City of Monmouth City Council met Feb. 18.
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: Aldermen Justin Thomas, Tony Cook, Brian Daw, Robert Wells, Juan Pinedo, Dan Heatherly and Alderwoman Mary Kelly Absent: Alderwoman Susan Twomey Also Present: Mayor Rod Davies, City Clerk Susan S. Trevor, City Attorney Marcum Spears, MFD Chief Casey Rexroat, MPD Chief Joe Switzer, Woodard and Curran Public Works Director Andy Jackson, Community Engagement-IT Director Ken Helms and Building and Zoning Director Joe Clark. Also Absent: City Administrator Lew Steinbrecher
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Approval of February 3, 2020 Council Meeting Minutes
It was moved by Alderman Cook and seconded by Alderman Wells to approve the February 3, 2020 Minutes as presented. AYE: Aldermen Thomas, Cook, Wells, Heatherly and Alderwoman Kelly NAY: none PASS: Alderman Daw and Pinedo ABSENT: Alderwoman Twomey 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. Swearing-in of New Firefighters
City Clerk Susan Trevor swore in Connor Benson and Wesley Wenger as two new firefighters for the Monmouth Fire Department.
C. Consent Agenda
1. Approval of Bills
It was moved by Alderman Heatherly and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to approve the payment of the bills as presented. AYE: Aldermen Cook, Daw, Wells, Heatherly, Pinedo, Alderwoman Kelly and Alderman Thomas ABSENT: Alderwoman Twomey NAY: none MOTION CARRIED.
V. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
A. MPD January Report – Chief Switzer
• There were 49 arrests in January with 2,001 calls for service.
• MPD is coordinating with MFD to hold a mock DUI drill in the Spring.
• The department has been working on string of burglaries and has arrested Randall Bell and charged him with burglary and possession of meth. Chief Switzer commended Investigators Hepner, McVey and Kramer for their fine detective work in solving the string of burglaries, which culminated with the arrest of Randall Bell.
• There have been 7 drug related arrests.
• Lt. Bratcher conducted A.L.I.C.E. drills at three churches. B. MFD January Report – Chief Rexroat
The department responded to 95 calls in January
The entire annual training was reviewed.
The department is working in conjunction with the MPD and the schools on holding a mock car wreck. MPD Lt. Bratcher and MFD Captain Cozadd are spearheading the exercise.
Tanker 7 that was sold to the Central Warren Fire Protection District was picked up by them.
The department is applying for a small grant from the State Fire Marshall’s office to replace our extrication equipment that doesn’t work.
Chief Rexroat said he is also working on the annual Assistance to Firefighter Grant, which is a Federal Grant through FEMA, to be able to purchase a new ladder truck.
The two new firefighters sworn in tonight will go to the Fire Academy in Champaign on March 1st for a total of ten weeks.
C. Approval of 2nd Amendment to Smithfield Agreement
Mayor Davies explained that this amendment is necessary because of the $7.68 million dollar rehabilitation of the North Treatment Plant which services Smithfield and he feels it is a good agreement. The City is borrowing the money for their share of the rehabilitation of the North Treatment Plant; however, Smithfield is committed to paying the debt service and in the case of their withdrawal from the community, they will pay any outstanding debt. In addition, Smithfield has agreed to carry out any changes mandated by the EPA. The amendment also specifies quarterly meetings between Smithfield and the City. This amended agreement replaces agreements that date all the way back to Agar. This major overhaul is necessary in order to continue to meet EPA standards. It was moved by Alderman Wells and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to approve the 2nd Amendment to the Smithfield Agreement as presented. AYE: Aldermen Daw, Wells, Pinedo, Heatherly, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen Thomas and Cook. NAY: none ABSENT: Alderwoman Twomey MOTION CARRIED.
D. Monmouth-Roseville district 238 Community Signage Project Request
Mayor Davies explained that M-R CUSD #238 has submitted a request to hang banners on existing poles in and around Monmouth City Square. During the ensuing discussion, questions were raised as to the length of time that the banners would be displayed; the size of the banners; how many were to put up and the size of the banners. As there was no one present representing the school district, the Council tabled the discussion until the next Council meeting when there could be a representative from M-R School District present and some guidelines could be proposed as to what the requirements for the banners on the poles would be.
VI. ORDINANCES A. 1st Reading
1. 20-004, Variance–Variance for Signage–1001 W. 11th Ave.-Love’s Truck Stop
Loves is asking for a height variance to allow a sign that would be 75 feet high as they were concerned that when traffic coming South over the overpass on Rte. 67 would not be able to see their sign if it was lower. He said that it came from the ZBA with unanimous approval and a recommendation for Council approval. It was moved by Alderman Heatherly and seconded by Alderman Cook to approve the Variance for Signage for the Love’s Truck Stop. AYE: Aldermen Daw, Wells, Heatherly, Pinedo, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen Thomas and Cook NAY: None ABSENT: Alderwoman Twomey MOTION CARRIED.
2. 20-005, Declaration of Surplus Property
IT Director Helms explained that the MPD had switched over to all digital radios and their old analog radios were incompatible with the new digital radios. In declaring these radios surplus, it makes it possible to offer them to volunteer departments. It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman Wells to approve declaring the old analog radios as surplus property. AYE: Alderman Wells, Pinedo, Heatherly, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen Thomas, Cook and Daw NAY: none ABSENT: Alderwoman Twomey MOTION CARRIED.
B. 2nd Reading
1. 20-003, Special Use Variance – 1130 East Broadway, Barber Shop
Building and Zoning Director Clark explained that due to the lack of quorum at the February 3rd Council Meeting, Ordinance 20-003 has been brought back for a 2nd Reading. The ZBA voted their unanimous approval and recommended Council approval for a Special Use Variance allowing a Barber Shop at 1130 East Broadway. AYE: Aldermen Pinedo, Heatherly, Thomas, Cook, Daw and Wells NAY: none ABSTAIN: Alderwoman Kelly ABSENT: 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 February 18, 2020 meeting at 6:35 p.m. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote with the exception of Alderwoman Twomey, who was absent.
https://www.cityofmonmouth.com/attachments/article/757/February%2018,%202020%20Council%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf
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