Lexington City Council met Monday, Dec. 12.
Here are the minutes as provided by Lexington:
SPECIAL/REGULAR MEETING OF THE LEXINGTON CITY COUNCIL December 12, 2016
The special meeting of the Lexington City Council was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by City Clerk, Melanie Kunkel, in the City Council Chambers at Lexington City Hall.
Elect Mayor Pro Tem: Motion by Alderman Richard and second by Alderman Cole to appoint Alderman Johansen as Mayor Pro Tem in Mayor John Mohr's absence. Motion carried unanimously.
Business Builders - Ongoing City Advertising Discussions: Erika noted that the contract with Business Builders ends in February. If the council is not interested in renewing the contract a plan will need to be put in place to take over ad placements. Of the four Home Finder ads Erika distributed for review, Alderman Miller liked the third one the best. Erika noted that the council can choose to run a different ad every week. Alderman Miller also noted that he took a picture looking down Main Street with all the Christmas lights and asked that Erika use that for the week of Christmas.
Erika discussed three different options for a 60 second video ad with voice overs which could include local residents. Erika noted that Business Builders will ask the questions off camera and use only the answers of the individuals for the video. Council members will come up with one name each as recommendations which will all be forwarded on to Erika. Erika will also provide a list of questions in advance that prospective residents can look over. Alderman Johansen asked everyone to provide their recommendations to Star by December 19th. Erika noted that payment for the McLean County Home Show is due by December 15th. Cost would be $500 for a 10 x 10 space. 33% of that fee is due with a signed contract. The booth will need to be "manned" (ideally 2 people for each shift) and we would need Council member commitment and perhaps school volunteers could help as well. Perhaps have a video operating, brochures available, table cover. Consensus was to keep the idea alive but with all the city is doing already this may be too much in order to do it right. Maybe we could rough out a model plan to "try on the idea" at Red Carpet Corridor instead.
Erica has contacted the local photographer and seems like a $2,000 fee is what is needed by him to do this. Perhaps contact by the Mayor is necessary if we want to pursue. The future contract with Business Builders might be able to include this instead.
Mock of Table display was shared ($205 for 3 sided, $225 for 4 sided). Alderman Meyer asked Erika to provide a mock up with the coloring.
Erika will send Star a holiday sign for the Facebook page.
The data regarding the city's website usage is good. 75% of visitors are first time.
Erika will be back at the first meeting in January and will bring a proposal for a new contract.
The regular Council Meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm.
Roll call was taken to find the following physically present: Alderman Miller, Alderman Johansen, Alderman Meyer, Alderman Richard, Alderman Cole and Alderman Stover. Mayor John Mohr was absent. Members of the staff and public present were: Melanie Kunkel, John Colclasure, Jim Groth, and Dave Belvery.
It was moved by Alderman Miller and seconded by Alderman Cole to approve the minutes from the November 28, 2016 council meeting. Motion carries unanimously.
It was moved by Alderman Stover and seconded by Alderman Meyer to approve the treasurer's report and pay bills in the amount of $70,733.40. Motion carries unanimously.
Public Input: Jim Groth thanked the council for spending the money on the lights for the tree lighting ceremony during Christmas on the Prairie. Jim noted that he ran into Illinois State Reprensetative, Dan Brady, on Sunday who asked to be invited to such events. Alderman Johansen thanked Jim for coming forward with the tree lighting idea.
Old Business:
Waiver of Water/Sewer Tap-on Fees for Lot 83: Mayor forwarded an email from Josh Martin showing that the parcels have been separated and assigned their own pin numbers. If they want to go bigger than 3/4" water lines there will be increased costs. Motion by Alderman Cole and second by Alderman Richard to approve the waiver of water/sewer tap on fees for Lot 83 in North Park. Motion carried unanimously.
New Business:
Ordinance Modifying Regulations Regarding Travel/Lodging Expenses Incurred by Officers or Employees of the City: In response to the Local Government Travel Expense Control Act, local governments are required to pass an ordinance regulating the reimbursement for all travel, meal and lodging expenses for officers and employees. The ordinance must be passed before travel expense reimbursements are approved after January 1, 2017. City Attorney, Mike Tibbs, drafted the ordinance for consideration this evening. Motion by Alderman Meyer and second by Alderman Miller to approve Ordinance 2016-12 Modifying Regulations Regarding Travel/Lodging Expenses Incurred by Officers or Employees of the City. Motion carried unanimously.
Morrison Crop Loss Reimbursement: Alderman Richard circulated some notes regarding a meeting he had with Jim Morrison regarding his crop loss reimbursement for the city's water treatment plant easement. Mr. Morrison is not looking for what he has already lost as he's more than happy to help the city. The city paid to plant radishes as a cover crop and those grew above the soil and were small. Alderman Richard feels it is important to reimburse for crop loss but also to help the farmer fix the soil. He is recommending $150 per acres a year for the 2.7 acres for a total of $405 for the years 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. This would cover the costs of additional fertilizer, cover crops, micro and macro nutrients to return the soil to previous soil test conditions. Alderman Richard is also recommending crop loss reimbursement to equal the remaining yield the field makes verses the easement acres based on Mr. Morrison’s yield monitor. Alderman Richard is looking for the council to give him permission to move forward in proposing these figures to Mr. Morrison. Motion by Alderman Cole and second by Alderman Meyer to propose the above soil prep figures to Mr. Morrison. Motion carried unanimously.
Building Permit Application Review: Alderman Richard is working on placing all the permits for the past 3 years on a spreadsheet for ease of research. The current application has language that states applicants don't have to submit plans for fences and buildings smaller than 250 sq. feet. Applicants are interpreting the current language as that they don't need a permit. Alderman Richard will work on rewording the application and then will move forward with finding someone who can spend a little more time doing inspections.
Committee Reports:
Mayor: None
Police: Alderman Meyer indicated that he will be working on scheduling a Police Committee meeting to discuss a new contract for the Chief. Building/Insurance: Alderman Richard noted that all independent contractors hired by the city need to sign a hold harmless agreement. He asked Alderman Johansen to contact the garbage company and ask what's being done differently as the totes are now being placed out in the street. Alderman Johansen noted that Bill Elias has been getting some quotes to replace the carpeting and linoleum in City Hall. One quote was $17,258. They are looking into getting more quotes but Alderman Johansen wants council members to keep this in mind during budget discussions.
Alderman Richard noted that the insurance company would like a new secure entry system for the front office for more protection for Star. Finance/TIF: None Water: Alderman Cole noted that the new pump has been installed on well #7 and it is back up and running.
Sanitation: Alderman Johansen thanked Star, Katie and Walker for all the work they did to make Christmas on the Prairie such a huge success this year. Alderman Johansen spoke with Casey's General Store last week. The gentleman he spoke to was unaware that water and sewer has been run to the property out by I-55. Johansen has sent him a packet with information for his review. He also noted that there is some interest in the old Filling Station. The other sides of the vacant Fireside building will also be filled with a couple more businesses.
Streets/Alleys: Alderman Miller has received positive comments regarding all the work from the city and council with the holiday lights.
There being no further business, it was moved by Alderman Richard and seconded by Alderman Meyer to adjourn at 8:20 p.m. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
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