Macon Reporter

City of Troy City Council met March 1.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

A. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance

The meeting was held in the Council Chambers in the City Municipal Building, 116 East Market Street, Troy, Illinois, 62294 and was called to order by Mayor Allen Adomite at 7:30 p.m. Alderman Tony Manley led the Pledge of Allegiance.

B. Roll Call in Alphabetical Order

Present: Dan Dawson, Elizabeth Hellrung, Nathan Henderson, Sam Italiano, Bonnie Levo, Debbie Knoll, Tony Manley, and Troy Turner. Other Officials Present: Mayor Allen Adomite, City Administrator Doug Partney, City Treasurer David Roady, Chief of Police Brad Parsons, Asst. Chief of Police Brent Shownes, Public Works Director Rob Hancock, Building & Zoning Admin. Coord. Linda Taake, City Attorney Fred Keck, City Engineer Tom Cissell, and City Clerk Andrea Lambert.

C. Reading and Approval of Minutes

1. February 16, 2021 City Council Meeting Minutes

Motion: To Approve February 16, 2021 City Council Meeting Minutes as Presented.

Moved by Italiano; Seconded by Hellrung. Vote: Motion passed (summary: Aye = 8, Nay = 0). Aye: Dawson, Hellrung, Henderson, Italiano, Knoll, Levo, Manley, and Turner.

D. Communications, to be provided by the City Clerk

Early voting for the Consolidated Election starts on March 22nd, 2021.

E. Citizen Participation - Limited to three (3) minutes per person - none

F. Mayor's Comments

1. Acceptance of Resignation of Brad Parsons, Chief of Police, Effective March 31 2021

Mayor Adomite referred to the upcoming resignation of Chief Parsons and spoke of the great impact this outstanding leader has had on law enforcement in Troy. During his 7 years as Chief, Troy has seen additions such as the Assistant Chief Position, K-9 Unit, Student Resource Officers in elementary schools, the addition of a motorcycle, and various special events. The Police Department has become more approachable and interactive - developing a stronger bond with the community. Chief Parsons will leave our command staff in a great position after years of growth under his mentorship. He has spent 33 years total in law enforcement and it has been a privilege to have him as our Police Chief. He and Gretchen, his wife, will be missed. The Mayor, Council, and those present expressed their gratitude and wished him well on his retirement.

Motion: To Accept the Resignation of Brad Parsons, Chief of Police, Effective March 31, 2021, as Presented. Moved by Italiano; Seconded by Manley. Vote: Motion passed (summary: Aye =8, Nay = 0). Aye: Dawson, Hellrung, Henderson, Italiano, Knoll, Levo, Manley, and Turner.

The Mayor said that Asst. Chief Brent Shownes will start as Interim Police Chief on April 1st, 2021. G. City Administrator and City Attorney Comments

1. City Administrator's Comments

City Administrator Partney reported having received one in-house application for the Building & Zoning Administrative Assistant position.

2. City Attorney's Comments

Attorney Keck commented that he has never worked with a more capable person than Brad Parsons. He appreciates the way he handles the difficult task of being a supervisor and an advocate for the department at the same time. He stressed that the city is losing a valuable asset. He wished him well.

H. Consent Agenda – none

I. Administrative and Community Services Committee Report

1.Planning Commission Meeting - 7:30pm Thursday, March 11, 2021

Building & Zoning’s Linda Taake reported that the Planning Commission will be reviewing an application to rezone 17 acres on the West side of Bradley Smith Drive at their meeting. She also announced a Public Hearing on March 25th at 7:00 pm for the same subject. Notice for the Hearing will appear in the newspaper Mach 4th & 5th. 2. Building and Zoning Administrative Coordinator’s Report

Taake added that Cracker Barrel has applied for a liquor license to consume on premise and sell off premise. J. Finance and Economic Development Committee Report

1. Results of Finance and Economic Development Committee Meeting February 25, 2021

Alderman Henderson summarized the meeting. The Committee discussed the remaining TIF balance and related potential projects. Discussions will continue at later meetings.

2.Results of Finance and Economic Development Committee Meeting March 01, 2021

The Committee met and recommends grants to the Chamber of Commerce, Troy Lion’s Club, and Jim Welch Classic Softball Tournament. The committee will revisit two other requests at a later meeting.

3.Finance and Economic Development Committee Meetings – March 8, 22, & 29, 2021

Future meeting on March 8th and 22nd will include Tourism and TIF while the 29th will focus on the operation budget. 4. City Treasurer Report – none

K. Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Committee Report

Alderman Italiano reiterated the Mayors sentiments regarding Chief Parson’s retirement.

1. Chief of Police's Report

Police Chief Parsons reported the Police Board Meeting was cancelled due to not having a quorum. He added that a missing person was located in Mt. Vernon using an investigative tool called LPR (License Plate Recognition). Locally, there are 128 LPR’s In Illinois, and around 1000 on the Missouri side, all connected. The system allows authorities to go back to check locations of vehicles associated with crimes. The Department requests authorization for the use of seized funds to purchase these devices and install them in police vehicles as well as near the overpass/truckstop area ($35,000), US Route 40, and Troy Scott Rd. Troy would incur a $100/mo. cell and electric bill with the use of these. Also with Council Approval, the Police Department would like to use seized funds for a K-9 and related training.

L. Public Works Committee Report

1. City Engineers Report

City Engineer Cissell referred to his report posted to Board Docs. He referred to the Trail/Pedestrian Path Design construction project awarded to Keller Construction. A preconstruction meeting is scheduled for March 17th or 18th. The 1.8 mile trail will extend through the park and to Spring Valley Rd, connecting to the MCT expansion, Park & Ride, and a future connection to Goshen Trail. The Mayor gave Cissell credit for the great expansion planning. He also thanked Dave Nonn and the Park Board for working collectively to execute this concept.

2. Public Works Schedule and Report - No comments about the Public Works weekly reports posted to Board Docs 3. Director of Public Works Report

Director Hancock reported a sewer backup on US Route 40 caused by flushed wipes. His document on BoardDocs (“Don’t Flush That!”) is to be directed to the public warning of items not to flush, including ‘flushable’ wipes.

M. Reports of Special Committees (as needed) – none

N. Ordinances and Resolutions called by the City Clerk, with Citizen Participation

1. Ordinance 2021-02 –An Ordinance Amending Title III – Administration; Chapter 35 – Police; Sections 35.090/35.091/35.092 – Alarm Systems – of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Troy, Illinois This ordinance updates a previous version to add a $25.00 charge in the event of a false alarm causing the Police Department to respond. It is intended as a tool for use with repeat offender businesses such as the recent 17 false alarms (in 14 days) that mandated 17 police responses. The fee is not meant to hurt a business financially, but to urge them to repair alarms as needed. Attorney Keck will add a cross reference allowing for easier fee updates. Motion: To Adopt Ordinance 2021-01 as Presented.

Moved by: Knoll; Seconded by: Italiano. Vote: Motion passed (summary: Aye = 8, Nay = 0). Aye: Dawson, Hellrung, Henderson, Italiano, Knoll, Levo, Manley, and Turner.

O. Closed Session (as needed)

Motion: To Enter Closed Session under 5ILCS 120/2 (c)2 – Collective Bargaining Matters, as Presented. Moved by: Hellrung; Seconded by: Turner. Vote: Motion passed (summary: Aye = 8, Nay = 0). Aye: Dawson, Hellrung, Henderson, Italiano, Knoll, Levo, Manley, and Turner.

[Meeting recessed from 8:15pm to 8:29pm while those from the public exited the Council Chambers.] [The Council Reentered Open Session at 8:47pm.]

P. Adjournment, no later than 10:00 p.m.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kTos4IvcaTRtsUXnBmZlYkTmesr-otS_xlSG5mTQrkY/edit