Will County Gazette

Braidwood City Council met July 10.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

Call to Order:

Mayor Vehrs called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

Pledge of Allegiance:

Mayor Vehrs asked Comm. Tessler to lead us in 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, Chief Nick Ficarello, and City Administrator Don Labriola were present. City Engineer Todd Gereaux was absent.

Public Comment:

Opened at 7:02 pm.

Sherry McPherson, resident at 464 W. 2nd St. Sherry said she’s had an issue with drainage on the property to the East of her which has been ongoing for several years and would like the city to help her get this resolved. The Mayor said that they’ll get out there and take a look at it and see what we can do, check and see if there is an easement for the city. Sherry said the problem is actually between the two properties. Comm. Smith said he’s been there several times and one property is higher than the other. The swale is not going the right way and needs to be worked on a little bit. Comm. Smith said it’s private property back there where we would have to get city equipment in. He said he’s not going to do anything without some backing. The Mayor said he’ll get the Engineer in there, get it staked and maybe get the homeowners to let us on the easement. Comm. Smith said the best way to fix this is to take a couple loads of dirt put down so the water will go into the wetland.

Wayne Saltzman, 1035 N. Center St. Wayne said that a couple of years ago he had the good fortune to visit Braidwood Australia. When he was there he visited their Police Department & Fire Department and took patches along with different things to leave with them. A few weeks ago there were two Constables from Australia that came into town along with three Firemen that stopped at the PD. The Chief wasn’t there and the officers didn’t know that Wayne knew these men. Wayne said he was surprised that Tari didn’t direct them to the city clerk who knows how to get a hold of me. They were in town here to visit Wayne after he visited them there. Wayne then explained how there Police and Fire Departments work in Australia; they have larger areas than we do here. A gentleman from Australia will be here in town this weekend, Friday, July 13th and would like to meet some people from the city; the Mayor, City Clerk and has already contacted George with the Historical Society. Wayne wants to give this gentleman a warm welcome to the City of Braidwood. He also writes a monthly Article for the Braidwood Times in Australia.

Chris Jarchow, resident at 6th & Erie. Just wanted to say that for 17 yrs. he had dealt with that drainage issue and the city got to the bottom of it, found out who was the responsible party and finally got the job done. Chris said he appreciates all of it.

Jay Muzzarelli, He said they heard something about there being an Appreciation for Muzzy and was curious what the city was going to do. The Mayor said that Muzzy was a business here for 58 yrs. and it would be nice to put something out there maybe where they would sit between haircuts watching

people going by, possibly a concrete bench there with a plaque in honor of their father, Muzzy. Jay said they’re going to try and stay there because it’s something their dad built up. The Mayor said they will look into getting something for him.

Public Comment Closed at 7:12 pm.

Approval of Minutes:

Comm. Hibler made a motion to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of June 26, 2018, seconded by Comm. Smith. Motion approved 5 ayes, 0 nays (Hibler, Smith, Hutton, Tessler & Mayor Vehrs).

Reports By City Officials:

Mayor-

The Mayor advised everyone that coming up next week is the 37th Annual Braidwood Lions Club Summerfest, July 19th-July 22nd. The Summerfest Parade is Sunday at 1:00pm with the Theme being “Christmas in July”.

Administrator-

Don said he had a sad note to report. As everyone knows we worked a long time on a new Dispatch Center for our Police Department for the last three years. This new Center hired a Director who had some experience, Brad Veerman. Sadly to report that Brad Veerman passed away last Friday. He was doing a great job on the Center. Don said that he and the Chief went to his service on behalf of the city to extend the city’s condolences to the family.

City Clerk-

Nothing to Report.

Engineer-

Absent.

City Attorney-

Atty. Campbell briefly discussed the Draft Ordinance Bryan passed out a couple of meetings ago regarding Small Wireless Facilities. Atty. Campbell said this is an Ordinance we are hoping to pass at the next meeting which the city needs to adopt by the end of July. He just wanted to ask if anyone had any issues with it or questions, comments to please contact him with them since he will be at the next council meeting.

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 $104,878.29, 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 $95,713.69, seconded by Comm. Smith. Motion approved 5 ayes, 0 nays (Hibler, Smith, Hutton, Tessler & Mayor Vehrs).

Streets & Public Improvements-

Comm. Smith said he really had nothing to say, but the only thing is that it takes an act of Congress to straighten out a mess that goes in every direction. He said he can’t get nothing done, every time he makes a move somebody, somebody’s already made a move on it and took over. He said he was

Elected to do this but I wonder. He said he doesn’t know what’s going on and looked at the Mayor and said to him if you know what going on then let me know. The Mayor said all he knew was the guys have been keeping busy. Comm. Smith went down to building a couple of weeks ago with things to be done and somebody came down there and took over what I was having men do, going over my head again to the office I was elected to do. He said I don’t know what’s going on but Mayor if you do let me know! The Mayor told Fay we’ll talk.

Public Property-

Comm. Hutton addressed his Agenda item regarding the approval for Well #1 repair. The bid letting was this afternoon and the low bidder was Water Well Solutions in the amount of $26,827.00.

Comm. Hutton made a motion to approve the Bid for Well #1 Repair to Water Well Solutions for $26,827.00, seconded by Comm. Tessler. Motion approved 5 ayes, 0 nays (Hutton, Tessler, Hibler, Smith & Mayor Vehrs).

Comm. Hutton gave the Outside Crews Report followed by the Inside Crews Report.

Public Health & Safety-

Comm. Tessler gave the numbers report provided by the Chief from 6/26-7/10 with total calls for service 231, which is actually down from previous years at this time.

Planning & Zoning:

Their meeting was cancelled.

Closed Session:

Comm. Tessler made a motion to go into Closed Session to discuss Personnel, Collective Bargaining & Labor Relations at 7:22pm and invited the Chief in, seconded by Comm. Hutton. Motion approved 5 ayes, 0 nays (Tessler, Hutton, Hibler, Smith & Mayor Vehrs).

Comm. Hutton made a motion to reconvene the Regular Meeting at 7:39pm, seconded by Comm. Smith. Motion approved 5 ayes, 0 nays (Hutton, Smith, Hibler, Tessler & Mayor Vehrs).

Action will be taken after Closed Session and turned over to Comm. Tessler at this point.

Comm. Tessler made a motion to resolve a Grievance filed by SEIU to Re-class employee Lynda Minder with a $1.00 per hour increase, seconded by Comm. Hibler. Motion approved 5 ayes, 0 nays (Tessler, Hibler, Hutton, Smith & Mayor Vehrs).

Old Business:

Nothing to Report

New Business:

Nothing to Report.

Adjournment:

Comm. Tessler made motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting at 7:40 pm, seconded by Comm. Hutton. Motion approved with 5 ayes, 0 nays (Tessler, Hutton, Hibler, Smith & Mayor Vehrs).

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