City of Crest Hill City Council met May 22.
Here is the agenda provided by the council:
The May 22, 2023 City Council work session was called to order by Mayor Raymond R. Soliman at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 20600 City Center Blvd. Crest Hill, Will County, Illinois.
The following Council members were present: Mayor Raymond Soliman, City Clerk Christine Vershay-Hall, City Treasurer Glen Conklin, Alderman Scott Dyke, Alderman John Vershay, Alderwoman Claudia Gazal, Alderman Darrell Jefferson, Alderperson Tina Oberlin, Alderman Mark Cipiti, Alderman Nate Albert, Alderman Joe Kubal.
Also present were: City Engineer Ron Wiedeman, Finance Director Lisa Banovetz, Deputy Chief Ryan Dobczyk, City Attorney Mike Stiff
Absent were: Director of Public Works Mark Siefert, Assistant Public Works Director Blaine Kline, Interim Planner Maura Rigoni, Police Chief Ed Clark.
Mayor Raymond Soliman asked to deviate from the regular agenda for an executive session on personnel 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2).
(#1) Motion by Alderperson Oberlin seconded by Alderman Cipiti, to go into an executive session on Personnel 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2).
On roll call, the vote was:
AYES: Ald. Kubal, Albert, Cipiti, Oberlin, Gazal, Jefferson, Vershay, Dyke.
NAYES: None.
ABSENT: None.
There being eight (8) affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED.
Executive Session 7:02 p.m.
(#2) Motion by Alderperson Oberlin seconded by Alderman Jefferson to reconvene from the executive session on Personnel 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2).
On roll call, the vote was:
AYES: Ald. Kubal, Albert, Cipiti, Oberlin, Gazal, Jefferson, Vershay, Dyke.
NAYES: None.
ABSENT: None.
There being eight (8) affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED.
Reconvened 8:24 p.m.
Mayor Raymond Soliman asked to deviate from the regular agenda to item five on the agenda for Route 66 Community Monuments-Agreement Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitor Bureau and City of Crest Hill.
TOPIC: Route 66 Community Monuments Visitors Bureau
Agreement Heritage Corridor and
City Engineer Ron Weideman commented that the purpose of the monument is to help promote tourism and the 100th Year Anniversary of Route 66 in 2026. Engineer Wiedeman stated the monument is seventy-two inches tall by fourteen feet and eight inches in length, which will be large enough for someone to sit in and take pictures. He also stated there will be some city responsibility.
Kate Meehan from Heritage Corridor Destinations stated there would be a ribbon cutting, and the purpose of this monument is to promote the celebration of one hundred years. She also stated the monument must be up until 2026 when it is the 100th Anniversary year. All the monuments that they have installed are in great shape and have no damage from people sitting on them and taking pictures.
Alderman Albert commented these monuments are nice looking and would make a great spot to take selfies and help promote Route 66. He also commented he thinks it is very neat that Route 66 comes through Crest Hill and feels this would help give Route 66 more attention. Alderman Albert stated he would be in favor of this.
Mayor Soliman commented he always understood Route 66 is Route 53 to Broadway Street in Crest Hill but when he thinks of the places for placement with historical value he thinks of Statesville Prison, but he stated he feels it would be difficult getting the easement from the State of Illinois. He also stated he would like it near a business with parking along Route 53 where it is safer for people to stop and take pictures.
Engineer Wiedeman commented that he feels Statesville Prison would be a great location, but you must get an easement and that could take a long time. He stated he continued to look for other locations and thought one location could be the park by the City Hall once it is built. He also stated another location could be by Lucky Brothers, but no conversation regarding this has been made with Lucky Brothers. Engineer Wiedemann also commented that Goofee G's Ice Cream on Plainfield Road would be another ideal spot that would have parking while getting ice cream. He commented that out of all the spots he mentioned he feels that Lucky Brothers would be the best location.
Engineer Wiedman stated there will be a one-time $3,000.00 fee for basically administrative costs for the monument and we would have to agree to take delivery to the chosen location by August 31, 2023. He stated some conditions of the agreement would be that you would need a fifteen foot by four-foot concrete pad for the monument that would cost approximately $5,000.00 to be installed and this does not include any benches or landscaping. Also, the City will be responsible for providing a sign stating the project was funded by "DCEO's Route 66 Grant with Logos" which would be a cost between $200.00- $300.00 and we would need to keep this on display until October of 2026. Engineer Wiedeman also stated a public announcement with the City of Crest Hill and Heritage Corridor Destinations will need to be done.
Katie states they are hoping to have this delivered by August 31, 2023 and it will come in three pieces and can be delivered to a storage unit if undecided on location. It was discussed to have City Hall be the second location.
City Attorney Stiff commented that it would be good to negotiate that the monument stays on Lucky Brothers property, if approved, until 2026 then negotiate to bring it to City Hall afterwards.
TOPIC: Credit Card Discussion
Alderman Dyke commented that he went over the credit card transactions and noticed some of the recurring transactions was Ready Fresh Water and wanted to know if this is just water and wanted to know if it is for a certain department? Financial Director Lisa Banovetz commented that Public Works still receives bottled water, and she wondered if they can even drink the water.
City Treasurer Glen Conklin commented that some of the transactions on the card are for bills that are due in a short amount of time and must be put on a credit card to avoid the late fee. Alderman Dyke commented he wants to make sure there is no misuse of the credit cards and not take it upon themselves to charge something without getting approval.
Alderman Dyke also asked if the city gets billed directly for hotel stays or do they have to be charged? Director Banovetz commented that the hotel stays do have to go on a credit card and then the employee will submit an expense with receipts which gives more transparency. Director Banovetz stated after looking over the bills, she does not see anything wrong but feels that it should go on invoices.
Alderwoman Gazal asked why does she sees Jimmy Johns, and Mr. Submarine restaurants on the credit card? Director Banovetz commented that she did question these charges and they were for the Police Department where lunch was provided to examiners and for officers who worked over the Christmas holiday. City Treasurer Glen Conklin commented that buying food/lunch for any staff should never be a city expense for any department. He also stated that he feels the credit card policy needs to be reiterated and discussed. Director Banovetz stated that if staff are working overtime they are compensated and should not be provided with meals. Treasurer Conklin stated that department heads need to be reminded that we do not buy food, have a potluck if you wish.
Alderperson Oberlin asked how do we rectify this? Director Banovetz commented that credit cards should be used for back up and emergency issues, and hotel stays only. Alderman Dyke asked what Go Daddy and Amazon Prime is for? Director Banovetz stated Amazon Prime is the Amazon membership for the whole city and Go Daddy is for the website. Alderman Cipiti asked how many city credit cards are there? Treasurer Conklin commented there are three which are: Police Department, City Administrator and Public Works. Alderman Jefferson commented that the State and Federal laws are very explicit on what the money can be used for, and we should have a class for the individuals with a credit card. He also stated that Ready Fresh Water should be an invoice. Treasurer Conklin stated we pay it on a credit card because we receive the invoice in an untimely manner, and they expect payment in a timely manner and after it goes through the process of getting approved, we have acquired a late fee She also asked why it can't just be set up to come out of our account like she does with her Comcast. Director Banovetz stated that we are trying to be transparent and doing it that way we will not have an invoice. Alderwoman Gazal commented that she is under the assumption that this is for bottled water that is used for the guys when they are working on the streets. Treasurer Conklin stated that he believed she is correct for bottled water for the crew on the streets. Director Banovetz stated that the City Center no longer has water service that we pay for.
Mayor Soliman commented that Public Works Director Mark Siefert could not attend tonight to discuss the information requested regarding the new vehicle purchases. He stated this topic will be continued to the June 12, 2023 meeting.
Alderwoman Gazal commented that if we can make sure we have the city logo placed on the new vehicles.
TOPIC: City Apparel Purchases and Future Policy Non -Union and Union Employees City Engineer Ron Wiedeman wanted to discuss the City Apparel Policy and who should wear the apparel, and a timeframe of employment before apparel can be purchased for a new employee. There was also discussion on locations such as special events apparel and additional apparel purchases. Engineer Wiedeman stated that the policy has a start date of January 1, 2024.
Engineer Wiedeman commented that since the last discussion on apparel purchase the estimated cost of the apparel would be $2,750.00.
Treasurer Conklin asked if there is anything in the policy regarding any additional apparel purchases? Engineer Wiedeman commented that it states you get one purchase every five years. He stated that he is open to suggestions or reviews.
TOPIC: Discussion Regarding Easement from Lockport Twp Park District RE: Welcome Sign on Route
City Attorney Mike Stiff commented that we currently have a sign on Route 53 without a written agreement and he went ahead and drafted a contract and sent it to the park district attorney and that was brought before the park board. Attorney Stiff stated that it came back with one request which is that they want to be able to have an 'out' if they no longer want this agreement. Attorney Stiff stated that he would bring it to the Council and see what we can agree upon. Attorney Stiff suggested asking for a minimum of five to ten years to have the monument before they can decide to have the monument removed and have a one-year notice when wanting it removed. City Engineer Wiedeman commented that he would like to talk to the park district regarding an easement to get some assurance that we get ten years or so before they want it removed.
TOPIC: Award Contract to Sheridan Plumbing & Sewer in the amount of $2,831,319.50
City Engineer Ron Wiedeman commented that we had two bids return on this project and they came back higher than what was originally estimated by our engineers. He stated his recommendation would be to award the project to Sheridan Plumbing & Sewer in the amount of $2,831,319.50 and then present to the Council a change order immediately after the contracts are signed for a reduction of construction costs of items. He also stated this would be going over the line-item budgeted amount.
Mayor Soliman asked for an informal vote. All members present were in agreement.
TOPIC: Biggest Loser Contribution
Deputy Chief Ryan Dobczyk explained the Biggest Loser weight loss contest which is done as wellness awareness with an incentive to win money. He commented that he is looking for approval for funding from the city for this program, which started to promote health awareness, and in recent years was extended to all full-time staff to enter. He stated that in the last couple of years the city had kicked in money from the wellness budget line item. He also stated this is not taxpayer funds, it came from the insurance company. He commented that the money would be split between the top five people. Alderwoman Gazal asked how much money was 'put in'? Deputy Chief Dobczyk stated $300.00.
Alderwoman Gazal asked if this money came from the insurance company? Deputy Chief Dobczyk commented that it did come from the insurance company to try to get employees healthier. Alderwoman Gazal asked why we were never asked before by the Police Department? Treasurer Conklin commented that in the past it was requested by the HR
Department. Deputy Chief Dobczyk stated each employee that participates in this contest does contribute funds to this and it is $50.00 to join per employee. It was further explained how the insurance company joined with the city to promote health and screenings and the more employee participation the more the insurance company credited the city. Alderman Cipiti commented that this is a win win situation for the employee and insurance company. Director Banovetz commented that in the last couple of years the city has received no money from the insurance company since there was not enough staff participation.
Deputy Chief Dobczyk reminded the Council that there are funds available, and we have used these funds in the past for this purpose.
Treasurer Conklin commented that he strongly discourages the Council from using cash.
Mayor Soliman asked for an informal vote. The informal vote was split, the outcome was:
AYES: Ald. Kubal, Albert, Jefferson.
NAYES: Ald. Cipiti, Oberlin, Gazal, Vershay, Dyke. ABSENT: None.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
There were no public comments.
MAYORS UPDATES:
There will be no meeting next Monday, May 29, 2023.
COMMITTEE/LIAISON UPDATES:
No committee updates tonight.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:47p.m.
https://cresthill-il.municodemeetings.com/sites/cresthill-il.municodemeetings.com/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/4285/work_session_may_22_2023_minutes.pdf
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