South West Illinois News

City of Waterloo City Council met Dec. 2.

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.

Building Official Roberta Rohwedder asked that Agenda Item 12(J) be withdrawn at the request of the petitioner.

Motion made by Alderman Hopkins and seconded by Alderman Vogt to withdraw item 12(J) from the agenda.

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

5. Approval of Minutes as Written or Amended.

Approval of the November 18, 2024, City Council Meeting Minutes.

Motion made by Alderman Matt Buettner and seconded by Alderman Hopkins to approve the November 18, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes as presented.

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.

Ms. Rika Beckley reported that she owns two vacation rentals for which she pays the required Waterloo City Hotel Tax. However, she noted that several other Airbnb hosts are not paying this tax and questioned the reason behind this discrepancy. Mayor Darter responded to Ms. Beckley, explaining that the city is developing a solution to address the issue, as Airbnb registration with the city is not mandatory at present.

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 Administrator. No report.

D. Report of Building Official. No report.

E. Report of Director of Public Works – Crews were out Saturday night (11/30/24) plowing snow.

F. Report of Chief of Police. No report.

G. Report of City Attorney. No report.

H. Report and Communication by Mayor.

1. Excellence Award Presented to Riley McDermott for being the Winner of a 2024 National FFA Agricultural Proficiency Award in Vegetable Production for Entrepreneurship / Placement.

2. Waterloo Beautification Check Presentation to OG3, LLC, on behalf of Dieterich Bank, in the Amount of $12,725.50.

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 Ordinance No. 1895 Appointing J.R. Landeck to the IMEA Board of Directors.

Motion made by Alderman Most and seconded by Alderman Charron to approve Ordinance No. 1895 Appointing J.R. Landeck to the IMEA Board of Directors. Comments: With the passage of this ordinance, J.R. becomes a voting member of the IMEA Board in January 2025, replacing Tim Birk.

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

B. Consideration and Action on Ordinance No. 1896 Amending the Revised Code of Ordinances of the City of Waterloo, Illinois, Chapter 38 Utility Systems, Article I: Electric Systems, Division IV: Terms of Service and Rates and Charges, Section 38- 1-38(A)(1) Rented Dusk-To-Dawn Lights.

Motion made by Alderman Kyle Buettner and seconded by Alderman Row to Approve Ordinance No. 1896 Amending the Revised Code of Ordinances of the City of Waterloo, Illinois, Chapter 38 Utility Systems, Article I: Electric Systems, Division IV: Terms of Service and Rates and Charges, Section 38-1-38(A)(1) Rented Dusk-To-Dawn Lights.

Comments: As LED lighting became more popular, the charges fluctuated over time. This ordinance will consolidate the rates and charges for LED Dusk-To-Dawn Lights.

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. 644.

Motion made by Alderman Hopkins and seconded by Alderman Most to approve Warrant No. 644.

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

B. Consideration and Action on Probable Tax Levy and Setting a Public Hearing Date of December 16, 2024 at 7:15 p.m.

Motion made by Alderman Row and seconded by Alderman Charron to approve a Probable Tax Levy and Setting a Public Hearing Date of December 16, 2024 at 7:15 p.m.

Comments: Shawn Kennedy, Collector/Budget Officer, stated the tax levy information will be published in the newspaper next week The City is proposing a 5.3% increase.

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

C. Consideration and Action on Approval of Group Health Insurance Coverage with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois effective January 01, 2025 through December 31, 2025 with a 1.49% Rate Increase.

Motion made by Alderman Most and seconded by Alderman Vogt on Approval of Group Health Insurance Coverage with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois effective January 01, 2025 through December 31, 2025 with a 1.49% Rate Increase.

Comments: Alderman Most, Chairman of the Insurance Committee, indicated considerable effort and negotiations were necessary in securing the 1.49% rate increase. The proposed health insurance coverage has been endorsed by the Insurance Committee by a unanimous vote.

The Aldermen voted as follows:

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

NAY – None.

ABSTAIN – Trantham.

ABSENT – None.

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

D. Consideration and Action on Approval of Renewal of Group Dental Insurance Coverage with Delta Dental effective January 01, 2025 through December 31, 2025 with a 7.6% Rate Increase.

Motion made by Alderman Most and seconded by Alderman Vogt on Approval of Renewal of Group Dental Insurance Coverage with Delta Dental effective January 01, 2025 through December 31, 2025 with a 7.6% Rate Increase.

Comments: Alderman Most, Chairman of the Insurance Committee, stated the proposed health insurance coverages under Agenda Items 12(D), 12(E), and 12(F) have been endorsed by the Insurance Committee with a unanimous vote.

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 Group Vision Insurance Coverage with EyeMed effective January 01, 2025 through December 31, 2025 with no Rate Increase.

Motion made by Alderman Most and seconded by Alderman Matt Buettner on Approval of Group Vision Insurance Coverage with EyeMed effective January 01, 2025 through December 31, 2025 with no Rate Increase.

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 01, 2025 through December 31, 2025 with no Rate Increase.

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 01, 2025 through December 31, 2025 with no Rate Increase.

The Aldermen voted as follows:

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

NAY – None.

ABSTAIN – Trantham.

ABSENT – None.

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

G. Consideration and Action on the Purchase of Electrical Wire from Brownstown Electrical Supply in the Amount of $42,990.00, as Presented at the November 12, 2024 Utility Meeting, for the Purpose of Relocating Existing Overhead Circuit Lines in Conflict with the Proposed Location of the New Turbine Generator. (The new electric lines will be installed underground to avoid impact to the construction and installation of the new turbine.)

Motion made by Alderman Hopkins and seconded by Alderman Kyle Buettner to approve the Purchase of Electrical Wire from Brownstown Electrical Supply in the Amount of $42,990.00, as Presented at the November 12, 2024 Utility Meeting, for the Purpose of Relocating Existing Overhead Circuit Lines in Conflict with the Proposed Location of the New Turbine Generator. (The new electric lines will be installed underground to avoid impact to the construction and installation of the new turbine.)

Comments: This expense is not included in the budget.

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

H. Consideration and Action on the Purchase of a New 2024 Ford F-550 Flatbed Truck with a Snow Plow and Dump Body, for the Street Department, from Viking-Cives Midwest, Inc. in the Amount of $151,536.00. (This new vehicle is budgeted and will replace Truck #135, an aging 2006 F-350 Flatbed. Sourcewell, a bidding service, was used to obtain the quote.).

Motion made by Alderman Kyle Buettner and seconded by Alderman Charron to approve the Purchase of a New 2024 Ford F-550 Flatbed Truck with a Snow Plow and Dump Body, for the Street Department, from Viking-Cives Midwest, Inc. in the Amount of $151,536.00. (This new vehicle is budgeted and will replace Truck #135, an aging 2006 F-350 Flatbed.

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

I. Consideration and Action on Approval of a Special Event Permit Application submitted by Randy’s RR Bar for their 34th Anniversary Block Party to be held August 08, 2025, 6:00 p.m., through August 09, 2025, 11 p.m., including the closure of Main Street between Mill Street and the alley south of Stubborn German Brewery; and, a couple of parking spaces on the south side of Mill Street east of Main Street.

Motion made by Alderman Hopkins and seconded by Alderman Vogt to approve a Special Event Permit Application submitted by Randy’s RR Bar for their 34th Anniversary Block Party to be held August 08, 2025, 6:00 p.m., through August 09, 2025, 11 p.m., including the closure of Main Street between Mill Street and the alley south of Stubborn German Brewery; and, a couple of parking spaces on the south side of Mill Street east of Main Street.

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

J. Consideration and Action on Approval of a Special Use Permit for a Home Occupation (Counseling) to be Located at 509 Grand Avenue, Parcel No. 07-24- 384-013-000.

Item was withdrawn from the agenda.

K. Consideration and Action on Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) to Discuss Litigation against the City of Waterloo that is currently pending before the Circuit Court of Monroe County as Case No. 2021-MR-29.

Motion to move into Executive Session made by Alderman Kyle Buettner and seconded by Alderman Row.

Motion passed with a unanimous voice vote.

Entered Executive Session at 7:49 p.m.

Adjourned Executive Session at 8:00 p.m.

Motion to Resume Session made by Alderman Matt Buettner and seconded by Alderman Kyle Buettner.

Motion passed with a unanimous voice vote.

Return to regular session at 8:01 p.m.

L. Consideration and Action on Approval of a Settlement Agreement in Monroe County Case No. 2021-MR-29 and Authorizing the Mayor to execute said Settlement Agreement.

Motion made by Alderman Kyle Buettner and seconded by Alderman Row to approve a Settlement Agreement in Monroe County Case No. 2021-MR-29 and Authorizing the Mayor to execute said Settlement Agreement.

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

13. Discussion of Matters by Council Members Arising After Agenda Deadline. Comments were made on how good the GLOW Parade was, and that Sarah Deutch did a great job in organizing the City’s participation in the parade.

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

Mayor Darter adjourned the meeting at 8:03 p.m.

https://www.waterloo.il.us/wp-content/uploads/12-02-24-City-Council-Meeting-Minutes.pdf