City of Braidwood City Council Met April 13.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Call to Order: The Regular Meeting of the Braidwood City Council was called to order at 7:00 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: Mayor Jones, Commissioner Mikel, Commissioner Money, Commissioner Saltzman,
Absent: Commissioner Smith
Appointed Officials:
Present: Chief Lyons, City Administrator Altiery, City Attorney Wellner, and City Clerk Adam Beaty
Absent: City Engineer David Weber
Quorum: There being sufficient members of the corporate authorities in attendance to constitute a quorum, the meeting was declared in order.
Public Comment: None
Approval of Minutes: Commissioner Saltzman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Money, to approve meeting minutes from the March 23rd, 2021 Regular Council Meeting. Motion carried with 4 ayes: 0 nays. (Saltzman, Money, Mikel, and Jones).
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Jones started by congratulating Commissioner Mikel on his victory in the recent local election, as well as Adam Beaty for his election to the Reed Township Board. Applause for both.
Administrator Report: Altiery noted that a public hearing will be held at the next Council Meeting for the approval of the annual budget for the fiscal year ending in 2022. Altiery is also in constant talk with Michael Guinta. He also mentioned the City will be looking to hire two part timers for the purpose of grass cutting.
At the next meeting possibly 2 union contracts will be up for approval as well as benefit packages for new hires and current personnel.
Grants have been really good this year. Another grant will come courtesy of the American Rescue Plan. The grand should be around $754,000. Half we will receive this year and the rest next year. The money will be used primarily to boost the Braidwood economy and help keep businesses open. It is proposed that some of the money may trickle down to the residents by way of credit on water bills. Altiery stressed the need to continue to patronize our small businesses. He then yielded to City Attorney Wellner to further explain the American Rescue Plan (See City Attorney Report).
Altiery mentioned that he has requested a list of activities done by the Street Department personnel from Commissioner Smith and was denied.
Altiery further explained with regard to the American Rescue Plan that the City will put a strong emphasis on local business followed by perhaps upgrades to things like the city water towers and other small projects to spruce up the town.
Grants secured to date total approximately $1.6 million. These grants have allowed Braidwood to upgrade equipment. A new ATV was purchased with grant money and now that will allow public works to spend few man hours doing one job seeing as they won’t have to manually drive a mower from public works to the far reaches of town. The new ATV will save money in the long run.
City Clerk Report: Clerk Beaty noted that the Citizens of Braidwood should be extremely proud of themselves for causing a 312% jump in voter turn out opposed to 2017. Beaty has been working within the City to find missing pennies as the fiscal year comes to a close. He stated on April 1 he was advised that the city, over time, had been overpaying for Workman’s Comp insurance. Therefore, the city will see a refund of nearly $41,000 back to the city. Back in 2017, it appeared that the City overpaid for a sewer extension project by $7,947. Beaty said he’s not above going out and getting dirty in the barn looking for long gone invoices. He and one of the office assistants found the invoice and looked forward to a nearly $8,000 refund coming back to the city.
5 FOIAs were completed this period.
• 1 for security camera footage – 3 hours
• 1 for building permits throughout March – 1 hour
• 1 for other FOIA’d information – 2 hours
• 1 for a specific Building Permit – 1 hour
• Extensive FOIA mentioned at the previous meeting was completed – 15 hours
YTD FOIAS: 28 FOIAs at 43.5 hours.
Community Clean Up April 18th for roadsides and interchanges.
Engineer Report: None
Chief of Police: None
City Attorney Report: City Attorney Wellner explained that the City is still awaiting the official rules for how the rescue plan money can be used. Primarily the money can be used for Water, Sewer, Infrastructure and local businesses to supplement lost revenue due to the fall in tourism and expenses incurred as a result of the Pandemic.
Accounts & Finance Report: Commissioner Saltzman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Money, to approve the Payment of Bills, in the amount of $153,936.10 as identified in the Accounts Payable General Ledger dated April 13th, 2021. Motion carried with 4 ayes: 0 nays. (Saltzman, Money, Mikel and Jones).
Commissioner Saltzman then made a Motion, seconded by Commissioner Mikel, to Approve Payroll Expenses, in the amount of $80,546.94 as identified in the Payroll General Ledger dated April 13th, 2021. Motion carried with 4 ayes; 0 nays. (Saltzman, Money, Mikel and Jones).
Commissioner Saltzman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Mikel to Approve an Engagement between the City of Braidwood and Wipfli CPAs and Consultants for the annual fiscal year audit. Motion carried with 4 ayes; 0 nays (Saltzman, Money, Mikel, Jones).
Streets & Public Improvement Report: Absent
Public Property Report: Commissioner Money reported on maintenance and repair of equipment at the plant and throughout the city including the rebuild of the gate was completed at the water plant.
Public Health & Safety Report: Commissioner Mikel reported that from March 22nd through April 11th the police department had a total of 4 arrests and 286 total calls for service.
Commissioner Mikel made a motion to approve the hiring a new full-time officer to replace Officer A. Bitto who resigned last moth and moved out of state. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Money. Motion carried with 4 ayes; 0 nays. (Saltzman, Money, Mikel and Jones).
Commissioner Mikel made additional motion to approve an Ordinance Authorizing the Execution and Approval of a Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the City of Braidwood and Metropolitan Alliance of Police, to be Effective from May 1, 2020 to April 20, 2023. Commissioner Money seconded the motion. Motion carried with 4 ayes; 0 nays. (Saltzman, Money, Mikel and Jones).
Planning & Zoning Report: Nothing to report.
Old Business: None
New Business: Police Chief Lyons explained the new hire approval.
Adjournment: Commissioner Saltzman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Money, to adjourn the April 13th, 2021 regular meeting of the Braidwood City Council. Motion carried with 4 ayes: 0 nays (Saltzman, Smith, Money, Mikel and Jones). The next regular meeting of the Council will be held April 13th, 2021 at 7:00pm.
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