Will County Gazette

Braidwood City Council met April 28.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Call to Order: The Regular Meeting of the Braidwood City Council was called to order at 7:09 p.m. by Mayor Jones in the Council Chambers of the Braidwood City Hall.

Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Jones requested all rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call: Upon Roll Call by the Clerk, the following members of the corporate authorities answered “Here” or “Present”;

Elected Officials;

Present: Commissioner Saltzman, Commissioner Money, Commissioner Hart Commissioner Smith, and Mayor Jones

Absent:

Appointed Officials;

Present: City Administrator Altiery, Chief Lyons, and City Clerk Fisher with City Attorney Wellner, Attorney Miller, Accountant Kasperek and City Engineer Weber present via Zoom Meeting

Absent:

Quorum: There being sufficient members of the corporate authorities in attendance to constitute a quorum, the meeting was declared in order.

Public Hearing: Commissioner Money made a motion, seconded by commissioner Hart, to open Public Hearing Motion at 7:11pm, regarding the Proposed Annual Budget and Appropriations for the City of Braidwood for the Fiscal Year Beginning May 1, 2020 and Ending April 30, 2021, including the revisions described by Accountant Kasperek and as set forth in the amended proposed budget and highlighted. Commissioner Saltzman stated that as the Finance Commissioner he is freezing the annual budget and there will be no raises due to the situation Covid 19 has placed the Community in. Administrator Altiery stated that there are no raises reflected in the budget; that the increase reflected is due to upcoming contract negotiations and the additional funds coming out of Administration for the part time finance person Commissioner Saltzman hired. After further discussion on that topic, referencing the already reduced revenue taken into consideration due to Covid19, clarification of topics by Accountant Kasperek and Commissioner Saltzman presenting concerns on behalf of Commissioner Smith; motion to close Public Hearing was made by Commissioner Saltzman, and seconded by Commissioner Hart. Motion carried with 5 ayes; 0 nays. (Saltzman, Hart, Money, Smith and Jones) Public Hearing closed at 7:30pm. Commissioner Saltzman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Hart, to Approve an Ordinance Approving the Annual Budget and Appropriations for the City of Braidwood for the Fiscal Year Beginning May 1, 2020 and Ending April 30, 2021. Motion carried with 4 ayes; 1 nay. (ayes: Saltzman, Hart, Money, Jones; nays: Smith) Attorney Wellner noted that this motion was presented without the language to approve the budget with the revisions noted by Accountant Kasperek. Commissioner Saltzman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Hart, to rescind the previously approved motion to Approve an Ordinance Approving the Annual Budget and Appropriations for the City of Braidwood for the Fiscal Year Beginning May 1, 2020 and Ending April 30, 2021. A new vote was taken.

Commissioner Saltzman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Hart, to Approve an Ordinance Approving the Annual Budget and Appropriations for the City of Braidwood for the Fiscal Year Beginning May 1, 2020 and Ending April 30, 2021, including the revisions described by Accountant Kasperek and as set forth in the amended proposed budget and highlighted. Motion carried with 5 ayes; 0 nays. (Saltzman, Hart, Smith, Money, and Jones)

Public Comment: Public comment by Mike Hollis was read by Administrator Altiery. Mr. Hollis states there is construction debris piled in the backyard of a home under construction to the South of him on Kennedy Rd. and he would like it addressed.

Approval of Minutes: Commissioner Hart made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Money, to approve meeting minutes from the April 14th, 2020 Regular Council Meeting. Motion carried with 4 ayes; 1 nay. (ayes: Saltzman, Money, Hart, Jones; nays: Smith)

Mayor’s Report: Crews are out working; town is looking better and we need to work together.

Administrator Report: Administrator Altiery advised he was contacted by Trotter Excavating reference he Claypool ditch North of Cermak needing cleaned out and wanted to discuss if the City would want to partner and pay half the cost. Commissioner Hart states that a Commissioner should be the one to reach out to us on that. Altiery further gave a FOIA report which consisted of one submission by Nick Ficarello.

City Clerk Report:

Engineer Report: Engineer Weber states the he was contacted by Ruettiger and Tonelli reference the

Braidwood Commons; they are ready to submit plans.

Chief of Police:

City Attorney Report:

Accounts & Finance Report: Commissioner Saltzman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Smith, to approve the Accounts Payable Report in the amount of $15,335.57, as identified in the Accounts Payable General Ledger dated April 28, 2020. Motion carries with 5 ayes; 0 nays. (Saltzman, Smith, Money, Hart, and Jones) Commissioner Saltzman then thanked Jennifer, from the Braidwood Journal, for her coverage of the Easter Egg give away.

Streets & Public Improvement Report: Commissioner Smith states he is going to make a board with duties placed on it and he wants a weekly safety meeting. Smith further states he wants to start re- surfacing roads and be provided an MFT report.

Public Property Report: Commissioner Money made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Smith, to defer the water fee increase for two months and revisit it at the July 28th, 2020 Council Meeting. Motion carries with 5 ayes; 0 nays. (Money, Smith, Hart, Saltzman, and Jones) Commissioner Money went on to outline the work done, and training taken, by the City Crews within the last 2 weeks.

Public Health & Safety Report: Commissioner Hart reported that in the last 2 weeks, the Police Department handled 85 calls for service and 2 arrests.

Planning & Zoning Report: The next Planning and Zoning Board Meeting will be May 4th, 2020. Executive Session:

Old Business:

New Business:

Adjournment: Commissioner Saltzman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Money, to adjourn the April 28 ,2020 regular meeting of the Braidwood City Council. Motion carried with 5 ayes; 0 nays. (Saltzman, Money, Hart, Smith, and Jones) The next regular meeting of the Council will be held May 12th, 2020.

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