Macon Reporter

City of Sullivan City Council met Jan. 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. The City Council of the City of Sullivan, Illinois, met in regular session on Monday, January 23, 2023, 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 - absent

Commissioner Doug Booker - present

Mayor Richard Glazebrook - present

2. Mayor Glazebrook asked if there were any comments from the public.

Nancy Barker asked if the Memorandum of Agreement between the IBEW was a contract and if it authorized another pay increase. The Mayor explained that the memorandum was for a pay increase for an employee that is taking classes to expand his education in his field.

Bob Ingram asked if the transformers approved at the last meeting were unique to those vendors. Commissioner Fowler stated that the City buys transformers from several companies. Mr. Ingram then referenced a statement from the News-Progress where Mayor Glazebrook had stated that the transformers were a single source item. Commissioner Fowler disagreed with the comment. Mayor Glazebrook then stated that they are single source if you are trying to keep all of the transformers the same.

Mr. Ingram asked if there had been any discussion, amongst the Council, regarding the splash pad. Mayor Glazebrook said the Council had discussed this when the City applied for the grant. Commissioner Sherwood added that the Council agreed to work with Chastain's and also approved the grant application. Mr. Ingram then asked if the Council had discussed any of the other items on the agenda. He said that the Council rarely discusses anything that is on the agenda for discussion. Commissioner Sherwood explained that sometimes the Commissioners reach out to each other individually, otherwise they can only discuss the items durng the meetings as a group.

Sullivan Fire Chief Larry Edwards addressed the Council to request TIF funds for the Sullivan Fire Department. They would like to use the fund to purchase new fire engines. Several new projects are being built, with plans for more in the future, which will increase the liability to the Fire District. Mr. Edwards requested a yearly commitment of $75,000 for 20 years.

3. Mayor Glazebrook read the items in the consent agenda:

Approval of minutes of the regular meeting held January 9, 2023 Approval of claims except those in TIF funds

Approval of Treasurer's Report for December 2022

Approval of Resolution 23-A-A resolution authorizing the destruction of audio or video recordings of closed meeting sessions

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

Mayor Richard Glazebrook - yea

Commissioner Chuck Woodworth - absent

and the motion was declared carried by omnibus vote.

4. A motion was made by Commissioner Sherwood and seconded by Commissioner Booker to approve the TIF claims. Upon a roll call being taken, the results were as follows:

Commissioner Abbey Sherwood - yea

Commissioner Doug Booker - yea

Commissioner Mike Fowler - abstain

Mayor Richard Glazebrook - yea

Commissioner Chuck Woodworth - absent

and the motion was declared carried.

5. Commissioner Sherwood reported that the City received the OSLAD Grant for the construction and engineering of a splash pad and new basketball and tennis courts. The splash pad was supported by a Spark Committee that was headed by Becky Ogle. Mrs. Ogle was passionate about having an area that was accessible for all kids. The splash pad will be handicapped accessible and will be located north of the Civic Center in Wyman Park.

The demolition of the City Building is set to start between January 30th and February 10th. Commissioner Sherwood stated that the Council received an email about the continuation of the Aramark contract. Department heads should be signing something every time the company makes a delivery.

The Park Department has been painting bathrooms and repairing picnic tables. She reminded the public that the Civic Center has evening public swim Thursday through Sunday.

6. Commissioner Fowler reported that an underground fault in a primary switch gear caused a power outage at Agri-Fab. A new switch gear was ordered and will be installed this week. He met with Chris Parsons to discuss current and future workloads. A current line crew employee has been taking classes offered by the union hall and is now eligible to classify as an Underground Specialist. Peterson Inc. wired $365,197.88 to the City for outstanding Mason Point utility accounts, the accounts are now paid in full.

Commissioner Fowler contacted Verbal Blakey regarding the City's rate study. She confirmed that the study should be done on Wednesday.

The line crew has been working on the old City Building.

7. Commissioner Booker reported that the Street Department completed brush pick up, loaded rock for sale, took down the awning at the old City Building, helped the Park with Christmas lights, picked up Christmas trees for IDNR, pushed up concrete at the dump lot, picked up trash on the square, worked on equipment, cleaned storm drains, trimmed trees away from signs, replaced street signs, attended a meeting about upcoming projects, put rock in areas around town, had the bucket truck tested, cleaned the shop and got equipment ready for the upcoming storm. Commissioner Booker thanked Ryan Nuding and Bubba Farris for taking care of the awning removal.

8. Mayor Glazebrook reported that the Gas Department has been putting lines in at the Water Plant. He thanked the Rural Water District for letting the City install lines across their property.

The Cemetery staff have been taking care of the Cemetery, helping with Christmas lights and set up the audio for the Council meeting.

The Mayor worked with Economic Development and had a meeting with the Superintendents on upcoming projects. The City Building is getting cleaned out for the demolition. He is still looking for grants for the City and has contacted representatives about available funds. There has been talk with some fairly large businesses and he is hopeful that some of them will be interested in coming to Sullivan.

9. A motion was made by Mayor Glazebrook and seconded by Commissioner Booker to approve Ordinance 23-2- An Ordinance Amending Chapter 9- Cemetery, Section 9-2-1 of the Revised Code of Ordinances of the City of Sullivan, Illinois. Mayor Glazebrook explained that the change required that the Cemetery Foreman signs Cemetery Deeds. 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 - absent

and the motion was declared carried.

10. A motion was made by Mayor Glazebrook and seconded by Commissioner Fowler to approve Ordinance 23-3 - An Ordinance amending Sections 6-1-2 of Chapter 6 of the "Municipal Code, City of Sullivan, Illinois,” as amended. Mayor Glazebrook explained that this Ordinance eliminated the sprinkler system

requirement for single family residences and duplexes. Upon a roll call being taken, the results were as follows:

Mayor Richard Glazebrook - yea

Commissioner Mike Fowler - yea - yea

Commissioner Abbey Sherwood - yea

Commissioner Doug Booker - yea

Commissioner Chuck Woodworth - absent

and the motion was declared carried.

11. The City currently has $50,000 invested in CD's for the Cemetery. One CD will mature on January 29th and the other will mature in July. Mayor Glazebrook would like to cash the CD's out and use the funds to purchase crypts and a tractor with a bucket for the Cemetery. The CD's have a 3.5% renewal rate. Commissioner Sherwood believes it is important for the Council to discuss closing out any CD's, rather than the decision being made by individual Commissioners. This money was put on the City's books in 1965 and was set aside as a perpetual care fund for the Cemetery. After a search, there is no documentation explaining where the money came from or how it was to be used. Commissioners Fowler, Sherwood and Booker were in agreement with the CD's being redeemed.

12. Mayor Glazebrook stated that Commissioner Fowler presented an accurate presentation of the Peterson Fund during his report. Commissioner Sherwood added that the funds were distributed to the appropriate utility funds.

13. Mayor Glazebrook asked when information would be sent out to the departments for the 2024 budget. Treasurer Golden stated that the information will be sent out in February or March, it is possible that there could be a preliminary budget compiled by April for the first review.

14. A motion was made by Commissioner Sherwood and seconded by Commissioner Booker to approve a Professional Services Agreement with Chastain & Associates LLC for the $83,850.00 for Wyman Park Improvements. Upon a roll call being taken, the results were as follows:

Commissioner Abbey Sherwood - yea

Commissioner Doug Booker - yea

Commissioner Mike Fowler - yea

Mayor Richard Glazebrook - yea

Commissioner Chuck Woodworth - absent

and the motion was declared carried.

15. A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler and seconded by Mayor Glazebrook to approve the Memorandum of Agreement between the IBEW and the City of Sullivan, Illinois. Commissioner Fowler explained that this is for an employee to receive a pay increase and a title change from Low Voltage Technician to Underground Specialist. Under this MOA, the employee will receive eighty percent of the Journeyman scale. This employee will now be able to respond to call outs. Upon a roll call being taken, the results were as follows:

Commissioner Mike Fowler - yea

Mayor Richard Glazebrook - yea

Commissioner Abbey Sherwood - yea

Commissioner Doug Booker - yea

Commissioner Chuck Woodworth - absent

and the motion was declared carried.

16. A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler and seconded by Commissioner Sherwood to approve the agreement with BH Electric, LLC to extend their previous agreement to April 30, 2023. Commissioner Fowler has interviewed three electrical companies for this contract. Mayor Glazebrook doesn't wish to make any major changes at this time, as this will be a short-term contract. BH electric has been with the City a long time and both Foremen are really happy with them. The Electric Department has a lot of work that needs to be completed and Commissioner Fowler believes that the City could use contractors year round for the next two to three years. He thinks things are moving in the right direction and would like to continue with a four man line crew and four contractors. Commissioner Fowler has been contacted by some Journeymen interested in coming to work for the City. He believes that continuing with contractors isn't the cheapest route, but the best route for the City. Upon a roll call being taken, the results were as follows:

Commissioner Mike Fowler - yea

Commissioner Abbey Sherwood - yea

Commissioner Doug Booker - yea

Mayor Richard Glazebrook - yea

Commissioner Chuck Woodworth - absent

and the motion was declared carried.

17. A motion was made by Mayor Glazebrook and seconded by Commissioner Booker to approve the Ordinance 23-4 - An Ordinance Authorizing the Issuance of a Combined Waterworks and Sewerage System Revenue Bond, Series C of the City of Sullivan, Illinois and Authorizing Certain Actions and Documents and Prescribing Other Matters Relating Thereto. This ordinance is for the issuance of bonds for the Water Treatment Plant. 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

Commissioner Chuck Woodworth - absent

and the motion was declared carried.

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

Commissioner Abbey Sherwood - yea

Commissioner Mike Fowler - yea

Commissioner Doug Booker - yea

Mayor Richard Glazebroo- yea

Commissioner Chuck Woodworth - absent

and the motion was declared carried and the meeting was adjourned at 7:07 p.m.

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