City of Centralia City Council met Oct. 26.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Per Senate Bill 2135, the City Council for Centralia, Illinois met via video conference. Mayor Williams called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Williams, Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Sauer, & Councilman Marshall (Mayor Williams was present at City Hall and all others attended remotely)
Absent: None
Staff Members Participating Physically at City Hall: Lowell Crow, City Manager; Bill Agee, City Treasurer, Gayla Harting, Community Development Director; and Kim Enke, City Clerk
Staff Members Participating Electronically: Luke Behme, City Attorney; Doug Gruenke, City Attorney; Katie Plutz, Assistant City Manager and Economic Development Director; Michelle Liggett, Finance Director; Jeff Schwartz, Public Works Director; Chief Dodson, Police Department; and Chief Lynch, Fire Department
PRAYER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Williams led the Pledge of Allegiance.
AMENDMENTS AND/OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
A proclamation for Ann Chappell Day was read by City Clerk Enke.
Vernell Burris provided comments in advance of the meeting to the City Clerk to be read during public participation. He requested that funds be provided for asphalt and paving in the North East portion of Centralia and also stated that he would like to know when the Council Meetings will be held in person.
CONSENT AGENDA
A Motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Sauer to Approve Items 1-4 of the Consent Agenda.
1. Approval Of The Minutes Of The October 13, 2020 City Council Meeting
2. Approval Of Payrolls And Vouchers In The Amount Of $ 810,707.51
3. Receive And Place On File The Monthly Treasurer’s Report As Of September 30, 2020
4. An Ordinance Waiving the Application of Chapter 12, Section 12-6 of the Centralia Municipal Code for 102
E. Broadway (Crooked Creek Winery Downtown) On Multiple Dates
Ayes: Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Sauer, Councilman Marshall, and Mayor Williams
Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
None
BIDS
There were not any bids submitted for the surplus properties located at 815 Arbor, 1834 Duck Lane, 416 N. Maple and 426 S. Pine.
ORDINANCES
A motion was made by Councilman Sauer and seconded by Councilman Smith to Approve An Ordinance Accepting The Bid And Approving An Agreement For The Sale Of Certain Real Estate By The City And Authorizing Said Sale- 404 N. Poplar.
Ayes: Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Sauer, Councilman Marshall, and Mayor Williams
Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
RECESS
A motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Jones To Recess The Meeting To Closed Session Under 5 ILCS 120/2(C)(2) Collective Negotiating Matters Between The Public Body And Its Employees Or Their Representatives, Or Deliberations Concerning Salary Schedules For One Or More Classes Of Employees
Ayes: Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Sauer, Councilman Marshall, and Mayor Williams
Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried and the meeting recessed to closed session at 6:13 p.m.
The meeting was reconvened at 7:05 p.m. by Mayor Herb Williams.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Williams, Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Sauer, & Councilman Marshall (Mayor Williams was present at City Hall and all others attended remotely)
Absent: None
Staff Members Participating Physically at City Hall: Lowell Crow, City Manager; Bill Agee, City Treasurer, Gayla Harting, Community Development Director; and Kim Enke, City Clerk
Staff Members Participating Electronically: Luke Behme, City Attorney; Doug Gruenke, City Attorney; Katie Plutz, Assistant City Manager and Economic Development Director; Michelle Liggett, Finance Director; Jeff Schwartz, Public Works Director; Chief Dodson, Police Department; and Chief Lynch, Fire Department
RESOLUTIONS
Councilman Jones thanked the City Attorney and City Manager for helping him understand the contract much better and the extra time was well worth it. A motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Sauer to Approve A Resolution To Accept The Collective Bargaining Agreement With The Illinois FOP Labor Council For Patrol Officers F.O.P Union #229.
Ayes: Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Sauer, and Mayor Williams
Nays: Councilman Marshall
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
Concerning the IMRF resolution, Councilman Jones asked what the additional cost to the city is, if any. The City Clerk stated that a definite cost cannot be determined due to it depending on who would apply and how much time they are buying back. She stated that there are a lot of factors that go into the cost. She stated that the employee pays the cost to buy it back. Councilman Jones asked if the city has to pay to match it, and City Clerk Enke stated that it is not a match but it could increase the rate of the city over a period of time depending on how much service credit is purchased by the employee. She also noted that the City already allows for two years to be bought back and this resolution will allow for up to 4 years. City Manager Crow stated that the local IMRF representative stated that the 4 year resolution has began to become the standard. He also noted that employees don’t have to buy 4 years, but can get estimates for 2 years or 4 years and then can buy any portion up to 4 years based on their military service. He stated that he received an estimate for himself and he would have to pay over $67,000 to buy 4 years and be paid in a lump sum. Councilman Jones asked how many people would qualify and City Manager Crow stated that there are at least 3 in Public Works and himself but it also is a tool for recruiting veterans. Councilman Sauer asked for clarification that the employee pays for the service credit. City Manager Crow explained that it is the cost of the employee, but the city would also have some cost similar to allowing the retiring employees to buy back vacation and sick time. He stated that the cost is also spread among the communities that they have worked in. A motion was made by Councilman Sauer and seconded by Councilman Smith to Approve A Resolution Allowing IMRF Service Credit For Military Service.
Ayes: Councilman Smith, Councilman Sauer, Councilman Marshall, and Mayor Williams Nays: Councilman Jones
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion.
OTHER BUSINESS
None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
REPORTS
City Manager Crow stated that the city received the first payment of cures act money and approved for the second payment. He stated that between the two payments the city will receive $500,000 once the state releases the checks.
Councilman Jones and Councilman Smith recognized Ann Chappell for her volunteer work over the years in the City and for the veterans.
Councilman Smith noted the spike in Covid-19 cases in the area.
Councilman Marshall stated that his no vote of the FOP agreement was due to the 12 hour shifts and that he didn’t have enough information on the MOU.
Mayor Williams noted all of the accomplishments and tremendous volunteer efforts of Ann Chappell. He also asked that at the next meeting, former CHS coach, Jeff Carling be recognized. He also thanked the City Manager for his work on the FOP labor agreement that has many positives for the city included in it.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Councilman Sauer and seconded by Councilman Smith To Adjourn The Meeting To Closed Session Under 5 ILCS 120/2(C)(2) Collective Negotiating Matters Between The Public Body And Its Employees Or Their Representatives, Or Deliberations Concerning Salary Schedules For One Or More Classes Of Employees, Under 5ILCS 120/2(C)(1) The Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance, Or Dismissal Of Specific Employees, Specific Individuals Who Serve As Independent Contractors In A Park, Recreational, Or Educational Setting, Or Specific Volunteers Of The Public Body Or Legal Counsel For The Public Body, Including Hearing Testimony On A Complaint Lodged Against An Employee, A Specific Individual Who Serves As An Independent Contractor In A Park, Recreational, Or Educational Setting, Or A Volunteer Of The Public Body Or Against Legal Counsel For The Public Body To Determine Its Validity, And Under 5 ILCS 120/2(C)(11) Litigation, When An Action Against, Affecting Or On Behalf Of The Particular Public Body Has Been Filed And Is Pending Before A Court Or Administrative Tribunal, Or When The Public Body Finds That An Action Is Probable Or Imminent.
Ayes: Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Sauer, Councilman Marshall, and Mayor Williams
Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
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