City of Crest Hill City Council met May 28.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The May 28, 2019 City Council work session was called to order by Mayor Raymond R. Soliman at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 1610 Plainfield Road Crest Hill, Will County, Illinois.
The following Council members were present: Mayor Raymond Soliman, City Clerk Vicki Hackney, City Treasurer Glen Conklin, Alderman Scott Dyke, Alderman John Vershay, Alderwoman Barbara Sklare, Alderwoman Claudia Gazal, Alderwoman Tina Oberlin, Alderman Marco Coladipietro, Alderman Nate Albert, Alderman Joe Kubal.
Also present were: City Administrator Heather McGuire, Assistant City Administrator/HR Director Megan Fulara.
TOPIC: NIMEC Electrical Aggregation Update
Mayor Soliman presented the Residential Electrical Aggregation Update per the memo dated May 24, 2019. Mr. Hoover from NIMEC was in attendance. Administrator McGuire informed the Council that when we entered into the agreement with MC Squared last year the rate was 7.29 cents. ComEds rate was 7.7 cents. Due to changes in the rate structure, Com Ed is about to offer a rate slightly under the contract price. MC Squared is willing to match ComEd's price and also add 25% renewable energy. Mr. Hoover gave an update on the program. Administrator McGuire explained to the new Council members how this program works. Mr. Hoover informed the Council that a letter will have to be sent out notifying the residents of the rate change. The cost of the mailing will be covered by the supplier. Alderman Albert asked what caused the electric cost to change. Mr. Hoover explained that there were several factors that caused the rate to drop. Discussion followed. Alderman Albert questioned the other electrical suppliers and the rates that are offered. Mr. Hoover explained how these work.
Mayor Soliman asked for an informal vote on the Electrical Aggregation Update. All members present were in agreement.
TOPIC: Resources for Chamber of Commerce
Administrator McGuire presented the Resources for the Chamber of Commerce per the memo dated May 24, 2019. Alderman Albert explained that they would like to revitalize the Chamber. The new board was looking for a central location such as City Hall as a location to receive their mail. This would not take time away from any City work. Alderman Albert or Alderwoman Oberlin would pick up any mail or communications received. The phone number listed for the Chamber is not the City Hall number. Alderwoman Sklare asked what kind of information is coming to the City currently. Alderwoman Oberlin explained that the bank statements have been coming here for about 10 years. Alderwoman Sklare feels that the City and Chamber should be two separate entities. Mayor Soliman explained how the statements started coming here. We haven't had an active Chamber since roughly 2014. Alderwoman Gazal suggested that the Chamber secure a P.O. Box. Discussion followed. Alderman Albert went over the newly appointed Chamber board members. Mayor Soliman felt that the Chamber should be independent of the City. He feels that members of the Council should not be on the board of a Chamber of Commerce. Alderwoman Oberlin felt that it was no different than
Council members being on the board of HOA's. There are many city's where the Mayor is the President of the Chamber. Discussion followed.
Mayor Soliman asked for an informal vote on the Resources for Chamber of Commerce. Alderman Dyke, Vershay, Sklare, Gazal, Kubal, Coladipietro voted no.
Alderwoman Gazal said that she always abstains when it comes to a vote on the HOA that she is involved with. Alderman Albert said that he was disappointed when the Chamber dissolved and is happy that it is coming back. He does not understand the conflict of interest because you are promoting and networking local businesses. Mayor Soliman asked if Alderman Albert represents his place of employment at the Chamber or does he represent himself as a Council member. Alderman Albert explained that he has never presented himself as a Council member in regards to the Chamber. Discussion
followed on the Chamber and the by-laws.
TOPIC: SpaceCo Proposal
Administrator McGuire presented the SpaceCo Proposal per the memo dated May 29, 2019. This is for the proposed City Hall/Police Department Site Design. Administrator McGuire went over the scope of work the company would provide. This is the company
that has also done work on the proposed Public Works facility.
Mayor Soliman asked for an informal vote on the SpaceCo Proposal. Seven members present were in agreement. Alderman Vershay was not.
TOPIC: A.B. Gusto's-1 Day Liquor License Waiver
Mayor Soliman presented a request from A.B. Gusto's for a one day liquor license waiver. The owner of Gusto's would like to have a pig roast on June 30, 2019. $5.00 from each meal would be donated to the Crest Hill PD. There would be a 50/50 raffle, a bag tournament, band, and a dart tournament which would all require an entry fee. The fee's would go to the fund raising event. He is asking to utilize the grass area for the bag tournament and would like the PD to sell the 50/50 tickets. The hours would be from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Chief recommended that the proceeds go to the 100 Club of Joliet, C.O.P.S, or the Police Memorial Committee. The outdoor activities would be moved indoors after 6:00 p.m. After discussion, the owner decided to give 50% of the proceeds to the 100 Club and 50% to the Police Memorial Committee. Alderman Coladipietro has a concern with the Officers being there during the event. The Mayor explained that no Officers will be in attendance. Alderman Coladipietro questioned a past due bill owed to the City. This has been cleared up. Alderwoman Oberlin said that there are problems that occur around 2:00 a.m. with excessive noise from this establishment. Alderman Albert asked what the waiver is for. The Mayor explained that it is to have alcohol outside during the bags tournament from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Alderman Vershay is concerned about underage drinkers sneaking in. The Mayor explained that the owner would have security stationed in the bags area. Alderman Albert questioned a conflict of interest with a donation to the Police Memorial. Alderman Vershay would prefer to see a donation made to an organization that is not affiliated with the City. Discussion followed. The Mayor informed the Council that he would suggest that the entire donation be made to the 100 Club of Joliet.
Mayor Soliman asked for an informal vote for the proceeds go to the 100 Club of Joliet. The following members voted yes. Ald. Dyke, Vershay, Sklare, Gazal, Oberlin, Coladipietro, Kubal. Alderman Albert asked if this event hinges on the waiver of the fee. If he pays the fee, he can donate to any charity he wants. The Mayor explained that we normally waive the fee when it's a fundraiser. We have waived the fee for the Italian Club for their Festa and they make a donation every year to the Veterans Memorial. Administrator McGuire informed the Council that we also waive the fee for Paul Siegel. Treasurer Conklin asked how you can dictate where the funds go to. Alderwoman Oberlin agreed and felt we should only be voting on the fee waiver not where the proceeds are going to.
Mayor Soliman asked for an informal vote on A.B. Gusto's-1 Day Liquor License Waiver. Seven of the members voted yes. Alderman Albert abstained.
TOPIC: Jackie's Slots & Shots-1 Day Liquor License Waiver
Mayor Soliman presented the request from Jackie's Slots & shots-1 Day Liquor License Waiver for a fundraiser to take place on June 8, 2019 with the proceeds to benefit the Wounded Warrior Fund. This will be a motorcycle run and Jackie's will be the first and last stop of the day. They would like to fence off the rear of the building and have an outdoor cookout and serve beer. The outdoor portion of the event would end at 8:00 p.m. and everything would have to be taken back inside. Alderman Vershay expressed concern over excessive traffic. Mayor Soliman explained that they have done this run in the past, but everything was kept inside the building. Alderwoman Oberlin asked how the Police Chief felt about this event. He had no problem as long as the outside portion ended at 8:00 p.m.
Mayor Soliman asked for an informal vote on Jackie's Slots & Shots-1 Day Liquor License Waiver. Seven members present were in agreement. Alderman Albert voted no.
TOPIC: 1919 Cora Bid
Mayor Soliman announced that this subject would need to be discussed in executive session under 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(6).
TOPIC: Employee Evaluation and Merit Increase Recommendation
Mayor Soliman announced that this subject would need to be discussed in executive session under 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(1).
PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no public comments.
MAYORS UPDATES: The Mayor had no updates.
COMMITTEE/LIAISON UPDATES: There were no committee/liaison updates.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATES: Administrator McGuire informed the Council that the prevailing wage will be on the agenda for the June 3, 2019 meeting. This is something we do yearly.
Mayor Soliman announced that there is a need for an executive session on land acquisition (5 ILCS 120/2(0)6), personnel (5 ILCS 120/2(2)(1), and litigation (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11)).
(#1) Motion by Alderwoman Oberlin, seconded by Alderman Coladipietro to go into an executive session on land acquisition (5 İLCS 120/2(0)6) and personnel (5 İLCS 120/2(c)(1)). On roll call, the vote was:
AYES: Ald. Albert, Kubal, Dyke, Vershay, Sklare, Gazal, Oberlin, Coladipietro.
NAYES: None.
ABSENT: None.
There being eight (8) affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED.
The executive session began at 7:50 p.m.
The meeting was reconvened at 9:05 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:06 p.m.
https://www.cityofcresthill.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05282019-377
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