Mayor Gary W. Manier called a regular scheduled City Council meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the meeting room at Washington District Library, at Five Points Washington. Answering present for Roll Call were Aldermen Todd Clanin, Al Howerter, Dave Dingledine, Jim Newman, Don Brubaker, Amanda Shipp, Bob Brucks and Jim Gee. Also present was City Administrator Bob Morris, City Attorney Kenneth L. Black, City Engineer Ken Newman, City Treasurer Bob Gordon, Chief of Police Jim Kuchenbecker, P&D Director Jon Oliphant and City Clerk Carol Moss, Father Joseph Donton of St. Pat's Catholic Church/School and other members of St. Pat's parish, Brad Swearingen, Doug Damery, Mary Jo Parish and Tim Custis.

Prior to the Pledge of Allegiance, Mayor Manier asked that everyone observe a moment of silence in memory of Evan Knoblauch, who was killed in an automobile accident on Saturday, and in memory of all the others who have passed on this past year. 

All present stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Mayor Manier commended the Community Center Board on their quick action, on very short notice, regarding the visitation and funeral for Evan on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Agenda was reviewed and stood as presented.

Alderman Gee moved and Alderman Brucks seconded to approve the Consent Agenda of January 7, 2008, as presented. The Consent Agenda included minutes of the December 17, 2007 Council meeting and the 2007 Year-End Development Activity Summary. 
On roll call on the motion to approve the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Howerter, Clanin, Shipp, Brubaker, Dingledine, Newman, Brucks, Gee 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

Alderman and Mayor Pro Tem Brubaker asked Mayor Manier to step forward along with Brad Swearingen, Community Center Board President, Tim Custis, High School Board President, Doug Damery, Washington Park District Director and Mary Jo Parish, Library Board President. Mayor Manier was presented with a Certificate of Recognition recognizing all of his efforts in making Five Points a reality. Brad, on behalf of the Community Center Board, thanked Mayor Manier for all of his hard work on this matter. He said that someone had to stand up and take a leadership role and the Mayor did just that. He thanked all of the leaders in the community for their role in making the Community Center a reality.

There were no Audience Comments or Standing Committee Reports.

City Attorney Black provided first readings, by title only, of an ordinance amending Chapter 152 entitled "Subdivision Code" of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Washington, and an ordinance amending Chapter 154 entitled "Zoning Code" of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Washington. Both ordinances will be included on the January 22, 2008 Council Agenda as second readings and for Council action.

Mayor Manier read a Proclamation proclaiming the week of January 27, 2008 through February 3, 2008 as Catholic Schools Week in Washington. Father Joseph Donton and Dr. Sharon Weiss, Principal of St. Pats, were present for the reading and signing of the Proclamation. Alderman Shipp moved and Alderman Clanin seconded to authorize signing of the Proclamation. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Dingledine, Gee, Howerter, Newman, Brucks, Brubaker, Clanin, Shipp 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

Mayor Manier asked Father Donton about enrollment at St. Pats and his reply was that enrollment increase by 60 students over last year.

Alderman Brubaker moved and Alderman Shipp seconded to approve a Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Clanin, Dingledine, Brucks, Howerter, Newman, Gee, Shipp, Brubaker 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Administrator Morris requested Council to award bid for overhead furnaces at the Legion Road Fire Station. He explained that there have been repeated problems with and repairs to the furnaces located in the vehicle bays of the building. Several companies have recommended replacing the equipment, and there has also been recommendation to consider an infrared tube heating system. Bids have been solicited from local vendors for the purchase of the necessary equipment. The vendor will provide the equipment and make the natural gas, flue and electrical connections, but city crews will remove the existing furnaces and assemble/install the new tube heating system. Staff recommendation was to award the bid to the low bidder, Armstrong Heating and Air Conditioning, but Alderman Dingledine pointed out that there is only $800 difference between the Armstrong bid and the Kimpling bid. He suggested awarding the bid to Kimpling, Inc. Alderman Brubaker agreed. Alderman Brubaker moved and Alderman Clanin seconded to award the bid for the heating system replacement at Legion Road Fire Station to Kimpling, Inc., in the amount of $6780.00. Alderman Howerter asked the condition of the furnace in the office area and City Administrator Morris replied it is in good shape. Alderman Gee asked if the furnace itself is leaking and Administrator Morris replied it has been repaired with what looks like putty. Alderman Brucks noted that infrared heating is very economical. 
On roll call on the motion to award the bid to Kimpling, Inc., the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Brucks, Shipp, Dingledine, Newman, Howerter, Gee, Clanin, Brubaker 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

Chief of Police Kuchenbecker requested Council approval to place an order for one replacement police vehicle in the amount of $21,205.00 and one WATCHGUARD video camera system in the amount of $5082.00, for a total of $25,332.00. Chief Kuchenbecker explained that in October, 2007 the Illinois Criminal Justice Authority in conjunction with the United States Department of Justice offered a grant entitled Local Law Enforcement Safety Equipment Program. A grant was written applying for funding. On December 17th notification was made that the Washington Police Department had been awarded a grant in the amount of $18,998.00. The funds are restricted to the purchase and replacement of Washington Police Car #10, as identified in the grant. This car is not a part of the MERF replacement schedule and is used by the Auxiliary/part time personnel. Uftring Auto Group will sell the vehicle to the City below the state bid price. Remaining funds needed for the purchase over and above the grant will come out of the DUI Tech & Court Supervision/Vehicle Replacement Fund. Alderman Dingledine moved and Alderman Clanin seconded to authorize the purchase, as requested. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Gee, Howerter, Brucks, Shipp, Brubaker, Newman, Clanin, Dingledine 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

P&D Director Oliphant requested Council approval of the Final Plat of Trails Edge Northwest, subject to the payment of Subdivision Review fees in the amount of $350.00. He reported that this is a re-subdivision of a portion of Trails Edge Section Five in which Lots 213-217 and 228-233 are being re-subdivided. All of these lots were originally platted as duplex lots, but the re-subdivision will convert the lots into single-family lots. This will create four new lots which will reduce the number of units from 22 to 15. Alderman Howerter moved and Alderman Brucks seconded to approve the final Plat of Trails Edge Northwest, as requested. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Shipp, Brubaker, Newman, Clanin, Dingledine, Gee, Brucks, Howerter 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

Aldermen's Comments - Alderman Gee announced that on Saturday, January 12, congressional candidate Jim McCoughney will be here at Five Points from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Alderman Brubaker spoke in regards to a recent editorial in the Washington Times Reporter regarding the 40 Days of Prayer initiated by Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis with the endorsement of the Mayors of Morton, East Peoria, Pekin and Washington. Alderman Brubaker stated that none of these mayors are violating the separation of church and state, and the mayors are not ordering anyone to participate, they are just showing support for Mayor Ardis. Alderman Brubaker said that he was embarrassed by the article and thinks that it was way out of line. Alderman Gee agreed.

At 6:55 p.m. Alderman Brubaker moved and Alderman Newman seconded to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.