Mayor Gary W. Manier called a regular scheduled City Council meeting of Monday, May 7, 2007 to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Training Room at fire Station No.1.

Present for Roll Call were Aldermen Al Howerter, Jim Gee, Bob Brucks, Jim Newman, Dave Dingledine, Dennis Landry, Don Brubaker and Todd Clanin.

Also present was City Attorney Kenneth L. Black, City Administrator Bob Morris, City Treasurer Bob Gordon, City Engineer Ken Newman, Chief of Police James Kuchenbecker, City Clerk Carol Moss, Jai Windish and other members of the Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Amanda Shipp and family, Mr. and Mrs. James Gee, Rita Fischbach, Denise Magnuson, Gene Hart and Dustin Essig.

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 May 7, 2007 as presented. Consent Agenda items included minutes of the April 16, 2007 Council meeting, Proclamation proclaiming the week of May 6-12, 2007 as Building Safety Week, Proclamation proclaiming the week of May 6-12, 2007 as Goodwill Industries Week, Proclamation proclaiming Tuesday, May 15, 2007 as Police Memorial Day, Pay Request #6 in the amount of $275,498.00 to Commercial Mechanical, Inc. for WTP #2 Expansion work, surety reduction of the Letter of Credit for Sunnydale Estates, Phase 2 to an amount of $28,100, WACC reimbursement request of $170,000, raffle permit for the Chamber of Commerce for the Cherry Festival and an IDOT resolution authorizing signage for the Cherry Festival along U S Business 24. 
On roll call on the motion to approve the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Brucks, Newman, Clanin, Landry, Dingledine, Howerter, Brubaker, Gee 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

Audience Comments - Rita Fischbach, Chairman of Washington Clean-Up Day activities, thanked Mayor Manier and City Administrator Morris for City assistance with Clean-Up Day. She also thanked the Police Department, Fire Department, Chamber and Park District and Dan Wissel who supplied trucks. One hundred ninety-two people participated and this included church groups and scout groups as well as many, many individuals. She stated that this is a good thing for the City and encouraged all to participate in future years.

Mayor Manier thanked Mrs. Fischbach for her leadership and stated that he hopes that she will continue as chairman of this activity for a number of years into the future.

Dustin Essig, Chairman of the Board of the Washington Chamber of Commerce, told those present that he is here this evening to request additional City funding for the Chamber of Commerce. After the budgeting process this year the Board found that there were some additional costs that put the Chamber over budget. He proceeded to go over items the Chamber is requesting additional funding for including $295.00 for EDC and resident guide books, $500.00 for maintenance and domain name hosting of the EDC website, $1500.00 for staff wage increases, $1500.00 for the purchase of a trailer for the Cherry Festival (the old ESDA trailer can no longer be used because of disrepair) and $5000.00 for a new advertising campaign to attract people to move to Washington. Chief Kuchenbecker questioned the ESDA trailer matter and Denise Magnuson stated that it is not known where the trailer is kept, but the trailer cannot be licensed because it is such a state of disrepair. Gene Hart noted that the trailer is a blue trailer with all of the electrical outlets on it, it is the main supply for electricity at the Cherry Festival. Mayor Manier told members of the Chamber that this request will be forwarded to the Finance & Personnel Committee for discussion at their Monday, May 14 meeting. That Committee meets at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall.

Julie Beamer was present in the audience to receive the Proclamation for Goodwill Industries Week. City Clerk Moss read the proclamation, Mayor Manier and City Clerk Moss signed the Proclamation and Mayor Manier made the presentation to Ms. Beamer.

City Attorney Black read, by title only, a Resolution authorizing the execution of an Employment Agreement modification between the City of Washington and James W. Kuchenbecker. Alderman Dingledine moved and Alderman Brubaker seconded to adopt the Resolution as read. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Landry, Brucks, Clanin, Gee, Newman, Howerter, Brubaker, Dingledine 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Attorney Black read a resolution, by title only, authorizing the execution of an Employment Agreement modification between the City of Washington and Robert A. Morris.

Alderman Howerter moved and Alderman Brubaker seconded to adopt the resolution as read. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Clanin, Landry, Brucks, Newman, Gee, Dingledine, Brubaker, Howerter 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Attorney Black read, by title only, a resolution authorizing the Mayor and Clerk of the City of Washington to enter into easement agreements concerning open channel drainage area west of Court Drive in the City of Washington. Alderman Dingledine moved and Alderman Clanin seconded to adopt the resolution as read. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Newman, Brubaker, Landry, Brucks, Howerter, Gee, Clanin, Dingledine 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Attorney Black provided first readings, by title only, of the following ordinances; amending the Personnel Manual to provide for part-time employee leave; establish procedures to negotiate and enter into contracts for architectural, engineering and land surveying services; annexing certain territory owned by Mark and Chery Thompson containing approximately 15.931 acres located west of Ernest Street and north of the TP&W Railroad; granting a Special Use to allow a private horse stable at 800 Ernest Street under the Zoning Code of the City; authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with Washington Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad establishing compensation for fire/rescue service and compensation for ambulance service for fiscal year beginning May 1, 2007 and ending April 30, 2008; authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk execute Intergovernmental Agreement for ambulance and fire suppression service with Washington Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Northern Tazewell Fire Protection District and Northern Tazewell Fire and Rescue Squad; authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into Intergovernmental Agreement with Washington Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad for fire protection services and ambulance and emergency medical services; and designating the intersection of Kingsbury Road and Grandyle Drive as a four-way stop intersection. All first reads will come before the Council at the May 21 meeting as second readings and for Council action.

Mayor Manier asked Council approval of his re-appointment of Don Uphoff to a two-year term on the City of Washington Police Pension Board. Mr. Uphoff has served on the Board since the late 1980's. Alderman Brubaker moved and Alderman Clanin seconded to concur with the Mayor's appointment as requested. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Howerter, Newman, Brucks, Gee, Landry, Dingledine, Clanin, Brubaker 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

Mayor Manier requested Council approval of his appointment of Bob Morris as Budget Officer, Carol Moss as City Collector and Standing Committees of Finance & Personnel - Alderman Clanin, Chairman, Aldermen Newman and Shipp as members; Public Safety - Alderman Brubaker, Chairman, Alderman Dingledine and Mayor Manier as members; and Public Services - Alderman Howerter, Chairman and Aldermen Brucks and Gee as members. Alderman Clanin moved and Alderman Howerter seconded to concur with the appointments as outlined. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Brubaker, Newman, Brucks, Landry, Gee, Dingledine, Howerter, Clanin 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Administrator Morris requested Council authorization to make the final payment of $70,000 on the fire apparatus for the Washington Volunteer Fire Department. Administrator Morris indicated that this is the final payment of the $210,000 authorized by the Council. Alderman Howerter moved and Alderman Dingledine seconded to authorize payment as requested. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Gee, Landry, Newman, Brubaker, Clanin, Brucks, Dingledine, Howerter 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

Administrator Morris requested Council acceptance of a 5-year audit proposal from Heinold-Banwart as outlined on a memo dated May 4, 2007. Alderman Brucks moved and Alderman Newman seconded to accept the proposal of Heinold-Banwart as shown. City Administrator Morris pointed out that the prices shown are considerably higher than this past year, but lower than the other proposal received. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Dingledine, Landry, Howerter, Gee, Clanin, Brubaker, Newman, Brucks 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Administrator Morris requested Council authorization to renew health insurance coverage with Wyman/PBS and Perico Life for the plan year beginning July 1, 2007. The City has received a favorable renewal quotation that will be largely unchanged from the 7/1/06 health insurance rates/costs. Alderman Dingledine moved and Alderman Newman seconded to authorize health insurance renewal as requested. Administrator Morris reported that the renewal figures were very positive and if accepted will lock in all fixed costs. Reinsurance costs will not be locked in. 
On roll call the vote was:
Ayes: 8 Brucks, Brubaker, Landry, Howerter, Gee, Clanin, Newman, Dingledine 
Nays: 0
Motion declared carried.

City Engineer Newman requested Council approval of an IDOT Joint Agreement for the U.S. Business Route 24 and Route 8 resurfacing. He explained that IDOT is planning to resurface Business Route 24 from U.S. 24 to just east of Cummings Lane, and Route 8 from Briargate to McClugage Road this summer. The City has requested that included in the project is the resurfacing of North Cummings Lane from Washington Road to just past the north entrance of Cherry Tree Shopping Center. The improvement consists of milling and resurfacing 1½ inches of asphalt for the length of about 370 feet and replacement of pavement markings. The Joint Agreement pertains to this improvement and outlines responsibilities of IDOT and of the City. Estimate of the City's share, which includes 15% for engineering, is $26,105. Alderman Brucks moved and Alderman Howerter seconded to approve the Joint Agreement as presented. Alderman Howerter asked if this is a budgeted item and Administrator Morris replied it is not budgeted but funding will be taken from the unbudgeted, non-committed $72,000. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Landry, Clanin, Brubaker, Gee, Newman, Dingledine, Howerter, Brucks 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Engineer Newman requested Council authorization to hire P. A. Atherton Construction, Inc. to remove and replace an 18-inch and a 24-inch storm sewer between Hillcrest Drive and the creek with a single 30 inch diameter concrete pipe at a cost of $18,267.00. Alderman Gee moved and Alderman Landry seconded to authorize as requested. Alderman Brubaker questioned the significant difference in prices of the five companies submitting proposals for this work and asked if City Engineer Newman is comfortable with the bidder. Engineer Newman replied that he is familiar with the company and they are very competent. Alderman Howerter stated that Atherton is quite capable of doing this work and has done a lot of work in this area. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Clanin, Brubaker, Howerter, Newman, Brucks, Dingledine, Landry, Gee 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

Chief of Police Kuchenbecker asked Council to award the bid for the replacement of two storm warning sirens, one at Guth Road and one at S. Cummings Lane, to Ragan Communications in the amount of $34,446.00. Alderman Dingledine moved and Alderman Brubaker seconded to award the bid as requested. Alderman Gee asked if this price is in line with the last replacement and Chief Kuchenbecker replied it is $1000.00 higher because equipment went up this year. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Gee, Howerter, Brucks, Newman, Clanin, Landry, Brubaker, Dingledine 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

Mayor Manier recognized outgoing Alderman Dennis Landry with a plaque acknowledging his time and effort spent on behalf of Ward 4 and the citizens of Washington. Mayor Manier stated that Mr. Landry will still be involved somewhat because he has agreed to be a member of the reorganized Economic Development Commission.

Mr. Landry thanked everyone for the recognition and stated that his roll as alderman did not last very long, but said he may be able to do some things to further benefit the community by working on the EDC, especially Sunnyland Plaza.

City Clerk Carol Moss administrated the Oath of Office to re-elected Aldermen Don Brubaker, Jim Gee, Bob Brucks and Dave Dingledine and to newly elected Ward 4 Alderman Amanda Shipp.

Aldermen's Comments - Alderman Brubaker stated that he was very happy to see both Mayor Manier and Chief Kuchenbecker at the National Day of Prayer service on the Square on Thursday, May 3.

Alderman Clanin said that he would like to commend staff on the timely manner in which code enforcement is being handled. He referred to a memorandum distributed by Chief Kuchenbecker outlining code enforcement investigation/complaints.

Mayor Manier asked that a moment of silence be observed as we begin a new fiscal year for the City and that we ask for guidance during the upcoming fiscal year for the City of Washington.

At 7:24 p.m. Alderman Brubaker moved and alderman Dingledine seconded to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.