Kankakee Times

Momence City Council met Monday, Jan. 16.

The Momence City Council consists of the Mayor, City Clerk, Treasurer, and eight Alderpersons. They meet at 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month and other times as necessary.

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, January 16, 2017 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, Lesyna and John Metz present. Also present was Mayor Mick Porter. Alderman Cook was absent.

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES

Alderman Rehmer made a motion to approve the Regular and Executive Session minutes of the January 3, 2016, Council Meeting as presented. Alderman Nova Metz seconded the motion with Aldermen Nova Metz, Steele, Rehmer, Lesyna and John Metz voting yes. Alderman Denton and Navratil passed.

APPROVAL OF THE BILLS

The bills were discussed at tonight's Budget and Finance Committee Meeting. Red Wing Shoes and laptop at Best Buy charges on Chase Card Services was questioned. Pay the Chase bill for police department but will not pay the bill regarding water, sewer and general fund until investigated further. Alderman Denton made a motion to approve the bills for payment with the above mentioned changes. Alderman Nova Metz seconded the motion with Aldermen Denton, Navratil, Nova Metz, Steele, Rehmer, Lesyna and John Metz voting yes.

CITIZEN FORUM - none

OLD BUSINESS

Alderman Navratil stated she has been in contact with the company that provides the fireworks for the City’s 4th of July celebration. They wanted to raise the price by $2,000; Alderman Navratil was able to get the price down to only a $500 increase. A contract will be sent to the City for approval.

Alderman Nova Metz will incorporate the raise chart to the Employee Handbook and have it ready for the next Council meeting.

ALDERMANIC REPORTS

Alderman Denton called a Budget and Finance Meeting for 2/6/17 at 7:15P.M.

Presentation, discussion and acceptance of Audit report for 2015-2016. Mr. Abe Groskreutz went over the City’s Audit with the Council members. Reporting of capital assets was included in the audit report. Last 4 years there has been an increase in fund balance. Public Safety is the largest expenditure of the City. Numbers are similar to last years’ numbers. IMRF: Accounting procedure requiring more disclosure. IMRF is the only pension the City has. Alderman Lesyna questioned the audit stating having a significant deficiency. Mr. Groskreutz stated hiring him to do the reporting was what a significant deficiency meant. As an entity, to have someone in your area who does financial statements is best. Regarding basis in accounting, modified cash basis, financials should be applied on an accrued basis. Alderman Denton made a motion to accept the 2016 audit report as presented. Alderman Lesyna seconded the motion with Aldermen Denton, Navratil, Nova Metz, Steele, Rehmer, Lesyna and John Metz voting yes.

Alderman Nova Metz: Announce Cost of Living increase, per ordinance, on water/sewer base fees. Tabled until next meeting.

Discuss process and possible sale of vacant/vacated land to Rt. 1 Dealership and Edmund Allen Lumber. Mayor Porter stated that no action will be taken, Committee had questioned that will be looked into further.

Alderman Lesyna: Discuss City Hall Computer repair/replacement. City Computer circuit board went bad. Quote concerning new PC or repair of old one; new PC is more cost efficient. Approximate cost for new PC is $629 without tax, Microsoft Office price of $215, license to be transferred. Information from old hard drive to new hard drive will be handled and memory in new PC will be sufficient and will be updated to cloud. Alderman Lesyna made a motion to purchase a new PC for the Assistant City Collector at a price of approximately $629. Alderman Denton seconded the motion with Aldermen Denton, Navratil, Nova Metz, Steele, Rehmer, Lesyna and John Metz voting yes.

DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS

Chief Cavender stated he has one item for Executive Session. Discussion was of possible action in terms of ordinance regarding the recent truck ordinance. Last permits were due in January, only Orr Grain purchased permits. Companies are still transporting product/operating, Orr Grain has found a loophole in the ordinance. Two spotters are doing all the work, hauling down Railroad Avenue, parking in lot by railroad tracks; trucking companies are dropping off empties pulling out of lot and onto Industrial Drive. Orr grain is bypassing the City’s permit system, same amount of trucks on Railroad Avenue. Loop hole in system. Seems to have no concern to what damage is being done to our streets. Revenue is not coming in. Ordinance needs to possibly be changed. The same mess/damage is going up and down the road. Other option, railroad and County Highway area is right on top of railroad tracks, this road is being destroyed. Chief will speak to someone on County Highway department. Property by railroad tracks where trucks are being stationed is owned by Union Pacific and is being leased by the company that owns Orr Grain. Chief Cavender is to report back to Council at next meeting.

TREASURER REPORT – Treasurer Becky Peterson – December statements are not ready, computers have been down.

City Clerk Henson announced the candidates that are running for elected positions in the upcoming election. Certificate of Ballot form has been completed stating the following: Running for Mayor is current Alderman Chuck Steele and Momence resident Steve Gross, City Clerk - no one has filed to run for this position, Treasurer – no one has filed to run for this position. My understanding regarding the vacancies of the City Clerk and Treasurer Position – interested candidates are able to be appointed by newly elected Mayor with Council approval. Alderman 1st Ward – no one has filed to run for this position, Alderman 2nd Ward – Momence resident Bruce Crooks and current Alderman Nova Metz, Alderman 3rd Ward – current Alderman John Rehmer and Alderman 4th Ward – no one has filed to run for this position. My understanding of filling the vacancies of Ward 1 and Ward 4 Aldermen – interested candidates need to either be a write in candidate or appointed by newly elected Mayor with Council approval. City Clerk will clarify with local authorities and City’s attorney.

MAYORAL REPORT

Mechanic Street and Ash Street access road extension projects. Mechanic and Ash are in process of final approval from IDOT, bidding in spring with possibility of construction in late spring or early summer.

Discuss Resolution for FSW (Fish and Wildlife), plan was to discuss tonight. Mayor is searching for ways to resolve issues with resolution. People opposed are specifically land owners, no interest in partnerships or easement in selling their land. What does it take to get enough information to say we are not going to pursue this any longer? They will keep looking for ways to participate. Tone has switched to acquisition. Fish and wildlife look at this as long range, Mayor would like City to get a resolution stating clearly that the opposition of this is extremely strong, and is a voice we can place with these people. Several revisions to the resolution were made. Council discussed potentially putting this resolution on next ballot as a referendum for people to voice their opinion. Alderman Lesyna will revise resolution and place it on the agenda for next council meeting.

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 the potential of actions on matters discussed in closed session. Alderman Denton seconded the motion with Aldermen Denton, Navratil, Nova Metz, Steele, Rehmer, Lesyna and John Metz voting yes. Entered into Executive Session at 8:20P.M.; returned from Executive Session at 8:27P.M.

Alderman Navratil made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Denton seconded the motion with Aldermen Denton, Navratil, Nova Metz, Steele, Rehmer, Lesyna and John Metz voting yes. Meeting adjourned at 8:27P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Jenene Henson, City Clerk