ANNOUNCEMENTS/AWARDS/PRESENTATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
AUDIENCE COMMENTS
STANDING COMMITTEES
    FINANCE & PERSONNEL – NEWMAN, CHAIRMAN
     PUBLIC SAFETY – DINGLEDINE, CHAIRMAN
    PUBLIC SERVICES – GEE, CHAIRMAN

CITY ATTORNEY – KENNETH L. BLACK / DAVID BROWN

• Ordinance - Amending Chapter 152 entitled "Subdivision Code"
• Ordinance - Amending Chapter 154 entitled "Zoning Code"

MAYOR – GARY W. MANIER

• Proclamation - St. Patrick School
• Statement of support for the National Guard and Reserve Units

CITY ADMINISTRATOR - ROBERT MORRIS

• Purchase Authorization - replacement heating equipment - Legion Road Fire Station

STAFF REPORTS

• Purchase Authorization - Police Squad Car Grant
• Final Plat - Trails Edge Northwest

ALDERMEN’S COMMENTS
ADJOURNMENT

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

From:  Bob Morris
Subject:  Overhead Furnace Bids
Date:  January 2, 2008

We have been experiencing repeated problems with and repairs to the overhead gas furnaces located in the vehicle bays at the Legion Road Fire Station. Several maintenance companies have recommended replacing the equipment given the maintenance problems and safety concerns, primarily CO₂ leaks within the building. They have also recommended that the city consider an infrared tube heating system.

We have recently solicited bids from local vendors for the purchase of the necessary equipment. The vendor will provide the necessary equipment and make the natural gas, flue and electrical connections, as needed. City crews will remove the existing furnaces and assemble/install the new tube heating system. Three bids have been received:

• Armstrong Heating and Air Conditioning $5,970.00

• Kimpling, Inc. 6,780.00

• Wm. Masters, Inc. 7,298.00

Staff would recommend acceptance of the low bid from Armstrong Heating and Air Conditioning in the amount of $5,970.00.

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From:  Chief of Police James W. Kuchenbecker
Date:  January 2^nd, 2008
Re:  Purchase Authorization – Squad Car Grant Award

In October of 2007 the Illinois Criminal Justice Authority in conjunction with the United States Department of Justice offered a grant entitled "Local Law Enforcement Officer Safety Equipment Program" as part of the Byrne Grant Funds to local agencies for the replacement and purchase of Police vehicles and video equipment. We wrote a grant applying for funding which was set at 75% Federal / 25 % local. We learned on December 17^th, 2007 that the City of Washington Police Department was awarded the grant in the amount of $18,998.00 dollars. These funds are restricted to purchase and replacement of Washington Police Car # 10 which was the vehicle identified in the grant. This car is not a vehicle that we have in our replacement schedule and has in excess of 140,000 miles on it. At the present time it is used by our Auxiliary / Part Time personnel.

When the car was added to the fleet it was with the understanding that it would not be placed into the M.E.R.F. replacement cycle and was "hand-me-down" vehicle that was added to the fleet with that understanding. This grant now allows us to purchase a new vehicle and camera for that particular vehicle. We do not intend to add this car to the replacement schedule and will utilize this car as long as practicable.

As of this writing, I have discussed the order and subsequent purchase of these vehicles with Mr. Jeff Peters, Fleet & Commercial Vehicle Manager for Uftring’s Auto Group. I have worked with Mr. Peters in the past and he has committed to me that Uftring Auto Group will continue to sell vehicles to the City of Washington Police Department below the state bid price. As indicated in the following information, Uftring is $ 75.00 dollars below the State bid price for the identically equipped vehicle.

Accordingly, I am respectfully requesting that the Mayor and City Council grant the Chief of Police permission to place the order for one (1) replacement Police vehicle in the amount of $21,205.00 dollars and one (1) WATCHGUARD video camera system in the amount of $5,082.00 dollars for a total cost of $25,332.00 dollars. As indicated, the Federal grant awarded to the Washington Police Department is in the amount of $18,998.00 dollars. The remaining funds needed for this purchase are $6,334.00 which we already have in our DUI Tech. & Court Supervision / Vehicle Replacement Fund.

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From:  Jon R. Oliphant, Planning & Development Director
Subject:  Final Plat – Trails Edge Northwest
Date:  December 18, 2007

Attached is a final plat and corresponding checklist submitted for Trails Edge Northwest subdivision. The subject property is approximately 4.32 acres and is located at the northwest corner of the Trails Edge property. It is currently zoned R-1.

This is a resubdivision of a portion of Trails Edge Section Five. Lots 213-217 and 228-233 from Trails Edge Section Five are being resubdivided. All of these lots were previously final platted as duplexes. The resubdivision would convert them into single-family residential lots. This resubdivision would create four new lots for a total of 15 while decreasing the number of units from 22 to 15.

The final plat substantially conforms to the preliminary plat. Staff supports approval of the final plat for Trails Edge Northwest contingent on the payment of subdivision review fees of $350. Surety was previously provided for the completion of the public improvements. Additionally, because there is a reduction in the number of dwelling units, the developer will be reimbursed $6,405 of the subdivision development fee that was paid on June 16, 2005.

The City Council will review and take action on this item at the January 7, 2008, meeting.

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From:  Jon R. Oliphant, AICP, Planning & Development Director
Subject:  Consent Agenda – 2007 Year-End Development Activity Summary
Date:  January 3, 2007

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From:  Jon R. Oliphant, Planning & Development Director
Subject:  First Reading Ordinance – Zoning and Subdivision Amendments
Date:  January 3, 2008

Attached you will find a draft of the proposed Zoning and Subdivision Code text amendments. The Zoning Code amendments address the growing number of grandiose private playgrounds. Both staff and City Aldermen have heard complaints from residents about their location infringing on adjacent property owners. The Zoning Code does not currently address playgrounds. The amendments (referred to as "open play systems") would only deal with the placement and height of such equipment. There would not be a permit required, though it would give staff the ability to enforce where the open play systems are located. They would be treated as an accessory structure or use.

The new Subdivision Code text is similar to what has been discussed previously with the Planning Commission. The Sidewalks section of the Code was previously reviewed at public hearings on July 5 and October 3. The amendments were drafted following comparisons of other Peoria-area communities and conversations with our Public Services Committee. A couple of the differences between this version and the last is that the walking space would only be constructed where the primary entrance is, instead of next to the front of the building. The walking space would only be a minimum of four feet (instead of six) on other sides where parking is located and staff would have the ability to waive or reduce the requirements in certain impractical or unnecessary circumstances. Also, in situations where there is not an immediate need for sidewalks, the builder (not the developer) would pay for the current cost of the sidewalk construction.

The Planning Commission held a public hearing on the proposed text amendments on January 2 and voted unanimously to recommend approval on both. A first reading ordinance will occur on January 7 and a second reading ordinance will be heard at the January 22 Council meeting.

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