South West Illinois News

Mt. Pulaski City Council met Tuesday, May 24.

The Mt. Pulaski City Council meets on the second and the fourth Tuesday of each month.

Here are the minutes as provided by Mt. Pulaski:

City of Mt. Pulaski City Council Voting Meeting May 24, 2016 6:30 PM

Pledge of Allegiance

Public Comments – Agenda Items Only:

Police:

Water|Sewer: Water and Sewer Rates

Streets/Alleys:

Finance:

Public Comments — Non Agenda Items:

Miscellaneous: Health Insurance

City - Sponsor events to support business’ on the square

Mt. Pulaski City Council Meeting VOTING SESSION Tuesday, May 24, 2016 6:30pm

Present: Mayor James Fuhrer, Alderman Bobell, Howe, Knauer, Neaville, and Utterback, City Treasurer Jim Sutton, Public Works Director Matt Presswood, and City Accountant Crystal Kern.

Absent: City Clerk Kelly Cowan and Police Chief Lynn Freer

Guest: Roger Bohn

The City Council meeting was called to order, Mayor Jim Fuhrer presided. Mayor Fuhrer led in the Pledge of Allegiance. He then introduced Crystal Kern, the city’s new accountant, to the council.

Recognition of Guests: Roger Bohn asked why there were no flashing lights on the barricades. He said it’s a city ordinance. Matt Presswood said he would take care of it by ordering enough lights for all the barricades, even though they aren’t all used at the same time.

Public Comments – Agenda Items Only: None

• Police: Chief Freer absent. Police Committee member, Andrew Neaville passed out a proposed change to Ordinance 7-4-2A. It includes adding 7-4-2B. It would make the owner, tenant or resident of the property adjacent to the Boulevard responsible for the landscape maintenance of the Boulevard. Council will table discussion until next meeting.

• Water/Sewer: Water/Sewer committee member Andrew Neaville brought to the council a proposal to increase the sewer rates. The sewer fund needs to be increased in order to pay for sewer expenses and pay back the general fund. That can’t happen without a rate increase. The last time the sewer fund had revenue was in 2010. The last increase was in 2012. The proposed rate would increase the minimum of 1000 gallons or less to $13 and any usage above 1000 gal. $4.50 per 1000 gallons. The minimum charge for 1000 gals, or less is currently $5.52 and any usage above 1000 gallons is $3.34. The sewer surcharge of $4.00 will remain on the water bills, but the $3.25 water surcharge will be removed in January 2016.

Alderman Neaville would like the Proposed New Sewer Rates to be published in mass emails, on the city’s website (cityofmtpulaski.com), and in the TIMES local paper, in order to get public feedback. He would like a vote on the proposed increase at the June 14" council meeting. There would be no water rate increase.

EJ Water Co-Op in Illiopolis sent a letter to the city asking if we would join this co-op. The water committee will study this issue and find out more.

• Streets/Alleys: Nothing

• City Treasurer, Jim Sutton: Deposits to date are $31,847.79. Telecomm. Tax total was $3407.71 and Video Gaming Tax was $1722.07. Most of the rest was from water and sewer bills.

Public Comments — Non Agenda Items: None

Miscellaneous:

• Health Insurance – Joyce Maxheimer received information from Nichole of RW Troxell, the city’s broker. She sent quotes from United Healthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield. For the city, BCBS monthly dollar amounts were less than the UHC renewal rate, however, the employees would pay twice as much out of pocket and the co-pays were higher. Because of the employee changes the city’s total renewal amount with UHC, even with two new employees, would be down almost $14,000 for the year compared to last year. The cost per month for UHC renewal would be $3109.93 or $37,319.16 for the year. The insurance committee recommends renewing the medical insurance with United Health Care. Andrew Neaville made a motion to accept the United Health Care renewal rates starting on July 1, 2016. John Utterback seconded. All voting yea., the motion carried.

• Merchants (Business Association) – A meeting is planned on Tues., June 7" at 3pm. at the Brickyard to discuss starting a Business group to highlight the businesses on the Square.

• Farmers Market – Mayor was asked if the city could sponsor a Farmer’s Market and to check on the city’s insurance and the coverage for an event or events like the Farmers Market. City’s insurance was good with covering this event and the attorney signed off on the Indemnity Agreement with a few extra sentences added. Andrew Neaville made a motion for a Farmer’s Market on the town square to be sponsored by the city. Pete Howe seconded the motion. All voting yea, the motion passed. A meeting for this will be on June 2" at 10am at Calm Creek.

• Solid Waste (Recycling) Dumpster – John Utterback stated the city purchased the 6-yd. dumpster many years ago, and the Logan County Joint Solid Waste keeps wanting to move it to another town. They aren’t supposed to move ours since we bought it. The other dumpsters are moved around and are in pretty bad shape. Does the city want to purchase a smaller dumpster which is 4yds.” The smaller ones have items comingled. They don’t have separate compartments like the larger dumpster. The cost for 4 yd. is $965. The city dumpster is full most of the time. The JSW Program is done in 2018 unless the County Board renews it. A decision to purchase another dumpster will be tabled until June’s meeting.

• Latham Antique Tractor Show on July 9"—Flyers are out for this event for those interested. 

With no further business to discuss Andrew Neaville made a motion to adjourn. John Utterback seconded. All voting yea, the motion carried.

Laura Lee – City Collector