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

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

Also present was City Attorney Kenneth L. Black, City Administrator Bob Morris, City Treasurer Bob Gordon, Deputy Chief of Police Don Volk, City Clerk Carol Moss, Jai Windish, Randy Hurd, Mike Brown, Mrs. Merkel and members of the press.

Following Roll Call all present stood for the Pledge of Allegiance, and Mayor Manier asked that a moment of silence be observed following the Pledge of Allegiance in memory of Frankie Johnston and Bill Maher, who both passed away this past week.

The Agenda was reviewed and items IX B-3 and B-4 were deleted from the agenda and deferred until the August 20 Council meeting. Remainder of the agenda stood as presented.

Alderman Gee moved and Alderman Clanin seconded to approve the Consent Agenda of August 6, 2007 containing minutes of the July 16, 2007 Council meeting, approval of payment of TIF #2 Subsidy payment to Elaine Lucas in the amount of $1926.80 for exterior renovations of the building housing Homespun at 121 Washington Square, approval of the payment of $20,000 of the cost of the Square streetscape purchases, and WACC equipment purchase authorization in the amount of $35,565.10 for banquet center furnishings, lighting equipment and computer equipment. 
Alderman Gee moved and Alderman Clanin seconded to approve the Consent Agenda as presented and on roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Howerter, Brucks, Brubaker, Shipp, Dingledine, Newman, Clanin, Gee 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

Mayor Manier read and signed a proclamation recognizing the 2007 Washington Panther Varsity Baseball team for winning the Mid-Illini Conference Championship for the first time in Panther history, and for winning the 2007 IHSA Regional, Sectional and Super-Sectional Championships, and the third place trophy in the 2007 IHSA Class AA State Baseball Tournament. The week of August 5 through August 11, 2007 was proclaimed Washington Panther Baseball Week in Washington in honor of the accomplishments of the Panther baseball team. Alderman Clanin moved and Alderman Brubaker seconded to authorize signing of the proclamation, as read. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Brucks, Gee, Dingledine, Newman, Howerter, Shipp, Brubaker, Clanin 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

Alderman Dingledine noted that registration was held this past week for Central Grade baseball as well as the other schools, and the interest in baseball has dramatically increased. Some who wanted to participate were turned away. He said he believes that the Panther baseball team showing has been a very positive influence for Washington.

Audience Comments - Randy Hurd, Assistant Chief over Fire Operations, reported that a year to a year and a half ago it came to the attention of the department that fire pack replacement was necessary. A grant was written for the department and that grant was received, which will allow for the purchase of the outdated equipment.

City Attorney Black read, by title only, a Resolution approving the Preliminary Plat of Trails Edge, Northwest. Alderman Howerter moved and Alderman Brucks seconded to adopt the Resolution as read. This is a re-subdivision of a portion of Trails Edge Section Five. Lots 213-217 and 228-233 are being re-subdivided. All were platted as duplexes but are being converted to single-family residential lots. This will create four new lots for a total of fifteen, but will reduce the number of units from twenty-two to fifteen. 
On roll call on the motion to approve, the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Newman, Brubaker, Shipp, Clanin, Dingledine, Gee, Brucks, Howerter 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Attorney Black provided second reading of an ordinance granting a special use to allow a miniature golf course, together with a go-kart track, at 1400-1412 Washington Road under the Zoning Code of the City of Washington, Illinois. Alderman Brucks moved and Alderman Shipp seconded to adopt the ordinance as read. Alderman Brubaker stated that he likes this idea, but he does not like the proposed location. The location is wrong because of the nearby residential areas. Alderman Dingledine agreed saying the complex would be nice for Washington, but the location is wrong because of the residential areas. Noise is not the only thing to consider, there are fumes and crowds, etc. Alderman Brucks said that he totally agrees with Aldermen Brubaker and Dingledine and thanked the many residents who have contacted him with their objection to this complex at the proposed location. 
On roll call on the motion to approve the vote was: 
Ayes: 0 
Nays: 8 Clanin, Dingledine, Newman, Howerter, Brubaker, Gee, Shipp, Brucks 
MOTION DID NOT CARRY - DENIED.

City Attorney Black provided first readings, by title only, of an ordinance amending the Personnel Manual of the City of Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois, regarding retiree health benefits, and an ordinance repealing a tax on the privilege of renting a hotel or motel room within the City of Washington and enacting a new hotel or motel room tax pursuant to the City's Home Rule authority. Both ordinances will be placed on the August 20 Council agenda as second readings and for Council action. 

Aldermen's Comments - Alderman Dingledine spoke out regarding littering and trash in the Square. He said he would never want to discourage people from using the Square, but there needs to be more vigilance in keeping the entire area clean. He stated that the southeast corner of the Square is the primary focus of his concern, and he said it may be necessary to post signs or do something that will encourage those using the particular area to use the trash cans instead of littering. Mayor Manier said that he wholeheartedly agrees with what Alderman Dingledine has said. He said that everyone knows how he feels about littering. Not littering is everyone's responsibility, and it is parent responsibility to teach their children the importance of not littering. Alderman Brubaker said that he has received a number of comments and calls from individuals concerned with the littering in the Square. He said that it has also been suggested to him that there be designated walkways from the sidewalks around the Square to the interior part of the Square. He said that this is something that the Public Safety Committee will discuss at their meeting next week.

At 6:52 p.m. Alderman Dingledine moved and Alderman Newman seconded to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body per 5ILCS 120/2(c)(5) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Shipp, Howerter, Brucks, Brubaker, Gee, Clanin, Newman, Dingledine. 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

At 7:36 p.m. the Council returned to open session and Alderman Clanin moved and Alderman Gee seconded to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.