City of Wilmington City Council met Aug. 7.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
Call to Order
APPROVED
The Regular Meeting of the Wilmington City Council on August 7, 2018 was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Mayor Roy Strong in the Council Chambers of the Wilmington City Hall.
Roll Call
Upon Roll Call by the Clerk the following members of the corporate authorities answered Here or Present :
Aldermen Present Studer, Tutor, Persic, Butler, Kirwin, Vice, Evans, Combes
Quorum
There being a sufficient number of members of the corporate authorities in attendance to constitute a quorum, the meeting was declared in order.
Other Officials in Attendance
Also, in attendance were the Deputy City Clerk Joie Ziller and Attorney Bryan Wellner
Approval of Minutes
Alderman Tutor made a motion and Alderman Combes seconded to approve the July 17, 2018 Regular City Council meeting minutes and have them placed on file
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 8 Evans, Tutor, Kirwin, Vice, Butler, Combes, Persic, Studer NAYS: 0
The motion carried.
Open Public Hearing
Maggie Dar, Planner with Chicago s Metropolitan Agency for Planning, CMAP, provides a broad overview of the Wilmington Downtown Plan that CMAP has developed with the City. She provides a background on her agency and how the project came about: CMAP is the regional planning agency, who was established by the State in 2005 to coordinate land use and transportation issues within the 7 county regions. They developed the first company as a regional plan called GoTo 2040 and since the Board adopted that plan in 2010 they have been implementing it by narrowing thru the local technical systems work. So it is thru that program that they are able to provide direct planning assistance work to communities throughout the region. They have an annual call for projects and since 2011 they have completed over 100 projects in the region and have about 50 currently under way. The City of Wilmington sought technical assistance from our LTA program back in 2015, and the City had requested assistance in the development of a Corridor Plan at that time, so looking at 53 and 102. The project was accepted and they determined that a downtown plan might be more appropriate as it would allow them to focus more narrowly on economic development issues, not just transportation but the economy, walk ability, natural resources, it would allow them to take a deeper dive into the down town area. The purpose of this project has been to present a unified vision for the downtown and second to identify strategies to support economic growth, increase safety and connectivity and engage local and regional partners in implementation of priority projects. The plan document itself is available online. It is to serve as a guidebook for people who will be making decisions about development or redevelopment that affects the downtown. The process includes multiple steps that kicked off in late 2016. They worked closely with the City to develop a scope of work. They released an interim deliverable called existing conditions reports which was released last July. This was really the document where they outlined what they had heard about the key different assets in the downtown, issues and opportunities, things to be addressed in the downtown plan. Now they are on to public review of the document and into the adoption process. There is a public open house in June where they had a really great turn out in the park district, and got some great positive feedback. The Plan is organized into 8 chapters. After the introduction there is a chapter titled Vision For Downtown Wilmington , which really summarizes the results of that public workshop. An overview of some of the projects are: Evaluate the Potential for River walk along the Millrace: They heard from many stake holders that there was a strong vision to establish a unique pedestrian riverfront experience, connecting North Water Street with the Kankakee river. Concept Illustrations: illustrates some of the ideas that came up, boardwalk style walking path, gardens, kayak dock and an overlook deck. The plan also highlights some sights that should be prioritized for redevelopment including hotel, launching pad, properties owned by the fire protection district and the north portion of Water Street. There are a lot of great ideas that need a dedicated funding source to support those efforts. The Plan is recommending that the City evaluate establishing a business district. Transportation Chapter: One of the primary recommendations is to strengthen local bicycle facilities. So since traveling along the main corridors isn t a liable option because of the narrow right a ways as well as the heavy truck traffic, we are showing the plan a way to support a local bikeway network along other roadways, instead of 53, we are looking at Jackson Street. The safety issues at the Wilmington Dam came up again and again. It is included as a priority in the plan. Each stakeholder really wanted to see this addressed. The plan is an advocate for one scenario over another. What we tried to do is include as much information as possible about what those options look like, highlighting case studies from throughout the region. Once the plan is adopted is when the work begins. A short-term work plan that highlights what should be done first. CMAP will remain involved after the plan is adopted. Their assistance takes many forms. Identifying and supporting grant applications. They realize that funding is a major component of any local planning project. They have a group that meets every two weeks to discuss what new funding opportunities and grants are open. They are also here to facilitate operations with regional and state facilities. CMAP has all kinds of contacts and are willing to set up meetings. The Mayor states that they started working on the increase of sales tax to help the downtown area. The City used to have a matching program but it is gone now, three people took advantage of it. They are spending a lot of money downtown now. Another girl is coming in for property. The Eagle Hotel is always looking for investors. Looking for money to take some trees out at the point. The dam is a nightmare and hopefully something would be done there. There was a drowning on Memorial Day, so now there is no bank fishing. A couple groups downtown have approached the City to try and help improve the downtown. Mike Mikolowski speaks up and ask Maggie if they have any plans for the South Side of downtown. She says that CMAP expands a wide range of downtown on 53.
Close Public Hearing at 7:25 p.m.
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 8 Evans, Tutor, Kirwin, Vice, Butler, Combes, Persic, Studer NAYS: 0
The motion carried.
Mayor’s Report
Mayor Strong announces Residential Electronics & Hazardous Waste Drop-off Event, Saturday, September 15, 2018 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Catfish Day s was the best Catfish Days we have ever had. Broke a lot of records. Tuffy s did the best he ever had. Rustic did the best ever on Thursday night. Nice weather, nice parade. Next year July 4, Thursday, if we extend that as a long weekend before or after that Thursday for the fireworks.
National Night Out is tonight at the High School until 8:30.
Public Comment
Roy Kenneth for the VFW Post 5422 states his Post was destroyed by fire on April 2016 and claims against the insurance have been in the courts since then. The court claims are now coming to a close with the insurance company; they are not up to date but will be in court this upcoming week. The VFW has always been a service to the community, offering aid to Veterans in need amounting up to thousands of dollars. Additionally the VFW offered $1,000 in scholarships to seven students annually. The VFW Honor Guard, work at the Abraham Lincoln Cemetery providing funeral honor for Veterans on a weekly basis. They also provide off site dinners in May and November for Veterans from Dwight, Manteno, LaSalle, and a couple other areas. The VFW is requesting a building permit for Non for profit organization; they are requesting that this be at no charge. At this time they have secured an Architect, Engineer, Foundation, Plumbers, and electricians, heating and cooling. They are currently waiting for the City to allow them the permit and the rest of the funds to come from the court. The Mayor states that there should be no problem waiving the Permit Fee. He also states that they will need a bigger water line tap. Accurate Plan Review the VFW s plans for the City and the VFW will incur the costs. The VFW will be going from 5,000 to 10,000 feet larger. The building will take 3 weeks to be built once they receive the money.
Planning & Zoning Commission
Alderman Evans made a motion and Alderman Persic seconded to approve Ordinance No. 18- 08-07-01, Authorizing a Variance to Allow For the Placement of Accessory Structure to be Built in Front of Home on Lot 2 in Kankakee River Ridge Subdivision Located on West River Road, Wilmington, Illinois
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 6, 2018 at 5:00 p.m.
Committee Reports
Buildings, Grounds, Parks, Health & Safety Committee
The next scheduled meeting is Wednesday, August 15, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. Water, Sewer, Streets and Alleys Committee
The next scheduled meeting is Wednesday, August 15, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. Police & ESDA Committee
The next scheduled meeting is Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. Finance, Administration & Land Acquisition Committee
Alderman Tutor made a motion and Alderman Butler seconded to approve the Accounts Payable Report dated August 7, 2018 in the amount of $ 2,642,892.54, as presented by the City Accountant
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 8 Studer, Persic, Evans, Tutor, Kirwin, Vice, Butler, Combes NAYS: 0
The motion carried.
The next scheduled meeting is Tuesday, August 21, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.
Ordinance & License Committee
Co-Chairs – Floyd Combes & Lisa Butler
Alderman Butler made a motion and Alderman Kirwin seconded to approve Ordinance No. 18- 08-07-02, An Ordinance to Dissolve and Repeal the Economic Development Commission.
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 8 Studer, Persic, Evans, Tutor, Kirwin, Vice, Butler, Combes NAYS: 0
The motion carried.
The next scheduled meeting is Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.
Personnel & Collective Bargaining Committee
Co-Chairs – John Persic Jr.
Nothing at this time
Attorney’s Report
Nothing at this time
Action Taken Following Executive Session
Nothing at this time.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn the meeting made by Alderman Tutor and seconded by Alderman Kirwin.
Upon voice vote, the motion carried. The Regular Meeting of the City of Wilmington City Council held on August 7, 2018 adjourned at 7:37 p.m.
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