South West Illinois News

City of Waterloo City Council met Dec. 4.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Darter at 7:30 p.m.

2. The following Aldermen were present: Vogt, Matt Buettner, Hopkins, Trantham, Charron, Kyle Buettner, Row, and Most.

3. Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Stan Darter.

4. Correction or Withdrawal of Agenda Items by Sponsor. None.

5. Approval of Minutes as Written or Amended.

Motion made by Alderman Matt Buettner and seconded by Alderman Hopkins to approve the November 20, 2023, City Council Meeting Minutes.

Motion passed unanimously with Aldermen Matt Buettner, Hopkins, Trantham, Charron, Kyle Buettner, Row, Most, and Vogt voting ‘aye’.

6. Petitions by Citizens on Non-Agenda Items. None.

7. Reports and Communications from the Mayor and other City Officers.

A. Report of Collector. No report.

B. Report of Treasurer. No report.

C. Report of Subdivision and Zoning Administrator. No report.

D. Report of Director of Public Works. No report.

E. Report of Chief of Police.

In a letter to the Mayor, the Chief announced his intention to retire on January 12, 2024.

F. Report of City Attorney. No report.

G. Report and Communication by Mayor. No report.

8. Report of Standing Committees. None.

9. Report of Special Committees. None.

10. Presentation of Communications, Petitions, Resolutions, Orders and Ordinances by Aldermen.

A. Consideration and Action on Resolution No. 23-26 Authorizing the Execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Waterloo, IL and the Waterloo Park District for Funding and Construction of the Zimmer Park Splash Pad. Motion made by Alderman Most and seconded by Alderman Kyle Buettner to accept Resolution No. 23-26 Authorizing the Execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Waterloo, IL and the Waterloo Park District for Funding and Construction of the Zimmer Park Splash Pad.

Comments: The City Attorney stated this resolution would protect all the parties involved in the funding and construction of the Zimmer Park Splash Pad.

Motion passed unanimously with Aldermen Most, Vogt, Matt Buettner, Hopkins, Trantham, Charron, Kyle Buettner, and Row voting ‘aye’.

B. Consideration and Action on Resolution No. 23-27 Authorizing the Execution of a Service Agreement between the City of Waterloo, IL and Midwest Elevator for Maintenance, Service and Safety Testing.

Motion made by Alderman Hopkins and seconded by Alderman Matt Buettner to approve Resolution No. 23-27 Authorizing the Execution of a Service Agreement between the City of Waterloo, IL and Midwest Elevator for Maintenance, Service and Safety Testing.

Comments: The Zone Administrator mentioned that the City currently uses KONE Elevator and Escalator. However, Midwest Elevator Company provides the same services at a lower price.

Motion passed unanimously with Aldermen Hopkins, Trantham, Charron, Kyle Buettner, Row, Most, Vogt, and Matt Buettner voting ‘aye’.

C. Consideration and Action on Ordinance No. 1884 Providing for the Granting of an Electric Utility Easement to Ameren Illinois for Property Located Adjacent to East Hunter’s Ridge and the Valmeyer Community Unit School District #3 for the City of Waterloo, Illinois New Water Plant.

Motion made by Alderman Kyle Buettner and seconded by Alderman Vogt to approve Ordinance No. 1884 Providing for the Granting of an Electric Utility Easement to Ameren Illinois for Property Located Adjacent to East Hunter’s Ridge and the Valmeyer Community Unit School District #3 for the City of Waterloo, Illinois New Water Plant.

Comments: The Director of Public Works stated that with both Ordinance No. 1884 and 1885 we are granting an easement, on city property, to Ameran for electric and natural gas for the water treatment plant.

Motion passed unanimously with Aldermen Kyle Buettner, Row, Most, Vogt, Matt Buettner, Hopkins, Trantham, and Charron voting ‘aye’.

D. Consideration and Action on Ordinance No. 1885 Providing for the Granting of a Pipeline (Gas) Utility Easement to Ameren Illinois for Property Located Adjacent to East Hunter’s Ridge and the Valmeyer Community Unit School District #3 for the City of Waterloo, Illinois New Water Plant.

Motion made by Alderman Kyle Buettner and seconded by Alderman Vogt to approve Ordinance No. 1885 Providing for the Granting of a Pipeline (Gas) Utility Easement to Ameren Illinois for Property Located Adjacent to East Hunter’s Ridge and the Valmeyer Community Unit School District #3 for the City of Waterloo, Illinois New Water Plant.

Motion passed unanimously with Aldermen Kyle Buettner, Row, Most, Vogt, Matt Buettner, Hopkins, Trantham, and Charron voting ‘aye’.

11. Unfinished Business. None.

12. Miscellaneous Business.

A. Consideration and Action on Warrant No. 632.

Motion made by Alderman Row and seconded by Alderman Matt Buettner to approve Warrant No. 632.

Motion passed unanimously with Aldermen Row, Most, Vogt, Matt Buettner, Hopkins, Trantham, Charron, and Kyle Buettner voting ‘aye’.

B. Consideration and Action on Probable Tax Levy and Setting a Public Hearing Date of December 18, 2023 at 7:15 p.m.

Motion made by Alderman Row and seconded by Alderman Most to approve a Probable Tax Levy and Setting a Public Hearing Date of December 18, 2023 at 7:15 p.m.

Comments: Shawn Kennedy, Collector/Budget Officer, explained that the Finance Committee agreed to impose the maximum tax levy under PTELL. This number is calculated to be 6.84%. Taking into account the new property within the City, the average taxpayer will see roughly a 2% increase in their taxes.

Motion passed unanimously with Aldermen Row, Most, Vogt, Matt Buettner, Hopkins, Trantham, Charron, and Kyle Buettner voting ‘aye’.

C. Consideration and Action on Contribution to Share Costs of Updating Christmas Gingerbread Displays and Santa Sleigh for Downtown Waterloo in the Amount of $2,500.00 to be paid from Gambling Proceeds.

Motion made by Alderman Hopkins and seconded by Alderman Row on approval of a Contribution to Share Costs of Updating Christmas Gingerbread Displays and Santa Sleigh for Downtown Waterloo in the Amount of $2,500.00 to be paid from Gambling Proceeds.

Comments: None.

Motion passed unanimously with Aldermen Hopkins, Trantham, Charron, Kyle Buettner, Row, Most, Vogt, and Matt Buettner voting ‘aye’.

D. Consideration and Action on Approval of Renewal of Group Health Insurance Coverage with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Effective January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024.

Motion made by Alderman Most and seconded by Alderman Vogt on approval of the Renewal of Group Health Insurance Coverage with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Effective January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024.

Comments: Alderman Most, Chairman of the Insurance Committee, stated the City is staying with the same company and with the same coverage and the increase is basically flat.

The Aldermen voted as follows:

AYE – Most, Vogt, Matt Buettner, Hopkins, Charron, and Kyle Buettner

NAY - None

ABSTAIN – Trantham and Row

ABSENT – None

Motion Passed by a vote of 6/0/2/0

E. Consideration and Action on Approval of Renewal of Group Dental Insurance Coverage with Delta Dental of Illinois Effective January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 with no Premium Increase.

Motion made by Alderman Most and seconded by Alderman Vogt on approval of the Renewal of Group Dental Insurance Coverage with Delta Dental of Illinois Effective January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 with no Premium Increase. Comments: None.

The Aldermen voted as follows:

AYE – Most, Vogt, Matt Buettner, Hopkins, Charron, and Kyle Buettner

NAY – None.

ABSTAIN – Trantham and Row

ABSENT – None.

Motion Passed by a vote of 6/0/2/0

F. Consideration and Action on Approval of Group Life Insurance Coverage with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois through Dearborn Life Insurance Company Effective January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024.

Motion made by Alderman Most and seconded by Alderman Vogt on Approval of Group Life Insurance Coverage with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois through Dearborn Life Insurance Company Effective January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024.

Comments: None.

Motion passed unanimously with Aldermen Most, Vogt, Matt Buettner, Hopkins, Trantham, Charron, Kyle Buettner, and Row voting ‘aye’.

G. Consideration and Action on Approval of a Special Event Permit Application from Crafted in the Loo for their Christmas with Santa Event to be held on Saturday, December 09, 2023, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., including the closure of two parking spaces in front of the store located at 111 N. Main Street.

Motion made by Alderman Kyle Buettner and seconded by Alderman Row on Approval of a Special Event Permit Application from Crafted in the Loo for their Christmas with Santa Event to be held on Saturday, December 09, 2023, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., including the closure of two parking spaces in front of the store located at 111 N. Main Street.

Comments: None.

Motion passed unanimously with Aldermen Kyle Buettner, Row, Most, Vogt, Matt Buettner, Hopkins, Trantham, and Charron voting ‘aye’.

H. Consideration and Action on Approval of the Waterloo Beautification Application from Oh Sugar.

Motion made by Alderman Hopkins and seconded by Alderman Vogt on Approval of the Waterloo Beautification Application from Oh Sugar.

Comments: None.

Motion passed unanimously with Aldermen Hopkins, Trantham, Charron, Kyle Buettner, Row, Most, Vogt, and Matt Buettner voting ‘aye’.

I. Consideration and Action on Waiver of Building Permit and Inspection Fees for the Oddfellows Hall, located at 202 S. Main Street.

Motion made by Alderman Row and seconded by Alderman Matt Buettner to approve a Waiver of the Building Permit and Inspection Fees for the Oddfellows Hall, located at 202 S. Main Street.

Comments: The Zoning Administrator commented that the fee waiver is for the replacement of the eastern exterior staircase. The staircase will be code compliant.

The Aldermen voted as follows:

AYE – Row, Most, Vogt, Matt Buettner, Hopkins, Charron, and Kyle Buettner

NAY – None.

ABSTAIN – Trantham

ABSENT – None.

Motion Passed by a vote of 7/0/1/0

J. Consideration and Action on Executive Session for the Discussion of Contract Negotiations as per 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2).

Motion to move into Executive Session made by Alderman Hopkins and seconded by Alderman Matt Buettner.

Motion passed unanimously to enter into Executive Session with Aldermen Hopkins, Trantham, Charron, Kyle Buettner, Row, Most, Vogt, and Matt Buettner voting ‘aye’.

Entered Executive Session at 7:47 p.m.

Adjourned Executive Session at 8:22 p.m.

Motion to Resume Session made by Alderman Vogt and seconded by Alderman Most.

Motion passed with a unanimous voice vote.

Return to regular session at 8:22 p.m.

13. Discussion of Matters by Council Members Arising After Agenda Deadline. Alderman Vogt thanked everyone who helped out with the GLOW Parade.

Mayor Darter and Alderman Row complimented the GLOW parade.

14. Motion to Adjourn made by Alderman Matt Buettner and seconded by Alderman Vogt. Motion passed with a unanimous voice vote.

Mayor Darter adjourned the meeting at 8:23 p.m.

https://www.waterloo.il.us/wp-content/uploads/CC-12-04-23-Minutes.pdf