City of Braidwood City Council met Aug. 8.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Call to Order: The Regular Meeting of the Braidwood City Council on August 8, 2023 was called to order at 7:00 p.m., by Mayor Hart in the Council Chambers of the Braidwood City Hall.
Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Hart 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 Money, Commissioner Wietting, Commissioner Walsh, Commissioner Mikel, and Mayor Hart
Absent:
Appointed Officials:
Present: City Clerk, City Administrator Altiery, and City Attorney Wellner
Absent: Chief Lyons and City Engineer Dave Weber
Quorum: There being sufficient members of the corporate authorities in attendance to constitute a quorum, the meeting was declared in order.
Public Comment: -Jay Dixon 195 N Lincoln St: Would like to comment that I have seen more work in the last month and half in the town then I have in a long time. They have been out fixing stuff around town. Was that because of you Dale? Or whoever it is. Thank you. It's nice to see work being done in town.
-Tim O'Brian 1021 W Cermak: I was a Chicago resident for 61 years and could not stand the crime. I loved it out this way south of 80 and really enjoyed your town and decided to move here a year ago. I would like to make a comment on the zoning meeting from last night. Public housing started back in 1975, I have watched the last 45 years of my life, community after community, get decimated by poverty related problems. There are people who actually need help, who want help, and are good people. But there are so many other people who prey on this poverty situation. If you welcome 400 rental units into your town, it will be all poverty, and it will be all section 8. The developer cannot tell you it will not be section 8 because whoever buys it and have $1 of federal money, they have to comply with governmental standards. I have seen many communities, from where it starts from petty theft, and then moves on to drugs and prostitution and vandalism and violence, etc. Some people may say, this is not Chicago, but this is the tip of the iceberg, you are about to welcome it here. If you don't believe me look at the towns when Chicago starting to close down their housing projects. Ex: Dolton, Harvey, Lansing, Calumet City, or Oak Lawn. Talk to officials in those towns, if this would to happen here, do we have the means for public safety to quadruple or more, concerning the police and fire service. Also, what about other resources from city finances? If have people with multiple children move into this 400-apartment complex, do you have the space for 1,500 to 2,000 students in the school district? Would we have to build a new school? What would this do for everyone in the tax base here. I am not trying to install fear, but I left Chicago for a reason, I came to live here for a reason. I like you people, I like your lifestyle, I like your city, I want to be part of what is going on here. I would be happy to talk to anyone about this if they would like to know more. I can take you through different communities that have been decimated, who years ago had thriving streets, but now the stores can't handle the theft. This is a short-term profit for a long-term problem. This is a problem that Braidwood cannot afford.
Dennis House 40 Largemouth Ln Fisherman Village (Shadow Lakes): Would like to agree with every word that Mr. O'Brian had said. I was also at the meeting last night. You would turn a cornfield into a place that has semis and trucks going through, the commercial, and public housing, from people who may, or may not have jobs. This is not good for Braidwood.
Approval of Minutes: Commissioner Mikel made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Wietting, to approve meeting minutes from the July 25, 2023. Regular Council Meeting. Motion carried with 5 ayes: O nays. (Money, Wietting, Walsh, Mikel, and Hart)
Mayor's Report: Mayor Hart is asking for a motion for an ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BRAIDWOOD TO ENTER INTO AND FOR THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE WILL COUNTY EMERGENCY TELEPHONES SYSTEM BOARD AND THE CITY OF BRAIDWOOD, ILINOIS REGARDING THE USE OF WILL COUNTY'S MASS NOTIFICATION SYSTEM FOR THE NON-EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONPURPOSES.
Mayor asked for an explanation for this ordinance: Attorney Bryan Wellner explained that this the agreement that Mr. Bolatto had presented to the council. Commissioner Money made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Walsh to approve Ordinance 23-10 stated above, Tony reported that the sludge storage building was completed this week, we will try to get some pictures for the next meeting. We are hoping to get the asphalt in the next few weeks so we can start putting sludge in there.
Mayor also commented on that I have heard this is an excellent program that is being used by a couple of our neighboring communities, including Diamond and Wilmington. Please sign up and get the notifications.
Administrator Report: -City Admin. Altiery reported that the sludge storage building was completed this week, we will try to get some pictures for the next meeting. We are hoping to get the asphalt in the next few weeks so we can start putting sludge in there.
-Someone from Cub Scouts came to us to ask for a beautification project in town. They have done a flag pole at the coalition garden area. They are asking if anyone has any ideas for projects for them in the area. They will come in and do the work, and we can help with materials. We had a suggestion about painting the tops of the fire hydrants certain colors so the firemen know the flow per hydrant. Asking anyone for an idea for an Eagle Scout Project in our area.
-ESDA ordered a weather station, which is similar to what we just passed, with the mass text notification. They will be able to log in and get more detailed weather information for our current area, not just from a weather app.
City Clerk Report: -City Clerk Weaver is asking for an approval from the council for the Braidwood Lions Club to hold their annual Lions of Illinois Foundation Club Candy Day fundraiser on Friday October 13, 2023 from 3:00pm to 6:00pm at the downtown intersections of Rt. 113 and Rt.53/129. Commissioner Mikel made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Wietting to approve the Lions Club Candy Day on October 13,2023. Motion carried with 5 ayes: 0 nays. (Money, Wietting, Walsh, Mikel, and Hart)
-I also want to remind everyone, I know I spoke last time about checks from a third party, this is something I just want to follow up with. We have tried to reach out to different customers about water bills or other issues, we still have some old phone numbers in our system. I know some people have gotten rid of their 458 numbers but unfortunately, we still have those on file. If you are not sure you have updated, please reach out to City Hall so we have updated information, in case we every need to reach out.
Engineer Report:
Chief of Police:
City Attorney Report: None
Accounts & Finance Report: Commissioner Money made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Mikel, to approve the Payment of Bills, in the amount of $190,270.94 as identified in the Accounts Payable General Ledger dated August 8, 2023. Motion carried with 5 ayes: 0 nays. (Money, Wietting, Walsh, Mikel, and Hart) Commissioner Money then made a Motion, seconded by Commissioner Wietting, to Approve Payroll Expenses, in the amount of $81,200.65 as identified in the Payroll General Ledger dated August 4, 2023. Motion carried with 5 ayes; 0 nays. (Money, Wietting, Walsh, Mikel, and Hart).
Streets & Public Improvement Report: Comm. Walsh, thank you about the work being done around the streets. Since there hasn't been much rain, they are not cutting grass as much. After the storm a couple weeks ago, they were out cleaning up trees that night and next day.
-The drain by the Marathon station has been fixed, we are going to wait until the dirt settles, to put grass seed.
-Replaced a culvert at Center St today.
-Thank you for Tim and Dennis to speak about the zoning. I just wanted to note that if you are going to come to a meeting and speak, please come up to the mic and talk. Please do not stand in the back of the room shouting obscenities. It should not be accepted. Please control your temper if you are coming to any city meeting and speak without profanities. Someone in the back of the room is questioning what meeting everyone is talking about. Dale spoke that there was a zoning board meeting last night about the property on Division St. across from EZ St. This was a proposition from the builder, nothing was being voted on. This is the first step of many for the zoning board. Liz Dixon spoke that with the new ordinance that we just passed; we can notify everyone of meeting that might come up.
Public Property Report: Comm. Wietting, like Tony said, they did get the structure done for the sludge, looking forward to seeing it, I have been on vacation for a week.
-I did the calls from the storm about the power outages, we did have a couple lift stations that went down. The guys were able to retore power within a couple hours, they did a great job.
Public Health & Safety Report: Comm. Mikel would like to report for the month of July, the Braidwood Police Department had 459 calls for service, 403 business checks, 147 traffic stops, 156 written warnings and tickets, 51 reports and 4 arrests.
-Would also like to give a shout out to all the people who were involved in our National Night Out. Who volunteered their time and efforts. I think it was a great day and a great time for our town and community, it was a beautiful thing.
Planning & Zoning Report: George was not here, but sent and email to City Admin Altiery to speak on his behalf. The Planning and Zoning Commission meet on August 7th in regards to ta Zoning amendment/Zoning Variance of 1121 N. Division St., PIN# 02-24-05-100-004, 78 acres, owned by Michael Guintas. Due to the many valid questions and thought by concerned citizens, the board agreed to table the proposal to a future hearing. This will allow us to get more answers from the owner, city attorney and city engineer concerning this zoning change.
Old Business: Comm. Money wants to inform everyone about the information the he and City Clerk Weaver receive. I was shocked at some of the pictures that are received. I want to remind everyone you are allowed garbage every week, yard waste every week, recycle once every other week, and one large item per week. One large item does not include half your garage and four garbage cans and garbage bags lined up. Would like to remind everyone please don't do that.
-Responding also to Tim O'Brian; I moved here 38 years ago, I came from the area you spoke of, I know exactly what you are talking about, that is why I came here 38 years ago. I brought my kids here to raise them.
New Business:
Executive Session: Commissioner Wietting made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Walsh to go into executive session to discuss (i) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees (5ILSC 120/2 (c) (1)) and (ii) pending, probable, or imminent litigation against, affecting, or on behalf of the City (5ILCS 120/2 (c) (11)) at 7:20 p.m. Motion carried with 5 ayes: O nays. (Money, Wietting, Walsh, Mikel, and Hart)
Commissioner Walsh made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Wietting to end executive session at 7:57 p.m. Motion carried with 5 ayes: 0 nays. (Money, Wietting, Walsh, Mikel, and Hart)
Adjournment: Commissioner Walsh made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Wietting, to adjourn the August 8, 2023 regular meeting of the Braidwood City Council. Motion carried with 5 ayes: 0 nays. (Money, Wietting, Walsh, Mikel, and Hart) The next regular meeting of the Council will be held Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at 7:00pm
https://www.braidwood.us/_files/ugd/4cd10a_8b95976f695d4f2085e34fddb9f1c1da.pdf
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