City of Monmouth City Council met Sept. 16.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
I. CALL TO ORDER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Rod Davies called the meeting to order in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 100 East Broadway at 6:00 p.m. and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
II. ROLL CALL
City Clerk Susan S. Trevor called the roll and those answering Present were: Alderman
Tony Cook, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Wells, Pinedo, Heatherly and Alderwoman Mary Kelly Absent: Alderman Justin Thomas Also Present: Mayor Rod Davies, City Administrator Lew Steinbrecher, City Clerk Susan S. Trevor, City Attorney Marcum Spears, MFD Chief Casey Rexroat, MPD Chief Joe Switzer, Woodard and Curran Director Andy Jackson, IT Director Ken Helms and Building and Zoning Director Joe Clark.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Approval of the September 3, 2019 Council Meeting Minutes
It was moved by Alderwoman Kelly and seconded by Alderman Daw to approve the September 3, 2019 Council Meeting Minutes. AYE: Alderman Cook, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Wells, Pinedo, Heatherly and Alderwoman Kelly ABSENT: Alderman Thomas NAY: none MOTION CARRIED.
IV. PRESENTATION TO THE COUNCIL
A. Presentations or Citizen Inquiries (all inquiries are limited to 3 minutes per City Ordinance)
There were none to be heard.
B. Consent Agenda
1. Approval of Bills
It was moved by Alderman Heatherly and seconded by Alderman Cook to approve the payment of the bills as presented. AYE: Alderman Cook, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Wells, Pinedo, Heatherly and Alderwoman Kelly NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Thomas MOTION CARRIED.
V. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
A. MFD August Report – Chief Rexroat
The department responded to 102 calls in the month of August, which included a structure fire on East 11th Avenue that began in a shed and spread to the house.
The department provided standby for the Maple City Cruise Night.
Staff training included topics of pre-fire planning and district familiarization; Firefighter packaging, drags and carries.
Emergency medical training consisted of a review of the procedures for patients who have suffered trauma to their heads and faces.
All trucks are back in service.
The department is down two firefighters due to one resignation and one going on disability.
B. MPD August Report – Chief Switzer
The department made 69 arrests in the month of August with 1260 calls for service.
Active shooter training was conducted at all five of the M-R schools.
An Internet Safety Talk was given at Central Intermediate for the 6th grade class
MC Freshman Walk-Out was held with no incidents.
No staff training was conducted during the month of August and there were no equipment issues.
C. Stop Sign Request – Intersection of E. Franklin and N. 3rd
Dana Myers, a resident of 406 E. Franklin, made a request on behalf of a number of neighbors to have a stop sign placed in the East/West direction at the intersection of East Franklin and North 3rd. Ms. Myers explained that there are a number of children in the area and the cars fly through that intersection and the neighborhood residents fear that a child is going to be hurt. Chief Switzer recommended placing a stop sign in the East/West direction on East Franklin. It was moved by Alderman Cook and seconded by Alderwoman Twomey to follow Chief Switzer’s recommendation for placement of an East/West stop sign on East Franklin Avenue. AYE: Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Wells, Pinedo, Heatherly, Alderwoman Kelly and Alderman Cook ABSENT: Alderman Thomas NAY: none MOTION CARRIED.
D. 353 Court, LLC Recommendations for Downtown Revitalization Strategy
In the fall of 2018, 353 Court LLC, was contracted to help the City revitalize its downtown. Since that time, the group has met with many citizens, business owners, building owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. They have assessed vacant buildings and businesses within a 16 block radius of downtown as well as business niches not currently being met in Monmouth. They discovered that there is a good amount of entrepreneurial spirit within the community. Marketing research has been conducted to determine an effective brand for the City’s downtown to take it from vacant to vibrant. It is 353 Court’s recommendation to take a phased approach to total revitalization that will include many areas of improvement over a short time. A draft of the plan is on the City’s website and a copy of tonight’s presentation will also be on the website. City Administrator Steinbrecher and Mayor Davies thanked the group for all their diligent work in preparing this report and for their commitment to assisting the City in their revitalization of our downtown.
VI. ORDINANCES A. 1st Reading
1. 19-026, Amending Section 115.24, Classes of Licenses; Fees
City Attorney Spears explained that he thought the Council had already passed this ordinance creating a Class V Liquor License, but upon researching the ordinances neither he nor the City Clerk could find that it had ever been passed; therefore, it needs to be passed as it covers a number of special events that take place in the City. A Class V Liquor License will cover special events by non-profit organizations and allow them to obtain a Special Events License from the State without having to utilize an existing license holder to serve liquor at their event. By creating this Class V license, the City as a Home Rule community, will be able to specify the conditions by which an organization can obtain a local special events license. It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman Wells to approve Ordinance 19-026 which amends Section 115.24, Classes of Licenses; Fees and creates a Class V Liquor License. AYE: Aldermen Daw, Wells, Pinedo, Heatherly, Alderwoman Kelly, Alderman Cook and Alderwoman Twomey ABSENT: Alderman Thomas NAY: none MOTION CARRIED.
2. 19-027, Variance for At-Home Business – East Detroit
Building and Zoning Director Clark explained that this is a special use variance to conduct an at home business for novelty/antique items at 1020 E. Detroit Avenue. It comes to Council with the unanimous approval of the ZBA. It was moved by Alderman Heatherly and seconded by Alderman Daw to accept the recommendation of the ZBA and approve granting a special use variance for 1020 E. Detroit Avenue. AYE: Aldermen Wells, Pinedo, Heatherly, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen Cook and Daw ABSENT: Alderman Thomas
NAY: Alderwoman Twomey MOTION CARRIED.
VII. OTHER BUSINESS
There was none to consider.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Alderman Heatherly and seconded by Alderman Daw to adjourn the September 16, 2019 meeting at 6:40 p.m. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote with the exception of Alderman Thomas, who was absent.
https://www.cityofmonmouth.com/attachments/article/738/September%2016,%202019%20Council%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf
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