Chambana Sun

City of Monticello City Council met March 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Clerk called the meeting to order and led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Steve Keagle with Lodge Church led the Council in prayer. Clerk Potts asked for a motion from the Council to nominate an alderman to serve as Mayor Pro-Tem in Mayor Stoner’s absence. A motion was made by Alderman Vogt, and seconded by Alderman Broadrick, to appoint Alderman Brock as Mayor Pro-Tem. The motion carried. Roll call was then taken by the City Clerk.

Roll Call:

Present: VOGT, LIVELY, CARY, BURRIS, KOON, BROADRICK, BROCK, PEARCY

Absent: REED, WOODHAM

Also Present: Terry Summers, City Administrator; Maura Metcalf, Finance/HR; Chief Rob Bross, MPD; Chief John Rupkey, MFRD

Public Participation:

None

Consent Agenda:

Claims Report (Claims dated February 27, 2024 through March 11, 2024)

Meeting Minutes – City Council Meeting Minutes, February 26, 2024

Permit Report – February 2024

Fire Report – February 2024

Police Report – February 2024

Budget Report – January 2024

A motion was made by Alderman Burris, and seconded by Alderman Broadrick, to approve the Consent Agenda items. The motion passed 8-0.

Mayor’s Report:

None

Old Business:

None

New Business:

Public Hearing - Annual Appropriation Ordinance 2024-16

The Public Hearing was opened by Mayor Pro-Tem Brock at 7:04pm. No comments were received in-person or remotely. The Public Hearing was closed at 7:04pm.

Tim King – Presentation on Debt Certificates, Bonds, and Bond Rating

Tim King with King’s Financial was present to discuss the recent bonds that will be on the levy tonight and the bond rating. Mr. King explained that they first reached out to local banks, and then due to the current banking environment, went to the public market. Alderman Broadrick asked how hard did you push local banks? Tim King replied that they reached out to three local banks – one chose not to bid, one did bid, and one communicated that they would like to help, but come back to them if necessary. He reports that 99% of the time local banks are used, but the current economic uncertainty is causing fear in the banking environment.

A bond rating is only needed when buying bonds. In 2008 (pool bonds) the City of Monticello received a Standard and Poors rating of A+. In 2014 the rating moved to AA-, and the rating we received in 2024 is AA. This is an accomplishment – Monticello is the only AA rated municipality King’s Financial works with at this time.

Ordinance 2024-16: An Ordinance for the Appropriation for the Fiscal Year Commencing on January 1, 2024 Ending on December 31, 2024 for the City of Monticello, Piatt County, Illinois

The City Council annually adopts an appropriation ordinance, which must be passed during the first quarter of each fiscal year. A Public Hearing is held prior to the consideration of the appropriation ordinance and was placed on this agenda and scheduled earlier during this City Council meeting. (The public hearing notice was published in the February 21st, 2024 edition of the Piatt County Journal Republican in accordance with State Statutes).

The appropriation ordinance serves as the City’s legal spending authority and sets the maximum legal spending limit for the year. The appropriation ordinance is slightly inflated over the adopted FY 2024 Budget to allow for unforeseen revenues and/or expenditures.

Alderman Koon asked if there are any highlights we need to be aware of. Terry Summers replied no. Alderman Broadrick verified we have discussed everything in the appropriation? Terry Summers stated yes, with budget talks beginning in October 2023.

A motion was made by Alderman Broadrick, and seconded by Alderman Vogt, to approve Ordinance 2024-16. The motion passed 8-0.

Ordinance 2024-17: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 10 of Title I of the Municipal Code of the City of Monticello

The Monticello Police Department is tasked with enforcing parking ordinances and it is important to periodically review and update them.

Individuals who receive ordinance violation citations are allowed a certain time period to pay the citation (usually a minimum of ten days). If the citation is not paid, the citation is forwarded to the city attorney. The City incurs attorney costs when a citation is forwarded to them and filed.

10.99 (B)(1) allowed people to pay an ordinance citation up to two days before a court date. This wasted the City’s money through attorney’s fees and the Court’s scheduling time. The fine recovered rarely covers the attorney’s fees. This is also mentioned in Section (B)(2).

Taking out the portion of 10.99 (B)(1) and (2) allows the city to proceed with collecting fines and fees to recoup the cost of ordinance violations.

Chief Bross stated the Police Department would much rather gain voluntary compliance when it comes to ordinance violations. Unfortunately, some do not wish to follow our ordinances and further enforcement action has to be taken.

A motion was made by Alderman Burris, and seconded by Alderman Broadrick, to approve Ordinance 2024-17. The motion passed 8-0.

Ordinance 2024-18: An Ordinance Amending Title VII, Chapter 72 of the City of Monticello Code of Ordinances

The Monticello Police Department is tasked with enforcing parking ordinances and it is important to periodically review and update them. The following are changes within this ordinance: § 72.11 Violations

We are having issues with people putting the wrong amount of money with their parking ticket. We have also looked at removing the downtown drop box and having people pay their citation at the police department or via the postal service. We also removed the process for paying parking citations online. This section removes the wording for the drop box and website payment option.

§ 72.12 Report to Secretary of State for Failure to Pay Fines

Illinois passed the License to Work Act that took effect July 1, 2020. Illinois driver’s licenses are no longer able to be suspended for unpaid parking tickets. 72.12 should be rescinded.

§ 72.17 Parking of Vehicle with no Registration

This section adds a violation for a vehicle parked in a city lot, street, highway, or roadway that does not have registration on it. This was previously not in our ordinance.

§ 72.18 Parking of Equipment in 2-hr Limitation Parking Spaces and Lots

This section adds a violation for equipment and non-motorized vehicles (registered or non-registered) being left in city parking spaces. This issue came up last week when a manlift was left on N. Charter St. that was leaking fluid. The only ordinance we had to cover this would require us to leave a 10-day notice on the vehicle. This section allows us to remove the equipment immediately if a right-of-way permit is not issued. We will make every effort to contact the owner or operator but there are times when we will have to remove the equipment if they do not.

§ 72.99 Penalty

Under (B)(1), time limit parking will have a flat fine of $10.00. There will no longer be a separate fine for subsequent offences.

Section (F) lists penalties for Sections 72.16 and 72.17. The original fine for expired registration under our ordinance was $100.00. The new structure allows for a lower amount and a reduced fine for those that forget.

Section (H) codifies all tickets written under Chapter 72 double if not paid in 10 days.

Alderman Pearcy asked if we were doing anything for the people living downtown, referencing a letter received by a resident on the square. (Due to renovations there are dumpsters/equipment taking up spaces.) Alderman Vogt stated there are not designated spaces for residential tenants on the square; Chief Bross stated the spaces are the two-hour ones, and that the lot on Livingston is available as well.

A motion was made by Alderman Vogt, and seconded by Alderman Pearcy, to approve Ordinance 2024-18. The motion passed 8-0.

Ordinance 2024-19: An Ordinance Amending Title VII, Chapter 75 of the City of Monticello Code of Ordinances

The Monticello Police Department is tasked with towing and impounding vehicles for certain offenses. The impound and storage fees are some of the lowest in the area and should be raised. Several cities have impound fees as high as $500.00 and storage fees up to $65 per day. This update will set our fees reasonable at $200.00 for impounded vehicles and $25.00 per day for storage.

A motion was made by Alderman Broadrick, and seconded by Alderman Burris, to approve Ordinance 2024- 19. The motion passed 8-0.

Ordinance 2024-20: An Ordinance Amending Title IX, Chapter 93 of the City of Monticello Code of Ordinances

The Monticello Police Department is tasked with enforcing ordinances passed by the City Council. We periodically review and update ordinances to keep up with changes in laws and requirements. Section 93.31 (S) allows for very broad and undefined actions to be declared a “nuisance.” (Other nuisances outside of this section are clearly spelled out.) This is very vague and has possible implications on constitutional grounds if it was used for noise complaints. For example, residents could make an argument a lawn mower would be a nuisance or even children playing outside. I cannot find any instance where this ordinance was used to enforce an ordinance that was not already listed.

Section 93.99 lists fines for a certain number of offenses. Updating the fine structure will allow for fines from $100 to $750 to be issued. This allows officers to use discretion when setting fines.

Alderman Broadrick and Alderman Koon requested clarification on tall grass and barking dogs. In regard to tall grass, the parameters are clear: door hanger to notify of noncompliance, 10-day abatement, and then a citation. In regard to barking dogs, parameters are not quantified in the ordinance as putting a time limit may tie our hands in issuing a needed citation. Chief stated the best practice is for citizens to record the barking so there is a time stamp and there is proof of the length of time, level of noise, etc.

A motion was made by Alderman Koon, and seconded by Alderman Broadrick, to approve Ordinance 2024- 20. The motion passed 8-0.

Freedom Park Update – Discussion Only

Terry Summers reports a lot of activity going on with this park, and that he is bringing discussion tonight as a deadline is approaching. Last December, the City engaged with a conservator to check the condition of the sculpture to be purchased. The report has been received and the statue is not all plaster. Some is plaster of paris, which does not do well in an outdoor climate. The statue must have an indoor placement.

Design engineers recently did soil boring (30-40 feet deep) to identify conditions on the site. The borings revealed that there is a large amount of fill on the southern portion of the site. The statue, which is approximately five tons, cannot sit on top of that area as planned. The engineers recommend relocating the statue closer to Market St for this reason. If this is done, the existing billboards on permanent easements will be affected and possibly blocked. The original plan had the entrance coming through the spot where relocation of the statue is occurring, so the engineers are looking at accomplishing this switch and potential issues due to the switch.

Ten to twelve designs for a glass statue enclosure have been presented, with three of them having cost estimates. All three estimates are in the 1.8 to 2.4 million dollar range. In regard to the mentioned deadline, the owner of the statue, with whom staff has been working with for four years, has asked for a letter of intent from the City to purchase the statue. His asking price is a little over one million. The letter of intent is not a binding contract.

With all of this said, the construction schedule planned for September will not happen. Terry will present further on Freedom Park at the next meeting in March.

Council members discussed the “sticker shock” over the price of the statue with an enclosure included, and looked at the pros and cons of the project. Discussion included details of what an enclosure would look like, the cost of maintenance of enclosure, how changing the placement of statue will affect the project, and the initial project cost compared with where we are now. Alderman Brock stated this could easily become a thorn in the side of the City, as money is added at every turn to the project. He feels we have a lot to look at here.

Robert C. Burke Memorial Park Update – Discussion Only

Terry Summers reported that staff is planning to meet with a relative of PFC Burke to get her ideas on a centerpiece honoring him. The construction schedule is on track and will be bid in September. It is a blessing that the pool season ends in August – the park will be torn up for a period of time, so he encouraged everyone to be patient.

Aldermen’s Report:

Alderman Koon thanked the City for notifying them of a leak happening at the Zybell House, and for getting the water shut off quickly. The leak was occurring at a time no one was there. He appreciates the extra effort.

Alderman Broadrick reported a resident complaint at 629 E Washington. The approach to the driveway at this address is sinking and causing tripping hazards. This will be looked into.

Alderman Burris asked who maintains the church signs coming into town on Washington. It is not the City, and a possible contact was given to him so that he can reach out to report a sign that is falling down.

Alderman Lively was approached by a resident in the Poplar Street area with complaints about discolored water. It was asked that in the future if a resident calls with a complaint about water/water quality, they be told to contact MCUS as soon as possible.

Alderman Brock discussed the persistent problem we have with storm drains getting clogged. He reminded everyone to be aware of the drain in your area and please keep free of debris, especially if the drain is at or near your property. In regard to the work downtown causing parking issues, he asked that the City/business owners be given space to get building improvement grant work completed.

Police Chief’s Report:

Chief Bross informed the Council that on March 27th a full-scale relocation exercise will occur with Bement schools.

Fire Chief’s Report:

Chief Rupkey reviewed the monthly report, highlighting the elevator training at Piatt County Courthouse and site reviews at AHW and Carle. Chief Rupkey reported that two firefighters resigned this month as they are working toward their Master’s Degree, and felt they could not dedicate the time needed.

City Administrator’s Report:

Terry Summers reports that he did review the documents presented by Caitlin McClain and Jessica Evans at the February 26th Council Meeting regarding the higher than average glioblastoma cases in our area. One of the potential causes listed in the literature was nitrate and nitrite levels in drinking water. Scott Bailey sent a water sample to be tested specifically for these two levels, and the results were received on March 8th. The maximum allowed nitrate level in drinking water is 10mg per liter.

Test results show our level is 0.05 mg per liter. The maximum allowed nitrite level in drinking water is 1mg per liter, and test results show that ours is 0.02 mg per liter.

Due to recent issues with trash/dumpsters blocking parking spaces downtown, City staff has been looking into alternative options, and a trash co-op has been determined to be a possible solution. The City would contract with a hauler, and will build an enclosure housing 2 roll off dumpsters that will be serviced 2 times per week. Contact has been made with GFL, landlords, and business owners and all are receptive. Callie McFarland and Jim Grabarczyk will have an actionable item to present at the next council meeting.

A motion was made by Alderman Vogt, and seconded by Alderman Broadrick, to adjourn the meeting at 8:26pm.

https://www.cityofmonticello.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/7392?fileID=5837