South Central Reporter

City of Bunker Hill City Council met Jan. 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, COUNCIL PRAYER: Mayor Chapman called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.

Present: Mayor John Chapman, Alderpersons David Schick, Julie West, Rick Girth, Glenn Bruckert, Carlos Arzuagas, City Clerk Heather Kraus, City Attorney Rick Verticchio, Chief of Police Zach Girth

Absent: Treasurer Lisa Webb

Gallery: Alderperson Chelsie Householder

2. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA:

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: CotW/Reg. Mtg. Min., Dec 13, 2023; CotW Min., Dec. 21; Special Mtg. Min., Dec. 28; Townhall Mtg. Min., Dec. 28

A. APPROVAL FOR FINANCIAL –December, 2023.

B. APPROVAL FOR WATER DEPARTMENT REPORTS –December, 2023

C. APPROVAL FOR TREASURER’S REPORTS –December, 2023

The motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented was made by Alderperson Bruckert and seconded by Alderperson Arzuagas.

Roll Call

Ayes: Schick, West, Girth, Bruckert, Arzuagas

Nays: None

Absent: Householder

Motion carried.

3. OLD BUSINESS: NONE

4. NEW BUSINESS:

A. Road Closures for Speed Demons: Mark Fliger requested road closures from Rt. 159 to Sumner St. every second Thursday from April to October of 2024 from 5:00 pm-8:30 pm for the Car Cruise Event. Alderperson Schick made the motion to approve the request as described and Alderperson Girth made the second.

Roll Call

Ayes: Schick, West, Girth, Bruckert, Arzuagas

Nays: None

Absent: Householder

Motion carried.

B. Color Fun Run: Lisa Allen requested permission to hold the Annual Wolf Ridge Color Fun Run on April 27th from 8:00 am-12:00 pm with April 28th from 2:00 pm-6 pm as a Rain Date. It will follow the regular route. Alderperson Girth made the motion to approve the request as described and Alderperson Arzuagas made the second.

Roll Call

Ayes: Schick, West, Girth, Bruckert, Arzuagas

Nays: None

Absent: Householder

Motion carried.

C. Dave Mullenix was not able to attend the meeting for his request.

D. Ken Patel was not able to attend the meeting for his request.

E. Approval of the FY 2023 Audit: Mark Vaughn presented the Annual Audit in which there were no significant findings presented to the Council. Mr. Vaughn made a point to commend Deputy Clerk Chris Corby for her excellent record keeping and the vast improvement since she began handling the City Accounts. Alderperson Bruckert made the motion to approve the Audit as presented with no changes. Alderperson Girth made the second.

Roll Call

Ayes: Schick, West, Girth, Bruckert, Arzuagas

Nays: None

Absent: Householder

Motion carried.

F. Locked Gates for the City Parks: The Council discussed installing gates to the City parks. The Council agreed that increased monitoring of the parks is required and the Police Department was charged with locking the gates from dusk to dawn should there be an increase in mischief in the parks. The Police Department will coordinate with the Public Works Department to provide access to the parks should they need to be locked. There was mention that there are lights at the back of the MWPark that need to be replaced.

G. Chief Girth presented Officer Sean Yates with a plaque commending his service. Officer Yates has done an excellent job of serving the community.

H. The Council discussed concerns about developers moving into the community to install large numbers of “tiny houses” within the City limits. Mayor Chapman and Treasurer Lisa Webb discussed what constitutes a tiny house and how that relates to existent ordinances about mobile homes. Some developers put them on a foundation and some developers bring in manufactured homes on temporary foundations. There are Codes (International Residential Code) that the City can adopt. Attorney Verticchio has been instructed to bring relevant proposals to regulate/restrict these types of housing to the next meeting.

I. The Council discussed concerns about a potential influx of migrants. The Council instructed Mr. Verticchio to bring relevant proposals to develop a plan concerning vagrancy in the City. The topic of residents living in campers in the city limits was also brought up. There are ordinances in place to address this issue and the Police have been instructed to proceed with dealing with the violations. Plans to address the issue will be considered at the next meeting.

5. EXECUTIVE REPORTS:

A. Public Works: The Warren St. pump station needs an emergency replacement to keep the station working. Mayor Chapman presented a bid from FloSystems to replace the pump for $13,239.00 plus labor and freight. As this is an emergency, receiving other bids was dispensed with. Alderperson Bruckert made the motion to accept the bid from FloSystems for $13,239.00 plus labor and freight due to the emergent nature of the repair to provide a backup pump for the station. Alderperson Schick made the second. Alderperson Schick asked that the installation be added to the work schedule upon receipt of the materials.

Roll Call

Ayes: Schick, West, Girth, Bruckert, Arzuagas

Nays: None

Absent: Householder

Motion carried.

A. Police Department: Chief Girth summarized his reports. 1,867 calls for the year; 391 warnings; 240 citations; 3 DUI’s this month.

B. City Clerk: The Clerk requested any certifications (SoEI, cybersecurity, and FIOA/OMA) be submitted as soon as possible. The Clerk also discussed approval of closed session minutes in light of the PAC decision about how to handle these minutes.

6. ATTORNY MATTERS: Mr. Verticchio gave a reminder that the arbitration will occur January 11.

7. COMMENTS FROM VISITORS: Three minute sessions for public comment are provided at this time.

8. ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION: None

9. ACTION AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION: None

10. ADJOURN: Alderperson Bruckert moved, seconded by Alderperson Arzuagas to adjourn the Regular Council Meeting of the City of Bunker Hill of January 10, 2024. Voice vote. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:58 pm.

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