South West Illinois News

The city of Du Quoin City Council met July 25 to fill vacancy on the city's Fire Pension Board.

Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the city:

The City Council of the City of Du Quoin

Minutes of the July 25 Meeting

Minutes:

The Minutes of the City Council of the City of Du Quoin, County of Perry, held on this 25th day of July in the year 2016, said meeting held in the Council Chambers of the Du Quoin City Hall.

Invocation:

City Attorney Aaron Atkins gave the invocation.

Call to Order:

Mayor Alongi called the meeting to order at 6 pm with the following individuals present: Commissioners Michael Ward, Dale Spencer, and Charles Genesio. City staff included City Attorney Aaron Atkins, City Treasurer Stephanie Cravens, and City Clerk Andrew Croessman.

Previous Meeting Minutes:

The Council reviewed the minutes of the meeting held on the 11th day of July. Commissioner Spencer moved, Commissioner Ward seconded a motion to approve the minutes. Motion passed; all ayes.

Treasurer’s Report:

Monthly Treasurer’s Report for June 2016: City Treasurer Stephanie Cravens said that the opening balance for the General Fund was $449,832 and the closing balance was $478,455. Total General Fund income was $470,666, with expenses of $476,033. In regards to the Water/Sewer Fund, she said that the opening balance was $142,423, and the closing balance was $191,933. Water/Sewer Fund income was $232,721, with expenses of $181,644. She said that total cash for all the City’s funds decreased from $1.58 million to $1.55 million, resulting in a net loss of ($32,787) for June. Commissioner Spencer moved, Commissioner Genesio seconded a motion to approve the Monthly Treasurer’s Report for June 2016. Motion passed; all ayes.

2015 Audit:

Mr. Harold Emling, C.P.A. for Emling and Hoffman, P.C., presented the City’s Audit for fiscal year ending December 31, 2015. Mr. Emling said that the auditing process went smoothly and that all documents requested were supplied by the City. Next, he briefly went over the financial highlights for 2015. He said that the City’s net position increased $567,339 in 2015 versus ($258,337) in 2014. Moreover, he said that the City’s change in net position for governmental and business-type activities was ($39,104) and $68,406, respectively. Mr. Emling also said that an IMRF net pension liability of $1,178,708 was added to the City’s Audit this year to be in compliance with the new GASB Rule 68. Lastly, he said that the City Clerk’s Office has corrected all of the previous findings except that the City does not have a C.P.A. on staff. Commissioner Ward moved, Commissioner Genesio seconded a motion to accept the City’s Audit for 2015. Motion passed; all ayes.

Approval of Bills:

Commissioner Spencer moved, Commissioner Genesio seconded a motion to approve the bill list for July 25, 2016. Motion passed; all ayes.

Ordinances:

A. 2016-O07-01: An Ordinance Authorizing Entry into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the City of Du Quoin and the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Commissioner Spencer moved, Commissioner Genesio seconded a motion that 2016-O07-01 be approved. Motion passed; all ayes.

B. 2016-O07-02: An Ordinance Authorizing Conveyance of Real Estate (former Pepsi Plant) to DCDC for shopsteading program. Commissioner Ward moved, Commissioner Genesio seconded a motion that 2016-O07-02 be approved. Motion passed; all ayes.

C. 2016-O07-03: An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 25-12-6 (A & B) of the Ordinances of the City of Du Quoin providing for extended hours of operation and additional safety equipment and handicapped parking permits for neighborhood/utility vehicles. Commissioner Genesio moved, Commissioner Spencer seconded a motion that 2016-O07-03 be approved. Motion passed; all ayes.

D. 2016-O07-04: An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 7-2-11 providing for revised fees for solicitor Certificates. Commissioner Ward moved, Commissioner Spencer seconded a motion that 2016-O07-04 be approved. Motion passed; all ayes.

E. 2016-O07-05: An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 28-1-1 F (4) (regarding park curfew). Mayor Alongi said that there are two different instances of park hours in the City’s Code. He said that this Ordinance rids the old hours and replaces it with the new hours adopted in May 2015. Commissioner Genesio moved, Commissioner Ward seconded a motion that 2016-O07-05 be put on public display. Motion passed; all ayes.

F. 2016-O07-06: An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 7-2-11 (providing for revision of Budget and Finance Committee Ordinance). Mayor Alongi said that this Ordinance reduces the number of Budget and Finance Committee meetings from six to four per year as recommended by the Committee. Commissioner Spencer moved, Commissioner Genesio seconded a motion that 2016-O07-06 be put on public display. Motion passed; all ayes.

Resolutions:

None.

Appointments:

Mayor Alongi appointed Doug Clark to fill vacancy on the Fire Pension Board. Commissioner Whitley moved, Commissioner Genesio seconded a motion to approve appointment. Motion passed; all ayes.

Other Business:Mayor Alongi said that he was notified by Newwave Communications to renew a 15 year franchise agreement three years in advance. The Council was skeptical why Newwave wanted to renew so prematurely. With the Council’s consent, Mayor Alongi appointed Commissioner Genesio, City Attorney Aaron Atkins, Doug Clark, Chuck Novak, and Andrew Croessman to an ad hoc committee to investigate and renegotiate an agreement with Newwave. Commissioner Ward added that he would love to see Newwave offer more affordable rates for senior citizens on fixed income.

Commissioners’ Comments:

The City Council thanked the City Clerk’s Office for their hard work to ensure the City received an audit with no significant findings.

Commissioner Spencer said that the City is making progress in getting clear titles to the Lake Lots. Mayor Alongi wants to put sale proceeds into a fund to maintain the roads around City Lake.

Commissioner Genesio said that oil and chipping the City’s roads is complete and the Street Department is now focused on removing storm debris.

Mayor Alongi said that he is working on getting the Water Department’s back hoe and dump truck moved to Fire Station #2. Secondly, he said that the City made a 10% down payment to renovate the Pool. He could not thank the Swimming Indians enough for selling raffle tickets.

Executive Session:

None

Adjournment:

The City Council adjourned at 6:38 p.m., motion by Commissioner Spencer, seconded by Commissioner Genesio; all ayes.

Respectfully submitted,

______________________________

Andrew Croessman, City Clerk