Chambana Sun

City of Monticello City Council met April 8

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Stoner 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. Roll call was then taken by the City Clerk.

Roll Call:

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

Absent: WOODHAM

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

Public Participation:

Bob Zimmerman was present to address Freedom Park. He stated he did not know how the Council would vote tonight (referring to Resolution 2024-24) but thinks spending one million for a statue seems excessive for the size of this town. He stated he wants to honor veterans – he is one, his dad is one – but wonders if we could combine the two parks.

Consent Agenda:

Claims Report (Claims dated March 26, 2024 through April 8, 2024)

Meeting Minutes – City Council Meeting Minutes, March 25, 2024

Permit Report – March 2024

Fire Report – March 2024

Police Report – March 2024

A motion was made by Alderman Broadrick, and seconded by Alderman Pearcy, to approve the

Consent Agenda items. The motion passed 9-0.

Mayor’s Report:

None

Old Business:

None

New Business:

Resolution 2024-23: A Resolution Approving a Contract for Innovation Parkway Construction

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. 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. Land acquisition has been completed. This contract is to construct PC concrete pavement, combination concrete curb and gutter, subbase granular material, storm sewer, watermain installation and all other items as shown in the contract documents for a new street located west of Market Street and approximately 875 feet south of Kratz Drive in the City of Monticello. The new road will provide improved 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. City Council approved an appropriation of $1,000,000

(Budget line item 07-57280-82).

The bid tab shows the results of the single bidder – Feutz Construction. The construction start date is tentatively scheduled for late April or early May 2024. We will know more about the contractor’s schedule upon execution of the contract. The project substantial completion date is scheduled for the middle of August, 2024. Access to affected properties will be maintained as the access removal will happen after the parkway is constructed.

A motion was made by Alderman Reed, and seconded by Alderman Vogt, to approve Resolution 2024-23. The motion passed 9-0.

Resolution 2024-24: A Resolution Approving a Letter of Intent to Purchase Personal Property

As discussed at the March 11th and March 25th City Council meetings, the letter of intent to purchase one of the original Marine Memorial Statues (Iwo Jima Statue) from Rodney Hilton Brown is attached for your review and consideration ahead of the April 8th City Council meeting.

If this resolution is approved, the City Council will be presented with a binding purchase agreement to discuss and potentially approve at the May 13th City Council meeting.

The following excerpts from the letter of intent are provided for your use:

¶2. “This Letter is not a contract, or a promise or covenant that may be reasonably relied upon by either Party, and is not binding on either Party, but merely an objective expression of intent for the Parties to work in good faith towards a possible future agreement to concerning the purchase of the Property on terms mutually agreed upon by the Parties listed herein.”

§1. Purchase: Both parties agree to negotiate and enter into a binding purchase agreement.

§2. Contract: Within 45 days following the execution of the letter of intent, the buyer shall provide a draft purchase agreement.

§4. Agreement Terms: A). Purchase price is $1,000,000 to be paid as follows; a refundable deposit of $50,000 upon execution of the purchase agreement; a refundable deposit of $150,000 after the  due diligence period of 90 days; an $800,000 payment on the purchase date. B). Due diligence period of 90 days after execution of the purchase agreement. C). Property shall be delivered in substantially the same condition as the date of this letter of intent. D) Purchase date shall be on or before December 31, 2024. E). Transportation and storage fees shall be the responsibility of the City of Monticello. F). The buyer shall not “shop” the property upon execution of the purchase agreement. G). Termination terms after 30 day written notice. Insurance coverage during transport is still needed to be ascertained.

Mayor Stoner verified that this letter is non-binding (yes). He also verified that in no way will the City be out any money if Resolution 2024-24 is passed tonight (correct). Mayor Stoner stated that if the resolution does not pass, we will need to go back and figure something out for this park.

Alderman Koon stated this is only possible because the City has done a good job stewarding money over the years. He is proud Monticello is in a position to do this. Alderman Brock pointed to the correspondence with the constituents that have reached out to him, who are against this. Alderman Reed and Alderman Broadrick agreed. Alderman Reed added that he is for Burke Park and Freedom Park without the statue. Alderman Vogt stated that the insurance issue might take the decision out of the Council’s hands. Alderman Burris clarified the following: this project has been in this year’s budget and did not sneak up on anyone; the adjustments that have been made leave us still within the original budgeted price. Terry Summers stated Alderman Burris is correct, and shared a spread sheet breaking out the original costs of the parks, the 2024 costs, and the cost after each of the two revisions. After the second revision the cost is $460,000 under the original budgeted cost. Alderman Koon feels this is an opportunity we may regret passing up, and stated if we pass this tonight we will have more time to get public input. Alderman Cary shares the concerns regarding the cost and maintenance of the statue.

A motion was made by Alderman Koon, and seconded by Alderman Burris, to approve Resolution 2024-24. The motion failed 3-6 (Lively, Cary, Reed, Broadrick, Brock, Pearcy).

Following the vote, Terry Summers verbalized that the City will not pursue the statue. Mayor Stoner added that the park itself is still viable, and we will move to planning the park without the statue.

Aldermen’s Report:

Alderman Vogt discussed the success of the reunification drill held on March 27th and thanked all agencies involved. While the hope is that it never is necessary, we are ready. She explained the thinking behind bringing students from Bement to Monticello, and stated this is so the streets are not clogged with parents coming to retrieve their children, thus allowing first responders in a real emergency to have quick access to the building and room to operate.

Police Chief’s Report:

Chief Bross also felt the reunification drill went very well, especially for the first time. He discussed an uptick in the number of calls that MPD is receiving that are domestic or mental health related. He recently met with Tony Kirkman/Piatt County Mental Health about referring some of these cases to them when appropriate. Casey Wooten, who is a member of the fire department here, will be beginning training in May to become a police officer.

Fire Chief’s Report:

Chief Rupkey is proud of how the reunification drill went. He reviewed his monthly report and discussed the training received in March. Chief reported that the Golden Eagles beat the Piatt County First Responders in a fund raiser game prior to winning the State Championship in March.

Congratulations to the Golden Eagles!

City Administrator’s Report:

Terry Summers said the reunification drill was great training, and he appreciated the debriefing done after it was over. Terry was getting alerts on his phone regarding the progress of the drill in real time, which would be very helpful in an actual emergency. A City Administrator has a lot of resources at their disposal which may be needed in the event of a true emergency.

A motion was made by Alderman Vogt, and seconded by Alderman Broadrick, to adjourn the meeting at 7:34pm

https://www.cityofmonticello.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/7435?fileID=5878