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Decatur City Council Minutes - December 05, 2011 05:30PM
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On Monday, December 5, 2011 the City Council of the City of Decatur, Illinois, met in Regular Meeting at 5:30 P.M. in the City Council Chambers, One Gary K. Anderson Plaza, Decatur, Illinois. Mayor Michael T. McElroy presided; together with him being Councilmen Jerry J. Dawson, Larry W. Foster, Patrick S. Laegeler, Pat McDaniel, Julie Moore-Wolfe, and Dana M. Ray. All seven members were present. Mayor McElroy declared a quorum present.
City Manager Ryan McCrady attended the meeting.
Mayor McElroy led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
The minutes of the meeting of November 21, 2011, were presented. Councilman Foster moved the minutes be approved as written; seconded by Councilman Dawson, and on call of the roll, Councilmen Moore, Ray, Dawson, Foster, McDaniel, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. Councilman Laegeler abstained. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Mayor McElroy called for New Business.
There were No Proclamations or Recognitions.
This being the date, time, and place for the Public Hearing regarding the Annual Tax Levy for the City of Decatur for Fiscal Year 2011 / 2012, Mayor McElroy declared the public hearing opened. City Manager McCrady remarked that the levy as proposed keeps the city portion of the property tax rate the same which is $1.2422.
City Manager McCrady and Ron Neufeld, Director of Finance, responded to Council’s questions stating that the city has no control over property values; the township recently conducted a quadrennial assessment and any homeowner receiving an increase in their property tax has a right to appeal; staff consults with the Macon County Clerk regarding values prior to making a recommendation to the Council; if staff were to propose a dollar amount the process is different; city staff is banking that information from the County relative to property value data is accurate; values will not be known until next Spring; and the Council can adopt a trailer ordinance in the Spring after values are finalized.
When no one else indicated they wished to address the Council, the Mayor declared the public hearing closed.
Ordinance No. 2011-82, making the Annual Tax Levy for the City of Decatur for Fiscal Year 2011 / 2012, was presented.
Councilman Dawson moved the ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilman Foster.
City Manager McCrady and Wendy Morthland, Corporation Counsel, responded to Council’s question stating that if the Council elects to change from a rate to a dollar amount the approach is completely different and would require publication.
Upon call of the roll, Councilmen Moore, Ray, Dawson, Foster, Laegeler, McDaniel, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Ordinance No. 2011-83, fully Abating Tax Levy for General Obligation Refunding Bonds Series 2004 B, was presented.
Councilman McDaniel moved the ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Moore, and on call of the roll, Councilmen Moore, Ray, Dawson, Foster, Laegeler, McDaniel, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Ordinance No. 2011-84, fully Abating Tax Levy for General Obligation Refunding Bonds Series 2005, was presented.
Councilwoman Ray moved the ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Moore, and on call of the roll, Councilmen Moore, Ray, Dawson, Foster, Laegeler, McDaniel, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Ordinance No. 2011-85, fully Abating Tax Levy for General Obligation Bonds Series 2008, was presented.
Councilman Laegeler moved the ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilman Dawson, and on call of the roll, Councilmen Moore, Ray, Dawson, Foster, Laegeler, McDaniel, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Ordinance No. 2011-86, partially Abating Tax Levy for General Obligation Bonds Series 2010, was presented.
Councilman Foster moved the ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilman Laegeler, and on call of the roll, Councilmen Moore, Ray, Dawson, Foster, Laegeler, McDaniel, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Ordinance No. 2011-87, annexing Property located at 450 West Hillshire Road on petition of Felice and Antonia D’Introno, was presented.
Councilwoman Moore moved the ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Ray.
Rick Marley, Director of Public Works, responded to Council’s question stating that contracting with the governmental entity currently responsible for road maintenance would be considered a trade off since the Public Works department already has numerous agreements.
Upon call of the roll, Councilmen Moore, Ray, Dawson, Foster, Laegeler, McDaniel, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Ordinance No. 2011-88, annexing Property located at 2421 West Grand Avenue on petition of David Murphey, was presented.
Councilman McDaniel moved the ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilman Dawson, and on call of the roll, Councilmen Moore, Ray, Dawson, Foster, Laegeler, McDaniel, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Mayor McElroy called for Consent Calendar Items A through G and asked if any Member of Council wished to remove an item from Consent Calendar. Items A through G were approved by Omnibus Vote.
Councilman Laegeler moved that Consent Calendar Items A through G be approved by Omnibus Vote; seconded by Councilman Foster, and on call of the roll, Councilmen Moore, Ray, Dawson, Foster, Laegeler, McDaniel, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
A. Resolution R2011-190, approving Appointment Resolution
Ann Chambliss Public Library Board of Trustees 07/01/13
B. Resolution R2011-191 accepting Bid of Don Roderick, Inc. for Demolition of Property located at 1051 West Sunset Avenue
C. Resolution R2011-192 accepting Bid of Don Roderick, Inc. for Demolition of Property located at 1327 East Locust Street
D. Resolution R2011-193 accepting Bid of Don Roderick, Inc. for Demolition of Property located at 862 South Jasper Street
E. Resolution R2011-194 accepting Bid of Anderson Backhoe Service for Demolition of Property located at 731 West Wood Street
F. Resolution R2011-195 accepting Bid of Anderson Backhoe Service for Demolition of Property located at 1860 East William Street
G. Resolution R2011-196 accepting Bid of Anderson Backhoe Service for Demolition of Property located at 245 West Leafland Avenue
This being the time set for Appearance of Citizens Sam Cahnman, Springfield City Council member and candidate for the 96th District, addressed the Council about the possibility of an advisory referendum for an open primary and remarked that this is an issue which cuts across party lines and urged the Council to place this question on the March 20th ballot and reminded Council in order to do so their action is needed prior to January 3, 2012.
This being the time set for Other Business, Mayor McElroy remarked that at this time the regular meeting of the Council scheduled for January 3, 2012 will not be convened.
Councilwoman Moore moved the Council recess to Closed, Executive Session for the Purpose of a Discussion regarding the Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance, or Dismissal of the City Manager; seconded by Councilman Foster, and on call of the roll, Councilmen Moore, Ray, Dawson, Foster, Laegeler, McDaniel, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Following Closed, Executive Session the meeting was reopened to the public.
There being no further business, Councilwoman Ray moved the meeting be adjourned; seconded by Councilwoman Moore, and on call of the roll, Councilmen Moore, Ray, Dawson, Foster, Laegeler, McDaniel, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. The Mayor declared the meeting adjourned at 6:32 P.M.
Celeste F. Harris, City Clerk
Approved: December 19, 2011