City of Litchfield City Council met Nov. 18.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The meeting was offered remotely due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Mayor Steven Dougherty called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Present on roll call were Alderpersons Dwayne Gerl, Marilyn Sisson, Mark Brown, Dave Hollo, Kassidy Paine, Tim Wright, Woodrow Street and Ray Kellenberger. The Mayor declared that a quorum was present.
Other Business:
Alderperson Gerl made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Brown to accept the minutes from the November 4, 2021 meeting.
The Mayor directed a roll call vote.
Aye: Gerl, Sisson, Hollo, Brown, Paine, Wright, Street, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Motion carried.
New Business:
Administration:
Alderperson Street made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Wright to approve the Insurance Renewals for December 1, 2021 to December 1, 2022 from ICRMT for commercial general liability, fleet, umbrella, various professional liabilities, and workers compensation coverages and inland marine overview and property from Cincinnati Insurance Company from January 1, 2022 to January 1, 2023 and Cyber liability coverage from US Risk from December 1, 2021 to December 1, 2022 as presented by Eric Braasch, Dimond Brothers Insurance, Inc., and authorize the Mayor to sign the renewals and the City Clerk to issue a check.
The Mayor directed a roll call vote.
Aye: Gerl, Sisson, Hollo, Brown, Paine, Wright, Street, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Motion carried.
Administration:
Alderperson Street made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Hollo to approve an Ordinance modifying the Lake marshal duties and authority.
The Mayor directed a roll call vote.
Aye: Gerl, Sisson, Hollo, Brown, Paine, Wright, Street, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Motion carried.
Tourism:
Alderperson Gerl made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Street to renew the advertising contract in the 2022 edition of the Route 66 Scenic Byways Visitor' s Guide in the amount of 1, 500 for a half page ad placed in the visitor' s guide and authorize the Mayor to sign the contract.
The Mayor directed a roll call vote.
Aye: Gerl, Sisson, Hollo, Brown, Paine, Wright, Street, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Motion carried.
Alderperson Paine made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Wright to approve the advertising contract with Terrain Magazine for an amount not to exceed $2,300 and authorize the Mayor to sign the contract.
The Mayor directed a roll call vote.
Aye: Gerl, Sisson, Hollo, Brown, Paine, Wright, Street, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Motion carried.
Police:
Alderperson Wright made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Kellenberger to approve the repair of a 2014 Ford Interceptor police squad car by Victory Lane Ford for$ 3, 588.26. The Mayor directed a roll call vote.
Aye: Gerl, Sisson, Hollo, Brown, Paine, Wright, Street, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Motion carried.
Economic Development:
Alderperson Kellenberger made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Street to approve the Track Lease Agreement for storage ofrail cars on the Dean Meier Litchfield Industrial Park Rail Spur with ABDW Logistics contingent upon legal counsel' s final approval.
The Mayor directed a roll call vote.
Aye: Gerl, Sisson, Hollo, Brown, Paine, Wright, Street, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Motion carried.
Building/Zoning:
Discussion was held regarding a request for a Special Use Permit for the property located at 710 W Kirkman for a glass repair shop. Mayor Dougherty explained that the request was taken to the Planning Commission and the request failed due to the lack of a second. He said that the Special
Use provision could be used for this purpose, but that there was no desire to rezone the property to C- 2 Commercial with no restrictions. City Administrator Flannery added that a previous request for storage units was proposed and was also turned down. Alderperson Hollo expressed concern over allowing commercial in residential areas, stating that if Special Use is allowed in this situation that every residential zone in town could also allow Special Use.
It was mentioned that with the original petitioner the entire neighborhood wanted either green space or residential. When the City sold the property to Coventry Homes for residential purpose, the City took a loss. Now Coventry has sold the property to the requester when the appeal for commercial use had already been turned down.
City Attorney Hantla explained that the requester had gone through the proper steps and notice to ask for a Special Use permit. Therefore, by default, that is the only valid option for the present meeting. He said the requester could come back in the future and ask for rezoning. He also stated that restrictions can be placed on Special Use; the Council could grant or deny the request or grant the request with restrictions.
Building Inspector Gary Baker stated that the Planning Commission had questions about an auto shop being attached to the glass repair shop. He said that the auto aspect raised concerns with neighbors. Baker felt that ifthe petition had been strictly for a glass repair shop that it would have passed.
Following discussion, the Mayor asked if anyone on the Council wished to make a motion. There was no motion and no action taken.
Executive Session:
Alderperson Brown made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Kellenberger to Enter into Executive Session, as allowed under the Illinois Open Meetings Act, as found in Chapter 5 ofthe Illinois Compiled Statutes, Section 120, to address these certain and restricted items:
1. " The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body..." (51LCS 120/2(2)(C)(1).
2. " The setting of a price for sale or lease ofproperty owned by the public body." (51LCS 120/2(2)(6)
The Mayor directed a roll call vote.
Aye: Gerl, Sisson, Hollo, Brown, Paine, Wright, Street, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Motion carried.
Executive Session was entered at 6: 59 p.m.
Alderperson Kellenberger made a motion seconded by Alderperson Wright to return to open session at 7:05 p.m.
The Mayor directed a roll call vote.
Aye: Gerl, Sisson, Hollo, Brown, Paine, Wright, Street, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Motion carried.
New Business:
Alderperson Gerl made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Hollo to provide $50 gift cards to full time and part time regular employees as a Holiday gift.
The Mayor directed a roll call vote.
Aye: Gerl, Sisson, Hollo, Brown, Paine, Wright, Street, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Motion carried.
Having no further business, Alderperson Gerl made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Kellenberger to adjourn the regular meeting of the Litchfield City Council. The Mayor called for a voice vote, motion carried, and the regular meeting adjourned at 7:07 p.m.
https://www.cityoflitchfieldil.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11182021-88
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