Chambana Sun

City of Monticello City Council met July 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. Roll call was then taken by the City Clerk.

Roll Call:

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

Absent: KOON, YOON

Also Present: Terry Summers, City Administrator; Maura Metcalf, Finance/HR; Callie McFarland, Director of Community Development; Chief Rob Bross, MPD; Chief John Rupkey, MFRD; Steve Grohne, May, Cocagne & King (remote)

Public Participation:

None

Consent Agenda:

Claims Report (Claims dated June 25, 2024 through July 8, 2024)

Meeting Minutes – City Council Meeting Minutes, June 24, 2024

Permit Report – June 2024

Fire Report – June 2024

Budget Report – May 2024

Police Report – May 2024

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

Mayor’s Report:

Mayor Stoner welcomed Ivana Page, who has opened a music studio at 208 W Main St in downtown Monticello. Ivana will be offering piano, vocal and guitar lessons. The Smoke & Octane BBQ Competition and Sundowners Car Show is scheduled for next Friday and Saturday on Pepsin Hill. There will also be a mini golf and bags tournament, live music and vendors. All proceeds will benefit the Monticello Recreation Foundation. Don’t forget the Monticello Farmer’s Market on Thursdays from 3-6pm in downtown Monticello.

Old Business:

None

New Business:

Ordinance 2024-33: An Ordinance Approving a Redevelopment Agreement between the City of Monticello and Bucks Pond Properties LLC Concerning the Property Located at 219 W Washington Street, Monticello, Illinois

The City invited applications for the Fall, 2024 program between June 1st and 17th of 2024. Eleven completed applications were received for consideration during this round of programming. Details of the application and proposed improvements are included as exhibits to the Redevelopment Agreement.

Applicant: Bucks Pond Properties LLC (owner), 219 W. Washington Street

Legends Corner (future occupant), and 2 upper story studio apartments

Project Description: The owners of the property would like to stucco the exterior walls and paint the accent trim and cornice.

Estimated Project Construction Window: July - August, 2024

Estimated Project Cost: $41,950.00

Recommended Reimbursement: 50% of total cost, up to $10,000

Callie noted that while the stucco is not ‘historic’, neither is the yellow brick currently on the building, and it is failing.

A motion was made by Alderman Broadrick, and seconded by Alderman Cary, to approve Ordinance 2024-33. The motion passed 8-0.

Ordinance 2024-34: An Ordinance Approving a Redevelopment Agreement between the City of Monticello and Frank and Karen Hardimon Concerning the Property Located at 213 W Washington Street, Monticello, Illinois

Applicant: Frank & Karen Hardimon (owner), 213 W. Washington Street Meraki Hair Salon (1st floor); 2 apartment units (2nd floor)- Occupants

Project Description: The owners of the property would like to make the following improvements:

-Install signage in the alley for added visibility

-Expand the usable space on the 1st floor, including ceiling and floor repair and refinishing, door replacement

-Tuckpoint masonry along the alleyway.

Estimated Project Construction Window: July – November, 2024

Estimated Project Cost: $17,809.00

A motion was made by Alderman Woodham, and seconded by Alderman Broadrick, to approve Ordinance 2024-34. The motion passed 8-0.

Ordinance 2024-35: An Ordinance Approving a Redevelopment Agreement between the City of Monticello and Hair of the Dog Pet Grooming Salon and Academy LLC Concerning the Property Located at 1052 S Market Street, Monticello, Illinois

Applicant: Tracey Kaufman (owner), 1052 S. Market Street

Hair of the Dog Pet Grooming Salon and Academy LLC (occupant)

Project Description: The owner of the property would like to make the following improvements:

-Construction of a new entryway on the building to accommodate the new road access

Estimated Project Construction Window: July – August, 2024

Estimated Project Cost: $6,500.00

Recommended Reimbursement: 50% of total cost of materials, up to $3,250.00

A motion was made by Alderman Reed, and seconded by Alderman Pearcy, to approve Ordinance 2024-35. The motion passed 8-0.

Ordinance 2024-36: An Ordinance Approving a Redevelopment Agreement between the City of Monticello and Brackett & Company, Inc. Concerning the Property Located at 216 W Washington Street, Monticello, Illinois

Applicant: Brackett & Company, Inc. (future tenant)

Project Description: The tenant of the property would like to make the following improvements:

-Signage

-Upgrade interior lighting

-Construction of a counter

-Installation of a back patio/landscaping

Estimated Project Construction Window: July – August, 2024

Estimated Project Cost: $22,024

Recommended Reimbursement: 50% of total cost (not including the counter construction/installation), up to $8,912. The counter is not eligible due to it being specific to the business as opposed to the building.

A motion was made by Alderman Brock, and seconded by Alderman Cary, to approve Ordinance 2024-36. The motion passed 8-0.

Ordinance 2024-37: An Ordinance Approving a Redevelopment Agreement between the City of Monticello and the Brown Bag, Inc. Concerning the Property Located at 212 W Washington Street, Monticello, Illinois

Applicant: The Brown Bag, Inc. (Tenant)

Project Description: The tenant of the property would like to make the following improvements:

-Tuckpointing and repairing masonry on north and west exterior walls

-Rebuild bowed interior wall

-Replace all windows and frames on the west wall

Estimated Project Construction Window: July – August, 2024

Estimated Project Cost: $84,410

Recommended Reimbursement: 50% of total cost up to $40,000

The Brown Bag was awarded a grant in the spring of this year but surrendered it due to discovering serious structural masonry issues. There are multiple owners of this building, and they do not all agree on completing this work. The masonry issues are soon to become a safety issue, and the review committee agreed to having a higher cap for this grant. Callie shared that this was a very long discussion, and due to the Brown Bag being a long-standing business and an anchor to the downtown, the committee recommends the grant award. There will be no extensions on this grant, as this is a large portion of the money and we do not want funds tied up for the next round of grant applications. Alderman Lively asked if this amount is granted is the money gone, and Callie answered yes for this round specifically. Alderman Lively questioned who funded the work on this building that has been done in the past (the owners did it personally). Alderman Reed asked if this work will not get done if this grant is not awarded (correct). He also asked if we have ever given a grant over the $10,000 cap. We have in the past awarded two grants at $15,000. Alderman Broadrick feels we cannot just let this building go as the business has been there for 50 years. Alderman Woodham thanked Callie McFarland for her work on this program. He stated this is a staple building to this community and the condition has been on a watchlist for years. It is well past time to do this – it is not for the building to look prettier, but is a safety issue.

A motion was made by Alderman Woodham, and seconded by Alderman Cary, to approve Ordinance 2024-37. The motion passed 6-2 (Lively, Brock).

Audit Presentation – Steve Grohne

Steve Grohne gave the audit presentation remotely. Mr. Grohne thanked the City and appreciates the team’s preparedness and quick responses during the audit, especially Maura Metcalf. The following are a few highlights of his presentation:

● Total assets at the end of the year 45.7 million

● Net position 31.5 million compared to 28.4 million last year

● 7.9 million expenditures are 100% due to more projects in 2023 compared to 2022

● The sewer and waterworks accounts increased due to the sewer rate increase this year and the addition of refuse and recycling

● The Police Pension Fund was 63.7% funded in 2022 – used to be below 30%

Aldermen’s Report:

Alderman Brock noted several places in Ridgepointe where the concrete streets are outlined for repair (JULIEs) and is wondering when these repairs will be completed. He is concerned they will not be repaired before school and there is a lot of foot traffic in that neighborhood when school is in session.

Police Chief’s Report:

Chief reports that the patrol hours for July 3rd = $2400. The department is taking applications for the open position for one more week. The Flock system aided in recovering two stolen vehicles. Chief reminded all that this is a tool, not a catch-all.

Fire Chief’s Report:

Chief Rupkey reviewed the monthly report and training received. They took a tour of the Railway Museum, with Chief adding that this is important because they had never been through the building before, and are now aware in case of a fire call.

City Administrator’s Report:

None

A motion was made by Alderman Brock, and seconded by Alderman Broadrick, to adjourn the meeting at 7:49pm.

https://www.cityofmonticello.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/7576?fileID=6003