A regular scheduled City Council meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Gary W. Mainer in the meeting room at Washington District Library, 380 N. Wilmor Road. Present for Roll Call were Aldermen Al Howerter, Dave Dingledine, Jim Newman, Don Brubaker, Amanda Shipp, Bob Brucks and Jim Gee. Alderman Todd Clanin was absent. Also present was City Administrator Bob Morris, City Attorney Kenneth L. Black, City Engineer Ken Newman, Controller Joanie Baxter, Deputy Chief of Police Don Volk, P&D Director Jon Oliphant and City Clerk Carol Moss, and Gary Deiters.

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 February 4, 2008 as presented. Items included on the Consent Agenda were minutes of the January 22, 2008 City Council meeting; a Raffle Permit Application submitted by Washington Middle School Music Boosters; TIF #1 pay request for third subsidy payment to GIC, Inc., d/b/a The Uftring Wash in the amount of $15,794.48; and acceptance of the Actuarial Valuation Report for the Police Pension Fund for the period May 1, 2007 through April 30, 2008. 
On roll call on the motion to approve the vote was: 
Ayes: 7 Shipp, Howerter, Newman, Dingledine, Brucks, Brubaker, Gee 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

Mayor Manier read a letter of appreciation and gratitude from the Knoblauch family expressing their thanks for all that the community did for them at the time of their loss of son Evan.

Audience Comments - Gary Deiters, Deiters Funeral Home, said that he would like to publicly thank Chief of Police Kuchenbecker and the City of Washington Police Department, the Community Center Board and Dr. Dunnan and the Washington Community High School for all of their cooperation and efforts during the visitation and funeral of Evan Knoblauch. The Chief showed leadership as did the Board and Dr. Dunnan. There was some second guessing that was done afterward but it is necessary to give the Police Department the flexibility in a situation like this to allow them to do what they think is necessary. Mayor Manier pointed out that he is pleased with the decisions that were made and said that we should all hope that none of us ever has to face something of this nature.

City Attorney Black read by title only, a resolution authorizing the execution of a Cash Rent Farm Lease with James E. Zehr for the Tarvin farm. Mr Zehr submitted a bid for $8726.67 for the farm lease for the former Tarvin farm. Alderman Gee moved and Alderman Brucks seconded to adopt the resolution as read. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 7 Brubaker, Dingledine, Howerter, Shipp, Newman, Brucks, Gee 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Attorney Black read, by title only, a resolution authorizing the execution of a Cash Rent Farm Lease with Martin Voorhees for the Blumenshine property. Mr. Voorhees submitted a bid for $23,642.28 for the farm lease of the former Blumenshine farm property. Alderman Dingledine moved and Alderman Shipp seconded to adopt the resolution as read. Alderman Gee stated that by putting the farm leases out for bid the City will realize an additional $12,000 in farm cash rent. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 7 Gee, Howerter, Brubaker, Newman, Brucks, Shipp, Dingledine 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Attorney Black provided second reading, by title only, of an ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Washington, Illinois by amending §75.10A entitled "90-day load limit on certain streets". Alderman Howerter moved and Alderman Brucks seconded to adopt the ordinance as read. If adopted, this will removed the newly constructed portion of Cruger Road from the 90-day load limit restrictions. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 7 Dingledine, Brubaker, Newman, Shipp, Gee, Brucks, Howerter 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Attorney Black provided first readings, by title only, of an ordinance amending Chapter 131 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois, entitled "Offenses Against Public Order" to amend §131.99 relating to penalties; an ordinance amending Chapter 131 "Offenses Against Public Order" Section 131.08 "Truancy" of the City of Washington, Illinois Code of Ordinances; an ordinance amending Chapter 134 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois entitled "Offenses against Public Health and Safety" to add a new section to be known as §134.04 "Smoke Free Washington"; and an ordinance amending Chapter 132 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois, entitled "Offenses Against Public Order" to amend §132.99 relating to penalties. All first reads will be scheduled as second readings and action on the February 18 Council agenda.

City Administrator Morris provided an overview of FY08-09 Annual Budget for the Police Department Account, Fire & Rescue Account, ESDA, Police Pension Fund and Police Department Special Projects Account. Police Department Account - Administrator Morris reported that expenses associated with the funding of the retiree health insurance benefit are included in the budget for the first time. Total personnel expenses are estimated to increase by 6.7% in the coming year. Annual health insurance increases are projected at 20% while base wage increases are projected at 3.8%. The department is working toward full staffing of a third patrol district to handle the demand for services.

Fire & Rescue Account - Administrator Morris reported that FY08-09 budgeted operations expenses are projected to increase $100,000 for regular annual operations payable to the department; a $50,000 increase to cover the cost of the WVFD Fire Chief; and a $4000 increase for annual operations payable to the Northern Tazewell Fire Department. There is no significant capital equipment currently budgeted for the coming year.

ESDA - Estimated FY07-08 expenditures are over budget by about $35,000 primarily due to the replacement of one additional storm warning siren during this past year. Capital funding is provided to purchase and install the last two replacement storm warning sirens.

Police Pension Fund - This account is funded by employee contributions, investment earnings and property taxes. Property tax component must be set at whatever level is necessary to meet the projected annual liabilities after deducting employee contributions and investment earnings. The city retains an independent actuary to calculate its required contribution, and the employer contribution is currently equivalent to 15.6% of wages. Payments to pensioners account for the majority of expenses. Refunds to employees that select to withdraw from the fund upon separation accounts for most of the remainder. At present there are six pensioners receiving benefits. The fund is in sound financial shape.

Police Department Special Projects Account - This account tracks special projects, activities and services undertaken by the Police Department which are financed by special, restricted sources of revenue. Six types of revenue are deposited to this fund including money collected for DUI offenses, monies collected by the court system for drug offenses , monies collected by the court systems for traffic violations, administrative fee charged against impounded vehicles, donations received to defray expenses associated with the DARE program, and private donations raised in behalf of Special Olympics. Capital purchase plans include portable speed sign ($2,350), investigative digital systems ($4,200), space needs analysis for department ($5000), and other miscellaneous equipment ($1000).

Deputy Chief Volk requested Council authorize permission to order three replacement police vehicles from Uftring's Auto Group. Uftring's is $75.00 below the State Bid price for the Crown Victoria. The Department will be purchasing two Crown Victoria's, and has elected to replace one of the three squads due for replacement with a Ford Expedition 4x4, which could serve as a Command Vehicle/Mobil Command Post, and would also be used to move the speed trailer from location to location. Difference between the Crown Victoria and the 4x4 is $2,267.80. All funding has been budgeted. Delivery of the vehicles will be 10-12 weeks, which will put payment into the FY08-09 budget. Alderman Brubaker moved and Alderman Newman seconded to authorize the purchase of the three Police Department vehicles at a cost of $21,205.00 for the Crown Victorias and $23,472.80 for the Ford Expedition 4x4. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 7 Brucks, Dingledine, Howerter, Shipp, Gee, Newman, Brubaker 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Engineer Newman requested Council authorization of the purchase of a combination sewer cleaning machine/Vactor and a Sterling L 7500 cab and chassis along with a water system interconnect between the water tanks and debris body for a total amount of $262,617.00, and accept Coe's trade-in allowance of $30,000 for our current Vactor unit. Alderman Howerter moved and Alderman Brucks seconded to authorize the purchase. Alderman Howerter asked if the Sterling unit will be powered by a Cat engine or a Cummings engine. Engineer Newman replied it will be powered by a Cummings engine. Alderman Howerter stated that he is familiar with the VacCon unit as Peoria had one for about ten years and traded it on a Vactor unit. Alderman Gee asked if anyone has checked to see if it is possible to get the unit with a Cat engine. That option has not been checked out and Alderman Gee said it might be worth looking into about getting the unit with a Cat engine. Alderman Brubaker agreed. Engineer Newman asked how he should proceed and Alderman Howerter moved and Alderman Brucks seconded to table the matter until staff brings forth information on the availability of a Cat engine. 
On roll call on the motion to table the vote was: 
Ayes: 7 Newman, Brubaker, Gee, Dingledine, Shipp, Brucks, Howerter 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Engineer Newman went over 2008 street maintenance information reporting which streets will be seal coated, spray patched, and which streets will get mill and overlay work. Alderman Howerter pointed out that seal coat is not perfect but it has allowed the City to do something to all the streets, and it allows us to do other larger projects like Westgate. Alderman Brucks asked if the curb and gutter work will be contracted out and City Engineer Newman replied it will. City crews will construct inlets but will not do the curb and gutter.

City Engineer Newman requested Council authorization to enter into an agreement with Austin Engineering to complete design engineering services for 2008 sanitary sewer replacement projects in the 200 block of East Jefferson and Adams Streets, and a wildcat sewer that serves the 500 block of West Adams and Highland Place, in an amount not to exceed $13,500.00. Problems have been experienced several times in both locations. Estimated construction costs for both projects are around $150,000, and it is possible that we may also be looking at the replacement of a considerable amount of storm sewer in the East Jefferson project because of its close proximity to the existing sanitary sewer. Alderman Howerter moved and Alderman Newman seconded to authorize entering into the agreement as requested. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 7 Shipp, Brubaker, Brucks, Dingledine, Gee, Newman, Howerter 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

Aldermen's Comments - Alderman Dingledine stated that with the recent snowfalls it might be a good idea to reiterate to citizens that it is not allowed to push snow into the streets after the plows have gone through. Alderman Newman agreed. Alderman Dingledine went on to say that putting snow into the street is really no different than putting grass clippings in the street in the summer. Alderman Newman stated that putting the snow into the street is a potential hazard.

Mayor Manier pointed out that City crews need to be commended for the job that they have done this winter with plowing city streets. It takes twelve hours to make one complete pass through the entire city, and crews have done an excellent job. They work very, very hard. People who move here from other communities have called the Mayor and thanked him for the way the streets are cleared in Washington, in comparison to where they came from.

Alderman Brubaker stated that the city plow drivers are very patient with residents and they deserve to be given a big "thank you".

Alderman Newman inquired about the Summit Drive extension and City Engineer Newman replied a January, 09 letting is scheduled for Summit. March, 09 is schedule for an IDOT letting for the intersection improvement. Sunrise to Summit will be constructed this year and the design for Summit to Legion Rd. is coming up.

Alderman Howerter asked where we are with the School Street sewer replacement and asked if we are still working on easements. City Administrator Morris replied staff is still working on easements. City Engineer Newman pointed out that there is major storm sewer replacement needed on School Street.

At 7:35 p.m. Alderman Brubaker moved and Alderman Brucks seconded to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.