City of Winchester City Council met Jan. 4.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The Winchester City Council held their monthly meeting January 4, 2023 at City Hall.
Mayor McIntire called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. with the following council in attendance: Jeff Pittman, Ron Bell, Bill Jacquot, Terry Gregory, Lawrence Coultas and City Clerk Teri Little.
Also, in attendance were Wanda Cody, City Treasurer; John Simmons, Supt of Public Works; John Paul Coonrod, City Attorney; Greg Hillis, Benton & Associates; Carmen Ensinger, Scott County Times; Chase Burk, City Police Officer; RJ Pasley, Winchester Civic Group; Jennifer McMillen, Winchester EMS; Leland Evans, City Crew Employee.
Mayor McIntire led those attending the meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Wanda Cody, City Treasurer presented bills for approval.
MOTION: Terry Gregory moved and Jeff Pittman seconded to pay the bills as presented. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Sandy Long Absent. Motion carried.
Mayor McIntire asked for any corrections for the regular meeting minutes of December 7, 2022.
MOTION: Lawrence Coultas moved and Terry Gregory seconded to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the regular December 7, 2022 meeting. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Sandy Long Absent. Motion carried.
Jennifer McMillen, Winchester EMS, requested a raffle license to be able to hold the Queen of Hearts drawing at Big Daddy's Doghouse. They previously had the drawing at Rose's in Alsey. She would like to get it started as soon as possible. There were a few concerns on parking if the drawing gets too big. She stated that they would then use remote places such as the EMS shed, Rose's in Alsey and other places that as long as you are present at one of them it would count as being present if you were the winner. City Attorney Coonrod advised that they would just need to complete an application, letter and pay a $25.00 fee. The longest the permit is allowed at this time is 180 days and a $500,000 cap. Coonrod advised that if the council wanted, he can type up a new ordinance to allow a separate section the specifically addresses the Queen of Heart Drawings since they are more popular now. He can have this for next meeting. She will complete the application and get it turned in with a letter.
Leland Evans, City Crew Employee, wanted to thank the council for all the support they have shown over the years and wanted to tell them in person that he was retiring after 37 years with the city. March 28th will be his last official day but he will be using up his remaining time in February. He stated that he is only a call away and willing to still assist the city with any needs that may arise. He feels that the younger employees that have come on in the past few years are very well equipped in taking over the reins.
Greg Hillis, Benton & Associates, had good news and bad news to report on the unsewered grant. The city's application was rejected. There were 24 applications and 91.1 million dollars requested. The rejection was due to the checklist for tribal council. We had a Phase one dig done by Dr McGowen of University of Illinois which turned up nothing in the area. This round of application the dig sign off was not accepted due to the Osage Nation not accepting the results by Dr McGowen. The good news is the city still has 3 years to apply again. It is Benton's recommendation that letters be sent to additional tribal councils to see if they want to be a consulting party on the project or if there are issues they have with the project. These letters are typed up and ready to be mailed tomorrow. They have 30 days to respond. If there is a required new dig it would cost anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000. The council agreed to have him go ahead and send the letters.
The rest of the USDA and Secretary of State amounts for the library project are being requested. Legal fees were less than budgeted but the additional money will go towards the new drive that will be started once weather permits.
The PER for the USDA grant for the water main project was approved on December 15th. Working on the budget and paperwork from John Paul. Everything is moving rapidly and he would like to have a letter of intent and project would be ready to start possibly in July. He will have a schedule next meeting.
RJ Pasley, Winchester Parks and Recreation, wanted to thank the council for all the assistance in helping make the new playground a reality. He has a little bit of funding left that he was using for a couple more items to finish the project, however, the prices had increased and he is short a bit to be able to pay for the remaining items. The total is $4312.00 and he has $3603.75 left in the account. He is requesting assistance for the remaining $750.00. Bill Jacquot stated that the United Methodist Men were making a donation for $250.00 to the project as well.
MOTION: Lawrence Coultas moved and Ron Bell seconded to approve assisting the Memorial Playground for the amount of $750.00. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Sandy Long Absent. Motion carried.
Pasley stated that the playground would be complete when they install the last 2 items this spring. The last phase is to re-do the basketball courts and to turn the tennis ball courts into pickleball courts. They would also like to look into rehabbing the existing playground unit that has been there for many years. It needs some TLC. He requested that he still be able to have money donated and housed with the city the same way he did with the playground money. Council agreed that it was fine to continue the way he has been.
Pasley also presented a petition, with 15 signatures, to the council concerning the house located at 151 S Main St. This house in bad shape and attracts stray cats, rodents and racoons. The house is negatively affecting the neighborhood around it and is a hazard as well. He is requesting that the city does something about it. John Simmons stated that the house is very unstable and the foundation has fallen in. The water and gas have been disconnected. The owners cannot afford to have the house torn down. John Paul will look into the situation to see what options the city has.
Wanda Cody, City Treasurer, passed out the profit/loss statement for the month and the expenses and the fiscal year to date totals. The issue we had with a check that was issued to Doyle Plumbing and Heating and cashed by someone other than them has been taken care of. We issued a new check to Doyle's and First National Bank has refunded the amount of the check that was cashed in error.
We have received the rough draft of the audit and is ready for sign off. She passed out copies to everyone to look over.
John Simmons, Supt of Public Works, paid tribute to the 51 members of Scott County that we lost in 2022 by reading off their names.
He would like to purchase a commercial hot water power washer to use in the upkeep of equipment. Tim Duncan from here in Scott County sells Landa Commercial Washers. The model he is looking at is PHW4-22024A for a cost of $6800.00. It has a great warranty. He does have re-built ones that he sells himself but only has a 90-day warranty. Council suggested getting a bit more info and maybe having Duncan bring one by to look at.
Simmons also wanted to address the abandon houses and if fines are being paid. Coonrod addressed the following:
Kaufman, Armstrong, Steckel's have been taken care of
Toby Hammond fined $200.00
Guy Lewis fines $4046.00 issuing another citation and lien on property
Dennis Savage fines are believed to have been paid but not much improvement on issues
John Knott has been fixed and sister has paid fines
Ashley Graham house is no longer there
Rita Howland family is attaining guardianship so will get property sold
151 S Main St has been addressed earlier in the meeting
Monthly report - Work orders - 24, Locate Tickets - 15, Funeral/Graves - 6, Gas leak calls - 1, Water leaks 1, New water meters - 1,New gas meters - 5,
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Yearly report - Work orders - 256, Locate tickets - 278, Funeral/Graves - 38, Gas leak calls – 24, Water leaks - 15, New water service - 2, Abandon water lines - 3, New gas meters - 26, New gas services or replaced - 8, Abandoned gas lines - 6, House's torn down - 5, Job's on to do list completed - 175, New 3" gas main to Dollar General, Zoning permits - 15, Ordinance violation notices - 41.
Chase Burk, City Police Officer, presented monthly report. Animal complaint - 3, Assist EMS -2, Assist outside Agency (police) - 13, Assist fire department/fire call - 1, Assist motorist - 5, Attempt to Locate (Warrant) – 1, Building Alarm - 2, Domestic Dispute - 3, Extra Patrol Requests - 1, Found Property Returned - 1, Gas leak - 1, Harassment - 1, Interviews - 1, Investigation - 1, Juvenile - 5, Noise complaint - 2, Ordinance Violation - 1, Property Exchange - 1, Prowler - 1, Pursuit - 2, Sex Offender Register - 1 Speak to an officer - 22, Theft – 2, Traffic accidents - 2, Traffic control - 2,Traffic Stops - Citations - 2, Traffic stops-verbal warnings - 7, Traffic stops-written warning – 1, Trespassing - 3, Well-being checks - 4.
Mayor McIntire, presented yearly letter for the Morgan-Scott CEO program. He stated that this program is a great investment in our young people and community. The yearly donation is $1000.00
MOTION: Terry Gregory moved and Lawrence Coultas second to approve the yearly donation of $1000.00 for the Morgan-Scott CEO Program. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Sandy Long absent. Motion carried.
The issue with the dispatching contract was presented. The city received a letter from Sherriff Eddinger stating that if the city did not agree to the new contract that was effective 12/31/2022 at midnight Scott County would no longer dispatch for the city. The new contract presented to the city was increased to $25,000 a year with a 7% increase yearly. The city's current contract is for $19,600 a year. This would be a 30% increase. A meeting was held with the county commissioners and Mayor McIntire voiced his concerns with this contract. He stated he could see a cost of living increase but what they were expecting was unfair. Alderman Coultas questioned this raise as well. He voiced his dislike of how the situation was handled. It was either you pay or else. Alderman Bell stated that he was against these as other entities that utilize the county dispatch have not had a raise and pay a very small amount even though they take more calls for them than the city. Bluffs only pays $6000.00 a year and has been this way for 10 years with no change. This was questioned and Sherriff Eddinger stated he would be looking into maybe raising other costs but currently Bluffs only has 2 part-time officers. It was stated that means the county police officers would be taking more calls for those areas with no or less police so they should be paying more. Currently they dispatch for Bluffs, North-Scott fire district and the Winchester EMS. The city wanted answers as to why this has not already been done in the past. Coultas suggested maybe we should just go to part time officers as well and not worry about the contract. Per Illinois State Statute the sheriff and his office are responsible for maintaining safety and controlling crime in his or her county. Which mean within city limits. So that means they would have to start patrolling and taking city calls as well. Currently city officers are assisting the county officers a lot more than the county assists the city. Coultas stated he had no issues in coming up with a policy or resolution to start charging the county for our officers assisting outside the city limits. All of the alderman has issues with signing and agreeing to this contract but also do not want to compromise the safety of the city residents. Alderman Bell stated that he would not be voting yes on this as he feels that they are bulling the city into this. Coultas stated that he did as well and did not want it to be a unanimous vote and if Bell did not vote no he would have. He will vote yes but it will be reluctantly.
MOTION: Lawrence Coultas moved and Jeff Pittman second to approve the 2-year contract (11-2022 thru 11-2024) with Scott County Sherriff's Department for $25,000.00 annually with a 7% increase next year. Roll call resulted in 4 yeas, 1 no by Ron Bell. Sandy Long absent. Motion carried.
Looking for Lincolns Ann Mosely and co-worker Heather have advised that there are grants available for Lincoln statues. They will look further into this and advise. Also, may check into places that have taken down statues and see if available and prices.
Mayor McIntire would like to check into getting additional Narcan kits to have available. Will look into cost and expiration periods.
John Paul Coonrod, City Attorney, presented Ordinance 951 Conflict of Interest. This is a standard policy to protect public interest.
MOTION: Ron Bell moved and Terry Gregory second to approve Ordinance 951 Conflict of Interest. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Sandy Long and Lawrence Coultas absent. Motion carried.
Ordinance 952 Renaming of Public way was presented for approval. This is to rename Elm Street that runs down by the school to Lincoln Street. This is to help clear up issues with 911 calls as there are multiple streets named Elm Street. There will be a letter sent to all that are impacted to notify of the change. Bill Walquist of 911 will also be contacted and made aware of the change.
MOTION: Ron Bell moved and Jeff Pittman second to approve Ordinance 952 Renaming of Public Way. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Sandy Long and Lawrence Coultas absent. Motion carried.
No Public Comments
MOTION: Ron Bell moved and Jeff Pittman second to adjourn at 9:59 pm. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Sandy Long and Lawrence Coultas absent. Motion carried.
Mittar
Rex McIntire, Mayor
Teri Litttle
Teri Little, City Clerk
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UKm232GfYswgH3R_i7D1GuLYbVF8Hod4AgOmPDft_qU/edit
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