City of West Frankfort City Council met May 23.
Here is the minutes as provided by the council:
1. MAYOR JORDAN CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M. REQUESTING A ROLL CALL. ALL COMMISSIONERS WERE IN ATTENDANCE, ALONG WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY AND CITY CLERK.
2. MAYOR JORDAN ASKED FOR APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE MAY 9, 2017 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING COMMISSIONER HARKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SIMPSON ROLL CALL VOTE: ALL COMMISSIONERS AND MAYOR JORDAN VOTED TO APPROVE MOTION CARRIED.
3. MAYOR JORDAN NEXT ASKED FOR APPROVAL TO PAY CITY BILLS AND PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $778,948.53. THE MAYOR STATED IF YOU WILL LOOK AT THE FIRST TWO ITEMS ON THE BILLS WE TRANSFERRED MONEY FROM THE REAL ESTATE TAXES TO THE PENSION FUND FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT$275,095.95 AND $208,041.23 TO THE FIREMEN PENSION. WE DIDN'T ACTUALLY SPEND THAT MONEY WE JUST MOVED IT FROM OUR REVENUE TO THE PROPER FUNDS. COMMISSIONER SIMPSON MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CHAMBERS. ROLL CALL VOTE: ALL COMMISSIONERS AND MAYOR JORDAN VOTED TO APPROVE MOTION CARRIED.
4. THE NEXT ITEM WAS APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE LATERAL HIRE OF A POLICE OFFICER FOR THE CITY OF WEST FRANKFORT. THE MAYOR STATED WE HAVE A RESOLUTION HERE TO HIRE NICHOLAS GAINS. NICK HAS BEEN EMPLOYED WITH THE CITY SINCE JANUARY ON A TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT. WE INTERVIEWED HM YESTERDAY AND THINK THIS GENTLEMAN HAS DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB WITH US COMMISSIONER HARKINS STATED IT WAS A PRIVILEGE TO SIT IN ON THE MEETING AND IT WAS A GOOD MEETING. IT IS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON OUR FORCE AND I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT OUR CHIEF HIGHLY RECOMMENDED YOU AND LEAN ON THAT A LOT THINK HE KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING AND I AM GLAD TO HAVE YOU ABOARD. COMMISSIONER HARKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BLADES, ROLL CALL VOTE: ALL COMMISSIONERS AND MAYOR JORDAN VOTED TO APPROVE. MOTION CARRIED.
5. THE NEXT ITEM WAS APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF WEST FRANKFORT TO ENTER INTO AREAL ESTATE PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH EDWARD AND TWILA KINCAID. THE MAYOR STATED THIS IS THE PROPERTY BEHIND THE MALL WE RECENTLY PURCHASED 17.5 ACRES BEHIND THE MALL FROM DAVID WALLACE. THIS IS A 1 ACRE PLOT ON THE SE CORNER OF THE INTERSECTION OF STRAWBERRY MEADOWS ROAD AND FACTORY OUTLET DRIVE WE HAD THIS PROPERTY APPRAISED AND THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE PROPERTY IS $60,000.00 AND APPRAISED AT $66,000.00. BY PURCHASING THIS WE WILL OWN THAT ENTIRE SECTION FROM 149 BACK TO THE TREE LINE ON THE DAVID WALLACE PROPERTY. COMMISSIONER SIMPSON MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HARKINS, ROLL CALL VOTE: ALL COMMISSIONERS AND MAYOR JORDAN VOTED TO APPROVE MOTION CARRIED,
6. THE NEXT ITEM WAS APPROVAL TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY ENGINEERS, BROWN & ROBERTS, TO PREPARE PLANS TO REPAIR A SIDEWALK ON S. GRAND AND E. MAN STREET. THE MAYOR STATED IT IS THE SOUTH EAST CORNER THERE THAT HAS A BAD SIDEWALK. MIKE ROBERTS AND WENT AND LOOKED AT IT AND DECIDED WHAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND WE NEED TO START THE PROCESS OF ENGINEERING FOR REPLACEMENT OF THIS SIDEWALK. IT WILL INVOLVE REMOVAL OF A TREE THAT HAS GROWN ONTO THE CITY PROPERTY. MIKE ROBERTS STATED THIS SIDEWALKS VERY CHALLENGING TO MAKE IT ADA ACCESSIBLE THERE IS GOING TO BE RAMPING AND RETAINING WALLS INVOLVED. COMMISSIONER CHAMBERS STATED THE ISSUE IS THAT THE SIDEWALKS IN HORRIBLE SHAPE AND ANYTIME WE REPLACE A SIDEWALK WE HAVE TO PUT IT BACK ADA COMPLIANT IT IS A TRICKY LOCATION WE ARE RIGHT AT THE TOP OF THE HILL ON GRAND STREET. IT IS A HIGH TRAFFIC AREA,THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WALK TO CASEY'S FROM THE EAST SIDE OF TOWN AND FROM THE WEST WALKING TO THE HEIGHT'S MARKET COMMISSIONER CHAMBERS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SIMPSON. ROLL CALL VOTE: ALL COMMISSIONERS AND MAYOR JORDAN VOTED TO APPROVE MOTION CARRIED.
7. THE NEXT ITEM WAS DISCUSSION, WITH POSSIBLE ACTION, REGARDING REPAIRS TO THE BOAT DOCK AT THE CITY OF WEST FRANKFORT NEW LAKE, THE MAYOR STATED THE DOCK WAS RUINED IN THE FLOODING THAT WE HAD. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME DISCUSSION AS FAR AS WHAT YOU GUYS WOULD LIKE TO DO ABOUT THE DOCK. WE HAVE TO REPAIR IT THE ISSUE SHOW WE WILL GO ABOUT IT AND WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO. WE CAN HAVE IT CHECK OUT TO SEE FIT CAN BE REBUILT, OR WE CAN BUY A FLOATING DOCK. I CAN GET SOME ESTIMATES TOGETHER ON WHAT IT WOULD COST TO REPLACE THE DOCK AND WHAT A FLOATING DOCK OF THE SAME SIZE WOULD BE. THIS MATTER WAS TABLED.
8. THE NEXT ITEM WAS DISCUSSION, WITH POSSIBLE ACTION, REGARDING A REQUEST FOR A NEW STOP SIGN AT THE CORNER OF GRAND AND POPLAR. COMMISSIONER CHAMBERS STATED THIS IS NORTH BOUND GRAND AND IT COMES TO AT INTERSECTION WITH POPLAR STREET. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM AREA BECAUSE THERE IS A HOUSE RIGHT AT THE T AND PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT IT S A DEAD END AND END UP RIGHT IN HIS YARD, HE HAS ASKED FOR A STOP SIGN AT THE INTERSECTION SO CHIEF IRWIN WENT AND LOOKED AT IT AND RECOMMENDED THAT AS WELL CHIEF IRWIN STATED THINK A STOP SIGN WOULD BE YOUR MOST EFFECTIVE OPTION COST WISE THERE IS NOT A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC THERE, BUT THINK THE ISSUE IS PEOPLE MAKE A WRONG TURN THERE. COMMISSIONER CHAMBERS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HARKINS, ROLL CALL VOTE: ALL COMMISSIONERS AND MAYOR JORDAN VOTED TO APPROVE MOTION CARRIED.
9. THE NEXT ITEM WAS DISCUSSION, WITH POSSIBLE ACTION, REGARDING THE PURCHASE OF A MOWER FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAINTAINING CITY PROPERTIES. THE MAYOR STATED WE HAVE A USED LAWN MOWER FROM BEN'S LAWN SERVICE IT IS A TRACE IN 52 INCH SKAGG ZERO TURN AND THE PRICE IS $2,500.00. WE HAVE PUT ON AN INDIVIDUAL TO WORK IN THE SUMMER FOR THREE MONTHS AND HE WILL MOW THE WATER TOWERS, OUR LOTS AND ANYTHING WE NEED MOWED. AT TIME IN THE PAST WE HAVE PAID UP TO $5,000.00 A MONTH FOR MOWING SO THIS WILL SAVE ON THAT. COMMISSIONER CHAMBERS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SIMPSON ROLL CALL VOTE: ALL COMMISSIONERS AND MAYOR JORDAN VOTED TO APPROVE MOTION CARRIED.
10.THE NEXT ITEM WAS APPROVAL FOR PAYMENT OF A CONTRACTOR'S PARTIAL PAY ESTIMATE #13 TO MIDWEST PETROLEUM & EXCAVATING, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $197,483.79 REGARDING THE SEWER TREATMENT PLANT RETROFIT PROJECT COMMISSIONER BLADES MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SIMPSON. ROLL CALL VOTE: ALL COMMISSIONERS AND MAYOR JORDAN VOTED TO APPROVE MOTION CARRIED
11. THE NEXT ITEM WAS APPROVAL FOR PAYMENT OF A CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING BILL #13 FOR BROWN & ROBERTS, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $19,590.83 REGARDING THE SEWER TREATMENT PLANT RETROFIT PROJECT. COMMISSIONER BLADES MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CHAMBERS. ROLL CALL VOTE: ALL COMMISSIONERS AND MAYOR JORDAN VOTED TO APPROVE MOTION CARRIED
12. THE NEXT ITEM WAS APPROVAL FOR PAYMENT OF AN INVOICE FROM SOUTHERN ILLINOIS CRIMINAL JUSTICE TRAINING PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,000.00 FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. COMMISSIONER HARKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BLADES, ROLL CALL VOTE: ALL COMMISSIONERS AND MAYOR JORDAN VOTED TO APPROVE MOTION CARRIED
13. THE NEXT ITEM WAS APPROVAL FOR PAYMENT OF AN INVOICE FROM BRENNTAG IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,549.00 FOR THE SEWER DEPARTMENT. THE MAYOR STATED THIS IS FOR CHLORINE AT THE SEWER PLANT. COMMISSIONER BLADES MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CHAMBERS. ROLL CALL VOTE: ALL COMMISSIONERS AND MAYOR JORDAN VOTED TO APPROVE MOTION CARRIED
14. THE NEXT ITEM WAS APPROVAL FOR TLC THERAPY CENTER TO HOLD A ROADBLOCK ON JUNE 3, 2017 FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 4:00 P.M. AT THE INTERSECTION OF ROUTE 149 AND HIGHWAY 37. COMMISSIONER CHAMBERS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BLADES. ROLL CALL VOTE: ALL COMMISSIONERS AND MAYOR JORDAN VOTED TO APPROVE MOTION CARRIED
15. THE NEXT ITEM WAS APPROVAL FOR THE LION'S CLUB TO HOLD A ROAD BLOCK ON JUNE 9, 2017 FROM 4:00 P.M. TO 6:00 P.M. AND JUNE 10, 2017 FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 2:00 P.M. AT THE INTERSECTION OD ROUTE 149 AND HIGHWAY 37. COMMISSIONER BLADES MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CHAMBERS. ROLL CALL VOTE: ALL COMMISSIONERS AND MAYOR JORDAN VOTED TO APPROVE MOTION CARRIED
16. BUILDING AND SIGN PERMITS:
BRUCE AND BRENDA MCCLAREN WOULD LIKE THEIR BUILDING PERMIT REQUEST FOR A 20 X 24 ADDITION TO THE BACK OF THEIR GARAGE APPROVED. COMMISSIONER HARKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BLADES. ROLL CALL VOTE: ALL COMMISSIONERS AND MAYOR JORDAN VOTED TO APPROVE MOTION CARRIED
17. MAYOR'S REPORT:
THE MAYOR STATED WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE RANDALL FROM THE RELAY FOR LIFE. RANDALL STATED FRANKLIN COUNTY RELAY FOR LIFE IS GOING TO HAPPEN JUNE 10 AT 4:00- 10:00 AT THE CIVIC CENTER IN BENTON. IT IS A GREAT EVENT I AM A VOLUNTEER AND HAVE BEEN FOR EIGHT YEARS NOW. IT MAKES ME FEEL SO GOOD BECAUSE KNOW THE FUNDS WE RAISE COME BACK TO OUR PEOPLE HERE THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY IS THE LARGEST NON GOVERNMENTAL FUNDER OF RESEARCH. WE HAVE SOME NEW ACTIVITIES THIS YEAR SO YOU SHOULD COME OUT AND SEE IT. WE CELEBRATE THE DONORS AND CARE GIVERS AND HONOR THE ONES WE HAVE LOST. IT IS OUR CHANCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE SO URGE YOU ALL TO COME OUT AND HELP US DOT.
18. COMMISSIONER'S REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER HARKINS STATED I AM GLAD TO HAVE OFFICER GAINES.
COMMISSIONER SIMPSON STATED I AM GLAD WE HAVE ANOTHER POLICE OFFICER ON THE FORCE. WE ARE TRYING TO GET OUR POLICE FORCE UP TO THE LEVEL THAT OUR CHIEF BELIEVES THEY NEED TO BE TO PROVIDE SAFETY FOR THE CITIZENS OF WEST FRANKFORT. ADDING SOMEONE WHO IS ALREADY EXPERIENCED IS ALWAYS GOOD.
COMMISSIONER CHAMBERS STATED IT IS MOTOR FUEL TAX TIME AND ROGER HAS BEEN WORKING ON SIDEWALKS THAT WILL BE REPAIRED. HAVE PRIORITIZED THE LIST BY THE ONES THAT ARE DANGEROUS AND HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOCATIONS FOR US TO LOOK AT TO GET IN CONTACT WITH US SO WE CAN DO THAT.
19.AUDIENCE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS:
WHAT DOES THE NEW HIRE ON THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BRING THE FORCE UP TO NOW? CHIEF IRWIN STATED 15. WHAT WAS THE OFFICERS PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE? CHIEF IRWIN STATED HE CAME TO US FROM THE MT. VERNON POLICE DEPARTMENT WITH 11 YEARS EXPERIENCE.
DON STATED FROM MY BROTHER AND SISTER LIONS WE THANK YOU FOR THE PARTICIPATION OF FLAG DAY. AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE CITY WORKERS FOR ANOTHER GOOD OLD KING COAL FESTIVAL
IT IS A PLEASURE TO COME BEFORE YOU WHEN DRIVE DOWN MAIN STREET I NOTICE THE BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS. I COME TO SPEAK TO YOU, MOVED HERE IN 2001 AND SHORTLY AFTER THAT WAS TOLD ILLINOIS AVE WAS THIRD FOR IMPROVEMENT DOWN TO THE SCHOOL I HAVE BEEN PATIENTLY WAITING AND NOW UNDERSTAND IT IS NOW OFF THE AGENDA. WHEN FOUND THAT OUT RECENTLY FROM PEOPLE DOWN THE STREET WE ARE ALL CONCERNED. IT IS VERY MUCH NEEDED AND WAS SURPRISED TO HEART IS NOT ON THE LIST ANYMORE THE MAYOR STATED OUR ENGINEERING FIRM IS HERE AND WE HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT YOU ARE SPEAKING AT THE RIGHT PLACE BECAUSE OUR CITY ENGINEERS ARE HERE ALONG WITH OUR STREET COMMISSIONER TARA FASOL CHAMBERS AND OUR STREET DEPARTMENT SUPERINTENDENT ALONG WITH OUR POLICE CHEF SO ALL OF THIS IS BEING HEARD.AS FAR AS THERE BEING ANY KIND OF A PROJECT ON ILLINOIS AVENUE I DON'T KNOW OF ANYTHING IN THE LAST SIX YEARS THAT HAS BEEN SQUASHED OR THAT WE HAVE BEGAN. IT HAS NOT BEEN ON OUR RADAR. COMMISSIONER CHAMBERS STATED MAYBE SOMEONE TOLD YOU IT WAS ON OUR MOTOR FUEL TAX LIST TO BE OIL AND CHIPPED. THE GENTLEMAN STATED NO IT WAS A COMMISSIONER FROM THIS COUNCIL THAT TOLD ME THAT THE MAYOR STATED WHICH ONE TOLD YOU THAT THE GENTLEMAN STATED HE IS NO LONGER HERE THE MAYOR STATED SINCE WE HAVE BEEN HERE I HAVE NEVER HEARD THAT DISCUSSED, BUT WE WOULD BE GLAD TO TAKE UP ANY SITUATION THAT YOU HAVE THERE AND LOOK INTO T. THE GENTLEMAN STATED THERE NEEDS TO BE A SIDEWALK THERE MANY YOUNG PEOPLE WALKING DOWN THE STREET AND ON BICYCLES. THERE ARE MANY KIDS THAT WAIT THERE FOR A BUS AND THE CARS DRIVE FAST COMMISSIONER CHAMBERS STATED WE WILL CHECK IT OUT. WILL GIVE YOU MY CONTACT INFORMATION.
20. WITH NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO BE DISCUSSED, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED ON A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER HARKINS AT 7:47 P.M.
http://www.westfrankfort-il.com/web_files/forms/May%2023,%202017.pdf
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