City of Fairfield City Council met Oct. 22.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Meeting called to order by Mayor Brent Maguire at 6:00 P.M.
Prayer led by Mayor Maguire followed by the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
City Clerk Tina Hutchcraft called the roll:
Mayor: Brent Maguire
City Clerk: Tina Hutchcraft
City Treasurer: Julie Duncan
City Attorney: Darrin Rice
Aldermen: Ralph Barbre; Brett Coale; Jim Griffith; Tyler Lampley; Eugene McGill; Jerry Lisenbee; Terry Stahl; Gary Moore
Also Present: David Mills, Wayne County Press; Ken Otey, WFIW Radio; Andrew Miller, Fire Chief; Keith Colclasure, Police Chief; Silas Eckleberry, Assistant Police Chief; Dian Downs; Tyler Lashbrook, Electric Department; Kevin Leonard, Water Distribution; Mike Podolsky; Flo Simpson; and other citizens from the community.
The minutes of the meeting of October 8, 2019, agendas and bills of October 22, 2019 were sent out to those entitled to receive them. Mayor Maguire asked for approval of the minutes for the October 8, 2019 meeting. Motion by Alderman Stahl, seconded by Alderman Moore to approve the minutes of the meeting of October 8, 2019.
Vote yes: Stahl; Barbre; Coale; Griffith; Lampley; Lisenbee; McGill; Moore
Vote no: none
Mayor Maguire declared motion carried.
Mayor Maguire asked for approval to pay the bills for the October 22, 2019 meeting. A motion was made by Alderman Barbre, seconded by Alderman Lampley to approve the bills for payment.
Vote yes: Barbre; Coale; Griffith; Lampley; Lisenbee; McGill; Moore; Stahl
Vote no: none
Mayor Maguire declared motion carried.
Public Comments – Mike Podolsky distributed a book to each Council member entitled “Our Towns”. It is about a couple that traveled the country visiting many different communities. They found communities that had gone through problems and how those communities had identified their strengths and weaknesses and then reinvented their communities. He encouraged the Council to read the book.
Discussion Concerning an Ordinance Allowing a Special Exception for the Letting of Rooms on a Daily/Nightly Basis in Residential Zoning Districts – At the last meeting the Council discussed a zoning request to allow the letting of rooms on a daily/nightly basis. The Mayor stated that it was the consensus of the Council to not change the zoning but to consider a proposed ordinance that would allow a special exception for short term rentals in all of the residential zoning districts (R-1, R-2, and R-3). Each homeowner would have to apply for this special exception. Mayor Maguire asked the Council to review the proposed ordinance. The Zoning Board will be holding a public hearing concerning this special exception and then the City Council will also hold a public hearing on this issue as well. The public hearing will be held prior to our next Council meeting.
Approval of Purchasing Command Vehicle for the Fire Department – Fire Chief Andrew Miller provided information to the Council regarding the proposed purchase of a command vehicle for his department. The proposed vehicle is a 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe. A question was asked about what would happen with the vehicle the Fire Chief is currently driving. It was an old Crown Vic from the auxiliary police and Chief Colclasure stated if that vehicle was given back to his department it would most likely be used by the School Resource Officer. There was a brief discussion about possibly just selling this vehicle or the airport courtesy car. Mayor Maguire stated that we could discuss the sale of these vehicles at a later time. Alderman Barbre made a motion to purchase the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe in the amount of $21,700 for the fire department. This motion was seconded by Alderman Moore.
Vote yes: Coale; Griffith; Lampley; Lisenbee; McGill; Moore; Stahl; Barbre
Vote no: none
Mayor Maguire declared motion carried.
Ordinance No. 19-1022-187/Risk Management Insurance – The Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association submitted a bid for our risk management insurance. Mayor Maguire recommended Option #3. We would be able to pay in two installments and the total cost would be $274,753.65. This amount is the same as last year and it includes a 1% installment fee. Alderman Griffith made a motion, seconded by Alderman Lampley to approve Ordinance No. 19-1022-187 authorizing the execution of the IMLRMA Minimum/Maximum Contribution Agreement.
Vote yes: Griffith; Lampley; Lisenbee; McGill; Moore; Stahl; Barbre; Coale
Vote no: none
Mayor Maguire declared motion carried and Ordinance No. 19-1022-187 approved and duly adopted.
Ordinance No. 19-1022-188/Amendment to Ordinance No. 860 Allowing Parking on NW 3rd Street from Main to Court – The Victorian on Main has asked the Council to repeal or amend Ordinance No. 860 to provide additional parking for their patrons. That ordinance didn’t allow parking along the eastside of NW 3rd Street. This amendment would allow parking on NW 3rd Street between West Main and West Court. A motion was made by Alderman Coale, seconded by Alderman Stahl to approve this amendment.
Vote yes: Lampley; Lisenbee; McGill; Moore; Stahl; Barbre; Coale; Griffith
Vote no: none
Mayor Maguire declared motion carried and Ordinance No. 19-1022-188 approved and duly adopted.
Update of Ordinance Review Process – Mayor Maguire discussed the ordinance review that the department heads are in the process of completing. This is being done before we roll out the municipal court next May. The suggested changes to the ordinances are supposed to be turned in to the Mayor by November 1. Mayor Maguire will then meet with the Collections and Legislative committee to start reviewing the proposed changes before sending them to the attorney for review.
Update of Roofing Project at City Hall – The business doing the roof repairs is waiting on delivery of materials. The work should begin next Monday. Completion time for this work should be one to two weeks. Brent Ellis has started the prep work on the south exterior wall and once the roofing project is complete he will finish priming and painting that wall.
Governor’s Pension Consolidation Feasibility Task Force Issues Report – There is proposed legislation that will be presented to the General Assembly for consolidation of the state’s more than 650 downstate police and fire pensions. They are claiming the reason for this consolidation is to be able to get a higher return on the money that is invested than smaller funds could get. Local boards are still supposed to have control on awards and disability. Our pensions, like many other communities, are currently underfunded. It is unclear at this time how this will impact the City.
Appointing New TIF Committee – Mayor Maguire is forming a new TIF Committee. Those appointed to the committee are Brett Coale, Chairman, Tyler Lampley, and Gary Moore. The major duties of that committee are: formulate the TIF budget for the City’s appropriations; review and determine the correct amount of surplus; and review each proposal for any redevelopment agreements that might be requested. In the past those requests were handled through the economic development commission but will now be handled by the TIF Committee before being presented to the Council for consideration.
Line of Credit from Fairfield National Bank – After meeting with BHMG engineers concerning the electrical problems we have, they have recommended we obtain a line of credit of $1,000,000 from our bank. This determination was based on their review of our audit in respect to our cash flow. Their concern is that the City does not have the cash on hand to pay for any major repairs that might occur. The interest rate will be 4.5% but as long as we do not draw from the line of credit, there is no interest charged. We will only be charged interest for the time we have an outstanding balance. Fairfield National Bank has already approved this line of credit. Mayor Maguire asked the Council to approve an agreement with FNB to obtain this line of credit. This line of credit will only be used for emergency issues with the electric system that would require major capital expenditures that we do not have cash on hand to deal with. The use of this money would require Council approval. A motion was made by Alderman Stahl, seconded by Alderman Barbre to approve securing a line of credit with Fairfield National Bank.
Vote yes: Barbre; Coale; Griffith; Lampley; Moore; Stahl; Lisenbee; McGill
Vote no: none
Mayor Maguire declared motion carried.
Miscellaneous – Last week was the first mapping session for strategic planning for Fairfield. Around 45 community members were in attendance. Mayor Maguire invited any others who may be interested to join them at the next meeting.
Miscellaneous – The Fire Department Chili Supper will be Friday, October 25th.
Miscellaneous – Next Tuesday, a representative from Core Distinction will be in town and meet with Mayor Maguire regarding a hotel feasibility study. They will take a tour of Fairfield and conduct interviews with local residents and businesses so they can update the hotel feasibility study.
Miscellaneous – Alderman Stahl asked about the backup electric line to McLeansboro. Mayor Maguire stated that work has been completed. Mayor Maguire will also be meeting with IMEA and Wayne-White to discuss another backup option through Wayne-White in the event of an emergency.
Miscellaneous – Some residents in the 4th Ward have been notified by the United States Postal Service that they will no longer be delivering mail to the door because of a dog issue in that neighborhood. The residents must rent a post office box or put up a mail box by the road so the mail can be delivered by automobile. Alderman Moore stated that there is nothing the City Council can do concerning this issue. The post office has not called the police department when they have any dog issues in the past. Chief Colclasure has spoken with a representative with the post office and asked that any animal issues be reported to his office when they occur so they can be investigated.
Adjourn Meeting – Motion by Alderman Barbre, seconded by Alderman McGill to adjourn the meeting.
Vote yes: 8
Vote no: 0
Mayor Maguire declared meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
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