South Central Reporter

By Kristine Gonzales-Abella

Sep 9, 2020

City of Greenville City Council met May 27.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Following the Executive Orders issued by Illinois Governor Pritzker limiting large gatherings and suspending the physical quorum requirement for public bodies, the City of Greenville held the April regular council meeting by remote participation via conference call line and livestreamed on the city’s Facebook page.

Call to Order:

A special meeting of the Greenville City Council was called to order on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at 7:02 p.m. by Mayor Alan Gaffner.

Roll Call:

Present: Mayor Alan Gaffner – Municipal Building Councilman Bill Carpenter, Councilman Mike Heath, Councilman Kyle Littlefield, and Councilwoman Lisa Stephens – Remote Participation

Also Present: City Clerk Sue Ann Nelson – Municipal Building City Manager Dave Willey and City Attorney Schaufelberger – Remote Participation

Pledge: The pledge of allegiance to the United States flag was recited.

Notice of Meeting: Notice of the special meeting having been given as provided by law, said meeting was called for consideration of the following agenda:

1) Roll Call

2) Pledge of Allegiance

3) Public Comment

4) Public Hearing for Downstate Small Business Stabilization application funded by Community Development Block Grant Funds to provide working capital for the benefit of PSN Inc. operating Red Carpet Inn in the amount of $25,000, and to provide working capital for the benefit of Greenville Hearing Center Inc.

5) Resolution of Support for Community Development Grant Program Grant in Support of PSN Inc. Operating Red Carpet Inn

6) Resolution of Support for Community Development Grant Program Grant in Support of Greenville Hearing Center Inc.

7) Greenville Public Library Curbside Service

8) COVID-19 Updates

9) Executive Session: Purchase of Real Estate, Section 2(c)(5); Sale of Real Estate, Section 2(c)(6); Personnel, Section 2 (c)(1-2); and Pending Litigation, Section 2(c)(11) of the Open Meetings Act

10) Wage Adjustment for Non-represented Hourly Employees

11) Employee Retirement Agreement

Public Comment: With no comments being expressed, public input was closed.

Public Hearing for Downstate Small Business Stabilization Grants: Public Hearing was opened at 7:02 p.m. by Mayor Gaffner and City Manager Willey.

The City of Greenville held a public hearing on May 27, 2020 at the Greenville Municipal Building on the proposed Downstate Small Business Stabilization application funded by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Due to COVID-19, it was conducted as a virtual hearing.

The public was informed that anyone desiring to express their views during the public hearing may do so either on the conference line by stating their name before making comment or by sending a comment on the City’s Facebook page where the meeting is being livestreamed.

On or about May 28, 2020, the City of Greenville intends to apply to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant from the State CDBG program. This program is funded by Title 1 of the federal Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended. The Downstate Small Business Stabilization Grant assists businesses through grants to successful applicants for 60 days of verifiable working capital up to a maximum of $25,000. The grant program requires application be made through the local government, then distributed to the requesting business that has been adversely affected by COVID-19. This public hearing specifically addressed the working capital needs for two businesses seeking grant funds.

A. PSN Inc. operating Red Carpet Inn

1. The amount of the request is $25,000 for working capital.

2. This grant funding would assist in paying employees, occupancy, utilities and other on-going monthly expense. Approximately 17%, or $4,200 would be for payroll and 83% or $20,800 for occupancy, utilities, insurance, etc.

3. The City of Greenville is dedicated to assist businesses that have been adversely affected by COVID-19 to remain open for the long-term in the community. City staff continues to work closely with businesses to identify potential programs and financial assistance offered by state and federal sources. The Mayor and City Council have approved utility relief assistance and motel tax reimbursement for the hospitality sector. The City will continue to monitor local businesses for additional assistance needed as a result of COVID-19.

4. The scope of the project is the future viability of the Red Carpet Inn. The coronavirus and stay at home order issued has had a significant negative impact on the Red Carpet Inn, causing occupancy rates to drop drastically. Request for funds is for working capital to pay employee and business expenses to keep the motel operating. The sustainability of the business is important to continue to employ local residents, bring travelers and guest to town for other economic opportunities and generate tax by overnight stays. The business has been granted Paycheck Protection Program funds of $4,393 and Illinois Hospitality Grant of $25,000. The requested DCEO grant funds are needed in addition to these funds and will not be used to cover the same expenses or during the same timeframe.

Mayor Gaffner announced that all persons participating in the hearing would now be given an opportunity to express their views for the proposed plan by the City of Greenville to submit an application for CDBG funds on behalf of Red Carpet Inn. No comments were made.

B. GreenvilleHearingCenter,Inc.

1. The amount of the request is $25,000 for working capital.

2. This grant funding would assist in paying employees,

occupancy, utilities and other on-going monthly expense. Approximately 27%, or $6,846 would be for payroll and 73% or $18,154 for occupancy, utilities, insurance, etc.

3. The City of Greenville is dedicated to assist businesses that have been adversely affected by COVID-19 to remain open for the long-term in the community. City staff continues to work closely with businesses to identify potential programs and financial assistance offered by state and federal sources. The Mayor and City Council has approved utility relief assistance for businesses. The City will continue to monitor local businesses for additional assistance needed as a result of COVID-19.

4. The scope of the project is the future viability of Greenville Hearing Center. The coronavirus and stay at home order issued has had a significant negative impact on Greenville Hearing Center, and the ability to generate revenue during this period. Request for funds is for working capital to pay employee and business expenses to keep the hearing center open. The sustainability of the business is important to continue to provide a valuable service to the community. The business has been granted Paycheck Protection Program funds of $8,637. The requested DCEO grant funds are needed in addition to these funds and will not be used to cover the same expenses or during the same timeframe.

Mayor Gaffner commented that the City Council fully supports application of CDBG grants for these businesses and encouraged other business to contact the City about making application.

With no further comments, the public hearing was closed at 7:15 p.m.

Resolution 2020-10

Resolution of Support for Community Development in Support of Red Carpet Inn:

Following review of business application information and a public hearing, motion by Stephens, seconded by Carpenter, to approve Resolution of Support to make application with DCEO for Downstate Small Business Stabilization Grant in support of PSN Inc. operating Red Carpet Inn for $25,000.

Ayes: Stephens, Carpenter, Heath, Littlefield, Gaffner

Nays: None

Motion carried

Resolution 2020-11

Resolution of Support for Community Development in Support of Greenville Hearing Center.: Following review of business application information and a public hearing, motion by Heath, seconded by Littlefield, to approve Resolution of Support to make application with DCEO for Downstate Small Business Stabilization Grant in support of Greenville Hearing Center Inc. for $25,000.

Ayes: Heath, Littlefield, Carpenter, Stephens, Gaffner

Nays: None

Motion carried

Greenville Public Library Curbside Service: Greenville Public Library Director Jo Keillor presented the plans for the Greenville Public Library to offer curbside service effective June 1st. Motion by Gaffner, seconded by Stephens, for commendation of support for Greenville Public Library curbside service.

Ayes: Gaffner, Stephens, Carpenter, Heath, Littlefield

Nays: None

Motion carried

COVID-19 Update: City Manager Willey reported tables will be provided by the City for restaurants who want to offer outdoor dining and do not have table and chairs that can be moved outside starting May 29th with Phase 3 of Illinois Restore.

Mayor Gaffner indicated following inquiry by Councilwoman Stephens he would like to reconsider the COVID loan program approved at the regular May meeting. Stephens expressed interest in modifying the program to include some grant funds. City Manager Willey suggested the existing program be modified to be a 50/50 loan and grant program. Motion by Stephens, seconded by Gaffner to modify the COVID loan program from strictly a loan program to a loan/grant program up to $5,000, with half of loan funds to be grant monies. The cap on the program would be up to the Revolving loan fund balance.

Ayes: Stephens, Gaffner, Carpenter, Heath, Littlefield

Nays: None

Motion carried

Adjourn to Executive Session: 12) At 7:58 p.m., motion by Stephens, seconded by Carpenter, to adjourn to Executive Session for discussion of Purchase of Real Estate, Section 2(c)(5); Sale of Real Estate, Section 2(c)(6); Personnel, Section 2 (c)(1-2); and Pending Litigation, Section 2(c)(11) of the Open Meetings Act.

Ayes: Stephens, Carpenter, Heath, Littlefield, Gaffner

Nays: None

Motion carried

Reconvene in Open Session: At 8:14 p.m., Mayor Gaffner reconvene the virtual special meeting in open session, with all council members present.

Non-represented Hourly Staff Wage Adjustment: Motion by Stephens, seconded by Littlefield, to approve six hourly employee wage increases who are not represented by collective bargaining unit. The increase is 2.5%, and in line with the increase on both union contracts.

Ayes: Stephens, Littlefield, Carpenter, Heath, Gaffner

Nays: None

Motion carried

Employee Retirement Agreement:

Motion by Carpenter, seconded by Heath, to approve retirement agreement with Becky Blackburn for her to retire effective June 12, 2020.

Ayes: Carpenter, Heath, Littlefield, Stephens, Gaffner

Nays: None

Motion carried

Adjourn: At 8:19 p.m., moved by Stephens, seconded by Littlefield, to adjourn the special council meeting.

Ayes: Stephens, Littlefield, Carpenter, Heath, Gaffner

Nays: None

Motion carried