Chambana Sun

City of Monticello City Council met July 22

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Stoner called the meeting to order and led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance. Alderman Burris led the Council in prayer. Roll call was then taken by the City Clerk.

Roll Call:

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

Absent: WOODHAM

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

Public Participation:

No remote or in-person participation

Consent Agenda:

Claims Report (Claims dated July 9, 2024 through July 22, 2024)Meeting Minutes – City Council Meeting Minutes, July 8, 2024; Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes, November 7, 2023

A motion was made by Alderman Burris, and seconded by Alderman Cary, to approve the Consent Agenda items. The motion passed 9-0.

Mayor’s Report:

None

Old Business:

None

New Business:

Resolution 2024-38: A Resolution for a Conditional Use Permit for Additional Accessory Structure at 2020 E Washington, City of Monticello, Piatt County, IL

Applicant- Monticello United Methodist Church, (Property Owner) is seeking a Conditional Use Permit for a “ground mounted solar array” on a parcel zoned RU – Rural. The Applicant requests a Conditional Use Permit as described in the City of Monticello Zoning Regulations Section 153.020  (C) (2) “Additional or other accessory buildings or uses may be constructed only after issuance of a conditional use permit.”

A Public Hearing was held at the regularly scheduled meeting of the City of Monticello Planning & Zoning Board on Monday, July 15, 2024 at 7:00pm. There were no comments received prior to or at the Public Hearing. The board had questions for the Monticello United Methodist Church representative, and recommended approving the conditional use permit. Alderman Broadrick asked the location of the solar panels (behind the building).

A motion was made by Alderman Broadrick, and seconded by Alderman Reed, to approve Resolution 2024-38. The motion passed 9-0.

Ordinance 2024-39: An Ordinance Regulating Traffic: Forest Drive Entering Medical Center Drive; Foxtrot Lane Entering Old Rt 47; Innovation Parkway Entering S Market Street; Medical Center Drive Entering Kirby Circle; Prairie Trail Entering Kirby Circle; Sage Fields Blvd Entering Medical Center Drive and Authorizing the Installation of Traffic Control Devices

Ordinance 2024-39 provides for the installation of stop signs at:

• Forest Drive requiring traffic traveling South bound on Forest Drive to stop before entering Medical Center Drive

• Foxtrot Lane requiring traffic traveling South bound on Foxtrot Lane to stop before entering Old Rt 47

• Innovation Parkway requiring traffic traveling East bound on Innovation Parkway to stop before entering South Market Street (SR 105)

• Medical Center Drive requiring traffic traveling North bound on Medical Center Drive to stop before entering Kirby Circle

• Prairie Trail requiring traffic traveling West bound on Prairie Trail to stop before entering Kirby Circle

• Sage Fields Blvd requiring traffic traveling North bound on Sage Fields Blvd to stop before entering Medical Center Drive

Mr. Grabarczyk stated that all of these areas have been designed for a stop sign, and this step is adding the locations to the table (Municipal Code) which allows MPD to enforce.

A motion was made by Alderman Burris, and seconded by Alderman Pearcy, to approve Ordinance 2024-39.

The motion passed 9-0.

Resolution 2024-40: A Resolution Approving a Contract for Grant Street and Buchanan Street Resurfacing

This project was presented and approved by the City Council for inclusion in the FY2024 General Fund Budget. The attached bid tab shows the results of the three bidders as well as the average, high and low unit prices. The construction start date is tentatively scheduled to begin in August of this  year. We will know more about the contractor’s schedule upon execution of the contract. Access to affected properties will be maintained as reasonably as possible and traffic will be reduced to one lane.

Alderman Koon asked if it is possible to add the section of Main Street between Hamilton and Piatt like we did last year when we added a section of Livingston Street to the State Street project. Terry Summers explained that with last year’s project, Livingston Street required no curb work, and was just one block. Livingston had already had engineering completed, and Main Street does not.

Alderman Burris added we would need the engineering to know what this entails before allocating any money. Worst-case scenario is that Main Street will be in next year’s budget.

A motion was made by Alderman Reed, and seconded by Alderman Cary, to approve Resolution 2024-40. The motion passed 9-0.

Aldermen’s Report:

Alderman Burris thanked the Public Works Department for their quick clean-up after the storm last week.

Alderman Brock congratulated Jim Grabarczyk on a successful set-up at the event held at Pepsin Hill this past weekend. He also alerted to a closure on Interstate 72 and its potential impact on Monticello residents.

Police Chief’s Report:

Chief Bross discussed a recent situation that occurred at the pool with MPD responding to a sex offender being present. Chief also reported a recent incident in which two dogs were taken from a residence for abuse/neglect. After receiving an impoundment order MPD was able to make an arrest within 32 hours. In the handling of this situation it was discovered that the City and Monticello Animal Hospital do not have a written contract addressing the care of animals in this type of situation. Chief will be working to get a written contract and hopes to present a contract to the council by September. Chief gave kudos to a resident that was involved in this issue and was upset with the department, believing the City was not handling the situation appropriately. He stated that he later received an apology from this individual – in his 20 years this (an apology) has only happened a handful of times, and he appreciates this. Chief said the volunteers at the event this past weekend did a fantastic job and MPD had no issues related to the event. Casey Wooten will graduate from the academy on August 22nd.

City Administrator’s Report:

An update was given on Robert C. Burke Memorial Park, with the bidding scheduled for August 15, 2024. It is the hope that the contract will be awarded and work will begin in September. The next Planning and Zoning Board meeting (August 19) will address setback reductions at a residential subdivision, and if passed this will come before the council at the August 26th meeting. Terry shared the success of the Smoke ‘N Octane event this weekend, and thanked everyone involved – city staff, the Recreation Foundation, all the volunteers, MPD, and MFRD. A special kudos was  given to Jerry Sample. Mr. Sample went above and beyond in his involvement, and is truly appreciated as an outstanding citizen of Monticello.

A motion was made by Alderman Brock, and seconded by Alderman Broadrick, to adjourn the meeting at 7:28pm.

https://www.cityofmonticello.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/7593?fileID=6044