Braidwood City Council met May 8.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
Call to Order
Mayor Vehrs called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.
Before the Pledge of Allegiance the Mayor advised that Comm. Fay Smith lost his wife last week due to a long time illness. He asked everyone to please stand for a moment of silence in her honor.
Comm. Fay Smith then thanked the Mayor.
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Vehrs asked everyone to please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call
Elected Officials present: Commissioner Hibler, Commissioner Hutton, Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Tessler and Mayor Vehrs were present.
Appointed officials present: City Attorney Kopman, City Clerk Sue Grygiel, City Administrator Don Labriola, Chief Nick Ficarello and City Engineer Todd Gereaux were present.
Public Comment
Opened at 7:01pm.
George Kosak, President of the Braidwood Area Historical Society approached the city council. He said during the winter months the BAHC acquired a historical piece of property on Cermak just West of Division St. This property was the First Baptist Church of Braidwood stood there from 1878-1971 when it was destroyed by a fire. The remaining families from this church built a beautiful monument there which is about 6 ft. tall and still stands there today. It was an issue in the past with the overgrown weeds and the previous owner was issued warnings. When the BAHS got the Deed, George went to city hall to assure the girls that they will clean up the property come spring time. George said the city beat them to it, they did an excellent job and there was an issue with the possibility of poison ivy and oak on the premises. He said the initial cleanup which was probably the most difficult was done by the city. George expressed his gratitude to Mayor Jim Vehrs and the city for doing the initial cleanup. George assured the council that they will continue to maintain this property and keep it looking nice and thanked everyone again.
Bobby Jones, 551 W. Kennedy Rd. His thought is about cleaning up the cloverleaf’s again and said he approached the council a few meetings ago. Bobby said he took a ride South from here to Springfield and the cloverleaf’s are clean, there’s no debris and makes you want to pull into those towns. He said that if we don’t at least mow Kennedy Road and take care of that clover leaf, we are going to be just like we are on Rte. 113 which looks terrible. The Mayor advised that the city’s had a drone out there and took pictures of the cloverleaf’s which have been sent to the State along with recommendations from the city. Bobby said the city used to mow them and now we let it go for 2 yrs. so it will start to look like every single one up North. Bobby asked why can’t we just mow it and take care of our cloverleaf. Comm. Hutton told him that IDOT put signs out there that say Do Not Mow. Bobby said he didn’t care they’re not our town. Going South from here, they don’t look like ours. The Mayor told him that those are different Districts down South. Bobby then said that IDOT District 5 is one of the laziest districts we have. Bobby questioned again why can’t we mow now, we used to mow. Comm. Hutton then said again IDOT put signs out Do Not Mow so the city can’t mow the cloverleaf’s. Bobby said do you think they care if we mow it for them, you think they’re going to come down here all the time.
Robert Haywood, Rents property at 298 Comet Drive. Robert is owner of Odd’s n Ends. He is trying to eliminate some of his storage units one in Coal City and one behind the knife place. He said he’s picked up a camper and trying to make a portable shed because he’s renting this property and doesn’t want to put something permanent there. He said the camper needs some work and said he’s going to put a couple of steel doors on it and have a portable shed, making it look like a shed. There will be nothing inside just four walls and shelves to store things from the store. He has stuff stored on the outside of the building and he was told by a code enforcement officer that it was ok but neighbors and others are complaining that stuff is sitting outside. He kept saying trailer then corrected himself and said camper. He said now he’s being told that’s not acceptable because it’s considered a mobile trailer on wheels. The Mayor told him if he takes the walls and roof off it’s still considered a trailer, it’s on wheels. Robert kept saying he’s trying to make a non-permanent shed so he can takes things in and out of his business and store in this shed. He said he doesn’t see an issue with making this a shed. Comm. Tessler asked him if he would change the title from a camper to a trailer because that would determine what it actually is. So if you change the title it’s still a trailer and not a shed. Robert said it wouldn’t be going anywhere and Comm. Tessler why would it have to be mobile. Robert said in case his business didn’t work out or had issue with landlord he could pack up everything in the shed and leave. Comm. Tessler commented that there are storage units available that are moveable. Robert again said he’s trying to cut costs with storage units. The Mayor said again it’s still going to be considered a trailer because it’s on wheels. At this time Officer Dave Coronelli spoke on behalf of Code Enforcement and cited state law.
Public Comment Closed at 7:16pm.
Approval of Minutes
Comm. Hutton made a motion to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of April 24, 2018 as written, seconded by Comm. Hibler. Motion approved 4 ayes, 0 nays (Hutton, Hibler, Tessler & Mayor Vehrs) 1 abstention (Smith).
REPORTS BY CITY OFFICIALS
Mayor
The Mayor brought our Drug Take Back Day that was held on April 28th, and said it went very well. Over eight pounds of a variety of pills were taken back and a lot of sharps. The Mayor said this was very good for a community as a whole because these pills are not going into our Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Mayor thanked the Braidwood Coalition for doing this a good portion of the day. The Mayor said he was there for a few hours and was really amazed how many people came in. On that same day was Narcan training and about 16 residents attended the training here in city hall and thanked them for coming out and participating. The Mayor said he himself learned some things that he didn’t know on the mental health side. If a need arises for this training in the future we will make sure to set it up. Mayor Vehrs said that Red Carpet Corridor went very well again this year. The attendance was down a little bit across the board as their board reported.
Mayor Vehrs advised they had a meeting with the Hotel group which went very well. We are still waiting to do the final paperwork. It’s very close, just waiting to get some contracts written up and hope to have everything ready for our next council meeting. Also we received our PACE Bus over the weekend and had it at the Red Carpet Corridor for our residents and everyone else to see. This Bus is a milestone for the senior citizens here in Braidwood and thanked all the staff that worked very hard, went above and beyond in making this possible.
Administrator
The Administrator reminded everyone that tomorrow, Wednesday May 9th the Secretary of State Mobile Unit will be here in our council chambers from 9am-2pm. Anyone needing license plate stickers, driver’s license renewal, etc. they can help our residents with that.
City Clerk
The city clerk received a letter from the Salvation Army requesting both their Annual Donut Day Campaign and their Red Kettle Campaign. The request for the Donut Day is on Friday June 1st and Saturday June 2nd, the Red Kettle Campaign is for Monday-Saturday, November 1st-December 24th. The clerk then asked to entertain separate motions to approve Salvation Army Donut Day Campaign and the Red Kettle Campaign.
Comm. Tessler made a motion to approve the Annual Donut Day on Friday June 1st and Saturday June 2nd, seconded by Comm. Hutton. Motion approved 5 ayes, 0 nays (Tessler, Hutton, Hibler, Smith & Mayor Vehrs).
Comm. Hutton made a motion to approve the Annual Red Kettle Campaign, Monday-Friday, November 1st-December 24th, 2018, seconded by Comm. Tessler. Motion approved 5 ayes, 0 nays (Hutton, Tessler, Hibler, Smith & Mayor Vehrs).
Engineer
Todd Gereaux had three items on tonight’s Agenda. The first one is Resolution 18-15, Awarding a Bid for Various City Street Improvements for asphalt overlays with Austin Tyler, who was the low bidder that he reported at the last meeting for $327,961.42. The Bids for this were very comparative pricing.
Comm. Smith made a motion to approve Resolution 18-15 Awarding the Bid to Austin Tyler in the amount of $327,961.42, seconded by Comm. Hutton. Motion approved 5 ayes, 0 nays (Smith, Hutton, Hibler, Tessler & Mayor Vehrs).
Second Agenda item is Resolution 18-16 for Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code for Engineering work and Consulting for additional MFT at the Bid Opening that was discussed by Comm. Smith and the Mayor. Since the Bids were well underneath what we had proposed, we could do some additional streets and thought we should proceed with that in the amount of $280,000.
Comm. Smith made a motion to approve Resolution 18-16, Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code with the inclusion of additional streets at the Bid Letting in the amount of $280,000, seconded by Comm. Hutton. Motion approved 5 ayes, 0 nays (Smith, Hutton, Hibler, Tessler & Mayor Vehrs).
Last Agenda item is to Approve the Final Payment for the 2017 MFT work for $48,992. There was some unfinished work from last year that we’re going to finish under the new Overlay Program. So their amount is decreased by approximately $65,000 for that total Program.
Comm. Tessler made a motion to approve the Final Payment for various streets under the 2017 MFT Program, seconded by Comm. Smith. Motion approved 5 ayes, 0 nays (Tessler, Smith, Hibler, Hutton & Mayor Vehrs).
City Attorney
Atty. Kopman had nothing to report tonight.
REPORTS BY CITY COMMISSIONERS
Accounts & Finances
Comm. Hibler made a motion to pay the total bills due on our Check Register in the amount of $505,286.32 this includes the IEPA Loan payment #10 on the Wastewater Treatment Plant in the amount of $350,242.09, seconded by Comm. Smith. Motion approved with 5 ayes, 0 nays (Hibler, Smith, Hutton, Tessler & Mayor Vehrs).
Comm. Hibler made a motion to approve the Payroll Expenses in the amount of $97,675.47, seconded by Comm. Smith. Motion approved 5 ayes, 0 nays (Hibler, Smith, Hutton, Tessler & Mayor Vehrs).
Comm. Hibler made a motion to Remove from the Table Adoption of the City of Braidwood Fund Policy, seconded by Comm. Tessler. Motion approved 5 ayes, 0 nays (Hibler, Tessler, Smith, Hutton & Mayor Vehrs).
Comm. Hibler said before she makes a motion to approve the City of Braidwood Fund Policy she had Maria come forward and explain again to the council the Fund Policy.
Comm. Hibler made a motion to approve the City of Braidwood Fund Policy, seconded by Comm. Tessler. Motion approved 5 ayes, 0 nays (Hibler, Tessler, Smith, Hutton & Mayor Vehrs).
Streets & Public Improvements
Comm. Smith said his department is getting things done. He did want to say one thing, if he makes a move wrong he doesn’t mean to. He said he was elected by the taxpayers for the taxpayers and said he’s not going to change. He said that the city has a lot of improvement to do and is trying his best to do what we’re supposed to. Comm. Smith then asked about 6th and Erie Street, are they finished now? The Engineer replied yes. Comm. Smith said he looked it over, with the larger pipe and we get a rain the kids are going to be in there like they used to and fall we’ve lost them. There needs to be something there to catch them. The Mayor asked the Engineer if those (4) intersections have grates on them. The Engineer told the Mayor he hasn’t seen that yet. The Mayor said let’s look at it and make sure that they put those grates on because the intersections do come with grates. Comm. Tessler said he doesn’t believe they’re on there.
Public Property
Comm. Hutton talked about the kids tour down at the Treatment plant during Turn About Day. They were city officials for the day and this group enjoyed themselves and had a lot of questions. He read the Plant Crew Report; Cermak water main addition that’s getting permitted, had a Plant walk thru with Hartford Risk Management and went well, Sensus Rep. came out and recalibrated Well #4, fixed a leak at the Water Plant, cleaned out Vac Con dump bed, put UV system on line for disinfectant which has to be in and on by May 1. The Outside Crew had 44 locates, 1 sewer inspection/ water repair, 6 meter repairs, 27 meter reads, 4 water shut offs, fixed light at PD, helped with the culvert on West Cermak and day to day at city hall. Comm. Hutton said just for common knowledge I did appoint Aubrey as Foreman of Public Property, a new title and just the same job he’s been doing. Ken’s Pond Service starts servicing the pond on Mitchell St. on the 4th and come twice a month to take care of algae down there.
Public Health & Safety
Comm. Tessler gave the numbers provided by the Chief from 4/25-5/7. Arrests 8, Citations, Warning and P-Tickets 83, total calls for service 177.
Planning & Zoning
No Meeting.
Closed Session
Comm. Tessler made a motion to go into Closed Session to discuss personnel and review Closed Session Minutes at 7:37pm, seconded by Comm. Smith. Motion approved 5 ayes, 0 nays (Tessler, Smith, Hibler, Hutton & Mayor Vehrs).
Comm. Tessler made a motion to reconvene the Regular Meeting at 7:55pm, seconded by Comm. Smith. Motion approved 5 ayes, 0 nays (Tessler, Smith, Hibler, Hutton & Mayor Vehrs).
Comm. Hutton made a motion to approve the Closed Session Minutes of: 5/23/17, 6/23/17, 7/11/17, 7/25/17, 8/22/17, 10/10/17 and 1/9/18, seconded by Comm. Smith. Motion approved 5 ayes, 0 nays (Hutton, Smith, Hibler, Tessler & Mayor Vehrs).
Comm. Tessler made a motion not to disclose Closed Session Minutes on the advice of city counsel, seconded by Comm. Smith. Motion approved 5 ayes, 0 nays (Tessler, Smith, Hibler, Hutton and Mayor Vehrs).
Old Business
The Mayor had one item that did not hit the Agenda, he apologized to the council. When the 8th grade students ran the council meeting on Turn About Day, they had a Resolution that they approved and voted on. This is being announced tonight so we can get the donations out to the organizations the kids requested. They requested a $100 donation to K9 for Vets and $100 donation to the Braidwood Food Pantry. The Mayor is going to sign Resolution 18-14 that has already been approved and will get the (2) donations sent out.
New Business
Nothing to Report.
Adjournment
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