City of Lexington City Council met Feb. 10.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The regular meeting of the Lexington City Council was called to order at 7:00 P. M. by Mayor Spencer Johansen in the City Council Chambers at City Hall.
Mayor Johansen led the council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll call was taken to find the following physically present: Mayor Johansen, Alderman Schreiber, Alderman Colclasure, Alderman Richard, Alderwoman Wilson and Alderman Stover with Alderman Franklin absent. Members of the staff and public present were: Kenneth Sours, Luke Smuckers and Chief Belvery.
It was moved by Alderman Colclasure and seconded by Alderwoman Wilson to approve the minutes of the January 27, 2020 council meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Alderman Stover and seconded by Alderman Richard to approve the Treasurer’s Report and pay bills in the amount of $19,573.99. Motion carried unanimously.
Public Input: None Old Business:
Discussion/Vote Ordinance 2020-2: Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network
This is something that has been talked about before and it came up at the Mayor’s meeting Mayor Johansen attended. This is an aid agreement to provide assistance in the event of a natural or man-made disaster, such as a tornado. We can call and they will provide an organized response to an emergency. An agency requesting assistance receives the type of equipment, materials and personnel services that are needed to react to the event.
Mayor Johansen feels it is a good organization. The fee is $100 per year for agencies with a population of $15,000.
Motion was made by Alderwoman Wilson and seconded by Alderman Stover to approve Ordinance 2020-2: Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network. Motion carried unanimously.
Discussion/Vote Salaries of Elected Officials Pay
This discussion has been on the agenda before and everyone seems to be in agreement that something needs to be done.
In consideration that we do not, like many other towns, have a city manager. The expectation is that the manager oversees the employees, and that in addition to the other city work becomes the responsibility of the mayor. This makes this a full time job. The clerk puts in a lot of hours and the treasurer is learning the new water bill system so she can be a backup to Star. It was noted that she is not getting paid to learn this system. An elected official cannot be on the city’s payroll.
There was discussion around doubling the mayor and increasing the clerk, treasurer and coucilmen’s salaries. The councilmen were divided on this. Some wanted to increase the mayor, clerk and treasurer but not the councilmen others thought the mayor increase was too high.
Alderman Stover reminded the council that the mayor’s duties overseeing the employees should be compensated at a higher rate because, lacking a city manager, there is no one else to do this.
Alderman Colclasure has made a study of mayoral pay and duties. He found that for what Mayor Johansen is doing he should be receiving around $11-$13 per hour for his time spent. His current salary falls far short of these figures and would approximate to less than $3 per hour.
There were also questions as to whether there was a need for two meetings a month. Alderman Stover felt there was, to approve the bills and to discuss the happenings around town. To get everyones thoughts on things. Additional discussion is important.
Alderwoman Wilson had no problem with the increase but we need to remember that we want to entice the right people for the job and she was not opposed to increasing the mayor’s salary even more.
Another question asked was how often did the Liquor Commission meet? It meets once a year or when they get a new application but the position is mandated by law.
It was also noted that these raises will not go into effect until May of 2021, after the upcoming election in December of 2020. Alderman Stover reminded everyone that we are doing this for future elected officials and not necessarily the current elected officials. In the future we want to entice the right people to run for the job and the low pay may be a deterrent. If we aren’t getting people to run and we need to appoint people, we need to do something.
Motion was made by Alderwoman Wilson and seconded by Alderman Stover to increase elected officials salaries to: mayor $750, liquor commissioner $50, clerk $200, treasurer $200, and councilmen $200 per month. Motion carried with 3 yes and 2 no.
New Business: None
Committee reports:
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Johansen reported on the following items:
The closing on Casey’s is Wednesday.
Checkers starts training next week and will open at the end of the month.
Police: None
Building/Insurance: None
Finance/TIF: Alderman Stover reported that he is getting ready to start the budget process. By the end of this month or first of next month he should have some numbers ready for the mayor to look at.
Water/Sewer/Sanitation: None
Street/Alley: None
There being no further business a motion was made by Alderwoman Wilson to adjourn at 7.24 p.m. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
https://www.lexingtonillinois.org/images/Minutes_February_10_2020.pdf
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