City of Winchester Board met Sept. 6.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Winchester City Council held their monthly meeting September 6, 2023 at City Hall.
Mayor McIntire called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. with the following council in attendance: Jeff Pittman, Bill Jacquot, Terry Gregory, Ron Bell and City Clerk Teri Little. Alderwoman Melinda Hembrough was absent.
Also, in attendance were Wanda Cody, City Treasurer; John Simmons, John Paul Coonrod, City Attorney; Greg Hillis, Benton & Associates; Carmen Ensinger, Scott County Times; Steve Doolin, City Police Chief; Bobbi Jo Smith, Civic Group Representative; Don Campbell; Brian and Telisa Drake; Talon Whicker; Trey Drake; Ben Cox, WLDS; Sherry Hayes; Amy George; RJ Pasley, Civic Group Parks and Recreation.
Mayor McIntire led those attending the meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The meeting started off a bit somber as the chair that represented Lawrence Coultas at the council table was empty. Lawrence passed away on September 5th after a battle with health issues but it was truly unexpected. Mayor McIntire paid respect to Lawrence as they had been friends for many years. Lawrence had a tremendous resume as he had been teacher, principal, mentor and superintendent. As well as city treasurer and alderman. He was truly happiest with his wife of 56 years who passed just a couple months prior. He always said their romance started at Queenies, a previous local ice cream shop. Lawrence was a graduate of Winchester High School and Illinois College. Even after retirement he was sought after to be interim superintendent at Triopia and North Greene. The city council and all of Winchester will dearly miss Lawrence as he did so much for the residents of Winchester.
Resolution was presented in memory of Lawrence Coultas to honor and recognize by the City of Winchester for his many contributions to the City of Winchester and its residents
MOTION: Ron Bell moved and Bill Jacquot seconded to approve resolution in Memory of Lawrence Coultas. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.
Wanda Cody, City Treasurer presented bills for approval.
MOTION: Ron Bell moved and Terry Gregory seconded to pay the bills as presented. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.
Mayor McIntire asked for any corrections for the regular meeting minutes of August 2, 2023.
MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Terry Gregory seconded to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the regular August 2, 2023 meeting. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.
Mayor McIntire asked for any corrections for the special meeting minutes of August 14, 2023.
MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Ron Bell seconded to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the regular August 14, 2023 meeting. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.
MOTION: Ron Bell moved and Jeff Pittman seconded to approve Ordinance 964 Sale of Real Estate 131 Railroad St $10,650.00. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.
Mayor McIntire wanted to recognize 2 outstanding teens in our city. On an extremely hot day Trey Drake and Talon Whicker witnessed an older gentleman collapsed in his garage. They both assisted the gentleman and ensured he was ok. Not too many young kids or even adults today are stand up citizens such as these two and they deserve to be recognized. Hopefully, this will serve as an example and others will follow in their footsteps. Both boys were presented a Certificate of Recognition.
Greg Hillis, Benton and Associates, remarked that he will miss Lawrence Coultas as he always double checked his work to keep him honest.
Passed out progress report on the water main project. Hoping to start construction by July 2024. Already have had 2 contractors contact him looking for work. Will be sending out for bid soon. Once bids are reviewed and job awarded then loan money can be accessed.
Update on library grants. There is additional money still available waiting on decision for amount. Will schedule a committee meeting to close out project and advise of additional funds.
Still waiting on unsewered grants to come open again and will file as soon as open.
There are no details on if the downtown beautification grant will be available again.
The OSLAD grant will be available for the city to apply for again in August 2024. It will be a 50/50 grant unless the city will fall into the distressed community category then will be awarded at 100%.
Library Report, Mayor McIntire advised that Alice Mitchell has been hired to replace Phill Pratt as the library custodian.
Bobbie Jo Smith, Civic Group Rep, presented activity for the next month for the civic group. Ladies' night out will be 10-6-2023 from 5 to 8 pm. Asked permission to us the park on the square for vendors and the council room if needed. Council saw no issues for this request. Winchester will be participating on the Backroads crawl again this year it will be 10-20th and 21st and will have vendors in the park for this as well. Hoping to have the lighting project completed by 10-6-2023
Don Campbell advised the council that he had walked the cemetery and there are 170 military footstones. He has done investigation into other cemeteries in the area about their policies on footstones and how they are handled. He has found none that ban these footstones. He advised he would be at the cemetery board meeting on 09-13-2023 at 7 pm to discuss the issue further.
Steve Doolin, Police Chief, presented monthly report. Animal complaint - 2; Arrests - 3; Assist EMS - 5; Assist outside agency (Police) - 1; Assist fire department/fire call - 1; Assist motorist - 1; Attempt to locate(warrant) – 1; Building alarm – 1; Child endangerment - 1; Child exchange - 1; Domestic Disturbance - 4; Fight - 1; Found property returned - 1; Juvenile - 3; Noise Complaint -2; Property damage - 2; Speak to an officer - 17; Suicidal Subject/Mental health - 1; Suspicious Person - 4; Suspicious vehicle - 2; Theft - 2; Traffic accidents - 1; Traffic control -2; Traffic stops-verbal warnings -2; Trespassing - 3; Vehicle complaint - 1; Well-being checks - 4.
Chief Doolin presented his June 29, 2023 storm assessment/deficiencies report. There was a power failure at the Scott County Sherifs dept. Caused inability to remote activate the outdoor waring siren. Unable to page fire/EMS. No radio communications to/from dispatch. No phone service and no 911 service. Corrective action taken was for sheriff and 911 to approve purchasing a new generator. Loss of power at communications tower caused generator failed and loss of communications thru the repeaters after 2 to 1 hour of power loss. Corrective action taken was Sheriff Eddinger contacted the county board and they approved purchase of a new stand by generator for that site. Power fail at PD/Fire dept caused no power to back up base radio, no phone, no power to open fire doors and no power to activate fire siren. Corrective action would be to purchase new generator estimated $8000.00. He will contact Bigelow electric for an accurate estimate. Also, a battery backup for base radio to allow communications if necessary and to activate the outdoor warning siren is needed. There were no radio communications with the street departments. Only way to communicate was thru cell phones. Would be beneficial to have hand held radios to use in case power and cell towers are down. Corrective action for this issue is to purchase hand held radios. Estimate for 5 mobile radios is $500.00.
MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Ron Bell seconded to approve purchase of battery backup for police station amount $250.00. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.
MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Ron Bell seconded to approve purchase of 5 used Kenwood TK73 VHF mobile radios for $500.00. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.
Chief Doolin purchased a prisoner partition for the Tahoe. This is for the safety of the officer and the prisoner. Recently have had some unruly persons in the vehicle and would benefit from this. Purchase price was $250.00 and he will install this.
MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Ron Bell seconded to approve purchase of prisoner partition for $250.00. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.
Wanting to have the city paint double yellow lines at the school to prevent passing in the pickup and drop off lines at the school. Having a lot of people bypassing the lines and can cause safety issues for kids being picked up or dropped off and having to cross the road. It was brought up that some people may be passing the line cause the are going to the school for practice such as coaches and players. He will check into this a little further.
Teri Little, City Clerk, advised that Megan VanDeVelde from the Scott County Health Department was coming the next 2 Fridays to the council room to provide CPR training to all city employees. They will also be trained on the AED machine. The SCHD is providing the city with a new AED machine to have in case of emergency.
Wanda Cody, City Treasurer, passed out all financial sheets for the month. The audit is complete and she passed out the draft for everyone to look over. If there are any questions to let her know or of Robin is required to be at the meeting for any questions to advise. If no questions can approve at the October meeting. Advised that the infrastructure account is showing a deficit due to paying fees to Benton and Associates for the water main project. Once the loan is received for the project this money will be paid back to the infrastructure account.
John Simmons, Supt of Public Works, Monthly report - Work orders - 19; Locate tickets – 1 Funerals & grave openings - 3; Gas leak reports - 3; Water leaks - 3; Abandon water lines – 2; Abandon gas lines - 2; Brush pickup 2 days; Meter reading - 2 days; Odorant Reading; Dura- patch streets - 3 days; Painted bathroom building at park; Potholing water services; Placed protective post in front of gas meter at Coffee shop; Cleaned up property on N Green Howland's house; Concrete work in front of city hall. Removed old rusty fencing around old tennis courts; closed down swimming pool; Ordinance violations; Zoning application – 2.
Reagan Evans, the parttime summer worker was requesting to work for the city thru school coop program. Will have to check into the program further as to how many hours he would be able to work.
Received bids for repair to the water shed roof and to replace the open pavilion at the park. The only bids received were from Brandon Wahl. For the water shed roof bid was $2500.00. This is for complete redo of roof. Bid on pavilion is $12,500.00. The pavilion is needing to be completely removed and a new one installed. Council agreed that the water shed needed done but will put the pavilion on hold for the time being.
MOTION: Ron Bell moved and Jeff Pittman seconded to approve bid from Brandon Wahl for water shed roof repairs for $2000.00. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.
Simmons advised that they needed to get back to potholing for the water main project. There are grants coming available to assist in the expense of replacing the lead lines that are found. He will look into this further. He would like to bring Leland Evans back as part time to assist in the potholing project only. This will be for no more than 599 hours at $16.00 per hour.
MOTION: Ron Bell moved and Jeff Pittman seconded to hiring Leland Evans as part-time for 599 hours maximum to assist with potholing project at $16.00 per hour. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.
Electrical work will start soon at the pool to repair the damage from the 06/29/2023 storm. Will check into insurance to ensure can send in as was storm damage and just now able to fix permanently. Previously had a temporary fix till end of season.
Question on workers comp. If an employee is hurt on the job if that employee to be paid for the remainder of the day. It was agreed by the council that the employee would be paid for that day.
Rex McIntire, Mayor, city has received the yearly Cougar Booster advertising package info. The city normally pays yearly amount of $650.00. It was suggested that they add "In remembrance of Lawrence Coultas"
MOTION: Ron Bell moved and Jeff Pittman seconded to approve cougar booster package for $650.00. Adding on in remembrance of Lawrence Coultas. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.
Recently held a hearing in the case of Earl Smith and his dogs. They dogs are a nuisance. Several neighbors to Smith were present to voice their issues with the dogs. He has been sited 13 times at $100.00 per case. He previously paid $600.00 day of municipal court. There are several more citations coming up for court $200.00 per citation. If not paid can file a lien against the property. Smith was advised that if the dog in question, Virginia, is off leash one more time will have no choice but to file petition to get a court order to take dog.
Superintendent Blankenship has requested assistance with road improvements at the school. It will take milling, reshaping and resealing it in spring cleanup oil and chip. The school would pay their portion. In the past the city always asked if they wanted to be included when determining the streets that needed attention but was always told no. It has been about 20 years since oil and chipped. City has done dura patch from the Pritchett building to the corner. They also requested assistance in signs and crosswalks. Can use TIF money to help fix streets. Will get an estimate from Lance Smith on milling the road.
Sports Boosters are working on upgrades at the softball field.
Wanted to verify that the city does charge customers for water and gas meter replacements and parts due to any damage not caused by the city. Attorney Coonrod advised the ordinance states allows to charge reasonable fees.
Molly Traw has submitted her resignation from the pool board due to moving to Springfield.
The Quonset shed is in need of sandblasting or repainted. The school is interested in the shed and property. Will see if the school will purchase and then get bids on a new equipment shed for the city.
City has received a request from the county for funds to assist in the repaving the parking lot at the court house. Total cost was $16,000 and 25% for the TIF funding would be $4150.00. Attorney Coonrod will check on guidelines for the TIF funding and advise.
John Paul Coonrod, City Attorney, presented Ordinance 965. This will allow the city to recognize Juneteenth as an official holiday.
MOTION: Jeff Pittman moved and Terry Gregory seconded to approve Ordinance 965 Recognizing Juneteenth as an Official Holiday. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.
Municipal citations requested for this month. Dennis Savage on E Cross St for weeds, grass and brush. Lloyd Camerer for junk, trash, rodents and weeds on Lewis Street. Earl Smith for trash, junk, inoperable vehicle-truck not licensed and flat tires.
MOTION: Terry Gregory moved and Ron Bell seconded to approve issuing municipal citations to Earl Smith, Dennis Savage and Lloyd Camerer. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.
Subject of the Hotel owned by Al Whewell was discussed. Requesting citation weeds, cats and rodents.
MOTION: Terry Gregory moved and Ron Bell seconded to approve citation to Al Whewell for rodent, cats and weeds. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.
Update on Rita Howlands house on Green St has been cleaned up of weeds and is set to be sold by son Travis Howland who is now in control of the property and working on getting sold.
No Public Comments
MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Terry Gregory second to adjourn at 10:40 pm. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.
https://winchesteril.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/September-6th-2023-Agenda-Minutes.pdf
Alerts Sign-up