The Braidwood City Council met Nov. 22 to approve a local museum's special use request.
Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the council:
The board of trustees provides oversight, guidance and governance for the city of Braidwood.
CITY OF BRAIDWOOD
City Council Rescheduled Regular Meeting Minutes
Monday, November 22, 2016
Call to Order
Mayor Vehrs called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Vehrs asked the Chief of Police to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call
Elected Officials present: Commissioner Hutton, Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Tessler and Mayor Vehrs were present. Commissioner Hibler was absent.
Appointed officials present: City Attorney Bryan Kopman, City Clerk Sue Grygiel, Chief Nick Ficarello City Administrator Don Labriola and City Engineer Todd Gereaux were present.
Public Comment
Wayne Saltzman, Lions Club member. Wayne thanked the city council and Comm. Smith for allowing city employees to help the Lions put up the Christmas Decorations on the light poles on Main Street and also extended them on Comet Drive. Wayne advised everyone that this is the 44th year the Lions Club has put Decorations on Main Street. The Lions Club appreciates the city’s support.
Angie Hutton, Chamber President. Reminded everyone that Saturday, November 26th is Small Business Saturday. Angie also gave a reminder that the City Tree Lighting & Lighted Parade is on December 3rd at 5:00pm. The Christmas tree will be lit by Little Miss Summerfest and the Mayor. After the parade Santa will be at the city park pavilion.
Bill Rulien, on behalf of the Citizens for Better Braidwood. He asked in the Annual Financial Report that was published in the newspaper, it shows the city paid Harris Bank $110,827. Citizens for Braidwood requested a FOIA on Harris Bank to find out what that expenditure was. The FOIA response was we were unable to locate any contract or invoices for Harris Bank for fiscal year ending April 30, 2016. He then asked if that could be looked into for them and let us know. The Mayor said he will look into it and get back with him Monday or Tuesday of next week.
Public Comment Closed at 7:05pm.
Approval of Minutes
Comm. Hutton made a motion, seconded by Comm. Smith to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of November 7, 2016 as printed. Motion approved 4 ayes, 0 nays (Hutton, Smith, Tessler & Mayor Vehrs) 1 absent (Hibler).
REPORTS BY CITY OFFICIALS
Mayor
Mayor Vehrs reiterated what Angie said earlier that the Christmas Tree Lighting will be at 5pm on December 3rd across the street. Little Miss Summerfest will be turning on the tree and the Lighted Parade will follow. The Mayor also wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels. The Mayor then addressed Comm. Hutton, acknowledging his upcoming 70th Birthday with a card and cupcakes. The Mayor then thanked him for his years of service with the city as well as the Food Pantry.
The Mayor then addressed his agenda item on the Appointment of the new Law Firm; Ottosen, Britz, Kelly, Cooper, Gilbert and Dinolfo, Attorney’s for the Fire & Police Board. Attorney Tom Gilbert was present at the meeting.
Comm. Tessler made a motion to approve the Appointment of the new Fire & Police Boards Attorney from the firm of Ottosen, Britz, Kelly, Cooper, Gilbert and Dinolfo, seconded by Comm. Hutton. Mayor asked for discussion. Motion approved 4 ayes, 0 nays (Tessler, Hutton, Smith & Mayor Vehrs) 1 absent (Hibler).
The Mayor then addressed Resolution 16-24, Authorizing the Execution of a Contract for Garbage, Recycling and Yard Waste. Having dealt with Waste Management over many years and the fine service they have done for the city, especially through our setback with the tornado in Coal City and a part of Braidwood, they truly stepped forward. We would like to roll this contract over with the new price increase set by the increase in the cost of living which is about 1%. The Mayor said he thought this was very reasonable for a large corporation and they really do work with the City of Braidwood.
Comm. Hutton made a motion to accept Resolution 16-25, Authorizing Execution of a Contract with Waste Management; price includes a 1% cost of living increase, seconded by Comm. Tessler. Motion approved 4 ayes, 0 nays (Hutton, Tessler, Smith & Mayor Vehrs) 1absent (Hibler).
Administrator
Nothing to Report.
City Clerk
Nothing to Report.
Engineer
Todd advised the council that Comm. Smith did a 2016 MFT Street Maintenance Project this year. It’s been approved by IDOT and let out for Bid. On October 24, 2016, 4 bids were received and opened. The apparent low bidder was “D” Construction at $45,584.05. Their recommendation is to accept the bid from “D” Construction for the 2016 Maintenance Program.
Comm. Smith made motion to accept the bid from “D” Construction for the 2016 MFT Project in the amount of $45,584.05, seconded by Comm. Hutton. Motion approved 4 ayes, 0 nays (Smith, Hutton, Tessler & Mayor Vehrs) 1 absent (Hibler).
City Attorney
Atty. Kopman addressed his agenda item, Resolution 16-24. Regularly the Illinois Department of Transportation asks municipalities to enter into a Hold Harmless Agreement to allow the city to hire contractors to do work in IDOT’s right of way. This is a standard resolution and agreement with IDOT and Resolution 16-24 authorizes the Mayor to execute that agreement. Mayor asked for discussion.
Motion made by Comm. Tessler to approve Resolution 16-24, seconded by Comm. Smith. Motion approved 4 ayes, 0 nays (Tessler, Smith, Hutton & Mayor Vehrs) 1 absent (Hibler).
REPORTS BY CITY COMMISSIONERS
Accounts & Finances
Comm. Hibler was absent. Comm. Hutton gave Elena’s reports. Comm. Hutton made a motion that we pay the total bills due on our Check Register in the amount of $481,892.46 which included a payment for the IEPA Loan in the amount of $350,242.09, seconded by Comm. Tessler. Motion approved with 4ayes, 0 nays (Hutton, Tessler, Smith & Mayor Vehrs) 1 absent (Hibler).
Comm. Hutton made a motion to pay the Payroll Expenses due in the amount of $90,847.38 seconded by Comm. Tessler. Motion approved 4 ayes, 0 nays (Hutton, Tessler, Smith & Mayor Vehrs) 1 absent (Hibler).
Comm. Hutton then addressed her agenda item, Ordinance 16-18, Levy & Assessment of Taxes for City of Braidwood Fiscal Year 2017-2018. The city Accountant spoke at this time. Julie said in their packets there’s a calculation not much different from last year. Last year our Tax Levy was $1,598,000 and this year’s Levy is $1,600,000.
Comm. Hutton made a motion to approve Ordinance 16-24, the 2017-2018 Tax Levy, seconded by Comm. Smith. Motion approved 4 ayes, 0 nays (Hutton, Smith, Tessler & Mayor Vehrs) 1 absent (Hibler).
Streets & Public Improvements
Comm. Smith said that his department is getting ready and working with the engineer to get bids out now, that way we’re ready for next spring. If we wait too long we won’t be able to get it all done. The engineer has ideas and Comm. Smith is going to get with him. We may not have the money but we are going to go with the best price for our money. We’re hoping to get a lot done in the spring by being ready ahead of time. His department has been fixing equipment and they do look a lot better than they did before.
Public Property
Comm. Hutton then read Plant Crews report; they have been getting equipment and outside areas picked up and ready for the winter. He then read the Outside Crews report. They worked on patching potholes, put decorations up, fixed lights around city hall and overall clean up. The Pond on Mitchell St. has been closed and gates are locked for the winter.
Public Health & Safety
Comm. Tessler gave his numbers first before his agenda item. Eric read Chief’s Press Release from 11/8-11/21/16, total calls for service 264. Next he addressed his agenda item.
Comm. Tessler made a motion to appoint Sarah Nalley to a full-time position in the police department, seconded by Comm. Hutton. Mayor asked for discussion. Comm. Tessler said everyone was provided with the detail of her duties and responsibilities. Sarah is going to help free Don up a little, less on Police side and allowing him to focus more on Economic Development. Motion approved 4 ayes, 0 nays (Tessler, Hutton, Smith & Mayor Vehrs) 1 absent (Hibler).
Comm. Tessler then gave a quick note that at the December 13th meeting he will not be there.
Planning & Zoning Board Report
Zoning Chair Michelle Serena approached the council with Zoning Board recommendations. The Zoning Board held its monthly meeting on October 3rd and October 24th for a Public Hearing for a Special Use for a (Social/Fraternal Club) VFW and a Special Use for a Braidwood Warrior Museum, both to be located at 435 Enterprise Drive in Braidwood.
The Zoning Board discussed the request by the (Social/Fraternal Club) VFW. The board Approved by motion to allow the Special Use with the stipulation; as long as the engineering plans and the structure plans all come back to the Zoning Board for approval and all infrastructures are in place prior to any occupancy permit for the VFW, passed with 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent.
The Zoning Board discussed the Braidwood Warrior Museum’s request. The board made a motion to approve the Special Use Request for the Braidwood Warrior Museum with the same stipulations as the VFW, passed with 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent.
Motion made by Comm. Tessler to approve the VFW’s (Social/Fraternal Club) request for a Special Use at 435 Enterprise Drive, Braidwood with the stipulations; as long as the engineering plans and the structure plans all come back to the Zoning Board for approval and all infrastructures are in place prior to any occupancy permit given to the VFW, seconded by Comm. Smith. There was discussion by the council members and the Mayor. Motion approved 4 ayes, 0 nays (Tessler, Smith, Hutton & Mayor Vehrs) 1 absent (Hibler).
Motion made by Comm. Smith to approve the Braidwood Warrior Museum’s request for a Special Use at 435 Enterprise Drive, Braidwood with the stipulations; as long as the engineering plans and the structure plans all come back to the Zoning Board for approval and all infrastructures are in place prior to any occupancy permit given to the Warrior Museum, seconded by Comm. Tessler. There was discussion by the council and the Mayor. The Mayor said this is going to be something for the schools to use and learn. Their intentions out there are not to have the VFW (bar, gathering hall, restaurant) with the Warrior Museum. Eventually they plan on separating everything;
building a Museum and a new VFW out there as he understands. They’re looking for a place to land and he has exhibits all over the country and if they are brought here they want to be able to store them here rather than taking back to Texas. They currently have an exhibit in southern Illinois.
Motion approved 4 ayes, 0 nays (Smith, Tessler, Hutton and Mayor Vehrs) 1 absent (Hibler).
Executive Session
Motion made by Comm. Hutton to go into executive session to discuss personnel, pending and/or imminent litigation and land acquisition or sale of. Also invited in were Administrator Don and Police Chief Nick, seconded by Comm. Smith. Motion approved 4 ayes, 0 nays (Hutton, Smith, Tessler & Mayor Vehrs) 1 absent (Hibler).
Motion made by Comm. Smith, seconded by Comm. Hutton to Reconvene to the Regular Meeting at 8:11pm. Motion approved 4 ayes, 0 nays (Smith, Hutton, Tessler & Mayor Vehrs) 1 absent (Hibler).
No action was taken following Executive Session.
Old Business
Comm. Smith asked after the holidays, is there any way we can have a Work Meeting where we can discuss some loose ends that we need to talk about? The Mayor said sure we can sit down and get a game plan. Fay suggested early like before our council meeting where the lawyer can be with us. Comm. Hutton advised that Center Street crossing was to be opened and he will make a call tomorrow to find out when it will be open. Mayor asked Comm. Hutton about the light pole that was hit by Garrets, by well house. The commissioner said it was supposed to be here last week.
New Business
Nothing to Report.
Adjournment
Comm. Tessler made motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting at 8:13pm, seconded by Comm. Smith. Motion approved with 4 ayes, 0 nays (Tessler, Smith, Hutton & Mayor Vehrs) 1 absent (Hibler).
Meeting adjourned.
Approved this____ day of_________________2016
____________________________________Mayor
____________________________________City Clerk
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