The regular City Council meeting of Monday, March 5, 2007 was called to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Training Room at Fire Station No.1 by Mayor Gary W. Manier.

Answering present for Roll Call were Aldermen Todd Clanin, Dave Dingledine, Dennis Landry, Al Howerter, Don Brubaker, Bob Brucks, Jim Newman and Jim Gee. Also present was City Attorney Kenneth L. Black, City Administrator Bob Morris, City Treasurer Bob Gordon, Chief of Police Jim Kuchenbecker, P&D Director Jon Oliphant and City Clerk Carol Moss and John Schultz, Dick Atterberry and Jai Windish.

All present stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda was reviewed and stood as presented.

Alderman Gee moved and Alderman Brubaker seconded to approve the Consent Agenda of March 5, 2007 as presented. The Consent Agenda included minutes of the February 19, 2007 Council meeting, Pay Request #4 from Commercial Mechanical, Inc. in the amount of up to $10,800.00 for work on WTP #2 expansion and TIF #2 pay request for the first subsidy payment to Sentimental Journey for building exterior renovation in the amount of $3,942.14. 
On roll call on the motion to approve the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Brucks, Clanin, Dingledine, Newman, Landry, Howerter, Brubaker, Gee 
Nays: 0
Motion declared carried.

Dick Atterberry, 607 S. Main, thanked Chief Kuchenbecker for what he has done on the speeding problem on South Main Street. He stated that speeding is a problem both ways on South Main and the residents will appreciate anything that can be done to alleviate the problem. Chief Kuchenbecker stated that he appreciates the cooperation of the residents on South Main Street stating that both Mr. Atterberry and Mr. Schultz have allowed use of their driveways for police cars to sit. Chief Kuchenbecker went on to say that the volume of traffic on South Main Street has definitely increased and now that the weather is getting better the speed trailer will be deployed to South Main which will show the number of cars, the high speed and the low speed.

Chief Kuchenbecker also reported on the noise problem from American Allied saying that an industrial hygienist has been to the location on South Wood Street and the problem in part has been solved. He pointed out that noise is predicated by the direction and volume of wind and there is no control of that, however, American Allied has installed a noise suppressor around the compressor which has reduced the noise considerably. American Allied has also set new starting and stopping times to coincide with ordinance requirements. Mayor Manier stated that he believes that American Allied is trying to be a good neighbor in addressing the noise issue.

City Attorney Black read, by title only, a resolution declaring certain personal property to be "surplus property". Alderman Dingledine moved and Alderman Brucks seconded to adopt the resolution as read. If adopted this will declare one used Glock Model 19C 9mm handgun and one used Glock Model 27 .40 Caliber handgun as surplus property. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Newman, Brubaker, Landry, Clanin, Gee, Howerter Brucks, Dingledine 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Attorney Black read, by title only, second reading of an ordinance designating certain intersections in the City of Washington as stop intersections and designating certain streets as through streets. Alderman Dingledine moved and Alderman Brubaker seconded to adopt the ordinance as read. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Landry, Howerter, Brucks, Clanin, Newman, Gee, Brubaker, Dingledine 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Attorney Black provided second reading, by title only, of an ordinance amending the Code of Ordinance of the City of Washington, Illinois by amending §50.53 entitled "Subdivision Development Fees and Utility Connection Fees". Alderman Howerter moved and Alderman Brucks seconded to adopt the ordinance as read. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Gee, Brubaker, Clanin, Dingledine, Landry, Newman, Brucks, Howerter 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Attorney Black provided first reading of an ordinance authorizing the sale of certain personal property designated as "surplus property" and an ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Washington, Illinois by amending §154.175 entitled "Building Design Guidelines". The ordinances will be included on the March 19, 2007 Council agenda as second readings and for action.

City administrator Morris went over the remaining budget funds of General Fund Unrestricted, TIF #1 and TIF #2. In General Fund-Unrestricted Administrator Morris noted that transfers and expenditures are under budget. A new line item has been added for the quarter percent Home Rule Sales Tax. There is very little projected capital in either FY08-09 or 09-10 out of the General Fund-Unrestricted.

TIF #1 - use of this funding is limited and only available for TIF related projects. In 2005 planning and engineering design work was begun for the expansion of Water Treatment Plant #2, which is located in the TIF district. Construction began in FY06-07 and is expected to be completed in FY07-08. The Washington Road TIF district will cease in 2009 and this source of funding will no longer be available

TIF #2 - revenues are projected to be slightly over budget. Expenditures are expected to be significantly under budget primarily because of deferred capital spending and fewer development projects. The majority of the funds are allocated for private building renovation and improvement projects. There are currently six outstanding redevelopment contracts which commit the city to payments totaling about $134,000 through FY09-10. P&D Director Oliphant is looking at getting this TIF extended in the 2008 legislative session.

Alderman Clanin moved and Alderman Brubaker seconded to authorize the filing of the Tentative Budget for FY07-08 with the City Clerk and to call for a public hearing on Monday, April 9, 2007 at 6:15 p.m. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Howerter, Landry, Newman, Gee, Brucks, Dingledine, Brubaker, Clanin 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

Alderman Howerter asked about the City's franchise agreement with CILCO and Administrator Morris replied the agreement is for fifty years he believes and is nowhere near expiration.

Administrator Morris reported to the Council that it is possible that the City will receive bids for electrical energy supply from four vendors. Some draft contractual language has been received and bids will be opened on Friday. The bids will be evaluated and reviewed at the Public Services Committee on Monday, March 12. Action may be taken on Monday, March 12 at a special council meeting as far as awarding a bid, or it may be necessary to empower the Public Services Committee to act on the awarding of the bid. He pointed out that this bid is just for City of Washington government and not for residential or business use in the city.

Staff Reports - Chief Kuchenbecker reported that he has just been notified that the City of Washington Police Department will be receiving a $35,000 ILEAS grant for five multiple data computers for the squad cars.

P&D Director Oliphant reported that the Historic Preservation Committee has met once and will be meeting again on Thursday.

Aldermen's Comments - Alderman Gee reported that street lighting on North Cummings Lane is underway. He said he believes that the poles were set today.

Alderman Gee also noted that there have not been any serious problems with flooding with all of the heavy rain and melting that has occurred.

Mayor Manier stated that he has had some complimentary calls on detention. People are saying that they are not having any water problems for the first time in a long time, so the Blumenshine detention is doing its job. Purchasing the farm property is paying off. He went on to say that the Blumenshine Detention area looked similar to Bowen Lake recently.

Alderman Brubaker stated he has been contacted by some residents of Miller Street saying the street is very dark in the block just east of Lawndale and they wonder if that part of the street would qualify for some extra street lighting. The matter will be looked into by the Public Safety Committee.

There was no further business to come before the Council and at 6:59 p.m. Alderman Howerter moved and Alderman Brubaker seconded to adjourn. 
Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.