Macon Reporter

City of Clinton City Council met Aug. 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Clinton, Illinois in session in the Council Chambers of City Hall and electronically at 7:00 p.m. Acting Mayor Tom Edmunds, presiding. On roll call, Commissioners Wise, Ballenger, Edmunds, and Buchanan were present. Mayor Cyrulik was absent.

Written motion was made by Commissioner Wise and seconded by Commissioner Ballenger that the minutes of the regular meeting of August 2, 2022 be approved as submitted. On roll call vote, Commissioners Ballenger, Edmunds, Buchanan, and Wise voted “Yes.”

The bills and payroll were read.

Written motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Wise that the bills and payroll be allowed as read and the Clerk be instructed to issue warrants on the Treasurer for the several amounts. On roll call vote, Commissioners Edmunds, Buchanan, Wise, and Ballenger voted “Yes.”

PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 

Melissa & Kyle Morris addressed the Council regarding the staircase that Commissioner Ballenger and Mayor Cyrulik told them they would fill it in and now it is not getting filled in and they want to know why? Commissioner Buchanan stated it was not the City’s responsibility the business owners are responsible for 6 feet out and Commissioner Edmunds stated that is not correct the businesses are responsible for snow and ice removal not construction and this would be the City’s to repair. There is a bid from Farnsworth Group for a topographical survey that needs to be done first and when it is done the City can have the work done. Mr. Morris stated filling in the vault has been done at many businesses. Commissioner Wise stated those were steam tunnels and you bought a building knowing that was there and it should be your responsibility. Why is the City responsible for an outside entrance to your building? Mr. Morris stated it became a safety issue when a city employee fell down the stairs at this building. City Attorney, John Hoblit stated looking into city code 7-5-9 that deals with encroachments and obstructions that are prohibited but this was probably built before the city codes were passed so it was likely grandfathered in. What you are doing tonight will set a precedence going forward. Mr. Morris stated when they bought the building, he was told he could fill in the hole and concrete it but when people started tripping over the hump, he talked to Commissioner Buchanan and there is no way to cut out the hump without getting into the staircase so there was no reason for them to pay all the money to fix it and be torn out when they fix the hump. Commissioner Buchanan stated when you filled in the hole and concreted then the City would reimburse him. Mr. Morris stated that was not what was agreed upon. Commissioner Buchanan was told that sidewalks could not be paid for out of TIF IV, but Commissioner Edmunds said they could be, so we need to get City staff together to fix all the steam tunnels. Commissioner Buchanan approved the topographical survey to be done in the amount of $2,402.00.

Seth Redington addressed the Council regarding coming to the Council meetings and asking questions since November and not getting any answers. The City has policies, procedures, ordinances, and laws in the City for a reason. This all started out with a City building that was a Fire Training Facility by his house that the City owned that was disassembled and moved to another City property. He has made FOIA requests for records and has got some responses. Two weeks ago, he came to the Council meeting asking questions about a grandfather clause and you just told the people before him that their building was probably grandfathered in. What about that Industrial piece of property that runs right along our property? When someone asked questions, I would think you would take it serious and look into it. He wanted to know if Commissioner Ballenger dressed like an officer of the Fire Dept. but, did he go through the probationary period? You can find the answers because they have meetings which they take minutes. The City Clerk takes minutes and types them out, but they are also recorded. This City has a huge problem. Those people that were just ahead of him trying to get a sidewalk fixed. That sidewalk is City property. Who is in charge to address safety issues? Nobody wants to address anything. I have asked many questions. He bought 2 properties off of his Grandparents and there is a street out front, and he text Commissioner Buchanan about it with no response. What do I need to do to get answers to all the questions that I have? Do I need to put it in writing and give to each one of the Council? Commissioner Ballenger I have read all the City ordinances educating myself and not one Ordinance says that you or your departments are exempt. Could you please provide that information for me? Commissioner Ballenger stated that his departments were exempt from any City ordinances. Commissioner Ballenger said he never said that. He asked the City Clerk to find those minutes and provide him a copy of that meeting. What I was talking about is burning at the Fire Training and Commissioner Ballenger said they were exempt.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS 

Mayor Cyrulik was absent.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF STREETS & PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS 

Commissioner Buchanan had no report.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC PROPERTY 

Commissioner Wise reported that in the bills this month the panel for the lime silo is finally here so we can finish that project. The department is doing normal work and haven’t had any leaks for a while. He wanted to remind everyone about the Clinton

Founder’s Day on Sunday, August 21st on the Square at 1:00 p.m. and then at the Museum at 2:00 p.m.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY 

Commissioner Ballenger asked David Dallas on an update on the new Firetruck, and he reported that the cab won’t be in until September so that puts the delivery of the truck back to January.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTS & FINANCES 

Commissioner Edmunds reported that in the bills is an overage payment for our Liability Insurance and in General the City has purchased a piece of property.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS 

Written motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan to approve the Purchase of (2) 2022-2023 Ford Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles for the Police Dept. from Morrow Brothers Ford in the amount not to exceed $95,000.00. On roll call vote, Commissioners Buchanan, Wise, Ballenger, and Edmunds voted “Yes.”

Written motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Wise to adopt Ordinance #1555, Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Excess Personal Property (2 – 2016 Ford Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles). On roll call vote, Commissioners Wise, Ballenger, Edmunds, and Buchanan voted “Yes.”

NEW BUSINESS 

Written motion was made by Commissioner Buchanan and seconded by Commissioner Ballenger to approve Resolution 2022-9, Resolution for Improvement Under the Illinois Highway Code for S. Madison St. & W. Washington St. in the amount of $78,088.04. On roll call vote, Commissioners Ballenger, Edmunds, Buchanan, and Wise voted “Yes.”

On File – Exemptions for Vendors of the Apple-n-Pork Festival

ADJOURNMENT 

With no further business to come before the Council, a motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan to adjourn the meeting. On roll call vote, Commissioners Edmunds, Buchanan, Wise, and Ballenger voted “Yes.”

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