City of Assumption City Council met March 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 Christian County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Jim Baker, Ron Legner from Chastain and Associates, Reg Ankrom from SIMEC, Eric Stanley, Felicia King, Bob Bantner, Joyce Throneburg, J.A. Lacharite, Dan Davis, John Holthaus, Julie Holthaus, Rob Bridgman, Lynn Zuber, Mike Creamer and Jake Zambaldi from Moran and Associates.
Council Member Burgess, seconded by Council Member Nelsen, made a motion to approve the minutes of February 1, 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 Smith, 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:
No comments on agenda items.
Communications from the Mayor:
Mayor Page reminded the public April 4, 2023 is election day and encouraged everyone to vote.
There was a townhall meeting with Representative Brad Halbrook and Senator Steve McClure on February 27 in Taylorville at the Public Library regarding some items with IDOT.
Mayor Page also noted they are working on a grant for a daycare that is coming to Assumption.
Mayor Page informed the council there is a sewer pump that needed replaced at GSI and we do not have a cost for the repair yet.
Communications from the City Attorney:
Attorney Stephen Hedinger will work on the process for 326 N Poplar. Pictures will be sent to the attorney.
The deed for the property at 315 N St John is ready to be signed over to the new owner.
712 E Illinois property – The new owner has requested they have until October to demolish the house. They are moving back to town in May. Attorney Stephen Hedinger will write up the contract for the new owner to sign with the completion date of October.
Attorney Stephen Hedinger updated the council on the Attorney General and the issue should be resolved for the nitrate violation by submitting payment of $800.00 unless they ask for interest due to late payment.
The paperwork for the purchase of the land for the water plant will be updated and ready soon.
The FOIA had filed an amended complaint and a motion to dismiss will be filed. Communications from the Treasurer:
CD # Invested at Term_____ General 16432 $140,000.00 FNB Pana 6 month
Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Sullivan, made a motion to renew General CD 16432 for $140,000.00. Motion carried with Alderpersons Nelsen, Smith, Reed, Walden, Sullivan and Burgess voting aye and 0 nays.
Communications from the Alderpersons:
There was discussion regarding the fine for the nitrate violation.
Under New Business:
Reg Ankrom from SIMEC gave an update on the electrical aggregation. The electrical aggregation was suspended last year since prices were higher and Ameren was the lower rate. A new contract has been signed by Mayor Page with Homefield for July 2023 thru July 2024. The rate is .08 kw. The fees for transmission will bring the Homefield rate to .11.3 kw and Ameren is at .12.2kw currently. Reg noted that closing coal fired plants have caused rates to increase. A news release will be coming in the near future and also opt out cards if you choose to stay with your current supplier. Reg reminded everyone to visit the website pluginillinois.org for rates.
The Assumption Fest will be held August 17 thru August 19, 2023. The City of Assumption provides $1,000.00 for advertising. Council Member Reed, seconded by Council Member Smith, made a motion to approve August 17—19, 2023 for the Assumption Fest and to pay $1,000.00 for advertising. Motion carried with Alderpersons Smith, Walden, Burgess, Sullivan, Reed and Nelsen voting aye and 0 nays.
The audit engagement letter from Lively, Mathias, Hooper and Noblet was presented. Council Member Burgess, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to approve the audit engagement letter from LMHN. Motion carried with Alderpersons Sullivan, Reed, Smith, Burgess, Nelsen and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.
The payment for the Garwood lease for the wells is due. Council Member Walden, seconded by Council Member, made a motion to approve payment of $2,200 for the Garwood lease for the wells. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Sullivan, Smith, Reed, Nelsen and Burgess voting aye and 0 nays.
2 trees at 301 N Hickory have split and need to be removed. Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Burgess, made a motion to approve the removal of 2 trees at 301 N Hickory for $800.00. Motion carried with Alderpersons Nelsen, Smith, Walden, Sullivan and Burgess voting aye and 0 nays. Reed abstained.
A resolution for $45,000.00 for Motor Fuel Tax was presented. Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Burgess, made a motion to approve Resolution 2023-2 for MFT for $45,000.00. Motion carried with Alderpersons Smith, Walden, Burgess, Sullivan, Reed and Nelsen voting aye and 0 nays.
An amendment to the police handbook was discussed regarding the hiring of an officer and also the residency requirement needs updated in the handbook as well. The officer would be full time as soon as he is sworn in. Council Member Sullivan, seconded by Council Member Reed, made a motion to approve the amendment to the police handbook for the hiring of an officer and also adding the residency requirement to the handbook. Motion carried with Walden, Sullivan, Smith, Reed, Nelsen and Burgess voting aye and 0 nays.
Mayor Page discussed whether the council would like to add more holidays for the employees to observe. The holidays would be Martin Luther King, President’s Day, Juneteenth, Columbus and General Election day. Council Member Sullivan, seconded by Nelsen, made a motion to add Martin Luther King, President’s Day, Juneteenth, Columbus Day and General Election Day to the approved holidays for employees. Motion carried with Alderpersons Nelsen, Smith, Reed, Walden, Sullivan and Burgess voting aye and 0 nays.
Jetting for approximately $2,500.00 will be done at GSI with leftover COVID money. Council Member Smith, seconded by Council Member Burgess, made a motion to approve the cost of jetting for $2,500.00 at GSI with ARPA funds. Motion carried with Alderpersons Reed, Smith, Walden, Burgess, Nelsen and Sullivan voting aye and 0 nays.
The disbursement for Division A (Nitrate) is $22,615.00 for Burdick invoice. Council Member Walden, seconded by Nelsen, made a motion to approve payment of $22,615.00 for Division A (Nitrate) for Burdick invoice. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Sullivan, Smith, Reed, Nelsen and Burgess voting aye and 0 nays.
The disbursement for Division B2 (Watermain) is $3,981.91 for Burdick invoice. Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Burgess, made a motion to approve payment of $3,981.91 for Division B2 for Burdick invoice. Motion carried with Alderpersons Smith, Walden, Burgess, Sullivan, Reed and Nelsen voting aye and 0 nays.
The disbursement for Division B1 (Lead Service) is $36,444.51 for Burdick invoice. Council Member Smith, seconded by Council Member Burgess, made a motion to approve payment of $36,444.51 for Burdick invoice. Motion carried with Alderpersons Sullivan, Reed, Smith, Burgess, Nelsen and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.
A change order deduct for Division A for Nitrate is -$42,600.00. Council Member Burgess, seconded by Council Member Nelsen made a motion to approve the change order deduct for -$42,600.00 for Division A Nitrate. Motion carried with Alderpersons Reed, Smith, Walden, Burgess, Nelsen and Sullivan voting aye and 0 nays.
The Nitrate Project needs an extension of 65 days to February 12, 2023. Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Burgess, made the motion to approve the extension of 65 days to February 12, 2023 for the Nitrate Project. Motion carried with Alderpersons Nelsen, Smith, Reed, Walden, Sullivan and Burgess voting aye and 0 nays.
A change order deduct for Division B2 for the Watermain is -$8,978.15. Council Member Walden, seconded by Nelsen, made the motion to approve the change order deduct for -$8,978.15 for the Division B2 Watermain. Motion carried with Sullivan, Reed, Smith, Burgess, Nelsen and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.
An extension for the watermain project until February 12, 2023 to add 65 days is needed. Council Member Burgess, seconded by Council Member Nelsen, made the motion to approve an extension for the watermain project until February 12, 2023 adding 65 days to the project. Motion carried with Alderpersons Burgess, Nelsen, Reed, Smith, Sullivan and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.
A change order deduct for Division B1 for lead service is -$41,784.40. Council Member Reed, seconded by Council Member Walden, made the motion to approve the change order deduct for Division B1 for lead service of -$41.784.40. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Sullivan, Smith, Reed, Nelsen and Burgess voting aye and 0 nays.
An extension for 65 days is needed for the lead services project to extend the project to February 12, 2023. Council Member Burgess, seconded by Council Member Sullivan, made a motion to approve the extension of the lead service project by 65 days to
February 12, 2023. Motion carried with Alderpersons Smith, Walden, Burgess, Sullivan, Reed and Nelsen voting aye and 0 nays.
Engineer Ron Legner updated the council on the Sanitary Sewer Phase 2. Televising has been completed and manholes are working on being approved. The lift station is being fabricated.
The Water Plant grant forms have been completed and will be turned in online.
Mayor Page noted there is money left from the CBDG fund and the parameters on spending it is very small. Mayor Page would like Engineer Ron Legner to look over the information.
Public Comments:
Christian County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Jim Baker informed the audience he is here to connect with the community. He is looking to build a relationship with Assumption and offering backup when we are short an officer or need extra help or extra patrols.
Jake from Moran and Associates went over the results of the feasibility study. The study found that the amended area qualifies due to deterioration, inadequate utilities and stagnant or declining property values. The feasibility study found that conditions that qualify it as a combination of a conservation area and blighted areas. Jake also reviewed the maps. The next step would be to approve at the next meeting in April and to move forward if council approves.
The public commented they want to see the town grow and now would be a good time to move forward.
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.
Council Member Walden, seconded by Council Member Sullivan, made a motion to approve the City Council minutes of March 1, 2023. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Sullivan, Smith, Reed, Nelsen and Burgess voting aye and 0 nays.
https://cityofassumption.org/documents/397/3-_March_2023.doc.pdf
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