City of Wilmington City Council met May 17.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Call to Order
The Regular Meeting of the Wilmington City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Dietz in the Council Chamber 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 Kirwin, Jeffries, Vice, Knight, Allred, Mietzner, Holmes Aldermen Present via Zoom Smith
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 City Administrator Jeannine Smith, Chief Joe Mitchell, Finance Director Matt Hoffman, Public Works Director James Gretencord, City Attorney Bryan Wellner, and Deputy City Clerk Joie Ziller
Approval of the Previous Regular City Council Meeting
Alderman Vice made a motion and Alderman Knight seconded to approve the May 3, 2022 meeting minutes and have them placed on file
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 8 Kirwin, Holmes, Jeffries, Knight, Vice, Allred, Mietzner, Smith
NAYS: 0
The motion carried.
Mayor’s Report
Mayor Dietz announced the proclamation for Motorcycle Awareness Month Please do not place grass clippings on the city streets.
Mayor Dietz announced that the city is the recipient of a grant in the amount of $236,000 to go towards the public parking on N. Water Street.
Public Comment
Public Comment 1 – Steve Evans, Chamber of Commerce President read a letter opposing the proposed increase to business licenses.
Public Comment 2 – Roy Strong stated he is not in favor of the increase on the video gaming terminals and questioned the Council who came up with this increase.
Public Comment 3 – Eric Kempes stated he would like to know what the Council has earmarked to do with the money, share the plans so we “business owners” can get behind it. Mr. Kempes questioned where the increase originated from.
Public Comment 4 – Ralph Stevens stated that he has been in business 35 years and he has never seen the fees go up like this. Businesses are still recovery after COVID.
Committee of the Whole Reports
A. Police & ESDA
Co-Chairs – Jonathan Mietzner and Leslie Allred
Alderman Mietzner made a motion and Alderman Allred seconded to approve the Ray O’Herron Quote for Firearms and Equipment in the Amount not to Exceed $11,670
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 8 Vice, Knight, Jeffries, Mietzner, Allred, Kirwin, Smith, Holmes
NAYS: 0
The motion carried.
B. Ordinance & License
Co-Chairs – Kevin Kirwin and Ryan Knight
Alderman Kirwin made a motion and Alderman Knight seconded to approve Ordinance No. 22-05-17-01 – An Ordinance Amending the Façade Improvement Grant Program Within the City of Wilmington, Illinois
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 8 Vice, Knight, Jeffries, Mietzner, Allred, Kirwin, Smith, Holmes
NAYS: 0
The motion carried.
Alderman Kirwin made a motion and Alderman Allred seconded to table the Ordinance Amending the License Fee for Video Gaming Terminals Within the City of Wilmington, Illinois and bring it to the June Committee of the Whole meeting for further discussion
Discussion – Mayor Dietz stated he meet with the Chamber of Commerce last Thursday to go over the proposed license fees and video gaming terminal fees, to which he received zero feedback from the Chamber President and Vice President who are both here speaking against it today. Mayor Dietz stated he visited specifically with the Chamber to talk to you about this program so we didn’t have to argue or have this commerce here in this venue so he hopes the next time we have the conversation at a Chamber of Commerce meeting, that we have an open honest dialogue.
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 7 Vice, Knight, Jeffries, Allred, Kirwin, Smith, Holmes
NAYS: 1 Mietzner
The motion to table was carried.
C. Buildings, Grounds, Parks, Health & Safety
Co-Chairs – Ryan Jeffries and Thomas Smith
Nothing at this time
D. Water, Sewer, Streets & Alleys
Co-Chairs – Todd Holmes and Dennis Vice
Alderman Vice made a motion and Alderman Holmes seconded to approve the Wolf’s Seal Coating Quote for the Drive Surrounding the Sewage Treatment Plant and Ridge Port Lift Station in the amount not to exceed $7,700
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 8 Vice, Knight, Jeffries, Mietzner, Allred, Kirwin, Smith, Holmes
NAYS: 0
The motion carried.
E. Personnel & Collective Bargaining
Co-Chairs – Jonathan Mietzner and Todd Holmes
Alderman Holmes made a motion and Alderman Mietzner seconded to approve and authorize the Public Works Director to Seek and Hire Two Seasonal Workers
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 8 Vice, Knight, Jeffries, Mietzner, Allred, Kirwin, Smith, Holmes
NAYS: 0
The motion carried.
F. Finance, Administration & Land Acquisition Committee
Co-Chairs – Kevin Kirwin and Ryan Jeffries
Alderman Jeffries made a motion and Alderman Knight seconded to approve the Financial Reports and Accounts Payable Report in the Amount of $312,684.18 as presented by the Finance Director
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 8 Vice, Knight, Jeffries, Allred, Mietzner, Kirwin, Smith, Holmes
NAYS: 0
The motion carried.
Alderman Jeffries made a motion and Alderman Kirwin seconded to approve the Sound & Light Contract with Rock Productions for the July 1, 2022 Independence Day Celebration in the amount not to exceed $500
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 8 Vice, Knight, Jeffries, Allred, Mietzner, Kirwin, Smith, Holmes
NAYS: 0
The motion carried.
Alderman Jeffries made a motion and Alderman Mietzner seconded to approve and authorize the City Administrator to enter into a contract with the Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau in an amount not exceeding $5,000
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 8 Vice, Knight, Jeffries, Allred, Mietzner, Kirwin, Smith, Holmes
NAYS: 0
The motion carried.
Attorney & Staff Reports
Administrator Smith stated that she will be meeting with MAP representatives to continue negotiations on the collective bargaining agreement.
Public Works Director Gretencord thanked the Council for the approval of the two seasonal workers at the Public Works Department.
Chief Mitchell provided the Council with a memo related to truck enforcement. This memo will be attached to the final meeting minutes for future reference.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn the meeting made by Alderman Holmes and seconded by Alderman Knight. Upon the voice vote, the motion carried. The Regular Meeting of the City of Wilmington City Council held on May 17, 2022 adjourned at 7:39 p.m.
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