City of Zion City Council met January 3.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
Mayor Pro Tem DeTienne called the meeting to order.
On call of the roll the following answered present: Commissioners McDowell, Fischer, and Mayor Pro Tem DeTienne. Commissioner McKinney and Mayor Hill were absent. A quorum was present.
Also present: Police Chief Steve Dumyahn, Fire/Rescue Deputy Chief Eric Montellano, City Administrator David Knabel, Building & Zoning Director Richard Ianson and City Attorney Paula Randall. Public Works Director Ron Colangelo was absent.
W. C. Bremner led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Agenda Changes:
It was moved by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner Fischer to accept the City Council meeting agenda with the following change:
(11) Correct the next Zion Township Board Meeting and Zion City Council to read January 16.
The vote on roll call was: Commissioners McDowell, aye; Fischer aye; and Mayor Pro Tem DeTienne, aye. Motion carried.
Citizen Comments:
W.C. Bremner, Zion, stated at the December 5th meeting some gentlemen approached the Council requesting to put a Solar Farm in Zion. He stated by circumstance the Chicago Tribune had an article regarding Board members in Will County preparing for the arrival of Solar Farms. Mr. Bremnar presented the article to Mayor Pro Tem DeTienne.
Consent Agenda:
It was moved by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner Fischer that the Consent Agenda be approved as follows:
(a) Approval Of Minutes: of a Regular Meeting held on December 19, 2017 at 7:10 p.m.
(b) Bills: Vouchers 128168 through 128273 drawn on First Merit Bank, Total $3,024,588.40
Approved by omnibus vote as follows: Commissioners McDowell, aye; Fischer, aye; and Mayor Pro Tem DeTienne, aye. Motion carried.
Resolution/IMRF Early Retirement Incentive:
It was moved by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner Fischer that a Resolution (18-R-1) be passed adopting an early retirement incentive. The vote on roll call was: Commissioners McDowell, aye; Fischer, aye; and Mayor Pro Tem DeTienne, aye. Motion carried. Resolution passed.
Resolution/Amortozation Period/Early Retirement Incentive:
It was moved by Commissioner Fischer, seconded by Commissioner McDowell that a Resolution (18-R-2) be passed adopting an amortization period for IMRF early retirement incentive. The vote on roll call was: Commissioners McDowell, aye; Fischer, aye; and Mayor Pro Tem DeTienne, aye. Motion carried. Resolution passed.
Ordinance/Surplus Vehicle/Fire/Rescue Department:
A memo (18-DOC-1) was received from Chief Lewis requesting that a vehicle be declared surplus and donated to BC Automotive for parts. After a mechanical breakdown while being driven, fleet maintenance determined that the 2004 Ford Explorer used by the fire department was in need of a replacement engine. The vehicle was replaced by a new 2017 Ford Explorer through the capital item budget for Fiscal Year 2018. The intent was to keep it as a spare, however, it was decided the most economical option was to declare the vehicle surplus. BC Automotive frequently gives the fire department vehicles to practice extrication skills with and allows the department to use their parking lot for training exercises.
It was moved by Commissioner McDowell seconded by Commissioner Fischer that an Ordinance (18-O-1) be passed declaring a 2004 Ford Explorer, VIN 1FMZU72K04ZB37911 surplus property and donated to BC Automotive for parts. The vote on roll call was: Commissioners McDowell, aye; Fischer, aye; and Mayor Pro Tem DeTienne, aye. Motion carried. Ordinance passed.
Policy/Residential Waste Carts:
A memo (18-DOC-2) was received from Administrator Knabel requesting amendments to the current residential waste carts policy. He stated at a prior Council meeting a resident brought up a concern about the garbage lease policy. The lease program allows an individual to pay $3.93 quarterly (in lieu of purchasing a garbage can) and in the event the can is damaged, the cart can be replaced for free. If an individual wants to stop the lease, they are currently required to pay $50.00 to purchase a can. As there have been no new leases in approximately five years, individuals have paid more than the cost of a cart replacement. He is asking for the policy to allow anyone who is currently leasing to opt out of their lease without having to purchase a new cart (they would continue utilizing their current cart). If a resident were to opt out, they would be subject to the same requirements for purchasing a cart in the event a replacement is needed in the future. To opt out, a written request, email or signature in person at City Hall must be received from the individual.
It was moved by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner Fischer to approve the Sale, Service and Warranty of Residential Waste Carts policy as amended. The vote on roll call was: Commissioners McDowell, aye; Fischer, aye; and Mayor Pro Tem DeTienne, aye. Motion carried.
Appointments/Cubz Commission:
A memo (18-DOC-3) was received from Administrator Knabel regarding appointments to the CUBZ commission. As part of the continued created of the CUBZ commission (Citizens United for a Better Zion), Mayor Hill is requesting appointment of the attached individuals as captains and members of their respective precincts.
It was moved by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner Fischer to approve the appointments to the CUBZ commission as submitted.
Commissioner McDowell stated some of the individuals on the attached list have already been appointed but the list is updated and more accurate. He stated the Mayor, himself, and Commissioner Fischer are only Ex-Officio members of the commission, but they might all be present at a meeting together. He asked Attorney Randall if it would be a violation of the Open Meetings Act (OMA).
Attorney Randall stated if all three Council members were present at a CUBZ meeting discussing any City business, it would be in violation of OMA. She stated it could be a violation for the Township Trustees also. Attorney Randall suggested removing one of the Council members from the commission in order to avoid any violations of OMA.
Commissioner McDowell stated CUBZ did not originally start out as a City commission. It was created on the advice of the Department of Justice. It was designed to advise the Council and Police Department how to communicate information to the public. He stated the idea was that the roles of himself and the Mayor would be lessened.
Commissioner Fischer stated the idea was that eventually the commission would become an independent body but still be supported by the City.
Township Supervisor Cheri Neal stated she spoke with the Township attorney and was told they would not be violating OMA due to the fact that CUBZ is a City commission not associated with the Township.
Attorney Randall stated the Council has the option to table the item until the Mayor returns for approval at the next meeting. She stated both motions would need to be withdrawn.
It was moved by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner Fischer to withdraw the motions made for approval of the appointments to the CUBZ commission and table the item to the January 16th meeting. The vote on roll call was: Commissioners McDowell, aye; Fischer, aye; and Mayor Pro Tem DeTienne, aye. Motion carried.
Nextdoor.Com:
Director Knabel stated CODE RED was canceled last year due to budget issues. He stated an alternative was needed to get information out to the public. He stated Nextdoor.com is a private social network that creates neighborhoods through maps. It is a good way to see what is happening in a local community. The network can be accessed through an App on a phone or by computer. Administrators are set up on the account to post messages to the wall. Residents can sign up get notifications. There is also an option to post emergency situations. The network would be free to the City. He stated he would work with Chief Dumyahn to set up an account with the City. He stated it is a good way to get important communications out the residents. There is no contractual commitment. He stated more information will be provided at a later date.
Commissioner McDowell asked Administrator Knabel if he was looking to implement the project immediately.
Administrator Knabel stated he was looking for the approval from the Council to get started. He stated the administrators can be determined at a later date.
Commissioner McDowell stated CUBZ is also looking into this program and create their own CUBZ neighborhoods. He asked if it would interfere with what the City is doing.
Administrator Knabel stated anyone can post on their own neighborhood wall. Residents can choose to sign up for specific neighborhoods and can turn off posts from other neighborhoods.
Departmental Comments:
Mayor Pro Tem DeTienne thanked all those in attendance for braving the cold and attending the meeting and wished everyone a Happy New Year.
Announcements:
January 15 City Offices Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 16 6:30 p.m. Zion Township Board Meeting
7:00 p.m. Zion City Council Meeting
Adjourn:
There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, it was moved by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner Fischer and unanimously approved the meeting be adjourned at 7:28 p.m. Motion carried.
http://www.cityofzion.com/meetings/citycouncil/minutes/2018/010318.pdf
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