Macon Reporter

City of Sullivan City Council met July 27.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

1. The City Council of the City of Sullivan, Illinois, met in regular session at 6:00 p.m. at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library, 2 West Water Street, Sullivan. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Richard Glazebrook. A roll call was taken.

Commissioner Abbey Sherwood - present

Commissioner Mike Fowler - present

Commissioner Chuck Woodworth - present

Commissioner Peggy Hargis - present

Mayor Richard Glazebrook - present

2. Mayor Glazebrook called the public hearing to order at 6:00 p.m. for final reading of Appropriation Ordinance 20-10 - An Ordinance making appropriations for the City of Sullivan, Moultrie County, IL for the fiscal year commencing May 1, 2019 and ending April 30, 2020. Treasurer Sarah Golden presented the final reading of the Appropriation Ordinance. She explained that this is the legal limit to spend and is not what the City operates by. The operating budget has been significantly less in recent years and the city operates at even less than the operating budget. She asked if there were any questions from the Council or the public, there were none. Mayor Glazebrook asked if there were any comments, having none the public hearing was adjourned at 6:03 p.m.

3. Mayor Glazebrook asked for a moment of silence for the family of Janiya Bennett, a 10 year old girl from the community that passed away.

4. Tyler Walker from DIGS Associates presented two options to address the flooding in the Eastview Subdivision. The first option was to install a storm sewer that started with an inlet in the back of the subdivision running west and then running to Asa Creek.

The estimated cost of this option was $180,000-$190,000. The second option was to create a surface drain starting behind the subdivision and running east with a ditch to the corner of the subdivision and then turning south and running to the ditch on Route 121. If this option is considered, a 50 foot wide right-of-way would need to be purchased from the 3 adjoining land owners. The estimated cost of this option was $90,000-$100,000. Mr. Walker noted that there would be some future maintenance efforts that include mowing and cleaning the ditch. He explained that the best time for this work is after the crops have been removed. This would prevent crop damage and allow time for the area to be seeded. There were concerns and questions from residents that live in the Eastview Subdivision. Mr. Walker explained that the options were based on preliminary calculations and aerial photography and that a survey had not been completed. Corey Getz from DIGS Associates stated that they had only completed preliminary work and have not been contracted by the City at this time. If hired they would look further into the issue and collect elevations to consider other options.

5. Emails that were received for public comment were read. There was an email questioning why the council members were forced to vote on a proposal from Cass Concepts, how the City could justify an open contract with the firm when the proposal

states that there could be additional costs and how they could justify the Chamber funding and additional funding for the hiring of Cass Concepts. A letter was received via email to address concerns about the increase COVID cases and asking that the Council take this issue seriously to prevent it from spreading further. Another email received addressed concerns about the increase in COVID cases and stated that the public is unable to communicate with the City Council because the internet link does not work and questioned if this was a violation of the Open Meetings Act.

6. Mayor Glazebrook read the items on the consent agenda:

● Approval of minutes of the regular meeting held July 13, 2020

● Approval of claims except those in TIF funds

● Approval of Treasurer's report for June 2020

● Pass Ordinance 20-9 - Amending Chapter 9 Cemetery Section 9-3-5 – Fees, of the Revised code of Ordinances of the City of Sullivan, Illinois

● Amend the 2020 Council meeting schedule passed at the July 13, 2020 Council meeting to the 2021 Council meeting schedule

A motion was made by Commissioner Woodworth and seconded by Commissioner Hargis to approve the consent agenda. Upon a roll call being taken, the results were as follows:

Commissioner Chuck Woodworth - yea

Commissioner Peggy Hargis - yea

Commissioner Abbey Sherwood - abstain

Commissioner Mike Fowler - yea

Mayor Richard Glazebrook - yea

and the motion was declared carried by omnibus vote.

7. A motion was made by Commissioner Sherwood and seconded by Commissioner Hargis to approve TIF IV claims. Commissioner Sherwood then amended her motion to approve all TIF claims. Commissioner Hargis seconded the motion. Upon a roll call being taken the results were as follows:

Commissioner Abbey Sherwood - yea

Commissioner Peggy Hargis - yea

Commissioner Mike Fowler - abstain

Commissioner Chuck Woodworth - yea

Mayor Richard Glazebrook - yea

and the motion was declared carried.

8. Commissioner Sherwood reported that the Park Department has been completing seasonal maintenance. She hopes to meet with the pickleball players and work something out for use of the facilities. She shared that the swim team is holding tryouts and private swim lessons have continued. The Civic Center staff are taking measures to keep the facility clean and to follow social distancing guidelines. Conversations have continued regarding the air quality issues at the City Building.

9. Commissioner Fowler reported that he met with the Line Crew Foreman to interview applicants for the Groundsman position. Two applicants were interviewed and Alex Stewart was hired for the position. Commissioner Fowler completed the final inspection on the lighting upgrade at the elementary school, which should result in a refund of approximately $18,000. The Line Crew installed conduit on South Worth and South Main and are ready to start pulling new cable to the junction boxes and transformers. They have also worked on tree trimming, pulling old poles on South Worth, installing street lights on Harrison Street and replaced a transformer on Corey Avenue.

10. Commissioner Woodworth reported that the distribution crew has continued to install meters. He met with Treasurer Golden to look at the meters through the Nexgrid system.

11. Commissioner Hargis reported that the Street Department has completed regular maintenance, mowing, tile work and will be meeting on issues regarding signs around the square. She requested that any future communication regarding the Eastview Subdivision include the Street Department and herself.

12. Mayor Glazebrook reported that the town-wide clean-up has been completed, the City will be seeking bids for the demolition of the Titus Home, is looking at starting an ad committee for jobs in the Sullivan area and met with Joe Keller about his project.

13. Dan Flannell reported that the hazardous household waste disposal date has been tentatively rescheduled for September 12th. This has not yet been confirmed with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. This is a household event that is funded by the IEPA and is not for commercial or industrial disposal.

14. A motion was made by Mayor Glazebrook and seconded by Commissioner Fowler to approve the employment termination settlement agreement with Phillip Kim Harris. Upon a roll call being taken, the results were as follows:

Mayor Richard Glazebrook - yea

Commissioner Mike Fowler - yea

Commissioner Abbey Sherwood - yea

Commissioner Chuck Woodworth - yea

Commissioner Peggy Hargis - yea

and the motion was declared carried.

15. Mayor Glazebrook state that items 3 & 4 from new and unfinished business were being tabled.

16. A motion was made by Commissioner Sherwood and seconded by Commissioner Woodworth to waive the formal reading and extend the effective date of Ordinance 20-3 which implemented the Mayor's March 18, 2020 declaration of emergency to the date of the next City Council meeting, Monday, August 10, 2020. Upon a roll call being taken, the results were as follows:

Commissioner Abbey Sherwood - yea

Commissioner Chuck Woodworth - yea

Commissioner Mike Fowler - yea

Commissioner Peggy Hargis - yea

Mayor Richard Glazebrook- yea

and the motion was declared carried

17. A motion was made by Commissioner Sherwood and seconded by Commissioner Hargis to adopt Ordinance 20-10- Making Appropriations for the City for fiscal year commencing May 1, 2020 and ending April 30, 2021. Upon a roll call being taken, the results were as follows:

Commissioner Abbey Sherwood - yea

Commissioner Peggy Hargis - yea

Commissioner Mike Fowler - yea

Commissioner Chuck Woodworth - yea

Mayor Richard Glazebrook - yea

and the motion was declared carried.

18. A motion was made by Commissioner Sherwood and seconded by Commissioner Hargis to approve a temporary move for those of the City Building. Sherwood explained the different options for relocation and stated that is no longer an option to keep the staff in the office. She suggested a short-term temporary lease for the building at 304 S. Hamilton Street while the issues at the City Building are remedied. Commissioner Sherwood then amended her motion to have the City Building temporarily relocated and allow the Mayor to sign a lease not more than four months. Upon a roll call being taken, the results were as follows:

Commissioner Abbey Sherwood - yea

Commissioner Peggy Hargis - yea

Commissioner Mike Fowler - yea

Commissioner Chuck Woodworth - yea

Mayor Richard Glazebrook

and the motion was declared carried.

19. A motion was made by Commissioner Sherwood and seconded by Commissioner Hargis to adjourn the meeting. Upon a roll call being taken, the results were as follows:

Commissioner Abbey Sherwood - yea

Commissioner Peggy Hargis - yea

Commissioner Mike Fowler - yea

Commissioner Chuck Woodworth - yea

Mayor Richard Glazebrook

And the motion was declared carried and the meeting was adjourned at 7:14 p.m.

http://cms6.revize.com/revize/sullivanil/document_center/Minutes/July%2027,%202020.pdf