Mayor Gary W. Manier called a regular scheduled City Council meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. in the Washington District Library meeting room. 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, Controller Joanie Baxter, City Treasurer Bob Gordon, P&D Director Jon Oliphant, Public Services Manager Bill Bimrose and Clerk Carol Moss.

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

Alderman Howerter moved and Alderman Brubaker seconded to approve the Consent Agenda of March 3, 2008 as presented. Contents of the Consent Agenda included minutes of the February 18, 2008 regular City Council meeting, TIF #2 second subsidy payment in the amount of $3,942.00 to SKL Partnership (Sentimental Journey), a Raffle Permit application for Central Grade School PTO, and acceptance of the annual report of the Board of Managers of Glendale Cemetery. 
On roll call the vote to approve was: 
Ayes: 8 Shipp, Brucks, Dingledine, Clanin, Gee, Newman, Brubaker, Howerter 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

Mayor Manier announced Washington Day Banquet winners; Glenn and Pat Essig, Washingtonians of the Year, Gary & Elaine Lucas, Beautification Award for the Homespun Galleries on the west side of the Square, and Outstanding Business Award to Dick Rich Plumbing. Mayor Manier stated that all of the awards were well deserved.

City Attorney Black read, by title only, second reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 112 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois, entitled "Alcoholic Beverages" to increase the number of Class F liquor licenses. Alderman Brucks moved and Alderman Shipp seconded to adopt the ordinance as read. Alderman Brubaker stated that he will be consist with his past record and vote no on this matter. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 7 Howerter, Newman, Gee, Dingledine, Clanin, Shipp, Brucks 
Nays: 1 Brubaker 
Motion declared carried.

City Attorney Black provided second reading, by title only, of 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". Alderman Gee moved and Alderman Clanin seconded to adopt the ordinance as read. Alderman Gee stated that the anti smoking law that was adopted by the State was needed and he said he supports this ordinance. Mayor Manier reported that there have been a lot of questions by the media regarding this ordinance. All the City is doing with this ordinance is making it easier for individuals to pay fines incurred with the state enacted smoking ban, and to keep any fine money in Washington rather than it going to the state. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Brubaker, Brucks, Howerter, Shipp, Newman, Dingledine, Clanin, Gee 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried

City Administrator Morris went over budget for Streets, Telecommunications Tax Account, N. Cummings Roadway Improvement Fee Account, Motor Fuel Tax Fund, Stormwater Management/Flood Mitigation Fund, S. Cummings Road Improvement Debt Service Fund, Cruger Road Improvement Debt Service Fund, Kern Road Debt Service Fund, S. Wood Street Special Assessment Fund, Mallard Crossing Special Services Area Fund, Cruger Road Improvement Capital Project Fund, Dallas Road Improvement Capital Project Fund, Muller Road Improvement Capital Project Fund, and N. Cummings Improvement Fund. Reviewed and discussed were capital needs in the Street Account which included curb, gutter, inlet and sidewalk replacement on Westgate Road; engineering for the replacement of the Lincoln Street bridge; sidewalk replacement along Newcastle which was deferred from last year; bulk storage facility and trees and fencing for the Constitution Street property which was deferred; preliminary engineering for the Kern Road Extension, which will be built in FY09-10; and miscellaneous equipment which includes a salt spreader for a pick-up. Funds from the Telecommunications Tax account are to be used to fund capital projects with emphasis on street and storm water improvements. Monies from this account are budgeted for a $380,000 transfer to the Muller Road Improvement Project fund in FY08-09 and a $980,000 transfer in FY09-10 for the North Cummings Lane Roadway Improvement Project. Funds will be accumulated in FY10-11 to fund the reconstruction of Dallas Road, Phase I, which is currently planned for FY11-12. Income from the Telecommunications Tax is estimated to total $375,000 per year plus interest on invested monies. Administrator Morris informed those present that the North Cummings Lane project has gone from a $600,000 project to one totaling over $1M.

City Engineer Newman requested Council approval of a MFT resolution appropriating $480,000 of motor fuel tax monies for the City's 2008 street maintenance program. Approximately 6.3 miles of roads will be worked on this year with either spray patch work, seal coat work or mill and overlay work. Alderman Newman moved and Alderman Shipp seconded to approve the MFT Resolution as requested appropriating $480,000 of motor fuel tax dollars to the 2008 street maintenance program. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Brucks, Clanin, Dingledine, Gee, Howerter, Brubaker, Shipp, Newman 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Engineer Newman requested Council authorization for staff to enter into an agreement with STS Consultants for construction engineering services for the Muller Road Reconstruction in an amount up to $38,100.00. STS Consultants work will include full time construction inspection and all IDOT documentation, construction staking and surveying, and the necessary materials testing. Alderman Brucks moved and Alderman Newman seconded to authorize staff to enter into the Construction Engineering Services Agreement with STS Consultants as requested. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Clanin, Dingledine, Gee, Howerter, Brubaker, Shipp, Newman, Brucks 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

Alderman Brubaker stated that he was disappointed with the entertainment at the recent Washington Day Banquet saying the hypnotist was more foul mouthed than he needed to be . He went on to say that he cannot continue to support the Chamber if this is an example of what future entertainment will be.

Alderman Clanin voiced concern regarding the entrance and exit to Menards. He stated that once Menards opens for business this intersection will become very tight and it could become a very dangerous intersection. Coming out of Wal Mart turning left with the exiting traffic from Menards turning right could become a real issue.

City Administrator Morris indicated that staff will take a good look at this.

At 7:14 p.m. Alderman Howerter moved and Alderman Dingledine seconded to move into Executive Session for the purpose of deliberations concerning pending or probable litigation pursuant to 5ILCS 120/2(c)(11) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act, and pursuant to Council's right to discuss litigation alternatives with the City Attorney based on Attorney/Client privilege. Mayor Manier stated that there will not be any action coming out of the Executive Session. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Gee, Newman, Shipp, Brubaker, Brucks, Clanin, Dingledine, Howerter 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

At 7:56 p.m. the Council returned to regular session and Alderman Dingledine moved and Alderman Brucks seconded to adjourn. 
Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.