South Central Reporter

City of Assumption City Council met Feb. 1.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

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

Roll call was answered by Alderpersons Sue Burgess, Gary Nelsen, Selena Reed, Kandy Smith, Travis Sullivan and Donny Walden. Also present were Mayor Derek Page, Attorney Stephen Hedinger, Police Chief Brian Wade, Treasurer Angel Palmer and City Clerk Janet Waller.

Present in the audience was Felicia King, Stephanie Brown from Chastain and Associates, Joyce Throneburg, Dan Davis, John Holthaus, Tom Dooley, Mike Corzine, Ross Workman, Conner Bridgman, Brice Griesemer, Lynn Zuber and Jake Zambaldi from Moran and Associates.

Council Member Smith, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to approve the minutes of January 4, 2023 Council Meeting. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Sullivan, Smith, Reed, Nelsen and Burgess voting aye and 0 nays.

Approval of Bills:

Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Sullivan, made a motion to approve the payment of bills as they appear on the Warrant Sheets. Motion carried with Alderpersons Burgess, Nelsen, Reed, Smith, Sullivan and Walden voting aye.

Public Comments on Agenda Items:

Police Chief Wade addressed an issue with the council regarding paying the new officer. Chief Wade noted we are legally obligated to pay the employee and the council needs to support our employees.

Communications from the Mayor:

CTI will be starting work in the next 2 weeks in Assumption.

Everyone is reminded not to flush wipes as it causes sewer issues. WCIA will be in Assumption the week of July 30.

Mayor Page thanked the employees for the snow removal.

Mayor Page would like the attorney to start the process for 326 N Poplar. Communications from the City Attorney:

Attorney Stephen Hedinger updated the council on the Attorney General and the issue could be resolved for the nitrate violation by submitting payment of $800.00.

The FOIA had filed an amended complaint and a motion to dismiss will be filed.

Attorney Stephen Hedinger noted there is no contractural business for the service bed since the paperwork is as is.

Communications from the Treasurer:

Council Member Burgess, seconded by Council Member Nelsen, made a motion to renew General CD 1212724 for $20,173.52. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Smith, Burgess, Nelsen, Reed and Sullivan voting aye and 0 nays.

Communications from the Alderpersons:

Alderperson Burgess noted the tree at the park was a hazard since it had split. Under New Business:

Mayor Page explained the recommendation by the IML for municipalities to support the TIF Increment Financing due to upcoming legislation. The IML is trying to protect the municipalities and TIF. Council Member Reed, seconded by Council Member Walden, made the motion to approve Resolution 2023-1 in support of the TIF. Motion carried with Alderpersons Sullivan, Reed, Smith, Walden, Burgess and Nelsen voting aye and 0 nays.

Jake Zambaldi from Moran and Associates gave an overview on the TIF and the potential for a subdivision. Jake explained to amend a TIF district there is a process to see if the potential land is eligible. If the land is eligible we would amend the plan and the TIF thru a process of steps. Jake explained that if the proposal goes as planned it will be successful and if it doesn’t work there will be debt obligations. The council has the discretion to decide whether to move forward or not. Jake noted the City is taking a risk being the developer. Other projects are developer driven and the City reimburses the developer. There are no guarantees and the discretion is up to the City Council to decide on whether to move forward or not.

Council Member Reed, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to approve the performance of Action #2 for the tax increment financing feasibility study by professional and consulting services Moran Economic Development. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Reed, Smith and Sullivan voting aye and Nelsen and Burgess voting nay.

Council Member Burgess, seconded by Nelsen, made the motion to reimburse GSI for the cost of the clean up of the retention pond for $4,800.00 from the TIF Fund. Motion carried with Alderpersons Reed, Sullivan, Nelsen and Burgess voting aye and Smith and Walden abstaining.

The council agreed to table the hiring of a contractor for the hauling of the spoils from retention pond until March, 2023.

An invoice for a tree removal at the park has been submitted. Council Member Sullivan, seconded by Council Member Nelsen, made a motion to approve payment for the removal of the tree from the park for $850.00 and $100.00 for stump removal for a prior tree removal. Motion carried with Alderpersons Burgess, Nelsen, Reed, Smith, Sullivan and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

The City would like to purchase rock to be used this summer on the roads for $12,000.00 before the cost of rock increases. Council Member Smith, seconded by Council Member Reed, made a motion to approve the purchase of rock for $12,000.00 from the MFT fund. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Sullivan, Smith, Reed, Nelsen and Burgess voting aye and 0 nays.

Mayor Page noted that it is in the handbook to pay the police employee for his insurance. The employee was sworn in on November 14, 2022. It was noted that we should respect Chief Wade’s request for his employees. Council Member Smith, seconded by Council Member Sullivan, made a motion to approve the payment of holidays and ride alongs for the new police employee Jackson Bugg. Motion carried with Alderpersons Smith, Burgess, Nelsen, Reed and Sullivan voting aye and Walden voting nay.

Sanitary Sewer Phase 2 for the leafland lift station drawings have been approved.

Phase 2 Water main and lead service line replacements are waiting for the IEPA construction permit. Possibly advertising in the near future once those are returned.

Stephanie Brown from Chastain and Associates gave an update on the Water Plant. The paperwork is still waiting for approval for the finalization of the grant funding.

Mayor Page noted the City did have a meeting with Chastain and Associates on February 13, 2023.

Public Comments:

Council Member Burgess, seconded by Council Member Smith, made a motion to adjourn at 8:05pm. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Smith, Burgess, Nelsen, Reed and Sullivan voting aye and 0 nays.

____________________

Derek Page

Mayor

____________________

Janet Waller

City Clerk

Council Member Burgess, seconded by Council Member Nelsen, made a motion to approve the February 1, 2023 City Council Minutes at the March 1, 2023 City Council Meeting. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Sullivan, Smith, Reed, Nelsen and Burgess voting aye and 0 nays.

https://cityofassumption.org/documents/397/2-_February_2023.doc.pdf