council Chambers.

Mayor Pro Temp Kallas called to order the meeting of the City Council at 7:00 P.M.

The City Clerk was directed to call roll, and the following members of the Council were present: Swanson, Kallas, Eckhoff, Causer, Hicks, Myers, Gabor and Wille.

Absent: Alvey and Bradshaw

MEETING OF THE PONTIAC CIVIC CENTER AUTHORITY

Mayor Pro Temp Kallas asked that the record show the same Aldermen present for this meeting as are present for the regular Council meeting: Swanson, Kallas, Eckhoff, Hicks, Causer, Myers, Gabor and Wille.

Mayor Pro Temp Kallas asked if there was any business to come before the Civic Center Board this evening. Hearing none, he declared the meeting closed.

CONSENT AGENDA

Mayor Pro Temp Kallas stated that there were six items on the consent agenda. He asked if there was a need to have any item removed for later discussion. Hearing none, motion made by Eckhoff, second by Hicks, that the items on the consent agenda be approved as presented.

A. Motion by Eckhoff, second by Hicks, to approve the minutes of the September 16, 2019 City Council Meeting. On a roll call vote, motion carried 8-0. Aye votes recorded: Swanson, Kallas, Eckhoff, Hicks, Causer, Myers, Gabor and Wille.

B. Motion by Eckhoff, second by Hicks to approve the minutes of the September 30, 2019 Committee of the Whole. On a roll call vote, motion carried 8-0. Aye votes recorded: Swanson, Kallas, Eckhoff, Hicks, Causer, Myers, Gabor and Wille.

C. Motion by Eckhoff, second by Hicks, to approve payment of bills totaling $12,538.64 from the TIF I Fund. On a roll call vote, motion carried 8-0. Aye votes recorded: Swanson, Kallas, Eckhoff, Hicks, Causer, Myers, Gabor and Wille.

D Motion by Eckhoff, second by Hicks, to approve the payment of bills totaling $465,415.66 from all other funds. On a roll call vote, motion carried 8-0. Aye votes recorded: Swanson, Kallas, Eckhoff, Hicks, Causer, Myers, Gabor and Wille.

E. Motion by Eckhoff, second by Hicks to establish Trick or Treat Hours as recommended by the Chief of Police, those being 4:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. on October 31, 2019. On a roll call vote, motion carried 8-0. Aye votes recorded: Swanson, Kallas, Eckhoff, Hicks, Causer, Myers, Gabor and Wille.

REGULAR AGENDA

A. Ordinance 2019-O-019 Teamsters Contract

Motion by Myers, second by Wille to approve Ordinance 2019 - O-019, Teamsters Local No. 179 Contract as written. On a roll call vote, motion carried 8-0. Aye votes recorded: Swanson, Kallas, Eckhoff, Hicks, Causer, Myers, Gabor and Wille.

B. Ordinance 2019-O-020 Airport Solar Farm Lease

Motion by Gabor, second by Causer to approve Ordinance 2019-O-202, Airport Solar Farm Final Lease as written. On a roll call vote, motion carried 8-0. Aye votes recorded: Swanson, Kallas, Eckhoff, Hicks, Causer, Myers, Gabor and Wille.

C. Contract Extension Eagle Theater - Bernardi’s

Motion by Eckhoff, second by Swanson to approve the renewal for Liquor Sales to be provided by Bernardi’s at the Eagle Theater as written. On a roll call vote, motion carried 8-0. Aye votes recorded: Swanson, Kallas, Eckhoff, Hicks, Causer, Myers, Gabor and Wille.

D. Resolution 2019-R-009 IMRF Section 125

Motion by Swanson, second by Hicks to approve Resolution 2019-R-009, allowing employee contributions with pre-tax dollars in the IMRF program, as written. On a roll call vote, motion carried 8-0. Aye votes recorded: Swanson, Kallas, Eckhoff, Hicks, Causer, Myers, Gabor and Wille.

E. Report from Committee of the Whole Workshop

It was decided to put a 1% sales tax increase on the November ballot. The increase will not be on groceries, drugs or titled vehicles. Discussion on how to get the information and education on the need for the sales tax.

Downtown Central Business street parking. There are quite a few areas that have to be examined on how to comply with state statute. Staff is beginning to work on the worst areas.

F. Fire Grant Authorization

Motion by Eckhoff, second by Gabor to approve the authorization for the Fire Department to apply for the Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant to purchase self-containing breathing apparatus and air refill station. If awarded the City will pay 5% of the Grant. On a roll call vote, motion carried 8-0. Aye votes recorded: Swanson, Kallas, Eckhoff, Hicks, Causer, Myers, Gabor and Wille.

G. Community Heart & Soul Report

Discussion on the data collected at the Heart & Soul meetings the past year. Value statements were created. The next final thought Heart & Soul meeting is November 5, 2019 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Eagle Theater.

H. Deerfield Road Extension

Motion by Gabor, second by Causer to approve an additional 100 foot extension on Deerfield Road to provide the infrastructure in that area. On a roll call vote, motion carried 8-0. Aye votes recorded: Swanson, Kallas, Eckhoff, Hicks, Causer, Myers, Gabor and Wille.

I. Washington Street Parking Report

There had been a request for 3-hr parking on 300 block of Washington Street. The police department did some surveillance and research at many different times of the day for a two week time period. It was determined that at various times there was open parking spaces.

J. Bertram Facade Grant

Motion by Edkhoff, second by Myers to approve the additional facade grant to 318 N. Mill Street to replace a door in the back and also repair/replace concrete to the basement area. On a roll call vote, motion carried 8-0. Aye votes recorded: Swanson, Kallas, Eckhoff, Hicks, Causer, Myers, Gabor and Wille.

Mayor Comments

Mayor Pro Temp Kallas if the garbage tote program is now complete and working. Staff noted that there are still a few things that have to be addressed.

Administrator Comments

Bob Karls noted the new “Digital City Sign” was up and working on Howard Street. The Fire Department is now qualified to help with child safety car restraints and how they should be installed and answer questions. Torrance Ave road work will begin.

Council Comments

Alderman Gabor asked our viscous/aggressive dog ordinance and possible adding additional fines.

Alderwomen Eckhoff asked about the letter received from resident Nick Ehrgott regarding adding stop signs to Locust Street. Staff is looking into what will need to be done. It was the censuses of Council that stop signs should be added.

Public Comments

Yvonne Hallock asked about the Fire Department Grant request.

Joy Durham would like to open a beauty salon in the downtown district (100 block of Mill Street) and has read the ordinance prohibiting any new salons in that area. She would like to know what she needs to do to petition Council for an amendment.

Adjournment

On motion duly made and seconded, the regular meeting of the City Council was adjourned.

https://www.pontiac.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10072019-686