City of Sullivan City Council met May 9.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
1. The City Council of the City of Sullivan, Illinois, met in regular sessio at 6:00 p.m. at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library, 16 E. Harrison 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 Doug Booker - present
Mayor Richard Glazebrook - present
2. Lee Beckman gave an update on the status of grants and City projects. The last loan for the Water Plant Improvement Project has not been closed. Construction is planned to begin on July 1st. The engineering agreement for the Bernius Project hasn't been returned from IDOT. Commissioner Booker was provided with plans for the Overlay Project on Water Street and VanBuren Street. Rebuild Illinois funds will be used to complete this project. A bid opening for this project will be scheduled for the first meeting in June. The City was awarded $250,000 from the Safe Routes to School Grant. The American Rescue Plan Act funds will be used for the Eastview and Main Street Lift Stations.
3. Mayor Glazebrook asked if there were any comments from the public.
A citizen asked if the Council intended to vote on the electric rates. His understanding was that the City would increase taxes due to inflation in the budget, and then also raise rates. He questioned how this could be justified when the City has a $5.7 million balance in the electric fund. He then asked if the Council would be discussing raising the energy rate or the energy cost adjustment rate. He also asked if a rate study had been completed.
Another citizen asked if the Council was going to discuss the funding for the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development and if they would further discuss what would warrant the increase in funding.
Gerry Wood thanked the Street Department for installing the pet waste stations. His wife and Scout Pack 39 provided the stations as a service project. He added that they look good and thinks they will make a positive impact on the downtown community.
4. Mayor Glazebrook read the items in the consent agenda:
• Approval of minutes of the regular meeting held April 25, 2022
Approval of claims except those in TIF funds Acceptance of variance recommendation from the Zoning Board of Appeals for Anita Kim Warren, PIN# 08-08-02-241-002 Acceptance of variance recommendation from the Zoning Board of Appeals for Main Street Capital Partners, LLC, PIN# 08-08-11-402 005
A motion was made by Commissioner Booker and seconded by Commissioner Sherwood to accept the consent agenda. Upon a roll call being taken the results were as follows:
Commissioner Doug Booker - yea
Commissioner Abbey Sherwood - yea
Commissioner Mike Fowler - yea
Commissioner Chuck Woodworth - yea
Mayor Richard Glazebrook - yea
and the motion was declared carried by omnibus vote.
5. A motion was made by Commissioner Woodworth and seconded by Commissioner Booker to accept the TF claims. Upon a roll call being taken, the results were as follows:
Commissioner Chuck Woodworth - yea
Commissioner Doug Booker - yea
Commissioner Abbey Sherwood - yea
Commissioner Mike Fowler - abstain
Mayor Richard Glazebrook - yea
and the motion was declared carried
6. Commissioner Sherwood reported that the island project will be starting at Wyman Park. She talked with Treasurer Golden regarding the investment policy and plans to have something to present at the next meeting. The new audit company was onsite recently and the office staff has been gathering the information they requested. Commissioner Sherwood thanked Karen Skidis for her dedication to the success and growth of our town and her efforts to keep up with change. Karen recently retired after serving as a utility clerk at the City Building for over fifteen years.
7. Commissioner Fowler asked Commissioner Sherwood if she had received pricing on the LED lighting for the park from Kaleb Martin. She stated that the last quote she had received was approximately a year ago for $90,000. Treasurer Golden stated that she had an updated quote for $50,000. Commissioner Fowler added that that price was for the south and middle diamonds and that he may be able to get some volunteered help for the project. He suggested purchasing the lights with Titus funds. Commissioner Sherwood stated that she didn't think it was a good option to use the Titus money and would like to use a different account. She added that there are future plants to invest the Titus funds and use the investment money to help with the Water Plant payments.
8. Commissioner Fowler reported that he was approached by a citizen regarding e-bikes. The citizen disagrees with the ordinance and doesn't think they should be categorized with gas bicycles, Commissioner Fowler received an email from Rodd Whelpley concerning the electric vehicle charging stations. The Mayor has shown interest in the possible installation of 2 stations within the City.
Jason Jackson from BHMG completed a final inspection on the LED lighting project at Hardee's. Commissioner Fowler stated that the diesel tank project at the Electric Plant could also include correction to a junction box issue and a recent issue discovered at the substation. They have discussed issuing bonds in the future to cover the cost of this project. The Distribution Crew fixed street lights, removed old pole lights, ran new secondary lines, repaired a reclosure switch, prepared a site for a transformer, repaired lights around the park, met with BHMG and completed work orders and JULIE locates. The Distribution Foreman would like the Council to consider hiring a three or four-man crew from Big D Electric for a solid year. The crew would assist in changing out 40 poles, a transclosure project and upcoming development within the City. Commissioner Fowler then stated the he had worked with the Distribution Crew and got their input on Union negotiations. On November 15, 2021, he stepped back and authorized the Mayor to oversee the distribution crew. He thanked the Mayor for his help over the last few months and announced that he will be resuming his role with the Line Crew,
9. Commissioner Woodworth reported that the rain delayed the installation of the water main for the Tabeling project.
10. Commissioner Booker reported that the Street Department loaded rock for sale, cleaned the dump lots, worked on alleys, patched potholes, mowed, ran the street sweeper, picked up trash on the square, installed pet waste stations, cleaned the shop, worked on equipment, repaired a storm drain and cleaned storm drains.
11. Mayor Glazebrook reported that the Cemetery Personnel had been getting the Cemetery ready for Memorial Day. The gas department is preparing to check valves and have been repairing weak spots in the system. He met with Mr. Walk Economic Development, and the IMEA. He added that he believes the City is in a good partnership with the IMEA. Rates are going up around us and with the IMEA being a part of the Prairie State Coal Plant, we may not have an issue with our supply of energy. We may experience the plant being used more than before, as there is talk of rolling blackouts, downtime and other issues with the electric grid. The generators at the Power Plant will be tested in June. In March, the plant generated for approximately 18 hours with only 30 minutes of downtime. The IMEA reimbursed the City for the fuel that was used during that time. The City previously locked in seventy percent of it's gas at around $2.95, which saved the citizens approximately $441,000. The City has locked in prices again this year at $3.32.
12.A motion was made by Commissioner Sherwood and seconded by Commissioner Fowler to approve an agreement with the Sullivan Chamber & Economic Development Board for $95,000 annually for fiscal years 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025. Grant Wade spoke on behalf of the Sullivan Chamber & Economic Development Board. He elaborated on the partnership shared between the City and the SCED that focuses on economic growth in our community. The Board hopes to expand that partnership over the coming years. Their goal is to stabilize the organization's funding. They have reevaluated their budget, increased chamber dues by one percent, and realigned their priorities.
In the past few years, the SCED has received grants for projects benefitting the City and is currently working on over 40 million dollars of projects. Some of the projects include Tabeling Development, Cedar Dale Subdivision, Yoder's furniture, and the obtainable housing project. The SCED, Treasurer Golden, and Commissioner Sherwood worked together to design a 3-year agreement. Mr. Wade added that the Board is grateful for the support the City has shown and is hopeful that the support will continue.
Commissioner Sherwood explained that the agreement outlines the City's expectations of the chamber, so the next Council will know where everyone stands. Previously, the agreement was for $75,000 and is being increased to $95,000.
Upon a roll call being taken, the results were as follows:
Commissioner Abbey Sherwood - yea
Commissioner Mike Fowler - yea
Commissioner Chuck Woodworth - yea
Commissioner Doug Booker - yea
Mayor Richard Glazebrook - yea
and the motion was declared carried
13. A motion was made by Mayor Glazebrook and seconded by Commissioner Booker to approve the Engineering Services Agreement for $30,000 with Milano & Gruntoh Engineers, LLC for the Design Engineering for the Safe Route to School Project. The sidewalk will start at the elementary school on Graham Street to Hunter Street, then east on Hunter Street to Main Street, then south on Main Street to Jackson Street. Commissioner Boooker would like to add a sidewalk from the trailer park to the school. Upon a roll call being taken, the results were as follows:
Mayor Richard Glazebrook - yea
Commissioner Doug Booker - yea
Commissioner Abbey Sherwood - yea
Commissioner Mike Fowler - yea
Commissioner Chuck Woodworth - yea
and the motion was declared carried
14. A motion was then made by Mayor Glazebrook and seconded Commissioner Booker to approve the Engineering Services Agreement for $25,000 with Milano & Grunloh Engineers, LLC for the Construction Engineering for the Safe Routes to School Project. Upon a roll call being taken, the results were as follows:
Mayor Richard Glazebrook - yea
Commissioner Doug Booker - yea
Commissioner Abbey Sherwood - yea
Commissioner Mike Fowler - yea
Commissioner Chuck Woodworth - yea
and the motion was declared carried.
15. A motion was made by Mayor Glazebrook and seconded by Commissioner Woodworth to approve an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Sullivan School District for $33,000 for the 2022-2023 school year and $33,500 for the 2023-2024 school year. This agreement provides a school Resource Officer. Upon a roll call being taken, the results were as follows:
Mayor Richard Glazebrook - yea
Commissioner Chuck Woodworth - yea
Commissioner Abbey Sherwood - yea
Commissioner Mike Fowler - yea
Commissioner Doug Booker - yea
and the motion was declared carried
16. Mayor Glazebrook stated that the discussion and possible action on changes to electric rates would be tabled until the next meeting.
17. A motion was made by Mayor Glazebrook and seconded by Commissioner Sherwood that the city increase its gas rate four percent. A citizen asked what the rates are currently and what they would be after the increase. The Mayor did not have that information and added that the price of natural gas is increasing everywhere. The citizen added that natural gas is traded on the futures market daily and is contracted and didn't see the need for a 4% increase when a 1 or 2 % increase could be sufficient to cover the cost of deferred maintenance. The Mayor responded that the cost of gas piping has increased. The rate increase will help cover the cost of inflation that the City will experience. Upon a roll call being taken, the results were as follows:
Mayor Richard Glazebrook - yea
Commissioner Abbey Sherwood - yea
Commissioner Mike Fowler - yea
Commissioner - yea
Chuck Woodworth - yea
Commissioner Doug Booker - yea
and the motion was declared carried
18. A motion was made by Commissioner Woodworth and seconded by Commissioner Booker to increase water rates by 4% and the sewer rates by 4%. The water rate is currently at $24.99 for the first 2,000 gallons used. Commissioner Woodworth stated that the water plant had an expense of $11,000 for chemicals last month. He added that the cost of water main had tripled and expenses to operate the plant have also increased. Upon a roll call being taken, the results were as follows:
Commissioner Chuck Woodworth - yea
Commissioner Doug Booker - yea
Commissioner Abbey Sherwood- yea
Commissioner Mike Fowler - yea
Mayor Richard Glazebrook - yea
and the motion was declared carried
19. A motion was made by Commissioner Sherwood and seconded by Commissioner Woodworth to adjourn the meeting. Upon a roll call being taken, the results were as follows:
Commissioner Abbey Sherwood - yea
Commissioner Chuck Woodworth - yea
Commissioner Mike Fowler - yea
Commissioner Doug Booker - yea
Mayor Richard Glazebrook - yea
and the motion was declared carried and the meeting was adjourned at 7:13 p.m.
http://cms6.revize.com/revize/sullivanil/May%209,%20Minutes.pdf
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