The Eureka City Council convened in regular session at the City Building on May 15, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. Mayor Punke called the meeting to order and led The Pledge of Allegiance and then directed the City Clerk to call the roll. Present were Hinnen, V. Punke, Eckert, Chambliss, Waters, Meares, and Weidner. Also in attendance were Lynn Hinnen, Treasurer; Marilyn Walter, City Clerk; and Anne Sandvik, Acting City Administrator. Alderman Hangartner was absent.
Moved by Meares, second by Chambliss, to approve the minutes of the May 1, 2006, regular meeting of the City Council. Passed on roll call vote with Meares, Chambliss, Hinnen, V. Punke, Eckert, Waters, and Weidner all voting Aye.
The Mayor asked for public comments on any action to be taken on Agenda Items. There were none.
Moved by Weidner, second by Hinnen, to approve and pay the bills as the City’s obligation in the amount of $50,962.28. This amount was amended from the list of invoices when Meares asked that the payment to him in the amount of $16.89 from the Administration Department listing be removed. Passed on roll call vote with Weidner, Hinnen, V. Punke, Eckert, Chambliss, Waters, and Meares all voting Aye.
Moved by Chambliss, second by Meares, to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented for the month ending April 30, 2006. Passed on roll call vote Chambliss, Meares, Hinnen, V. Punke, Eckert, Waters, and Weidner all voting Aye.
Moved by Eckert, second by Meares, to consider the tabled presentation of the agreement with Melrose Pyrotechnics, Inc. to provide the fireworks with public liability and property damage coverage for the 4th of July fireworks display of an amount not to exceed the $10,000 budgeted. This item was tabled at the May 1 Council meeting with questions about the 15 percent fee for shooting off fireworks on a different day. This has been deleted from the contract. Passed on roll call vote with Eckert, Meares, Hinnen, V. Punke, Chambliss, Waters, and Weidner all voting Aye.
Moved by Meares, second by Weidner, to consider Ordinance 06-11 which ascertains the prevailing rate of wage for laborers, workmen, and mechanics employed in public works for the City. Passed on roll call vote with Hinnen, V. Punke, Eckert, Chambliss, Waters, Meares, and Weidner all voting Aye.
Moved by Eckert, second by Hinnen, to consider the recommendation from the Park Committee to approve Ordinance 06-12 amending Title 10 – Vehicles and Traffic, Chapter 10.46 – by adding 10.46.035 – Skateboards, Roller Skates, and Roller Blades Permitted Use – which allows skateboarders to use the trails and sidewalks leading to the new skateboard park—includes the Sunny Lane trail, the new sidewalk from Rt. 117 to the Lower Lake Road, and the trail from the Upper Lake Road to the Lower Lake Road. Passed on roll call vote with Eckert, Hinnen, V. Punke, Chambliss, Waters, Meares, and Weidner all voting Aye. The skateboarders have been asked to police themselves and to show consideration to walkers, bikers, and vehicles on these trails and roadways.
Moved by Hinnen, second by V. Punke, to consider the recommendation from the Economic Development Committee to approve Cornerstone Restaurant as a qualifying business for the City to commit Motor Fuel Tax funds to the turn lane into West Side Business Park. Passed on roll call vote with Hinnen, V. Punke, Eckert, Chambliss, Waters, Meares, and Weidner all voting Aye.
Moved by Hinnen, second by V. Punke, to consider the recommendation from the Economic Development Committee to approve the quote from LawnScapes for $10,800 to replace nine (9) trees and grates in the downtown area. Passed on roll call vote with Hinnen, V. Punke, Eckert, Chambliss, Waters, Meares, and Weidner all voting Aye. Mr. Hinnen, Chair of the Economic Development Committee, reported that we didn’t have as many bids as the committee had hoped. Six requests for bids were sent out and only two were received.
Moved by Hinnen, second by Meares, to consider the recommendation from the Economic Development Committee to approve the quote from Getz Greenhouse for $1,000 to put trees and plants in the eleven (11) planters at the Rt. 24 and 117 intersection. Passed on roll call vote with Hinnen, Meares, V. Punke, Eckert, Chambliss, Waters, and Weidner all voting Aye. This quote includes a one-year guarantee. The City workers will maintain the plants after installation.
Moved by Meares, second by Eckert, to move into Executive Session pursuant to State Statute 5/ILCS 120/2a to review closed session minutes and impending litigation. Meares, Eckert, Hinnen, V. Punke, Chambliss, Waters, and Weidner all voted Aye.
Moved by Meares, second by Weidner, to reconvene from Executive Session. Hinnen, V. Punke, Eckert, Chambliss, Waters, Meares, and Weidner all answered roll call. Hangartner was absent.
Moved by Meares, second by Hinnen, to approve the recommendation from the Executive Session to release certain Executive Session Minutes dated from July 8, 2005 through April 30, 2006 or portions thereof that no longer require confidential treatment and make them available for public inspection. Passed on roll call vote with Meares, Hinnen, V. Punke, Eckert, Chambliss, Waters, and Weidner all voting Aye.
No decision was made concerning the impending litigation. A special City Council meeting will be held on Thursday, May 18, at 5:00 p.m. to discuss the impending litigation agreement.
Committee Reports:
Chairman Chambliss of the Maintenance Committee: Chairman Chambliss noted that the City workers did a great job on the sidewalk from Rt. 117 to the Lower Park Road along Lake Road and saved the City at least $10,000. This is appreciated.
Chairman Eckert of the Park and Recreation Committee: A ground-breaking ceremony was held for the Skateboard Park on Saturday, May 6. The next Park Committee meeting will be on May 23 at 6:30 p.m.
Chairman Mayor Punke of the Liquor Committee: Last Friday Sergeant Shoemaker, Mayor Punke, Nancy Aldrich, and another woman held a teach-in at the Middle School on underage drinking. Bob Gold, principal, appreciated this.
New Business: A request for a Proclamation for Poppy Days was untimely for this Council meeting so the Mayor is sending a letter concerning this event scheduled for May 25 and 26 in Eureka.
There were no public comments.
There being no further business to come before the Council the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
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Marilyn Walter
City Clerk
