Chambana Sun

City of Monticello City Council met May 13

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: LIVELY, CARY, WOODHAM, BURRIS, KOON, BROADRICK, BROCK, PEARCY, YOON (seated after being sworn in)

Absent: REED

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

Public Participation:

Melissa Hendrian spoke remotely, expressing concern regarding the Freedom/Burke Park initiative.

In regard to the 1.6 million in the budget that is available for use, she would like resident input on other options for that money to be considered, and pointed to recent resident surveys that assisted in identifying funding priorities. Three main areas of concentration were identified: Parks and Recreation; Infrastructure; and Water Quality. Ms. Hendrian stated that water quality improvement is an overwhelming resident request. She would like to see the City practice fiscal conservatism.

Consent Agenda:

Claims Report (Claims dated April 23, 2024 through May 13, 2024)

Meeting Minutes – City Council Meeting Minutes, April 22, 2024; Closed Session Meeting

Minutes, April 22, 2024

Permit Report – April 2024

Fire Report – April 2024

Police Report – April 2024

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

Mayor’s Report:

The City of Monticello is co-hosting two informational meetings with the Solar Urbana-Champaign group for those interested in exploring options in solar and geothermal power. The Geothermal Power Hour will be May 14th at 6pm, and the Solar Power Hour will be May 16th at 6pm. Both are at the Livingston Center and the public is invited to attend.

Old Business:

None

New Business:

Mayoral Appointments:

Alderman at Large – Elaine Yoon (1-year term expires April, 2025)

Planning & Zoning Board – Marthaan Riegel (5-year term expires April, 2029); Jody Stone (1-year term expires April, 2025)

Police Pension Board – Terry Jones

Historic Preservation – Rachel Woods (3-year term expires April, 2027); Leigh Anderson (3-year term expires April, 2027)

A motion was made by Alderman Woodham, and seconded by Alderman Broadrick, to approve the Mayoral Appointments. The motion passed 8-0. Alderman Yoon was sworn in by the City Clerk and seated at the Council table.

Ordinance 2024-25: An Ordinance Amending Title XI, Chapter 111 of the Monticello City Code of Ordinances Concerning Class B & H Liquor Licenses

Bucks Pond Properties, LLC has purchased the property at 219 W. Washington Street and after substantial renovation will be opening a restaurant at the location this fall.

The first floor business, Legends Corner, LLC will be operated by Melissa Pratt and will be a restaurant with an indoor bar and outside patio. The applicant has requested a Class B and a Class H liquor license for the establishment, and they will be applying for a video gaming license as well, if approved. The background check on the applicant has cleared and the property is eligible for a liquor license.

The City currently has 8 Class B (sell alcohol by the drink, for consumption on-site) liquor licenses, and 6 Class H (outdoor seating) liquor licenses- all of which are occupied. Earlier this year, Council approved an amendment to §111.038 (reflecting ordinance 2024-15) which reduces the number of available liquor licenses upon closure of a license holder. The Class H liquor license held by Fieldhouse will dissolve, and the Class B will transfer to the new location at the end of the month.

James Helmuth was present to represent Bucks Pond Properties and the business that will occupy this building. With no questions from the Council, a motion was made by Alderman Brock, and seconded by Alderman Broadrick, to approve Ordinance 2024-25. The motion passed 9-0.

Resolution 2024-26: A Resolution for Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code

The attached resolution in its presented form requests Motor Fuel Tax Funds (MFT) for our annual seal coat (oil and chip) program. The City Council approved using MFT funds of $75,000 on line item 01-55173-02 for the 2024 Oil and Chip program. 

The supporting documents attached are:

1. State provided Resolution for Maintenance under the Illinois Highway Code (Standard form BLR 14220),

2. Map of streets to be Oil and Chipped,

3. Public notice to be printed in newspaper and online.

Terry Summers, City Administrator will sign the IDOT form following Council action approving expenditure.

A motion was made by Alderman Koon, and seconded by Alderman Broadrick, to approve Resolution 2024-26. The motion passed 9-0.

Resolution 2024-27: A Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a License Agreement by and Between the City of Monticello and Paramdham , Inc., X-Treme Entertainment LLC, Jackson Property Development, LLC – 200 Washington, Jackson Property Development, LLC – 204 Washington, Jack & Harlean I Swing Trust, Harlean Swing, Balance + Beauty, LLC, Ella Property Development, LLC – 220 Washington, and Bucks Pond Properties, LLC.

The City owns public parking lot “D”, the parking lot on the southeast corner of the Livingston and Market Street intersection. This parking lot serves as dumpster access for the 8 property owners that host 17 businesses and 16 residential units when fully occupied. The majority of the property owners on this block have no option for placement of dumpster service other than on the city lot, which has been allowed for many years. This has resulted in anywhere from 2-5 dumpsters placed in the parking lot. The property owners have for some time, experienced conflict over coordination of placement of dumpsters, lack of emptying dumpsters by haulers, crowding of parking spaces, and overall creating a nuisance for both the City as the owner of the property.

As reported at the March 11th City Council meeting by Mr. Summers, the best option for this situation is a license agreement between the property owners and the city for those who need dumpster access. The City would contract with a single refuse hauler to provide up to 3 dumpsters that would be located in an enclosure in the lot and emptied twice a week. The enclosure would be constructed by the City Public Works department this summer.

The fee structure would be based upon capacity of existing dumpster requirements by each property owner, with a 5% maintenance fee included. As part of the license agreement, each property owner would need to provide insurance listing the City as additionally insured, which is required for use of the right of way city property currently. The term of the agreement is 3 years with renewal options.

Preliminary information on this proposal was distributed to all property owners, and those that responded were receptive to the idea.

The City is involved in the license agreement solely because we own this lot. If we did not, the City would not be involved. Alderman Yoon asked if recycling was included – it is not due to this not being offered with commercial service. Alderman Brock voiced the importance of the City maintaining the enclosure and making sure there are protective corners (to protect from being hit by trucks). It was explained that the City will build a temporary enclosure this year, and will build a permanent one after the parking lot is resurfaced next year.

A motion was made by Alderman Broadrick, and seconded by Alderman Koon, to approve Resolution 2024-27. The motion passed 9-0.

Aldermen’s Report:

Alderman Koon questioned how the 1% grocery tax loss will impact us and how the City plans to overcome the loss of that revenue source. Terry Summers answered that discussions have been had, but trying to estimate that impact is not an easy answer. Unfortunately it is a wait and see situation, and Mr. Summers stated that we will continue to budget revenues conservatively.

Alderman Burris welcomed Alderman Yoon to the City Council.

Police Chief’s Report:

This is Police Week, and an officer appreciation cookout is scheduled this Wednesday. We have entered a Traffic Safety Challenge which focuses on public information and education. Chief reports that two officers recently completed training – Officer Wallenberg completed a 3-day course on use of force, and Officer Kearney completed a one-week training on firearms. Chief Bross gave a reminder that if an alderman receives a complaint about a solicitor (no permit, or knocking at door of address that is on the No Knock list), please contact the police department immediately so that they can respond in a timely manner.

Fire Chief’s Report:

Chief Rupkey discussed a mutual aid call that they responded to in Bement in April, emphasizing the importance of mutual aid. Training this month included pre-planning with businesses on the square so that MFRD is aware of specifics needed to respond to calls. Chief thanked Callie McFarland for securing a $22,000 grant for the department.

City Administrator’s Report:

Mr. Summers welcomed Elaine Yoon to the City Council, and appreciates previous work she has done on City of Monticello boards and committees.

A motion was made by Alderman Brock, and seconded by Alderman Cary, to adjourn the meeting at 7:32pm.

https://www.cityofmonticello.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/7479?fileID=5928