Chicago City Wire

City of Winchester City Council met May 6.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The Winchester City Council held their monthly meeting at City Hall relocated at 1 East Market St.

Mayor McIntire called the meeting to order at 7 pm with the following council in attendance: Lawrence Coultas, Terry Gregory, Bill Jacquot, Jeff Pittman, and City Clerk Brenda Robinson. Ron Bell was absent.

Also in attendance were George Lindsey, Police Chief; John Simmons, Supt. of Public Works; John Paul Coonrod, City Attorney; Carmen Ensinger, Scott County Times and Greg Hillis, Benton & Associates; Mike Hill, Scott County State's Attorney; Sandy Long and Wanda Cody.

MOTION: Terry Gregory moved and Lawrence Coultas seconded to pay bills as presented. Roll call resulted in all yeas Motion carried.

MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Jeff Pittman seconded to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes from the March meeting. Roll call resulted to all yeas. Motion carried.

MOTION: Lawrence Coultas moved and Bill Jacquot seconded to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes from the April meeting. Roll call resulted to all yeas. Motion carried.

John Paul Coonrod, City Attorney passed out minutes taken at a special meeting February 24, 2020 to discuss the $65,000 grant the city had applied for to renovate the new city hall.

Mayor McIntire introduced Sandy Long as a candidate for the new Alderwoman in Ward II. She will complete the term of Cathy Debold who resigned in March. Long is a lifelong resident of Scott County. She grew up in Merritt. She worked at Aldi's in Jacksonville & Collinsville. Returned to Scott County & worked in Springfield at a finance and mortgage company, and JC Penney's in Jacksonville. She is retired with 2 sons and 2 step-sons.

MOTION: Lawrence Coultas moved and Terry Gregory seconded to appoint Sandy Long as alderwoman in Ward II to replace Cathy Debold. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.

Brenda Robinson, City Clerk swore Sandy Long into the office of Alderwoman Ward II.

McIntire introduced Wanda Cody as a candidate for the new City Treasurer. Cody grew up in Jacksonville and graduated from Jacksonville High School. She married Paul Cody and they have six (6) children and twelve (12) grandchildren. She has her BS from MacMurray College in Business Management. She is employed at the Pike/Scott Farm Bureau in Pittsfield. She was highly recommended by Blake Roderick, Director of PSFB.

MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Lawrence Coultas seconded to appoint Wanda Cody as the City Treasurer to replace Amy Brown. Roll call resulted in all yes. Motion carried. City Clerk Robinson swore Wanda Cody into the office of City Treasurer.

MOTION: Terry Gregory moved and Jeff Pittman seconded to approve the minutes from the special meeting, February 24 for approval of renovating City Hall. Roll call resulted in 3 yeas and 2 abstentions. Bill Jacquot and Sandy Long abstained. Motion carried.

Mayor McIntire received notice from the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office that as a condition of the USDA city hall renovations grant, the replacement of windows on the second floor of City Hall will have to have curved windows on the top.

McIntire stated there was a change in the committees: Jeff Pittman will now be the chairman of buildings and grounds. Pittman has done a great job on the current city hall's renovations.

Mike Hill addressed the council about the house and property east of his residence (known as Joe Gross's). He stated the house is in bad shape and no one had lived in it for over two (2) years. Someone has planted a victory garden, and have been mowing it. He suggested the city send the family a letter asking them to clean up. Police Chief George Lindsey looked at it and said a cousin was buying the house and plans to fix it up. Mr. Hill would like to be put on the agenda for next month to talk about the problem.

Greg Hillis, Benton & Associates asked council for the first (1st) pay request to Doyle Plumbing and Heating in the amount of $43,826.37. This is for all work completed to April 27, 2020. Lawrence Coultas, Mayor McIntire, John Simmons and Neff Colvin met and decided it was accurate. A check from the pool grant made payable to Doyle Plumbing & Heating needs to be cut.

MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Terry Gregory seconded to pay Doyle Plumbing & Heating $43, 826.37 (current amount due) for renovations of pool phase I. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.

The filters for the pool should arrive by the end of May. The IDPH requires ventilation in the filter room and needs a mechanical fan (cost $1,299.16) this will be an 8” x 8” window for the fan. Doug Megginson will donate the louvers for the door to allow flow to the fan. (Cost donated is $800). The old filter room needs a new valve, there was about 2/2 feet of water from the leaky valve and the sump pump did not work. The new valve will cost $441.60. The old concrete is spalling & cracking needs work, cost is $701.50. Total cost for these repairs is $1,143.10 and is grant eligible. Plans are to open in early June if the Governor approves.

MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Jeff Pittman seconded to purchase the exhaust fan for $1,299.16 which is required by IDPH. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.

MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Terry Gregory seconded to approve two (2) add-ons for the pool filter house of $1,143.10. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.

Benton & Associates and Doyle Plumbing & Heating will have everything functional by end of May so training will be done before the pool can open. If the pool does not open the cost of training will be deducted from the bill and will be done next year.

The status of Phase II of the pool renovation will begin on June 6. Pre-bid meeting is scheduled for June 4, 2020, at 10 am at City Hall. Most everything is the same except the storage area was lost. Everything is 100 percent ready to go. IF COVID 19 is still in effect and the pool cannot open they will be able to start construction earlier, but will plan to open if possible.

MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Sandy Long seconded to authorize the Mayor to conduct the final review of Pool Phase II and with council approval let bids out June 6. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.

The pool needs a 4 foot in diameter manhole with lid. County Material in Springfield bid $780 with base with lid and Coady Supply bid $572 plus $125 to deliver. It can be hauled on a flat bed truck so won't need to have it delivered.

MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Terry Gregory seconded to approve the 4-foot in diameter man hole with base and lid from Coady Supply not to exceed $700 with option to deliver. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.

George Lindsey, Police Chief passed out his monthly as follows: Suspicious vehicle - 1; Suspicious person – 2; Well-being check - 1; Speak to officer - 11; Disorderly conduct - 1; Burglar alarm – 2; Crash report – 4; Juvenile matter – 1; Domestic report – 3; Child custody complaint – 1; Social distancing complaint - 1; Theft report - 1.

Lindsey met with the personnel committee about hiring a part-time officer. Jacob Bettis, lives in Jacksonville and works as an officer but would like to work in Winchester. He has all his certifications and would ready to go to work now. He has all his equipment except a vest plus uniforms. They would like to start him out as a part-time officer and gradually have him become a full time officer. It was suggested he start out at $15 an hour and when moved to full time would make $16 per hour. He would like to relocate to Winchester where he could work 20-30 hours a week. There is drug money to purchase the vest.

MOTION: Lawrence Coultas moved and Jeff Pittman seconded to hire Jacob Bettis as local police officer at $15 per hour as soon as possible with about 32 hours a week. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.

Lindsey was asked about Father Nelson's vehicle parked on N. Hill. It was hit and no one can find the keys to it. Lindsey would like to hire Chase Burk as part-time officer. He is an ex military police officer. He will be an unpaid intern until he gets his certification. With COVID there are no trainings planned. He will be allowed to ride along with a full time officer. Nate White former police office said he is certificated to give the forty (40) hour gun class. After an officer is hired they have fifteen (15) months to complete the training.

The personnel committee recommended not hiring summer help this year due to COVID 19 as well as salaries being frozen for all city employees at this time.

John Simmons, Supt of Public Works passed out his monthly report as follows: Work order – 13; Funerals – 4; in 2019 we poured 203/4 yards of concrete and so far in 2020 have poured 12/2 yards; Filled in several sunken gravesites; Monthly brush pick up 2 – 3 days; Monthly meter readings 2 – 3 days; Taped off all playground equipment at park; Cold patched the streets; Did oderizer read & sniff test; Worked on pool with Doyle Plumbing; Strainer basket on Elm St lift station broke on rail, Doyle fixed so it can still be used; Petersburg did sewer jetting and vac work to clean out sewers and manhole; Poured 7 yards concrete on water leak area on East Jefferson; Worked on gas testing; Cut back on overtime hours. Jim Dobson took time off without pay; Yearly maintenance on generator at sewer plant and water plant with Cummings.

Simmons had bids to remove two (2) large sycamore trees on North Main and one (1) huge limb at the city cemetery. Powell Tree Service bid $2,800 to remove the trees on North Main with the property owner agreeing to pay half the cost. Powell bid $200 to remove the large limb at the cemetery.

MOTION: Lawrence Coultas moved and Sandy Long seconded to accept the bid from Powell

Trim Service to remove the two (2) trees on N. Main St with the homeowner paying 12 the bill of $2,800. Roll call resulted in all yea. Motion carried.

MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Lawrence Coultas to remove the big limb from the city cemetery for $200 from Powell Tree Service. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.

Simmons said they needed a new jackhammer. The one they are using now is shot. He would like to have a 60 pound jackhammer like the one they have.

MOTION: Lawrence Coultas moved and Jeff Pittman seconded to purchase a new 60 pound jackhammer not to exceed $1,100. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.

Simmons said they need to camera a line on N. Main there has been storm damage and a sink hole. The sink hole came back so it is not the storm sewer, it is the main sewer trunk line. Doyle Plumbing agreed to camera the line for $1,600.

MOTION: Lawrence Coultas moved and Bill Jacquot seconded to hire Doyle Plumbing to camera and jet the sewer line at the Erickson property on N. Main for $1,600. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.

Simmons would like to have Brian Schafer Plumbing install automatic faucets at both park restrooms for $600. People use the facilities and do not turn off the water. It was decided to contact Vortman to see what his bid would be and bring it back next month.

Simmons would like to resign as zoning violation officer. He has asked people to clean up and some just laugh in his face. Once in a while you find someone who will clean up. He has been talking with John Coonrod about the Municipal Ordinance Court and hopes to get something going in the near future. The mayor refused to accept his resignation as zoning officer.

Lawrence Coultas acting treasurer passed out the three (3) year monthly report. Coultas explained about the replacement tax and had a year of tax revenue.

Mayor McIntire reappointed Carol Sipes, Janet Gant and RJ Paslay to the library board. McIntire stated Carol Sipes has been on the board for over 30-years.

MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Lawrence Coultas seconded to approve Carol Sipes, Janet Gant and R J Paslay to the library board. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.

Lawrence Coultas contacted two (2) firms and McIntire has contacted one (1) firm two (2) in Springfield and one in Alton with a branch in Carrollton, to see if they would be interested in becoming our City Accountant. Coultas thought a new set of eyes might be good for the city.

MOTION: Jeff Pittman moved and Bill Jacquot seconded to authorize the Mayor to engage a new accounting firm not to exceed $16,000. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.

John Coonrod, City Attorney received a letter saying we were in line for the grant. Mayor nominated Jeff Pittman as project manager for overseeing the renovation of city hall. He has done a great job. McIntire appointed Pittman as chairman of buildings and grounds. He will receive a $2,000 stipend for overseeing city hall.

MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Terry Gregory seconded to appoint Jeffry Mike Pittman as project manager for renovations to city hall with a $2,000 stipend. Roll call resulted in 4 yeas and 1 abstention. Jeff Pittman abstained. Motion carried.

McIntire said he was disappointed in the mowing of Monument and Douglas Park and Library. John Simmons talked to the contractors about cleaning it up or they would find someone else to do the job. McIntire has talked to Kam’s who had done it previously and they would be interested in completing the contract. McIntire stated he thought Rick Willis was doing a good job at the cemetery.

McIntire said there were some hazardous buildings in town and has pictures. He will send pictures and letters to property owners and ask them to fix them up. Jeff Pittman said the old Newman property on E. Cherry is in bad shape with brick fall from the foundation.

McIntire said he was going to give his usual $500 scholarship to a graduating senior this year and wondered if council would like to do the same. If so they could give the money to Attorney Coonrod.

McIntire stated he had been mayor for seven (7) years and the square has some new businesses. He asked what the city could do to help the businesses in the TIF district. At the present time there is $175,000 in the TIF district funds. With council approval he would like to offer each business up to $1,000 toward rent or mortgage & utilities. Each business would have to fill out an application and the finance committee would have to oversee this.

MOTION: Lawrence Coultas moved and Terry Gregory seconded to adopt Resolution 2020-05 01. A Resolution Authorizing Business Relief Program in Response to COVID 19. Roll call resulted in 4 yeas and 1 abstention. Jeff Pittman abstained. Motion carried.

John Paul Coonrod, City Attorney passed out Ordinance 899, An Ordinance Providing for Emergency Expenditures. This policy would allow the Public Works emergency expenditures of less than $20,000 for water and emergency expenditures less than $10,000 for other public utilities. The fire department would have emergency expenditures of less than $10,000 as well. The mayor and department head would have to present an explanation for such expenditures at the next council meeting.

MOTION: Lawrence Coultas moved and Jeff Pittman seconded to pass Ordinance 899, An Ordinance Providing for Emergency Expenditures. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.

Coonrod passed out the yearly appropriation for each department. He proposed an Ordinance Authorizing Routine and Anticipated Purchases for Fiscal Year 2020-2021

MOTION: Lawrence Coultas moved and Jeff Pittman seconded to pass Ordinance 900, An Ordinance Authorizing Routine Anticipated Purchases for Fiscal Year 2020-2021. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.

Coonrod talked about the gas management rates. The contract with the Dray Pitney let us hedge our price. Ron Raegan suggested the price for each city, Raegan will let you know who will give the best deal. Mayor McIntire announced we have currently paid $3,872.50 to fight the gas hike.

MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Lawrence Coultas seconded to authorize the mayor to enter into the hedging with the gas fund. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.

McIntire said the carnival would not be coming to town this spring due to COVID 19. Fire Chief Fred Andrews said they would try to have them come later in the fall. Andrews said Justin Daws has a 2004 Chevrolet Dually he would like to sell the fire department. He is asking $9,500 and it is in excellent shape. The fire department could really use it. Lawrence Coultas suggested getting rid of the other truck they were using. 

NO PUBLIC COMMENT

ALDERMAN REPORTS:

Sandy Long has organized the city-wide garage sale for several years. Due to the COVID 19, it will be postponed until later in the fall. She usually puts up posters where all the yard sales are and a lot of people come to town for this.

Bill Jacquot stated they hope to open the pool in early June but may have to postpone it for this year. The pool board met and hired the following: Manager Lucy Reid Phelps, (has food handler's certification) at $11/hour; Assistant Manager: Logyn Little (Lifeguard Certification) at $10.50/hour; Lifeguards at $9.25/hour: Jack Albers; Gabe Cox; Rian Neff, Josh Hamilton; Austin Young; Whitney Kunz; Laekyn Dobson; and Tristan Lashmett. All lifeguards must possess current certification as a lifeguard as well as current food handler's certification. There will no junior lifeguards this summer. Swim lessons coordinator/instructor TBD; Additional Swim instructors will be determined as needed. Hopeful start date is June 1, 2020 contingent upon Governor's orders due to COVID 19 and completion of repairs to pool.

Coonrod said they are going ahead & booking music in the park for July.

MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Jeff Pittman seconded to adjourn. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 12:10 am.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Lmc035uWIqb0m5DE0BisO8u9c2maqH1xcl30dmRiT84/edit