Kankakee Times

Momence City Council met March 5.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

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

Roll Call:

Roll was called by the Acting Clerk with Aldermen Salomone, Carbonaro, Metz, Clark, Rehmer, Cook and Cope present. Also present was Mayor Chuck Steele. Alderman Temple was absent.

Approval Of Previous Meeting Minutes:

Alderman Salomone made a motion to approve the Budget Finance, Regular and Executive Session minutes of the February 19 with the correction of the spelling error in the Executive minutes, 2018 Council Meeting as presented and amended. Alderman Metz seconded the motion with Aldermen Salomone, Carbonaro, Metz, Clark, Rehmer, and Cope voting yes. Alderman Cook abstained.

Approval Of The Bills:

The bills were discussed at tonight's Budget and Finance Committee Meeting. Alderman Salomone made a motion to approve the bills for payment with the adjustment to the Alderman pay for Alderman Cook according to the ordinance. Alderman Metz seconded the motion with Aldermen Salomone, Carbonaro, Metz, Clark, Rehmer, Cook and Cope voting yes.

Citizen Forum:

Dave Kibbons, Dave Doud, Dave Morris addressed the Council with their concerns with continued flooding on their property due to heavy rains and poor drainage. They also expressed concerns of the possibility of upcoming health hazards as a result from flooding, i.e. mosquitos; in the summer and are tired of the smell of the night crawlers. He stated this was the 6th administration he has dealt with trying to correct the situation.

Dave Kibbons also expressed his concerns regarding pot holes on Maple and people driving thru their yards to avoid them. He stated that former Mayor Porter promised to spray chip their road, which started but never made it all the way down their road.

Jim Vickery began with a brief history regarding the flooding/drainage from the area that David Kibbons, Dave Doud and Dave Morris live.

Jim Vickery provided information on how the funding & support from the Economic Alliance helped create employment opportunities with many of the local manufacturers in the City of Momence, including the grant for expansion of Flanders. The Economic Alliance also contributed $150k grant towards the recently completed Mechanic street project.

Old Business – n/a.

Aldermanic Reports:

Alderman Salomone called a Budget and Finance Committee meeting for March 19, 2018 at 7:15 pm. The annual review of the Investment Policy was performed. Alderman Salomone stated he would not be at the next Council meeting. Alderman Cope stated she would Chair the next Budget and Finance Meeting.

Nova Metz stated she will not be at the next Council meeting. Alderman Metz reiterated the need for the spray patching & to correct the flooding issues on Maple. Also, pointed out by the crossing gates, the curbing is too tall, sticks out and is beginning crumble as vehicles hit it, as it may be an issue for the City in the future.

Scott Behrends explained that the spray patching was not going to fix the potholes on Maple. They had problems with the contractor that had done that project as they just left the job. Money for that project would need to come from the General fund, not MFT due to the size of the road. Regarding the flooding, the drain over there does not go anywhere and he will work on correcting the issue.

The Mayor also commented on the flooding, stating the contractor began late on the project and just did exactly what the grant covered. The City incurred additional expense on the 7th street project due to a buried building that needed to be removed from a property. The Mayor stated the he himself, Scott Behrends, Todd Clark & Nova Metz all checked out the flooded area and are not sure what to do about it but Edmund Allen Lumber is willing to do whatever it can to get it fixed.

Alderman Rehmer discussed the hiring of part time Officer Nate Hess. Alderman Rehmer made a motion to hire Nate Hess as fulltime officer. Alderman Cook second with Alderman Salomone, Carbonaro, Metz, Clark, Rehmer, Cook and Cope voting yes.

Department Head Reports –

Lt. Strunk briefly commented on hiring Nate Hess on full time. The department is glad to have him.

Scott Behrends - Brush/leave collection will begin 2nd week in April depending on the weather

Treasurer Report –

Jenene Henson passed out an investment spreadsheet on the CD’s the City currently has at Midland and Municipal. 6 CD’s at Midland will be transferred at maturity to Municipal. She stated the rates change every Friday and will inform the Council as the rate becomes available when it is closer to time.

Mayoral Report:

Mayor Steele recognized Mark Nelson for the award received from IDPH for perfect compliance with the City’s water system.

The Mayor discussed committee adjustments to include Alderman Carbonaro. The Mayor appointed Alderman Carbonaro to the Local Improvement Committee, the Ordinance/Zoning Committee and the Water & Sewer Committee. The Mayor noted the adjustment made of Alderman Salomone moving to the Streets and Alley Committee and Alderman Carbonaro to the Local Improvement Committee due to a conflict of interest because of her spouses’ employment with the City. Alderman Metz made a motion to approve the Committee assignments, Alderman Cook seconded with Alderman Salomone, Carbonaro, Metz, Clark, Rehmer, Cook and Cope voting yes.

The Mayor informed the Council that Dixie Wine & Tobacco closed, therefore their license is no longer valid. The Mayor is looking to recreate a new liquor license class “A” & “B” for Benzino, LLC and will prorate the fee since the year for the liquor license is almost over. Alderman Cook made a motion to make the liquor license class “A” & “B” available to Benzino LLC. Alderman Rehmer seconded with Alderman Salomone, Carbonaro, Metz, Clark, Rehmer, Cook and Cope voting yes.

Executive Session – n/a

Alderman Metz made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Alderman Rehmer seconded the motion with Alderman Salomone, Carbonaro, Metz, Clark, Rehmer, Cook and Cope voting yes.

Meeting adjourned at 8:11 pm.

http://cityofmomence.com/minutes/180305%20Council%20meeting.pdf