Decatur City Council approves property tax levy ordinance

By Lhalie Castillo

Feb 8, 2017

Decatur City Council met Monday, Dec. 5.

The City of Decatur operates under the Council-Manager form of government, a system which combines the leadership of a representative, elected council with the professional background of an appointed manager. In this system the Mayor and Council hold the ultimate decision-making power and are responsible for hiring a professionally trained manager to direct the city’s day-to-day operations. The Decatur City Council is made up of an elected team of six city council members and a mayor and is charged with setting the vision and direction for the City of Decatur. The Council serves as the city’s legislative body, establishing policy, approving budgets, determining the annual tax levy and implementing the rules which guide daily life in our community.

Here are the minutes as provided by Decatur:

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Monday, December 5, 2016

On Monday, December 5, 2016, the City Council of the City of Decatur, Illinois, met in Regular Meeting at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers, One Gary K. Anderson Plaza, Decatur, Illinois.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe presided, together with her being Councilmen Jerry Dawson, Bill Faber, Chris Funk, Lisa Gregory, Pat McDaniel and Dana Ray. Seven members present. Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe declared a quorum present.

City Manager Tim Gleason attended the meeting as well.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

This being the time for Appearance of Citizen, the following citizens appeared:

Russell Shulke read a statement regarding the poor conditions of the City’s fire stations.

James Taylor thanked the Decatur Chamber of Commerce and the City of Decatur for placing Sheriff Roger Walker’s name on the Wall of Fame.

The minutes of the November 21, 2016 City Council meeting were presented. Councilman Jerry Dawson moved the minutes be approved as written; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray, and on call of the roll, Councilmen Jerry Dawson, Bill Faber, Chris Funk, Lisa Gregory, Pat McDaniel, Dana Ray and Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

This being the time set aside for Unfinished Business and there being none, Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe called for New Business.

Proclamations and Recognitions:

City Manager Tim Gleason congratulated Human Resources Manager Penny Frank for passing the course for the Senior Certified Professional certification through the Society for Human Resources Management.

Receiving and Filing of Minutes of Boards and Commissions, was presented.

Councilman Jerry Dawson moved to approve the item as presented; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray.

Upon call of the roll, Councilmen Jerry Dawson, Bill Faber, Chris Funk, Lisa Gregory, Pat McDaniel, Dana Ray and Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

R2016-141 Resolution Accepting the Bid of Coe Equipment Inc., Rochester, IL, for the purchase of one 2017 Vactor 2110-SE2-Plus, Vactor Truck, was presented.

Councilman Jerry Dawson moved the Resolution do pass; seconded by Councilman Pat McDaniel.

2016-91 Ordinance Amending City Code – Chapter 74 – Sanitary Sewer Service and Connections, was presented.

Councilman Jerry Dawson moved the Ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray.

Councilman Bill Faber asked what the implications of subparagraph (F) in the proposed Ordinance were. Public Works Director Rick Marley explained that Section (F). permits large customers to install their own metering devices. Councilman Chris Funk asked for clarification that this is work that has been mandated of the City of Decatur and also other municipalities of our size in the last five to ten years. Public Works Director Rick Marley said that was correct.

Russell Shulke asked if the City had received the AECOM designs for sewers they are supposed to comply with. Public Works Director Rick Marley said AECOM has been an essential part of the City’s response to the US EPA. The City is starting on some of the design work and will be soliciting proposals from firms to do the design work early next year.

R2016-142 Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Agreement with the Macon County Emergency Telephone System Board Decatur Police Department, was presented.

Councilman Jerry Dawson moved the Resolution do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray.

Councilman Chris Funk asked if the proposed item was revenue neutral. City Manager Tim Gleason stated an agreement with Macon County was negotiated over the last couple of years, so receiving a revenue stream from Macon County is relatively new. If you look proportionately at the number of calls of service and how you distribute those out, the City generates the most calls and we also pay a larger portion.

R2016-143 Resolution Approving the Expenditure of City Funds to Purchase KARA Leica Global Positioning System (GPS) Equipment, was presented.

Councilman Jerry Dawson moved the Resolution do pass; seconded by Councilman Pat McDaniel.

Councilman Bill Faber asked if the proposal was an essential need of the City. City Manager Tim Gleason stated yes it was and the devices are ten years old and outdated.

Upon call of the roll, Councilmen Jerry Dawson, Bill Faber, Chris Funk, Lisa Gregory, Pat McDaniel. Dana Ray and Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

2016-92 Ordinance Levying Property Taxes for the City of Decatur, Illinois, was presented.

Councilman Jerry Dawson moved the Ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray.

Councilman Chris Funk asked if the community should expect a relatively flat tax rate. Finance Director Gregg Zientara explained the current tax rate is $1.63 and the City expects it to remain a $1.63. That is dependent upon a 2.5% increase in assessed value. Councilman Chris Funk asked when the final equalized assessed value would be set. Finance Director Gregg Zientara stated it would probably be February 2017. Councilman Chris Funk asked if it was not possible to wait until that is settled to set the Tax Levy. Corporate Counsel Wendy Morthland explained that the certified Tax Levy has to be filed by the fourth Tuesday in December and if it is not there is no Tax Levy levied.

2016-93 Ordinance Abating the Property Tax Levy for the City of Decatur, Illinois for General Obligation 2008 Series Bonds, was presented.

Councilman Jerry Dawson moved the Ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray.

2016-94 Ordinance Abating the Property Tax Levy for the City of Decatur, Illinois for General Obligation 2010 Series A Bonds, was presented.

Councilman Jerry Dawson moved the Ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray.

2016-95 Ordinance Abating the Property Tax Levy for the City of Decatur, Illinois for General Obligation 2010 Series B Bonds, was presented.

Councilman Jerry Dawson moved the Ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray.

2016-96 Ordinance Abating the Property Tax Levy for the City of Decatur, Illinois for General Obligation 2010 Series C Bonds, was presented.

Councilman Jerry Dawson moved the Ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray.

2016-97 Ordinance Abating the Property Tax Levy for the City of Decatur, Illinois for General Obligation 2013 Series Bonds, was presented.

Councilman Jerry Dawson moved the Ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray.

2016-98 Ordinance Abating the Property Tax Levy for the City of Decatur, Illinois for General Obligation 2014 Series Bonds, was presented.

Councilman Jerry Dawson moved the Ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray.

2016-99 Ordinance Abating the Property Tax Levy for the City of Decatur, Illinois for General Obligation 2015 Series Bonds, was presented.

Councilman Jerry Dawson moved the Ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray.

2016-100 Ordinance Abating the Property Tax Levy for the City of Decatur, Illinois for General Obligation 2016 Series Bonds, was presented.

Councilman Jerry Dawson moved the Ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe called for Other Business and there being none; Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe called for Study Session for the Lake Decatur Dredging Project Midpoint Update – City Project 2013-14.

Councilwoman Dana Ray moved to recess to Study Session; seconded by Councilman Jerry Dawson.

City Manager Tim Gleason stated Water Management Director Keith Alexander would provide a mid-point report on the Lake Decatur Dredging project. The heavy lift was really on the first half of this project and we have more clarity as to what it is going to take to run through the rest of the project that runs through 2020. Water Management Director Keith Alexander gave a Power Point presentation about the history of the Lake Decatur droughts, the importance of getting additional water supply, the dredging project cost, and the dredging project progress. Councilman Jerry Dawson asked if the City had a plan for the dirt after the project is completed. Water Management Director Keith Alexander explained the City could use it for agriculture production or a number of other options. Councilman Bill Faber asked what the contingencies are in the future to make sure they don’t have such a large project. Water Management Director Keith Alexander explained that is where the three sediment traps come into play. Future City Council will have to decide whether they want to dredge those sediment traps or not.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe called for Recess to Closed Executive Session under Section (c) (2) Collective Negotiating Matters between the Public Body and its Employees or their Representatives, or Deliberations Concerning Salary Schedules for One or More Classes of Employees.

Councilman Pat McDaniel moved to recess to Closed Executive Session; seconded by Councilman Jerry Dawson.

Council returned to the regular Council meeting following Closed Executive Session.

Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the regular Council meeting be adjourned; seconded by Councilman Jerry Dawson. All were in favor by voicing no objections. Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe declared the Council meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.

Approved December 19, 2016

Debra G. Bright City Clerk

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