The Eureka City Council convened in regular session at the Cerf Center on the Eureka College Campus on April 21, 2008, at 7:30 p.m. following a reception from 6:30 to 7:30. 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 Hinthorne, Prather, Waters, V. Punke, Kupfer, Zeltwanger, and Hinnen. Also in attendance were Marilyn Walter, City Clerk; Anne Sandvik, City Administrator; and Chief Al Misener. Alderman Meares, Treasurer Lynn Hinnen, and Director of Public Works Jim Lehman were absent.
Moved by Hinnen, second by Hinthorne, to approve the minutes of the April 7, 2008, regular meeting of the City Council. Passed on roll call vote with Hinnen, 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 Kupfer, to approve and pay the bills as the City’s obligation in the amount of $45,252.71. Passed on roll call vote with Waters, Kupfer, Hinthorne, Prather, V. Punke, Zeltwanger, and Hinnen all voting Aye.
Moved by Hinthorne, second by V. Punke, to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented for the month ending March 31, 2008. Passed on roll call vote with Hinthorne, V. Punke, Prather, Waters, Kupfer, Zeltwanger, and Hinnen all voting Aye.
Moved by Hinnen, second by V. Punke, to approve the recommendation of the Administration Committee to continue the Mediacom franchise agreement for a three percent franchise fee for five years. Mediacom is the cable television provider for the City. Passed on roll call vote with Hinnen, V. Punke, Hinthorne, Prather, Waters, Kupfer, and Zeltwanger all voting Aye.
Moved by Hinnen, second by Zeltwanger, to approve the recommendation from the Administration Committee to give Mayor Punke the authorization to lock in a rate for electric service on behalf of the City when the rates are at or below the current contract price. The Council reserves the right to determine the number of years for the extension of the electric provider contract. Passed on roll call vote with Hinnen, Zeltwanger, Hinthorne, Prather, Waters, V. Punke, and Kupfer all voting Aye.
Moved by V. Punke, second by Hinnen, to approve the hiring of Ronald Brinker as a part-time police officer to fill a vacated position under the Eureka College contract. Chief gave some background information about Mr. Brinker. Passed on roll call vote with V. Punke, Hinnen, Hinthorne, Prather, Waters, Kupfer, and Zeltwanger all voting Aye.
Moved by V. Punke, second by Zeltwanger, to decline the Intergovernmental Agreement for Animal Control Services with Woodford County as recommended by the Public Safety Committee. Passed on roll call vote with V. Punke, Zeltwanger, Hinthorne, Prather, Waters, Kupfer, and Hinnen all voting Aye.
Moved by Hinnen, second by Prather, to approve the use of $4,500 of the $8,000 that was budgeted in fiscal year 07-08 for Improvement Reserves to purchase the engineered wood fiber to be used as the playground ground cover at the Lake. This will be purchased out of this year’s budget and stored until needed. Passed on roll call vote with Hinnen, Prather, Hinthorne, Waters, V. Punke, Kupfer, and Zeltwanger all voting Aye.
Moved by Hinnen, second by V. Punke, to approve the purchase of playground equipment from Illinois at Play in the amount of $37,987 budgeted in fiscal year 08-09. This will replace the iron play set with monkey bars and the tall metal slide at the Upper Park. The assembly of the equipment was discussed. Passed on roll call vote with Hinnen, V. Punke,Hinthorne, Prather, Waters, Kupfer, and Zeltwanger all voting Aye.
Moved by Waters, second by V. Punke, to approve the Mayor’s appointments of management employees—Chief of Police Al Misener, Director of Public Works Jim Lehman, Acting City Administrator Anne Sandvik, Water Superintendent Al Jacobsgaard, Sewer Superintendent Doug Eastman. These appointments are effective May 1, 2008 through April 30, 2009. Passed on roll call vote with Hinthorne, Waters, V. Punke, Prather, Kupfer, Zeltwanger, and Hinnen all voting Aye.
Moved by Hinnen, second by Hinthorne, to approve the contract with Melrose Pyrotechnics for the 4th of July celebration as recommended by the Park Committee. The contract is for $11,000 worth of fireworks. Passed on roll call vote with Hinnen, Hinthorne, Prather, Waters, V. Punke, Kupfer, and Zeltwanger all voting Aye.
Moved by Hinnen, second by V. Punke, to approve the purchase of $3,000 worth of rock to place around the perimeter of the Lake out of this 07-08 Park Budget, line item Maintenance of Grounds, as recommended by the Park Committee. The Mayor explained that part of this rock is to protect the trees at the very edge of the water. The $4,000 budgeted for 08-09 for this rock is to complete the project around the Lake. Passed on roll call vote with Hinnen, V. Punke, Hinthorne, Prather, Waters, Kupfer, and Zeltwanger all voting Aye.
Moved by Hinnen, second by Kupfer, to approve the water and sewer write-off list for Fiscal Year 07-08 in the amount of $289.73 for water billed and $201.29 for sewer billed. This write-off totals $491.02 in unpaid accounts—.000382 percent of total sales. The staff, especially J.J., was commended for a good job of collecting the bills for water and sewer throughout the year. Passed on roll call vote with Hinnen, Kupfer, Hinthorne, Prather, Waters, V. Punke, and Zeltwanger all voting Aye.
Committee Reports:
Chairman Waters of the Budget Committee: No report
Chairman Meares of the Administration and Personnel Committee: No report
Chairman Hinnen of the Enterprise Committee: No report
Chairman Waters of the Maintenance Committee: No report
Chairman V. Punke of the Public Safety Committee: No report
Chairman Hinnen of the Park and Recreation Committee: A meeting will be held on April 22 at 6:00 p.m. with each of the three engineering firms presenting information for 20 or so minute each concerning the feasibility study for a municipal pool.
Chairman Kupfer of the Economic Development Committee: No report
Chairman Mayor Punke of the Liquor Committee: No report
Chair Hinthorne of the Communications Committee: Hinthorne has asked the Maintenance Committee to discuss possible pickup of unsold items after the city-wide garage sale on May 17.
New Business: None
Public Comments: None
There being no further business to come before the Council the meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
____________________________
Marilyn Walter, City Clerk
