Chambana Sun

City of Monticello City Council met March 25

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 Alderman Burris 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 Burris, to appoint Alderman Brock as Mayor ProTem. The motion carried. Roll call was then taken by the City Clerk.

Roll Call:

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

Absent: NONE

Also Present: Terry Summers, City Administrator; Maura Metcalf, Finance/HR; Jim Grabarczyk, Planning and Development; Chief Rob Bross, MPD

Public Participation:

None

Consent Agenda:

Claims Report (Claims dated March 12, 2024 through March 25, 2024)

Meeting Minutes – City Council Meeting Minutes, March 11, 2024

Budget Report – December 2023

Budget Report – February 2024

A motion was made by Alderman Burris, and seconded by Alderman Broadrick, to approve the Consent Agenda items. The motion passed 10-0.

Mayor’s Report:

Mayor Pro-Tem Brock read an announcement regarding the Monticello Recreation Department’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt to be held on Saturday, March 30th, and encouraged people to attend.

Old Business:

None

New Business:

Resolution 2024-21: A Resolution Authorizing and Approving the Transfer of Property from Newt Investments LLC to the City of Monticello 

Mr. Grabarczyk stated that Resolutions 2024-21 and 2024-22 both refer to Innovation Parkway, and that these two resolutions will complete the access road. He reminded the Council that the City of Monticello has been planning for a new access from IL Route 105 (Market Street) to the Thew Arnott property located west of (behind) the currently owned school district property occupied by the Illinois Bus Service for ten years. The only existing access to the Thew Arnott property requires utilizing Monroe Street to an ingress/egress easement at the trailer park and Willow Tree Missions. This residential neighborhood is not conducive to the semi traffic necessary for the operations of Thew Arnott and possible other businesses occupying some of their 15.5 acres of property. The negotiated amount to acquire the real estate is $2,500.00. The real estate is necessary to install infrastructure (pavement, curb and gutter, storm sewers, water main and approaches) to provide access to all five of the adjacent properties to the new road. This TIF-eligible expenditure was approved in this year’s TIF II budget. The bid opening for this work is on Wednesday, March 27th.

Council members discussed and asked specific questions about the look and layout of the road and the benefit of this access drawing future development.

A motion was made by Alderman Woodham, and seconded by Alderman Broadrick, to approve Resolution 2024-21. The motion passed 10-0.

Resolution 2024-22: A Resolution Authorizing and Approving the Transfer of Property from Thew Arnott Group Inc to the City of Monticello

There is no cost to acquire the ground in order to install the necessary infrastructure (pavement, curb and gutter, storm sewers, water main and approaches) to provide access to all five of the adjacent properties to the new road. This TIF-eligible expenditure was approved in this year’s TIF II budget.

A motion was made by Alderman Broadrick, and seconded by Alderman Burris, to approve Resolution 2024-22. The motion passed 10-0.

Freedom Park Update – Discussion Only

Terry Summers reports he went back to the drawing board regarding Freedom Park after discussion at the last meeting. Approved during the budget and in the appropriation ordinance is 6.7 million for the two parks, and with the redesign done in the past two weeks, Mr. Summers thinks we can do the project at or below the 6.7 million. Council members discussed the items mentioned in the redesign, to include taking the plinth base of the statue out, some parking elimination, reducing the length of the path in the park, CMU columns as opposed to granite columns, the City Public Works Department doing more of the work than originally planned, and a few revisions to Burke Park.

Alderman Woodham verified that we are still planning to have signage at Burke Park telling PFC Burke’s story. Terry reported that a meeting was recently held with PFC Burke’s sister, and she shared a photo album that generated ideas to include in the plaza. He will bring back revisions to the plan for Council to review at the April 8th meeting.

Mayor Pro-Tem Brock stated that he has gotten three phone calls this week about Freedom Park.

All three calls were from individuals concerned about the price tag, stating this is money that could be spent on infrastructure. Terry Summers stated he had heard from some people as well, and emphasized that we are not depleting business district/TIF funds, and since 2017 have spent over five million dollars on street projects. Alderman Burris emphasized the past should be honored and not forgotten, and Alderman Koon pointed out the City will see returns on this investment.

Bob Zimmerman, seated in the audience, asked if he could speak regarding the park. Mr. Zimmerman does not agree with this amount of money spent on a park(s), and asked why this money cannot be spent in other needed areas.

Aldermen’s Report:

Alderman Vogt gave a reminder about the upcoming Relocation Drill to be held in Bement and Monticello on Wednesday, March 27th, and gave details about time frame and how the area will be impacted.

Alderman Broadrick reminded everyone about the Bunny Eggspress coming up this weekend on the 30th (Monticello Railway Museum). He thanked the City for putting up cones around the hazard reported at 629 E Washington at the last meeting, and added that 621 E Washington has yet to get tree damage that occurred last year to the house repaired.

Police Chief’s Report:

Chief Bross reported he had a positive meeting this week with Tony Kirkman, Piatt County Mental Health. They discussed treatment options for individuals with drug/alcohol issues that have police department involvement. Chief reports the barricades for the drill on Wednesday will be put out tomorrow afternoon, and that social media posts will be made reminding all of the drill and also when it is complete.

City Administrator’s Report:

None

A motion was made by Alderman Woodham, and seconded by Alderman Broadrick, to adjourn the meeting at 7:44pm.

https://www.cityofmonticello.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/7423?fileID=5863