Chambana Sun

City of Monticello City Council met Nov. 25

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Stoner called the meeting to order and led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance. Steve Keagle with Lodge Church then led the Council in prayer. Roll call was taken by the City Clerk. 

Roll Call: 

Present: REED, CARY, WOODHAM, LIVELY, PEARCY, BROADRICK, KOON (remote), BURRIS, YOON 

Absent: BROCK 

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

Following Roll Call, Mayor Stoner informed the Council that Alderman Koon notified the City Administrator several weeks ago that he would be unable to attend tonight's meeting in person due to employment purposes. In order for him to attend remotely, the Council must vote on whether to allow Alderman Koon to participate by audio or video conference. A motion was made by Alderman Woodham, seconded by Alderman Burris, to allow Alderman Koon to participate remotely. The motion passed unanimously. 

Public Participation: 

Jonathan Bobell, resident at 8 Oakview Drive spoke regarding Resolution 2024-55 and asked the Council to uphold the recommendation of the Planning & Zoning Board and deny this request. See attached memo provided by Jonathan Bobell and Jennifer Carroll. 

Jennifer Carroll also spoke regarding Resolution 2024-55. In addition to the information provided on the attached memo, Ms. Carroll discussed the personal reasons she would like to see this resolution fail. 

John Frerichs spoke next regarding Resolution 2024-56. Mr. Frerichs has children in school here and is also the Vice President of the Recreation Foundation. He would like to see the budget pass tonight to include the funding for Oberheim Park as it is an investment in our community. 

Consent Agenda: 

Claims Report (Claims dated November 13, 2024 through November 25, 2024)

Meeting Minutes - City Council Meeting Minutes, November 12, 2024 

Budget Report --- October 2024 

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: 

The Investor Coffee for the Sangamon Valley CEO Program is tomorrow from 7:30am -9am at 3R2. As the City of Monticello is an investor, I encourage you to stop in to meet the students. Balance & Beauty, winner of the 2024 Monticello Bootcamp New Business Grant, will be having their spa grand opening and open house from 5-7pm on Friday, December 6th. Stop in to the remodeled location at 214 W Washington Street and welcome Melissa Good to downtown! The Allerton Holiday Glow kicks off December 6th at 5pm, with lighted trails, music, and food. Volunteers are needed for the Lunch with Santa Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich making, the Monticello Christmas Parade, and lunch with Santa events. To sign up, visit the Monticello Chamber website. The Monticello Christmas Parade will be Saturday, December 7th at 11:20 am 

Old Business: 

None 

New Business: 

Ordinance 2024-53: An Ordinance Authorizing the Lease of Property (315 East Center Street, Monticello, Illinois 61856) 

The City of Monticello purchased this property commonly known as 315 East Center Street in 2014 in anticipation of improvements being made to the building currently occupied by the police and volunteer fire department. The City Council has previously approved a lease of the property to A Small Hand --- Piatt County Cares, Inc. A Small Hand-Piatt County Cares, Inc. is appreciative and grateful for the use of the building and grounds for their benefit and has recently expressed an interest in renewing the lease. Ordinance 2024-53 contains no revisions, additions or changes to the original ordinance or lease agreement. It will simply extend the lease for another two-year period. A Small Hand-Piatt County Cares, Inc. is a non-profit diaper, infant needs and food pantry serving Piatt County citizens in need for 11 years. They provide approximately 4,000 to 4,500 diapers per month and additional infant needs such as clothing and equipment to Piatt County families experiencing economic hardship. The food pantry provides over 1,400 pounds of prepackaged food including meat, bread, eggs and cheese each month. They also provide Piatt County residents with automatic assistance for any foster child living in Piatt County, serving an average of 10 foster families each month - with diapers, food, emergency equipment and clothing needs. Christina Sanantonio was present to represent A Small Hand and appreciates the City providing this space, which is perfect for their needs. 

A motion was made by Alderman Woodham, seconded by Alderman Pearcy, to approve Ordinance 2024-53. The motion passed 9-0. 

Resolution 2024-54: A Resolution for a Conditional Use Permit for a Multi-Family Structure on a Parcel Zoned RD-Urban Residential, City of Monticello, Piatt County, IL 

Applicant Tim Scott (Owner) is seeking a Conditional Use Permit for a multi-family structure on a parcel zoned RD -- Urban Residential at the property commonly known as 927 N Front Street, Monticello, IL. The City of Monticello Code of Ordinances section §153.017 (A) allows such a structure once a conditional use permit is issued. 

Granting the Conditional Use Permit will not be detrimental to or endanger the public health, safety, morals, comfort or general welfare of the normal and orderly development and improvement of surrounding properties. 

A Public Hearing was held at the regularly scheduled meeting of the City of Monticello Planning & Zoning Board on Monday November 18th, 2024 at 7:00pm. The following is a summary of the comments made to the PZB during the Public Hearing: 

1. Did not want the development to impede the normal traffic in the neighborhood. 

2. Did not want the building to be out of character for the area. 

3. Did not want to see an open-ended Conditional Use Permit for the number of units. 

4. Parking concerns.

5. Size of the structure. 

The board reviewed the documents associated with the project, the testimony of the public and unanimously recommended approving the conditional use permit. 

A motion was made by Alderman Burris, seconded by Alderman Yoon, to approve Resolution 2024-54. The motion passed 9-0. 

Resolution 2024-55: A Resolution for a Conditional Use Permit for a Detached Garage at 7 Oakview Ct, City of Monticello, Piatt County, IL 

Applicant- Daniel Homann (Owner) is seeking a Conditional Use Permit for a detached garage on a parcel zoned RS ~ Suburban Residential. Mr. Homann requests the Conditional Use Permit following the City of Monticello Zoning Regulations Section 153.020 (C)(1)(b), which allows for such a structure once a conditional use permit is issued following the review and approval by the City Council. Granting the Conditional Use Permit will not be detrimental to or endanger the public health, safety, morals, comfort or general welfare of the normal and orderly development and improvement of surrounding properties. A Public Hearing was held at the regularly scheduled meeting of the City of Monticello Planning & Zoning Board on Monday November 18th, 2024 at 7:00pm. The following are a summary of the comments made to the PZB during the public hearing: 

1. Issuing the Conditional Use would be detrimental to the surrounding properties.

2. Several homes in the neighborhood have detached accessory structures.

3. Sight lines mentioned in the subdivision covenants would be affected. 

4. The Planning & Zoning Board should not take into account what covenants are as they are private to the residents of the subdivision. 

5. The applicant did not need an extra garage based on the cars owned.

6. Something other than cars would be stored in this garage. 

7. The application for the Conditional Use Permit specifically states "private detached garage". 

The board reviewed the documents associated with the project, the testimony of the public and unanimously recommended denying the conditional use permit. 

Mr. Grabarczyk discussed covenants and that the Planning & Zoning Board should not have made a recommendation on covenants, as these are not city-related. This proposed structure is consistent with the neighborhood, two other properties have similar structures, and the recommendation is to approve Resolution 2024-55. Discussion was had regarding location of garage, reasons this is the best location, ambience of the neighborhood and possible alternate plans. It was discussed that if this does not pass, the applicant can build this garage attached to the house with no zoning action needed. 

A motion was made by Alderman Broadrick, seconded by Alderman Yoon, to approve Resolution 2024-55. The motion failed 1-8 (Reed, Woodham, Cary, Lively, Pearcy, Koon, Burris, Yoon). 

Resolution 2024-56: A Resolution Approving the City Budget for Fiscal Year 2025 

Budget discussions commenced at the committee level during the week of October 21, 2024 comprised of City Council members and key City personnel. The proposed FY2025 budget was presented to City Council for discussion at the regularly scheduled Council meeting held on November 12, 2024. At the same City Council meeting, the City Council passed a truth in taxation law resolution with an estimated corporate and special purpose property tax increase of 4.9% over fiscal year 2024. Council will be asked to approve an Ordinance at the regularly scheduled Council meeting on December 9, 2024, levying taxes for all corporate purposes for the city commencing on January 1, 2025 and ending on December 31, 2025 in the amount of $923,631. 

The general fund budget report ending September 30, 2024 indicates nearly $6.3 million in surplus general fund revenues over expenditures through September of this year. The September 2024 Treasurer's Report indicates a general fund balance of $16.5 million and nearly a million dollars in the restricted working cash account. As previously discussed during our budget meetings, and as was the Council's desire for our current fiscal year, the proposed budget for FY2025 reflects a reinvestment of some of these surplus funds back into the City of Monticello general fund operations and capital improvements. Some identified expenditures are provided below. 

$35,000 for a new survey truck 

$250,000 additional payment to the police pension fund 

$64,000 for a new squad car 

$41,000 for new laptops for squad cars 

$165,500 for new leaf/grass spreader, mini-wheel loader and mini-excavator 

$1.15 million for pavement rehabilitation of Main Street, Independence Street and William Street $2.2 million to finish Pfc. Robert C. Burke Memorial Park 

$8.0 million for Phase 1 improvements to Oberheim Park 

$60,500 for improvements at the fire station 

$170,000 for improvements to the parking lot behind Subway 

Discussion occurred on the Oberheim Park Phase 1 portion of the budget, and focused on the cost, funding sources, the need for this park, the community input, and the possibility of a referendum. Following a motion and further discussion, Alderman Reed eventually called the question and was recognized by Mayor Stoner. A vote was then taken. 

A motion was made by Alderman Reed, and seconded by Alderman Woodham, to approve Resolution 2024-56. The motion passed 8-1 (Yoon). 

Aldermen's Report: 

None 

Police Chief's Report: 

Chief Bross reported the DMV building in Monticello has been hit by a car again, making this twice in the past two weeks. He discussed his appreciation for Officer Dejuante Forman and his positive contribution to the police department. 

City Administrator's Report: 

None 

A motion was made by Alderman Woodham, seconded by Alderman Cary, to adjourn the meeting at 8:12pm. 

https://www.cityofmonticello.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/7797?fileID=6172