City of Crest Hill City Council met April 20.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The regular meeting of the City of Crest Hill 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. Mayor Soliman indicated that the tonight's meeting will be via video conference with Council and Staff members attending from their homes.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.
Roll call indicated the following present via a video conference: Mayor Raymond Soliman, City Clerk Vicki Hackney, City Treasurer Glen Conklin, 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, Police Chief Ed Clark, Community Development Director Scott McMaster, Building Commissioner Kirk Wilkens, City Mechanic Brian Semplinski, Financial Advisor Nick Narducci.
Absent were: Alderman Scott Dyke, Deputy City Clerk Janet Serdar, Director of Water/Wastewater Mark Siefert, Public Works Director Tom Migatz, Finance Supervisor Ashli Motyka.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mayor Soliman presented the minutes from the regular meeting held on March 16, 2020 for Council approval.
(#1) Motion by Alderwoman Oberlin, seconded by Alderwoman Gazal, to approve the minutes form the regular meeting held on March 16, 2020 as presented. On roll call, the vote was: AYES: Ald. Sklare, Coladipietro, Albert, Kubal, Vershay, Oberlin, Gazal. NAYES: None. ABSENT: Ald. Dyke. There being seven (7) affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR: City Administrator Heather McGuire presented A RESOLUTION WAIVING BID AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF PROPOSAL FOR PRE-CAST CONCRETE WALLS FOR THE SALT DOME AT THE PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING per the memo dated April 17, 2020. Administrator McGuire went over the background of the request.
(#2) Motion by Alderwoman Oberlin, seconded by Alderwoman Sklare, to approve A RESOLUTION WAIVING BID AND AUTHORIZING EXECTUION OF PROPOSAL FOR PRE-CAST CONCRETE WALLS FOR THE SALT DOME AT THE PUBLIC WORKS BUILIDNG. On roll call, the vote was: AYES: Ald. Vershay, Gazal, Coladipietro, Albert, Kubal, Oberlin, Sklare. NAYES: None. ABSENT: Ald. Dyke. There being seven (7) affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED.
Resolution #1076
Administrator McGuire presented a request for the Authorization of Change Order for Concrete by Wagner for the Public Works Building per the memo dated April 17, 2020. Administrator McGuire went over the change order.
(#3) Motion by Alderwoman Gazal, seconded by Alderwoman Oberlin, to approve the request for the Authorization of Change Order for Concrete by Wagner for the Public Works Building per the memo dated April 17, 2020. On roll call, the vote was: AYES: Ald. Kubal, Albert, Oberlin, Coladipietro, Vershay, Sklare, Gazal, NAYES: None. ABSENT: Ald. Dyke. There being seven (7) affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED.
Administrator McGuire presented a request for the Approval to purchase a Brine System and Tank per the memo dated April 17, 2020. Administrator McGuire went over the background of the request.
(#4) Motion by Alderwoman Oberlin, seconded by Alderwoman Sklare, to approve the request to purchase a Brine System and Tank per the memo dated April 17, 2020. On roll call, the vote was: AYES: Ald. Coladipietro, Albert, Kubal, Vershay, Gazal, Sklare, Oberlin. NAYES: None. ABSENT: Ald. Dyke. There being seven (7) affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED.
Administrator McGuire announced that the report was on file. Administrator McGuire informed the Council that there are some final items that need to be completed on the garbage contract. This should not cause any disruption to the garbage pickup for the residents. The Council will be updated weekly on the progress of the contract.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT: There were no agenda items for discussion.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT: There were no agenda items for discussion.
POLICE DEPARTMENT: There were no agenda items for discussion.
MAYOR: Mayor Ray Soliman announced that yard waste pickup will resume on Monday April 20, 2020. As far as regular garbage pickup, all garbage and recycling must be placed in the proper receptacle. Items that are outside the receptacle will not be picked up at the current time.
Mayor Soliman reminded the residents that the Census questionnaire needs to be filled out and turned in. If you have not filled out your form you will be receiving another one in the mail. He reminded the residents that the Census count is very important to the City.
Mayor Soliman informed the residents that he will be doing an update on the covid-19 virus and its impact on the City. This will be done through a YouTube video which will take place on April 21, 2020. He thanked the residents for cooperating with the stay at home order. He reminded everyone to wear a mask if you have one, wear gloves, maintain social distancing and to always wash your hands. We will continue to follow the Governors stay at home orders.
Alderwoman Oberlin informed the Mayor that there is a mattress lying in the parkway in front of the Walgreens and asked if someone could investigate getting it removed. She believes that it fell off of a truck. Mayor Soliman informed the Council that he passed out roughly 15 flyers at homes that had large items out for pickup which are not being picked up at this time.
CITY CLERK: City Clerk Vicki Hackney had no agenda items for discussion. She hoped that everyone is staying safe and healthy.
CITY TREASURER: City Treasurer Glen Conklin presented the ratified list of bills from April 7, 2020 in the amount of $947, 356.60 for Council approval.
(#5) Motion by Alderwoman Oberlin, seconded by Alderwoman Sklare, to approve the ratified list of bills in the amount of $947,356.60 as presented. On roll call, the vote was: AYES: Ald. Vershay, Gazal, Coladipietro, Albert, Kubal, Oberlin, Sklare. NAYES: None. ABSENT: Ald. Dyke. There being seven (7) affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED.
Treasurer Conklin presented the list of bills from April 20, 2020 in the amount of $620,679.79 for Council approval.
(#6) Motion by Alderwoman Oberlin, seconded by Alderwoman Sklare, to approve the list of bills in the amount of $620,679.79 as presented. On roll call, the vote was: AYES: Ald. Kubal, Albert, Coladipietro, Gazal, Vershay, Sklare, Oberlin. NAYES: None.
ABSENT: Ald. Dyke. There being seven (7) affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: There was no unfinished business.
NEW BUSINESS: There was no new business.
COMMITTEE/LIAISON REPORTS: Alderwoman Oberlin informed the Council that the annual Lidice Memorial ceremony has been cancelled. She also announced that the annual City picnic is also being cancelled. Mayor Soliman announced that the Memorial Day ceremony is tentatively cancelled.
COUNCIL COMMENTS: Alderman Albert thanked the City staff who were involved in setting up tonight's meeting. He also hoped that everyone was staying safe and healthy. Alderwoman Gazal thanked the first responders, doctors, nurses and everyone who is out in the work force. She reminded everyone to shop local and to be kind to one another Alderwoman Oberlin also thanked everyone who was going out and working with the public every day. She reminded everyone that staying home saves lives and to stay kind to others. Alderman Coladipietro thanked the residents for complying with the stay at home order. He also reminded everyone to not flush anything but toilet paper down the toilet. Anything else will clog the City sewer system and cause major problems.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Mayor Soliman announced that comments and questions could be emailed to the City regarding tonight's meeting. Two emails from Raymond Rice Jr. were received. The first contained a list of 20 questions and the second had a list of 4 questions. Mayor Soliman read the 20 questions verbatim that were received by City Clerk Vicki Hackney from Raymond Rice Jr. via email on April 20, 2020: (email noted below is typed exactly as presented).
1. How much did the City pay for the 25 acres to build the new municipal building.
2. What is the budget amount for the new municipal building.
3. Is Code Enforcement still occurring during the shutdown.
4. The Plan Commission members are paid for each meeting why have they continually been paid in your Administration when they don't meet.
5. When a Police Chief says during the Council meeting the report is on file why doesn't he address the citizens and tell us the crime stats we understand he does not need to tell us about ongoing investigations or lawsuit but it would be nice to know what is really happening in our community otherwise we have to turn to Facebook
6. would you consider doing what other communities are doing around us about foreclosed homes at no cost to the property owner they require a safety inspection before the certificate of occupancy is issued-so many investors have bought these properties up and done a rather quick and sloppy job and turn them into rentals and the other communities also note mold is discovered they have to have a written mitigation plan written from a professional company to resolve the issue.
7. For closed homes another issue is they must come up to code and install hard surface parking and clear their portion of the easement-will you consider this also.
8. We have many blind spots at intersections-it is my understanding 9 to 10 feet back from the curb nothing could be there to obstruct the view in for another 10 feet back you must be able to see through whatever is installed or planted there this also seems to be a norm in other communities.
9. What is the impact of the shut down at the city budget. What is the projections for the of sales revenue.
10. If the city's budget expects a downturn would you recommend all elected city officials take a 10% pay cut. Furthermore would you also recommend those under contract not union workers but those under contract also take a 10% cut such as the city manager the police chief. Not those covered under a bargaining unit contract.
11. Would it be correct in assuming that we have a full-time building inspector a full time Code Inspector and a part-time inspector.
12. Since the building inspector is acting as a general contractor at a new public works building-is it true or has there been any discussion or implied that the building inspector will receive a bonus of anywhere from $10-$50,000 once the building is complete or that the will receive any monies for acting as general contractor.
13. Recently there has been many complaints and photos posted on a foreclosed home at Center Street-it seems like there has been multiple violations why hasn't the city moved sooner once that property became more than an eyesore and is now a safety hazard.
14. What is the timeframe for cleaning their property up once legal notice has been sent to the lienholder.
15. Furthermore a continuation of properties that have reached a threshold of violations of dollar amount Kansas City move in and mitigate the problem itself.
16. Community groups using the city chambers-it gets rather old to see the city Council haggle over who can use the Council chambers and The city Council loading-Please consider a criteria for any local groups that can use The council chambers for so many times per year that you don't have to vote at the meeting because that is really a waste of time-for other groups that are not local that wish to use the meeting why don't have a committee of three that can approve the use and not have to vote at this on each city meeting.
17. If city revenues are down what is the city doing to reduce the budget.
18. Are you considering suspending the city rebate.
19. How much annually was related to the citizens for the rebate how much was returned to the state every year and how much since the city made a change that people have to fill out a form to get the rebate how much more has a city collected
20. Aesthetics Broadway Street and business owners-some of these businesses can barely make it would you consider $5000 grant to improve the aesthetics of business is located on Broadway.
Mayor Soliman read four additional questions verbatim that were received by City Clerk
Vicki Hackney from Raymond Rice Jr. via email on April 20, 2020.
1. Why does the city have bottled water delivered.
2. Do you not like our municipal supply of water.
3. How is this necessary during the shut down.
4. CDC recommendation is any shared food or source water source be discontinued such as large community bottled water employees should bring their own water.
The Mayor announced that some of the questions have been answered in the past with action by the City. Some of the questions would require a freedom of information form filed with the City. The Mayor would like to set up a meeting with Mr. Rice and City staff once the stay at home order is lifted to address his concerns.
There being no further business before the Council, a motion for adjournment was in order.
(#7) Motion by Alderwoman Oberlin, seconded by Alderman Vershay, to adjourn the April 20, 2020 City Council meeting. On roll call, the vote was: AYES: Ald. Sklare, Gazal, Kubal, Albert, Coladipietro, Oberlin, Vershay. NAYES: None.
ABSENT: Ald. Dyke. There being seven (7) affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:37 p.m.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nJJGVFW923j1e56XF2WQsKkDdQUJQDBRs4wTKdb11fY/edit
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