City of Greenville City Council met May 12.
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 May regular council meeting by remote participation via conference call line and livestreamed on the city’s Facebook page.
Call to Order: The regular meeting of the Greenville City Council was called to order on Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 7:01 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 Attorney Patrick Schaufelberger and City
Manager Dave Willey – Remote Participation The pledge of allegiance to the United States flag was recited.
Citizen Input: With no comments, citizen input was closed.
CONSENT AGENDA: Approval of minutes of the April 14, 2020 Regular Council Meeting, April 29, 2020 Special Council Meeting;
Financial Statements for April 2020;
Approval of Accounts Payable totaling $262,955.09;
Approval of Administrative Reports of the Police Department, Public Works, Sewer and Water Departments, Building Permits, Code Enforcement Report, and Police Pension Annual Report;
Record Items – None.
LP Gas Energy Contract: With the annual contract expiring, three vendors submitted bids for LP gas. The low bid, of $0.949 per gallon, was received from Ferrellgas to supply LP gas from June 1, 2020 through May 31, 2021.
ESRI Small Government Software: Renewal of ESRI software for city GIS System. This is a three year proposal, with an annual cost of $11,000.
A.B.A.T.E. National Motorcycle Awareness Month Proclamation: Proclamation proclaiming May 2020 as Motorcycle Awareness month in the City of Greenville. Mayor Gaffner urged all motorists to improve safety and awareness on the roadways.
National Public Works Week Proclamation: Proclamation proclaiming May 17th – 23rd National Public Works week in recognition of the integral role public works services routinely provide citizens.
National Nurse’s Week Proclamation: Proclamation proclaiming May 6th – May 12th as Nurse’s Week in recognition of the invaluable service that nurses provide, especially during these extraordinary times.
Approval of Consent Agenda: Motion by Stephens, seconded by Littlefield, to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Ayes: Stephens, Littlefield, Carpenter, Heath, Gaffner
Nays: None
Motion carried.
COVID-19 Relief: Mayor Gaffner indicated that the hotel owners made a request for property tax relief or abatement in light of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the hotel industry. City Manager Willey reported that he had sought counsel from Attorney Stewart Diamond, with Ancel Glink, who advised that the City cannot take action to individually abate property taxes for specific businesses.
City Manager Willey reported that numerous city and county businesses have received state and federal funds related to coronavirus aid programs. While many have received assistance, there exist a segment who have been ineligible for assistance. Economic Development Coordinator Bill Walker proposed a zero-interest signature loan program with a maximum loan amount of $5,000 for businesses, such as sole proprietorships, who have been ineligible for other funding. Total program would be capped at $50,000 from the revolving loan fund. Motion by Carpenter, seconded by Stephens, to approve the business assistance program concept as outlined, and for staff to finalize and implement.
Ayes: Carpenter, Stephens, Heath, Littlefield, Gaffner
Nays: None
Motion carried.
Credit Card Payment Fee: Mayor Gaffner stated that a resident had reached out to him about the convenience fee being charged on credit card payments, and that he was in favor of waiving credit card fees on utility payments. Staff reviewed the payment options available to residents, and the majority of payments do not have convenience fees. Other council members were not in favor of changing responsibility of credit card convenience frees from the customer to the city.
Consumer Price Index Water and Sewer Rate Adjustment: Staff presented the utility rate adjustments to be effective May 1, 2020. Rates are automatically adjusted annually by 80% of the Consumer Price Index change. Consumer price index increased causing a rate increase of 1.23% effective May 1, 2020.
Fiscal Year 2021 Budget: At the April 29th special council meeting, fiscal year 2021 budget was presented to the council. Mayor Gaffner requested that there be time for questions and input from the council and community. Council discussed employee wages, which includes a 2.5% increase in the budget, with the consensus to not adjust the budget and non-represented wages would be brought back at a later date for consideration. Discussion ensued regarding the uncertainty of Fourth Fest fireworks event, it remained in the budget for the full $10,000, but was noted that if the event is cancelled the City will only pay for the amount paid to date which is $5,000 for the down payment. Mayor Gaffner advocated for the addition of green slats in the chain-link fence for the new lift stations, at an additional cost of $9,610, which is already included in the budget. The fencing and slats will require council approval at a later date to proceed. Motion by Gaffner, seconded by Stephens, to approve fiscal year 2021 budget as presented.
Ayes: Gaffner, Stephens, Carpenter, Heath, Littlefield
Nays: None
Motion carried.
Creekside Community Brew Liquor License Request: Following the Executive Order by Governor Pritzker, the Illinois Liquor Commission issued guidance that a license holder of an on-premise liquor license may sell alcoholic liquor for consumption off-premise with authorization by the local liquor commission, and as long as the license holder abides by off-premise sales rules including selling of alcoholic liquor in the original container. The authorization for on-premise only retailer “to go” or delivery privileges remain effective throughout the duration of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation. At its conclusion, the license holder will be strictly held to their on-premise only privilege. Motion by Gaffner, seconded by Carpenter, to authorize Creekside Community Brew to sell alcoholic liquor for consumption off-premise as outlined by the Illinois Liquor Commission.
Ayes: Gaffner, Carpenter, Heath, Littlefield, Stephens
Nays: None
Motion carried.
Appointments to Boards and Commissions: None.
Old Business: City Manager Willey provided an update on the Second Street patio project.
New Business: Mayor Gaffner, City Attorney Schaufelberger and City Manager Willey addressed questions submitted by those viewing on Facebook regarding why some businesses are open and some are not, and when the city/county will re-open. Mayor Gaffner detailed the work being done by the Community work group and put into context the many issues facing the city, county and residents.
Date of Special Meeting: A special council meeting will be scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. for a public hearing for businesses applying for Downstate Small Business Stabilization Grant.
Adjournment: At 8:56 p.m., moved by Littlefield, seconded by Stephens, to adjourn the regular meeting.
Ayes: Littlefield, Stephens, Carpenter, Heath, Gaffner
Nays: None
Motion carried.
https://www.greenvilleillinois.com/vertical/sites/%7B382DB13D-0E42-49D4-A2B1-62539157C275%7D/uploads/May12_2020.pdf
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