The Batavia City Council met Oct. 3 to modify an overnight parking ban.
Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the council:
The Batavia City Council serves as the legislative division of the city government. Members are elected to serve four-year terms.
CITY OF BATAVIA MINUTES OF THE BATAVIA CITY COUNCIL October 3, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. - City Council Chambers 100 N. Island Ave. Batavia, Illinois
PLEASE NOTE: These minutes are not a word-for-word transcription of the statements made at the meeting, nor intended to be a comprehensive review of all discussions. Minutes are intended to make an official record of the actions taken by the Committee/City Council, and to include some description of discussion points as understood by the minute-taker. Any references to discussion and /or statements are only to provide greater clarity to the public and they may not reference all, some, or any of an individual speaker’s comments.
1. CC MEETING CALLED TO ORDER by Mayor 7:30 p.m.
2. INVOCATION FOLLOWED BY PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Ald. Russotto
3. ROLL CALL: of 11 aldermen were present. Aldermen (by ward): Martin Callahan (2) Alan Wolff (2), Dan Chanzit (3), Susan Stark (4) Paula Mueller (4), Kevin Botterman(5), Lucy Thelin Atac (5), Michael Russotto(6, Nicholas Cerone (6), David Brown (7) Drew McFadden (7) were present. Carl Fischer (1), Michael O’Brien (1), and Kyle Hohmann (3) were absent.
Also present were BATV and members of the press, public and the following:
City Administrator Laura Newman City Attorney Roman Seckel Deputy City Clerk Christine Simkins Fire Chief Randy Deicke Police Chief Gary Schira Finance Director Peggy Colby
4. ITEMS REMOVED/ADDED/CHANGED
Accept letter of resignation for Ald. Fischer
5. CONSENT AGENDA
ACCEPT AND PLACE ON FILE:
a. August 2016 Financials APPROVALS:
b. September 23, 2016 Payroll $769,245.34 c. Accounts Payable Check Register: $1,771,792.28 d. Resolution 16-82-R Amending Professional Services Agreement Motion by Ald. Atac, seconded by Ald. McFadden, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion Carried 11 yea/ 0 nay/ 3 absent
6. MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC: (For Items NOT on the Agenda) None
7. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Holly Deitchman thanked City staff and Shodeen for having a panel discussion for businesses affected by the 1. N Washington Project on Sept. 16th. On Oct 7 at 11 E. Wilson 3 pm there will be a Ribbon Cutting : Buddha, Gandhi and Me. Oct 7th at 4 pm Prairie Wellness ribbon cutting grand re-opening moved downstairs same location. Oct. 10th 4:30pm Edward Jones 812 N Randall Rd 5 year Anniversary and Ribbon Cutting. Oct 11 11:30-2pm Women in Business Luncheon–Speaker Molly Rudberg-Leshnock on “From the Yoga Mat to the Corner Office.” At Mill Creek Gold Club. Oct 12 5-7 pm National Credit Union Day. Batavia Chamber is partnering with Aurora Regional Chamber for Business after Hours. Earth Movers Credit Union Orchard Rd. North Aurora. Oct 13th
Fall into Business 11-3pm Villa Olivia Country Club in Bartlett. Oct 13 1:30 pm Ribbon Cutting 501 W. Fabyan Pkwy - new location Pro Force Training Oct 17 10:45-12pm Greater Oakbrook Business Leaders Fall Speaker Series. Gov. Bruce Rauner And US Rep Peter Roskam speaking at the College of Dupage. Oct 19 4-6pm Multi-Chamber Networking-It! Event at K. Hollis Jewelers 147 S Randall Rd. Oct. 25th 3-4:30 pm Speaker Jim Rodgers “Running the Gauntlet” at Batavia City Council Chambers. Oct. 28th 10-11am a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Sports Clips 2987 Kirk Rd. To register for any of these events call the Chamber 630-879-7134 or website: www.bataviachamber.org
Holly then introduced Jason Kapus with Aqua Duct Services. Jason thanked the Council and stated he is one of the owners of Aqua Duct Services. They are a company that prides themselves in an honest trustworthy approach to business. The business was founded in 2010 and became a corporation in 2013. Between the owners and staff they hold 23 years experience in plumbing services working in homes and businesses. Aqua Duct is a 24/7 business located at 837 E Wilson St. They have grown since starting business with 1st year bringing in $100,000 and this year projecting up to $350,000. They won the 2016 Expertise Award as one of the best in the Chicago land area out of 950 other businesses. Aqua Duct also is involved and gives back to the community by supporting food & toy drives and re-investing profits in other City establishments.
The Mayor stated he is very happy to have their business in town and thanked Jason for speaking.
8. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – City Administrator Laura Newman
Laura stated she had just come back from a public utilities class at the University of Wisconsin- Madison. Rahat Bari also attended. This course was very informative and included 28 hours instruction in public utilities. This included information on rate structuring, transmission, renewable energy and distribution. Laura mentioned this was a very valuable course and left with a positive impression.
Laura then mentioned she met with Main St when she arrived back and was notified that Main St. has received a donation of $25,000 from a donor to use for project for Main St. as well as Main St. will match these funds with their own $25,000. One of the ideas is to use these funds for the Way Finding, and the use of the Way Finding signs. They would like to begin discussions on possibly combining with the branding initiative and have a crossover.
Ald. McFadden stated he is hesitant to combine at this time as then would then be too big of an animal. He feels we should work on the branding now with the Way Finding to follow.
Ald. Stark feels this would be putting the cart before the horse. We want to have our branding locked down first.
Ald. Atac asked if this was a two year time frame.
Laura stated yes- two year branding first or second quarter of next year, to follow with the Way Finding.
Ald. McFadden mentioned he feels we are working with two different skill sets here.
Laura mentioned the dangerous conditions brought up at the last meeting has been addressed by public works. They are addressing the sidewalk repair of bricks on Batavia Ave. The railing on N. Batavia Ave is scheduled to be fixed.
The Mayor asked if there was an update on the Braeburn Marsh.
Laura stated no update on the marsh at this time.
Mayor stated he had thought it was scheduled for the end of October, but is very concerned it is a very serious fire hazard. There is 2-3 years of overgrowth and there was a serious fire last November that was stopped just in time. Part of the area is maintained by Kane County and we need to have a conversation with Kane County on this. Kane County is under financial restraints.
Laura said this is a priority project for public works and Rahat has been working on this.
Ald. Brown stated he would like to discuss at the COW meeting Oct 4th that money donated for the sculpture on the bridge by the Linea Trust. This is a great opportunity to fill one of the two empty pods.
Mayor stated he thinks this would be a great opportunity and offer and would save money for the taxpayers.
Ald. Stark stated that Gary Holm had spoke at the council about the Braeburn Marsh and how they are trying to coordinate with the County to save money by using the same contractor for this project.
9. COMMITTEE REPORTS Community Development Committee- Ald. Brown
Ord. 16-60 and Res 16-81 regarding 2400 Hawks Dr. They will discuss video gaming and possibly televising the COW meetings. The Plan Committee meeting has been cancelled.
Government Services Committee- Ald. Atac Nothing on the agenda
City Services Committee – Ald. Wolff
Discussion on televising the COW & Plan Commission meetings
Public Utilities – Ald. O’Brien Nothing to report
10. OTHER BUSINESS:
Ald. Callahan mentioned he and the other aldermen have been approached on modifying the overnight parking ban. Many families have extended family and adult children living at home and there is a problem with extra parking.
Ald. McFadden stated he would agree to looking into this as well.
Ald. Brown stated we need to give all staff that would be involved time to work on this first.
Ald. Atac mentioned this is worth discussing.
Ald. Chanzit stated he would like to hear if there have been any changes or modifications that can be made on this topic.
Mayor stated other cities have opted to send a bill every month for parking on the street. We could look into how they handle this.
Ald. Chanzit stated there is also a safety concern with this matter.
Ald. Callahan stated there are pros and cons to changing the ordinance. There are the safety concerns and traffic pattern changes as well. But we need to update and modernize our ordinances from time to time. 11. MAYOR’S REPORT
The Mayor read Alderman Fischer’s (1st Ward) letter of resignation effective immediately- as he has moved out of state. The Mayor stated we were very lucky to have had Ald. Fischer serve our community.
The Mayor then asked for a motion to accept the resignation.
Motion by Ald. Atac, seconded by Ald. Brown, to accept the resignation of Ald. Fischer. Motion Carried 9 yea/ 2 nay/ 3 absent
The Mayor proposes a public notice for any resident of the 1st ward to send applications to City Hall addressed to the Mayor by Oct 18th. On that night we will have an interview and Council will make a decision and swear in a new Alderman. The 1st council meeting in November this Alderman will be able to serve at that meeting.
Ald. Cerone mentioned they would have to specify a 2 year or 4 year term in the next election.
Ald. Wolff stated yes they will have to specify this, as has happened in the past they choose which term when they choose to run for office.
The Mayor mentioned at the monthly Mayors Meeting at the county he had a side bar conversation on increasing salaries for public officials. The Mayor said he found it amusing because the other cities were looking into how they could increase their salaries. The Mayor stated we haven’t raised our City Council salaries since 2007, which is going on 8 years. The Mayor stated because of elections and timing no one on City Council will be eligible until 2021 for a raise. He said he just wanted to share as this is not something any of us on City Council are doing this for- the money; we are serving for other reasons.
The Mayor stated that at the Chicago Metropolitan Mayors Caucus in Oakbrook a few weeks ago the folks running the Constitutional Amendment change to put a lockbox to stop moving transportation funds from one account to another were there. This group wants to keep funds for what it was originally intended to be used for. There is big money involved here in transportation such as motor fuel. These people have a star studded political team to get this constitutional amendment on ballot and passed. One of the attending mayors stated this worries him as the state of IL has serious problems already with debt- what stops them then from going after other funds? Probably the easiest of these funds they could go to next would be the LGDF. The LGDF is the state’s contribution to municipalities. The percentage of the LGDF was 12% and has gone down to 10% or possibly now as low as 6% at this time. The Mayors caucus took no action to vote for or against this with concern it would be possibly shooting us in the foot, as passing this lockbox action could lead to others. They also spoke on the current status of elections in state of IL and the inability to budget and existing deficits and lack of revenue even after this election. The prediction in the room is after Jan 1st the politicians should have concern as this next year will be one of the most challenging years yet for the state of IL. At the end of day all of the mayors in attendance left concerned and wondering about their city’s future budgets. The Mayor checked with Peggy and staff and we are doing fine as far as finances, we have done a good job of running the budget. But it is predicted all cities will have challenges as far as paying for stuff and funding things. Mayors asked Peggy how much our distributing fund is now from the state.
Peggy said it is 2 1?2 million at this time.
They Mayor stated if they take that away from us it wouldn’t put us out of business, but would certainly be difficult on us.
Peggy stated these funds from the state are 10% of our budget.
Mayor stated he wanted to put this out there as we begin looking at the budget for next year. He also said to keep in mind next year it is anticipated the State will come up with new taxes to offset if this passes. Some cities are highly dependent on state funds and this may put out them out of business.
Then they reviewed the electrical situation in state of IL. Mayor stated as we are involved in Prairie State, and not happy with that. The state is faced now with what is going on with Comed and the electric suppliers. They have hired a star studded team of lawyers to get involved and go to Springfield. They are asking for a significant increase in the cost of transmission and distribution of electric. This will affect those outside of Batavia who have Comed services. Exelon have planned to shut down two nuclear reactors in IL. This will cause a supply and demand issue which will make the price of electric will go up significantly.
In our budget process next year we need to be prepared and have honest conversation about the possible delay of state funds, which we have no control of. Other cities may be hard to keep head above water. The Mayor said he has never seen anything like this in all his years in office and is worried about the future of IL cities. Mayor mentioned though Batavia is standing tall financial arena compared to other cities we must be cautious on future spending.
12. ADJOURNMENT 8:30 p.m.
Motion to adjourn by Ald. Brown, seconded by Ald. Russotto, motion passed by voice vote.
Minutes prepared and submitted by, Christine Simkins Deputy City Clerk
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