Kankakee Times

Momence City Council met Monday, Nov. 7.

Here are the minutes as provided by Momence:

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, November 7, 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 Session minutes of the October 17, 2016, Council Meeting as presented. Alderman Lesyna 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 Nova Metz seconded the motion with Aldermen Denton, Navratil, Nova Metz, Steele, Rehmer, Cook, Lesyna and John Metz voting yes. 

CITIZEN FORUM Staci Wilkens – Kankakee County Visitors and Convention Bureau CTAP award. Moving forward with community tourism action plan (CTAP). Program increases and enhances tourism efforts with 20% match grant. City of Momence awarded $10,000 and the funds were used for two tourism projects: Downtown streetscaping (trash cans) and helping with Bordertown Hauntings and Christmas Program.

Chad Miller – Manager, Kankakee Farm Bureau. Enlightened Council and visitors about Kankakee National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area which is proposed for our area. Economic Developments-Positives: Tourism, hunting and fishing (restricted) and conservation efforts. Negatives: Business closures, unemployment rates, increase in local taxes, population decrease. Economic Impact Concerns: Alters and disrupts established watershed and farmland drainage, transportation infrastructure and land use planning, displaces residents, decreases farmland, affects recreation activities, impedes efforts to maintain the health of the river. Local community opposes idea. Property tax loss was discussed (mainly to Momence School District). Kankakee County Government Board voted to oppose the refuge. City Council to consider resolution to oppose; fight is to keep refuge from coming into Kankakee County. Mayor Porter will discuss further with County regarding resolution. 

OLD BUSINESS - none 

ALDERMANIC REPORTS Alderman Denton: Discuss and Vote on Tax Levy for 2016/2017. Council has recommended 4.99% which is under 5%, therefore, no need for public hearing or to publish in newspaper. Estimated amount of $435,985 for tax levy, which is an increase of $20,719 from last years’ tax levy. Alderman Denton made a motion to approve the Tax Levy for 2016/2017. Alderman Lesyna seconded the motion with Aldermen Denton, Navratil, Nova Metz, Steele, Rehmer, Cook, Lesyna and John Metz voting yes. Alderman Denton called a Budget and Finance meeting for November 21 at 7:15PM, Alderman Lesyna will be acting Chairman for this meeting in Alderman Denton’s absence. Alderman Lesyna: Discuss and vote on Annual Tax Abatement Ordinance. This is required to be passed and to be filed with County. Alderman Lesyna made a motion to pass an ordinance abating the tax hereto levied for the year 2016 to pay the principal of and interest of $450,000 General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2010, of the City of Momence, Kankakee County, Illinois. Alderman Cook seconded the motion with Aldermen Denton, Navratil, Nova Metz, Steele, Rehmer, Cook, Lesyna and John Metz voting yes. Ordinance # 820.. Discuss and vote on the appointment of two part-time police officers to fill the two full-time vacancies, effective December 7, 2016. Council will go into Executive to discuss and come out and vote. 

DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS - none 

TREASURER REPORT – Treasurer Becky Peterson stated the City will be paying on the principal and interest on the Alternate Revenue Bonds. 

MAYORAL REPORT 

Discuss and vote on Liability and Workman’s Compensation Insurance renewal. Renewal is at an increase of $1,400, which is due December 1st. Alderman Rehmer made a motion to accept the Liability and Workman’s Compensation Insurance renewal. Alderman Denton seconded the motion with Aldermen Denton, Navratil, Nova Metz, Steele, Rehmer, Cook, Lesyna and John Metz voting yes. 

Discuss first reading on residential parking only on Hill Street and West Third Street. St. Pat’s Parish has been renting out their gym, which has been causing parking issues on Hill Street from Second to Third Street. Alderman Lesyna to change wording to read “Second to Fourth Street”. To be voted on at next Council meeting. 

Appointment of Alderman Rehmer, Jane Johnson and Fran LeBeau to Sign Review Committee. Alderman Rehmer made a motion to approve the appointment of Alderman Rehmer, Jane Johnson and Fran LeBeau to the Sign Review Committee. Alderman Lesyna seconded the motion with Aldermen Denton, Navratil, Nova Metz, Steele, Cook, Lesyna and John Metz voting yes. Alderman Rehmer abstained. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION Alderman Denton made a motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss the employment and compensation, of specific employees of the public body with the potential of actions on matters discussed in closed session. Alderman Cook seconded the motion with Aldermen Denton, Navratil, Nova Metz, Steele, Rehmer, Cook, Lesyna and John Metz voting yes. Entered into Executive Session at 8:34P.M.; returned from Executive Session at 8:57P.M.

 Alderman Lesyna made a motion to accept the appointment of two part time police officers to fill the two full-time vacancies, Officer Josh Reel, effective December 7, 2016, and Officer Josh Malloy, effective December 12, with a salary each of $40,531 pursuant to the current collective bargaining agreement. Alderman Cook seconded the motion with Aldermen Denton, Navratil, Nova Metz, Steele, Rehmer, Cook, Lesyna and John Metz voting yes. Alderman Nova Metz made a motion to enter into closed session to review past executive minutes. Alderman Rehmer seconded the motion with Alderman Denton, Navratil, Nova Metz, Steele, Rehmer, Cook, Lesyna and John Metz voting yes. Council entered into closed session at 8:55PM. 

Council returned from closed session at 9:02PM. Alderman Denton made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Navratil seconded the motion with Aldermen Denton, Navratil, Nova Metz, Steele, Rehmer, Cook, Lesyna and John Metz voting yes. Meeting adjourned at 9:03P.M. 

Respectfully submitted, Jenene Henson, City Clerk