Kankakee Times

The Momence City Council met Oct. 6 to give City Hall the Les Dumontelle award.

Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the city:

The Momence City Council meets at 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month.

THE CITY OF MOMENCE

Momence, IL 60954 ALDERMEN

Diann Denton John Rehmer MICK PORTER, Mayor Carolyn Navratil David Cook JENENE HENSON, Clerk Nova Metz Mark Lesyna MARGARET PETERSON, Treasurer Charles Steele Jr. John Metz Sr.

MOMENCE CITY COUNCIL Monday, September 6, 2016 Council Meeting Time: 7:30 P.M.

The City Council Meeting of the City of Momence was held in the Council Chambers at 29 N. Dixie Highway, Momence. Mayor Mick Porter called the meeting to order.

ROLL CALL

Roll was called by the Clerk with Aldermen Denton, Navratil, Nova Metz, Steele, Rehmer, Cook, Lesyna and John Metz present. Also present was Mayor Mick Porter.

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES

Alderman Cook made a motion to approve the Regular and Executive Session minutes of the August 15, 2016, Council Meeting as presented. Alderman Denton seconded the motion with Aldermen Denton, Navratil, Nova Metz, Steele, Rehmer, Cook, Lesyna and John Metz voting yes.

APPROVAL OF THE BILLS

The bills were discussed at tonight's Budget and Finance Committee Meeting. Alderman Denton made a motion to approve the bills for payment. Alderman Lesyna seconded the motion with Aldermen Denton, Navratil, Nova Metz, Steele, Rehmer, Cook, Lesyna and John Metz voting yes.

CITIZEN FORUM

Silverio Bravo, 117 E Washington, addressed Council requesting to have a permit to sell tacos on the weekends, (Friday and Saturday) 12-7PM, out front of the building, Health Department will inspect if it makes code and will check while serving. Operation was set up during Glad Fest and there were no issues with the set up. Alderman Cook made a motion to approve weekend sales in front of 117 E Washington Street. Alderman Rehmer seconded the motion with Aldermen Denton, Navratil, Nova Metz, Steele, Rehmer, Cook, Lesyna and John Metz voting yes.

Amanda Schnepf addressed Council regarding closing Washington Street between alley and Locust for PTO amateur wine tasting event featuring live music in front of the venue on Saturday, October 1, from 7PM-10PM. JeNeir’s PTO is trying to do a bigger fundraiser event with the proceeds going to fix JeNeir’s playground. Alderman Cook made a motion to approve the event. Alderman Lesyna seconded the motion with Aldermen Denton, Navratil, Nova Metz, Steele, Rehmer, Cook, Lesyna and John Metz voting yes.Mary Cantwell from Mainstreet Momence approached Council regarding Bordertown Hauntings. Permission to decorate downtown for fall: light poles; attach scarecrows on fence by historic house, etc., beginning this month. Alderman Cook made motion to allow Mainstreet Momence to decorate for fall. Alderman Rehmer seconded the motion. Motion carried with 8 Ayes and 0 Nays.

Mainstreet also stated that they have elected to give City Hall, the Les Dumontelle award this year for City Hall renovations and outstanding signage. Mayor Porter is receiving an award for volunteer of the year. The annual dinner is set for Tuesday, September 27, at Earl Schoeffner Memorial Museum.

OLD BUSINESS

Alderman Denton stated that the employee exit interview document will be given to the Mayor and shared with appropriate City Council members. This document was emailed to Council, and is considered to be a good tool for the City for all employees to assist in identifying areas in need of improvement. It is also to be added to employee handbook. Confidentiality was discussed. Chief Cavender asked if this document will apply to terminated employees only, possibly City’s legal attorney to look into this, union presence/violation terms of agreement was discussed. To be reviewed by legal counsel.

ALDERMANIC REPORTS

Alderman Denton called a Budget and Finance Committee Meeting for September 19, at 7:15PM.

Alderman Nova Metz: Discuss and vote on full-time Water/Sewer Department. Requested to discuss further in executive session.

Alderman Lesyna: Discuss and vote on amending truck ordinance for local harvest. This amended ordinance states that trailers carrying grain will access the elevator from the south which will make it easier for traffic. This applies only to semi-tractor trailers or tractor haulers carrying grain. This is a concession for local farmers, to avoid U-Turns on Railroad Ave. This ordinance change is for local grain haulers using the scales to enter from the south. Overall consensus was that coming from the south will provide improved access for harvest grain deliveries. It was suggested that dates be extended to August 20 – December 15. School Bus letter also stated that truck traffic is horrible and would prefer grain trucks come from the south on Railroad Avenue. Ordinance being changed to allow inbound grain vehicles and changing of dates. To be placed on next week’s agenda.

Discuss and vote on hiring 2 full-time police officers. Discuss in Executive Session and to potentially come out and vote on after Executive Session.

DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS

Chief Cavender: Having issues with an increase in air card connectivity. There are only a couple options compatible with New World Software. Chief contacted Verizon; they are sending the police department 7 new air cards that are compatible with the new world system.Chief then stated that on Saturday, August 27, a missing person report was filed with the City. A search plan was implemented: Called out Kankakee County’s emergency response team and deployed a search team. Missing person was located within one hour. Chief is very appreciative of our community and the Progress Reporter for their help.

MAYORAL REPORT

Proclamation for constitution week, September 17, 2016. Alderman Navratil made a motion to proclaim the week of September 17 – 23 as constitution week. Alderman Lesyna seconded the motion with Aldermen Denton, Navratil, Nova Metz, Steele, Rehmer, Cook, Lesyna and John Metz voting yes.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Alderman Rehmer made a motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss the employment and compensation of specific employees of the public body with actions on matters discussed in closed session. Alderman Lesyna seconded the motion with Aldermen Denton, Navratil, Nova Metz, Steele, Rehmer, Cook, Lesyna and John Metz voting yes. Entered into Executive Session at 8:13P.M.; returned from Executive Session at 8:38P.M.

Alderman Lesyna made a motion to hire Michael Kelley as full time police officer, $40,541 in accordance with collective bargaining agreement, with an effective date of September 7, 2016. Alderman Denton seconded the motion with Aldermen Denton, Navratil, Nova Metz, Steele, Rehmer, Cook, Lesyna and John Metz voting yes.

Alderman Lesyna motioned to hire Randy Campbell as full time police officer, $40,541 in accordance with collective bargaining agreement, with an effective date of September 28, 2016. Alderman Denton seconded the motion with Aldermen Denton, Navratil, Nova Metz, Steele, Rehmer, Cook, Lesyna and John Metz voting yes.

Alderman Nova Metz stated that Council discussed a full time hire for water and sewer department a few weeks ago, to hire Matt Riechers as full time water and sewer lead operator at $62,500 per year with Supervisor family premium insurance with 12% of premium paid by employee. Hire effective September 12, 2016. Alderman Cook seconded the motion with Aldermen Denton, Navratil, Nova Metz, Steele, Rehmer, Cook, Lesyna and John Metz voting yes.

Alderman Cook made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Nova Metz seconded the motion with Aldermen Denton, Navratil, Nova Metz, Steele, Rehmer, Cook, Lesyna and John Metz voting yes. Meeting adjourned at 8:42P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Jenene Henson, City Clerk