South Central Reporter

City of Assumption City Council met May 4.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the City Hall by Mayor Derek Page who led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll call was answered by Alderpersons Sue Burgess, Gary Nelsen, Selena Reed and Donny Walden. Alderperson Kandy Smith was remote. Also present were Mayor Derek Page, Attorney Gregory Moredock, Treasurer Angel Palmer, Water Employee Dana Owens and City Clerk Janet Waller.

Present in the audience was Mark Bingham from Chastain and Associates, Joyce Throneburg, Conner Bridgman, Sarah Myers, John Holthaus, Julie Holthaus, Jackie Robley, Tom Dooley, Kara Hubner, Marilyn Ashinhurst, Mike Corzine, Joe Mink, Bob Bantner, Sabrina and Rob Bridgman.

Absent was Alderperson Joe Cochran.

Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Reed, made a motion to allow Alderperson Kandy Smith via remote into the council meeting due to health reasons. Motion carried with Alderpersons Burgess, Nelsen, Reed and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 6, 2022 City Council Meeting. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Smith, Reed, Nelsen and Burgess voting aye and 0 nays.

Council Member Burgess, seconded by Council Member Nelsen, made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 21, 2022 Special Council Meeting. Motion carried with Alderpersons Smith, Reed, Nelsen, Burgess and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

Council Member Walden, seconded by Council Member Nelsen, made a motion to approve the payment of bills on the Warrant Sheets. Motion carried with Alderpersons Nelsen, Walden, Reed and Burgess voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Smith abstained.

Public Comments on Agenda Items:

None

Communications from the Mayor: 

Mayor Page has contacted Senator Durbin’s office and ILrequest@Senator.gov is a website to be used to request funding.

Mayor Page announced DJ’s on Chestnut is open and the food is great. Communications from the City Attorney: 

Attorney Moredock has been in contact with the owner of 112 N Locust. The contractor had underbid the demolition and the contract was to be redone in order to demolish the property.

The Leafland Pump Station landowner has been finalized and the attorney opinion has been completed for the EPA.

Attorney Moredock continues to work with the consent order for the nitrates. Communications from the Treasurer:

CD # Invested at Term_____ 

General 1212724 $20,173.52 FNB Pana 6 month 

RHG 1213217 $15,000.00 FNB Pana 6 month

Council Member Burgess, seconded by Council Member Walden made a motion to renew general CD 1212724 for $20,173.52 and RHG 1213217 for $15,000.00 at Treasurer’s discretion at best possible rate. No discussion. Motion carried with Alderperson Reed, Smith, Burgess, Nelsen and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

Communications from the Alderpersons: 

May 14th is the ACPA and City cleanup. Everyone is encouraged to participate.

Everyone is encouraged to sign up for the alerts on the city website at cityofassumption.org.

702 E Illinois needs to be addressed for the grass and weeds.

Under New Business:

Western Illinois is having a mapping meeting update at Kemmerer Village. The public was encouraged to attend the sessions. There is no charge. Meals will be served but you must register.

The Grow Assumption committee gave a presentation to the council and the public. The Grow Assumption committee is working on housing development. They would like the City to purchase land using TIF funds for a subdivision. A Special Meeting on May 25th will be held for a vote on purchasing land using TIF funds for a subdivision.

Mayor Page went over the tentative budget and the revenue for the fiscal year is projected to increase. Each department was given $18,000.00 in Covid funds from the American Rescue Act. The body cameras will be paid from the Covid funds. Alderperson Burgess would like to change the clothing allowance to all employees to $500.00. Mayor Page would like to keep it at $1,000.00 and watch it over the next year. Alderperson Burgess noted the police only get $1,000.00 for all the officers while the other employees each get $1,000.00. Other towns get the maximum of $500.00 allowance. Council Member Reed, seconded by Council Member Nelsen, made a motion to approve a tentative budget for 2022—2023. Motion carried with Alderpersons Smith, Walden, Reed and Nelsen voting aye and Alderperson Burgess voting no.

Mayor Page informed the council that the Zoning Board approved the reclassification of 416 E First from residential to commercial 2. A vacant house has been torn down on the lot. Council Member Burgess, seconded by Council Member Reed, made a motion to approve Ordinance 782 for the reclassification of 416 E First Street from residential to commercial 2. Motion carried with Alderpersons Nelsen, Walden, Reed, Burgess and Smith voting aye and 0 nays.

Attorney Moredock will work on the zoning map and notifications will be done in the near future along with a meeting. The City is trying to get the zoning map up to date with the actual use of the property.

The MFT resolution for $45,000.00 was presented to the council. Council Member Burgess, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to approve Resolution 2022-2 MFT $45,000.00. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Smith, Reed, Nelsen and Burgess voting aye and 0 nays.

Summer Recreation asked the City for reimbursement up to $500.00 for supplies. Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to reimburse expenses up to $500.00 for Summer Recreation. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Smith, Reed, Nelsen and Burgess voting aye and 0 nays.

The City has gone thru applications and would like to hire 1 summer helper at this time. Council Member Burgess, seconded by Council Member Nelsen, made a motion to hire Conner Rowcliff for minimum wage for the summer of 2022. Motion carried with Alderpersons Reed, Walden, Smith, Burgess and Nelsen voting aye and 0 nays.

A quote to reinstall fence at the park was received for $3,370.00 from General Fence Company. Council Member Reed, seconded by Council Member Burgess, made a motion to approve General Fence Company for $3,370.00. Motion carried with Alderpersons Burgess, Nelsen, Reed, Smith and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

Assumption Fest would like the City to contribute $1,000.00 for advertising. Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Reed, made a motion to approve the contribution of $1,000.00 for advertising for the Assumption Fest. Motion carried with Alderpersons Nelsen, Walden, Reed, Burgess and Smith voting aye and 0 nays.

Mayor Page informed the council regarding the condition of the ditch at 603 W First Street.

The City needs to purchase a flow meter chart recorder for $1,200.00. Council Member Walden, seconded by Council Member Nelsen, made a motion to approve the purchase of the flow meter chart recorder for $1,200.00. Motion carried with Alderpersons Nelsen, Walden, Reed, Smith and Burgess voting aye and 0 nays.

The cost to inspect both water towers are $2,400.00 by Pittsburg Tank and Tower Group. Council Member Burgess, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to approve the inspection of both water towers for $2,400.00 by Pittsburg Tank and Tower Group. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Smith, Reed, Nelsen and Burgess voting aye and 0 nays.

The ordinance for a water rate increase was presented. The rate will increase 3 percent every year for the next 5 years with an annual review. Council Member Walden, seconded by Council Member Nelsen, made a motion to approve Ordinance 783 water rate increase of 3% for the next 5 years with an annual review. Motion approved with Alderpersons Reed, Smith, Burgess, Nelsen and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

Mark Bingham gave an overview of the nitrate vessels. The vessels will be delivered in the near future. Mark would like the council to decide on whether or not to place the vessels in the old water plant or wait until the new plant. Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Walden, made the motion to allow the installation of the nitrate vessels in the old water plant as initially planned. Motion carried with Alderpersons Smith, Reed, Walden, Burgess and Nelsen voting aye and 0 nays.

The council discussed the concrete pavement at the intersection of East Samuel Street and Kemmerer and whether or not to have it replaced. Council Member Burgess, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to NOT replace the concrete at Samuel and Kemmerer Street (no work will be done). Motion carried with Alderpersons Burgess, Nelsen, Reed, Smith and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

The Sanitary Sewer Project Phase 1 is working on the punch list and will be done in the near future.

The Sanitary Sewer Project Phase 2 is working on the budgets and Mark informed the council the prices have gone up 30 to 50 percent. The costs have gone up significantly and maybe we should reach out to the Senator’s office for help and also look for other possible funding.

Water Project Phase 1 continues with the lead service replacements and the nitrate vessels.

Water Project Phase 2 is waiting on the US EPA for the next step. Costs have gone up over 30% and the council needs to be aware of the increased costs.

Mark updated the council on the Larochelle Project.

Council Member Burgess, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to go into Executive Closed Session for litigation at 8:50 pm. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Smith, Reed, Nelsen and Burgess voting aye and 0 nays.

Council Member Burgess, seconded by Council Member Reed, made a motion to go back into regular council at 8:55 pm. Motion carried with Alderpersons Burgess, Nelsen, Reed, Smith and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

No action taken.

The council questioned about a business that received TIF and would like the attorney to follow up on.

Public Comments: 

The public mentioned TIF and the City wanting to develop land in the past.

Council Member Burgess, seconded by Council Member Nelsen, made a motion to adjourn 8:58 pm. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Smith, Reed, Nelsen and Burgess voting aye and 0 nays.

https://cityofassumption.org/documents/397/5_-_May_2022.pdf