The Eureka City Council convened in regular session at the City Building on February 5, 2007, at 7:30 p.m. Mayor Scott Punke called the meeting to order and led The Pledge of Allegiance and then directed the City Clerk to call the roll. Present were Aldermen Hinnen, V. Punke, Eckert, Chambliss, Waters, Meares, and Weidner. Alderman Hangaratner was absent. Also in attendance were Lynn Hinnen, Treasurer; Marilyn Walter, City Clerk; and Anne Sandvik, City Administrator; Jim Lehman, Public Works Director; and Chief Al Misener.
Moved by Hinnen, second by Meares, to approve the minutes of the January 15, 2007, regular meeting of the City Council. Passed on roll call vote with Hinnen, Meares, V. Punke, Eckert, Chambliss, 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 Meares, to approve and pay the bills as the City’s obligation in the amount of $84,453.53. Passed on roll call vote with Weidner, Meares, Hinnen, V. Punke, Eckert, Chambliss, and Waters all voting Aye.
Moved by V. Punke, second by Meares, to approve Proclamation P-07-01 proclaiming February 2007 as Scouting Appreciation month in Eureka. Passed on roll call vote with V. Punke, Meares, Weidner, Hinnen, Eckert, Chambliss, and Waters all voting Aye.
Moved by Hinnen, second by V. Punke, to approve the recommendation from the Planning Commission to approve the request from Ernest Knecht to plat 2.91 acres on Mount Zion Road. Passed on roll call vote with Hinnen, V. Punke, Weidner, Eckert, Chambliss, Waters, and Meares all voting Aye.
Moved by Meares, second by Hinnen, to approve the recommendation from the Administration Committee to approve Ordinance 07-02 amending Ordinance 06-03, Section 8.2 Part-Time Employee, paragraph 8.2.11 The City of Eureka “Part-Time Wage Schedule”, with the adoption of the revised Attachment “A: for wages paid by the City of Eureka under the Standard Policies and Procedure Manual. Passed on roll call vote with Meares, Hinnen, Weidner, V. Punke, Eckert, Chambliss, and Waters all voting Aye.
Moved by Meares, second by V. Punke, to approve the recommendation from the Administration Committee to approve the full-time Non-Contractual Pay Schedule effective May 1, 2007 which includes a fifty-eight cent ($.58) per hour increase in Step 5 for Police Sergeants. Passed on roll call vote with Meares, V. Punke, Weidner, Hinnen, Eckert, Chambliss, and Waters all voting Aye.
Moved by Meares, second by Chambliss, to approve the recommendation from the Administration Committee to approve the following pay increases: 3.5% for Police Sergeants and 4%-5% for Management which includes Administrator, Water Superintendent, Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent, Police Chief, and Director of Public Works. Passed on roll call vote with Meares, Chambliss, Weidner, Hinnen, V. Punke, Eckert, and Waters all voting Aye.
Moved by Meares, second by Hinnen, to approve the recommendation from the Administration Committee to approve a 5% increase for the part-time police and the crossing guards. The additional cost to the City will be approximately $300 for this increase.. Passed on roll call vote with Meares, Hinnen, Weidner, V. Punke, Eckert, Chambliss, Waters, and all voting Aye.
Moved by Meares, second by Eckert, to approve the recommendation from the Liquor Commission to approve a Class B liquor license for MKM Oil Inc. dba Eureka BP Fast and Fresh. Passed on roll call vote with Meares, Eckert, Weidner, Hinnen, V. Punke, and Chambliss all voting Aye and Waters voting Nay.
Committee Reports:
Chairman Chambliss of the Budget Committee: Committees will be meeting this month to go over their budgets. The final budget will be presented to the Council on April 2.
Chairman Meares of the Administration and Personnel Committee: The work of this committee is reported in the items above.
Chairman Weidner of the Enterprise Committee: Several problems with the Water and Wastewater Treatment plants have happened this past week with the extreme cold. Ameren Cilco had a problem as well at this point. The heater in the garage in the Water Plant had to be replaced.
Chairman Waters of the Public Safety Committee: Troubles with four cars were reported this week. Also the new computer software has caused problems.
New Business: Scott attended the meeting concerning the Eastern Bypass around Peoria on Saturday. This could benefit Eureka economically. There are many agricultural concerns with this bypass.
Public Comments: Mary Faupel, Scout Leader, asked the Mayor to explain the operation of the Council to the seven Scouts in the audience. Lew March, Scout Leader, thanked the Council for their support and the money for purchasing some of the flags that are displayed in the City on appropriate holidays. Alderman Hinnen thanked the Scout Leaders for their leadership and dedication to the young men in scouting.
Mary Hutson asked the Mayor to summarize the “state of the City” address that he gave to Rotary last Tuesday. Chambliss commended Tom Weidner for his work as Chair of the Enterprise Committee and getting the City in good position with the water repairs and the different developments in Eureka.
There being no further business to come before the Council the meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
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Marilyn Walter, City Clerk
