The Eureka City Council convened in regular session at the City Building on April 7, 2008, 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 Meares, Hinthorne, Prather, Waters, V. Punke, Kupfer, Zeltwanger, and Hinnen. Also in attendance were Lynn Hinnen, Treasurer; Marilyn Walter, City Clerk; Jim Lehman, Director of Public Works; Chief Al Misener; and Anne Sandvik, City Administrator.

In the minutes of the March 17 meeting Hinthorne’s name must be removed in the vote in Paragraph 8 as she was absent. Moved by Hinnen, second by Meares, to approve the corrected minutes of the March 17, 2008, regular meeting of the City Council. Passed on roll call vote with Hinnen, Meares, Hinthorne, Prather, Waters, V. Punke, Kupfer, and Zeltwanger all voting Aye.

The Mayor asked for public comments on any action to be taken on Agenda items. There were none.

Moved by Waters, second by V. Punke, to approve and pay the bills for expenses of the City’s obligation in the amount of $90,712.71. Passed on roll call vote with Waters, V. Punke, Meares, Hinthorne, Prather, Zeltwanger, Kupfer, and Hinnen all voting Aye.

Moved by V. Punke, second by Meares, to approve the Public Safety and Administration Committees’ recommendation to hire Eric Luckey as full-time police officer to fill a vacated position on the City police force. Passed on roll call vote with V. Punke, Meares, Hinthorne, Prather, Waters, Kupfer, Zeltwanger, and Hinnen all voting Aye.

Moved by V. Punke, second by Meares, to approve the Public Safety and Administration Committees’ recommendation to hire Alex Collinge as full-time police officer with a start date of April 15 to fill a vacated position on the City police force. Passed on roll call vote with V. Punke, Meares, Hinthorne, Prather, Waters, Kupfer, Zeltwanger, and Hinnen all voting Aye.

Moved by Meares, second by Hinnen, to approve the Mayor’s proclamation P-08-01 proclaiming the month of April as Blue Bow Campaign Child Abuse Prevention Month in Eureka. Passed on roll call vote with Meares, Hinnen, Hinthorne, Prather, Waters, V. Punke, Kupfer, and Zeltwanger all voting Aye. The Child Advocacy Center will have an open house at their new office on Main Street in the Derer Building on April 15 from
2 to 5 p.m.

Committee Reports:

Chairman Waters of the Budget Committee:  No report

Chairman Meares of the Administration and Personnel Committee: This committee met tonight and will bring items for action at the next Council meeting.

Chairman Hinnen of the Enterprise Committee:  Next meeting is April 8 at 6:30 p.m.

Chairman Waters of the Maintenance Committee: Brush pickup started today and will continue this week until completed and depending on the weather.

Chairman V. Punke of the Public Safety Committee:  Next meeting is April 15 at 6:00 p.m.

Chairman Hinnen of the Park and Recreation Committee:  Two meetings have been scheduled—April 15 at
6:30 p.m. and April 22 at 6:00 p.m.

Chairman Kupfer of the Economic Development Committee:  No report

Chairman Mayor Punke of the Liquor Committee:  Mayor Punke attended the Town Hall CASA (Citizens Against Substance Abuse) meeting. There were approximately 40 people there but not as many parents as they had hoped. Two programs are coming soon with the police, County, CASA, Liquor Commission, etc. College students are volunteering to place stickers on the liquor and on the coolers at the three places in the City who have a liquor license. The sticker will give the penalty for underage drinking and fake IDs. The businesses in Eureka who have liquor licenses are required to attend a training session if it is held in our area and it will be this summer. The Mayor will get letters out about this training.

Chairperson Hinthorne of the Communications Committee: The laminated garage sale signs were put up in March. The Tug of War signs will be put up in April. The large garage sale signs at the four entrances to Eureka will go up soon. Scott painted these signs.

New Business:

Kupfer asked who is responsibility for lowering the speed limit on Rt. 117 south of town. The Mayor said that the Public Safety Committee would discuss the procedure and then send a letter to IDOT if their discussion warrants. Kupfer asked about the certification of the gas pumps in town. This is not done by the City but we will find out what procedures are taken by the station owners for State certification.

The City is holding a reception for Bill Schultz on Friday, April 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the County Annex Building. Bill has for years been a volunteer in setting up the sports events for the Eureka Youth Recreation Association.

On Friday, May 9, Eureka College will hold the first annual Eureka Conference on Economic Development from 11 to 2 with lunch provided. Dr. David Hamilton, Chair of Roosevelt University’s Department of Political Science and Pubic Administration, will be the speaker. He is gearing his information to this part of the State.

Public Comments or Questions: None

There being no further business to come before the Council the meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

____________________________

Marilyn Walter

City Clerk