Mayor Gary W. Manier called a regular scheduled City Council meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the meeting room of the Library, 380 N. Wilmor Road. Present for Roll Call were Aldermen Jim Newman, Todd Clanin, Al Howerter, Dave Dingledine, 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, Chief of Police Jim Kuchenbecker, P&D Director Jon Oliphant, Public Services Manager Bill Bimrose and City 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 April 7, 2008, which included minutes of the March 17, 2008 Council meeting, and bid awards for FY08-09 Class X Ready Mix Concrete, Water & Sewage treatment chemicals, water softener salt and bituminous surface course. 
On roll call on the motion the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Clanin, Dingledine, Brucks, Newman, Gee, Shipp, Brubaker, Howerter 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

Audience Comments - Roy Allen, 404 Sterling, told those present that a week ago he was involved in a vehicle accident involving a driver making a u-turn at the intersection into Felker's Addition. He asked the status of no u-turn signs being posted at this intersection. Chief Kuchenbecker replied he has left messages for John Love at IDOT but has not received any response yet. Business 24 is a state highway and the City does not have any authority to erect no u-turn signs. In prior discussion with IDOT, City representatives were told that without an official resolution from the City of Washington the state would not erect no u-turn signs. Chief Kuchenbecker said that this matter will be taken to the Public Safety Committee next Monday, and he will make further attempt to contact Mr. Love with IDOT. Mr. Allen asked how many accidents have happened at this intersection and the Chief replied he does not have that information readily available. City Administrator Morris pointed out that several businesses expressed serious reservations about the impact on their business of no u-turn signs. That had an impact on the City's thinking about the no u-turn signs. Morris stated that he has made u-turns at this intersection in order to get back to a meeting place. It is not the most desirable situation, and he would not have made the u-turn if he had thought it was not safe. Alderman Dingledine stated that when he travels that way he pays special attention to this intersection and he has not seen any problem with people making u-turns. He has not seen any negative impact. He said he is sure that there are times when it is a problem, but he has not seen it. Mr. Allen stated that at peak traffic times it can be a problem and sometimes one has to guess whether drivers are going into the subdivision or making a u-turn. Mayor Manier stated that some of the businesses on the south side of Business 24 are struggling and the City wants to remain business friendly. Chief Kuchenbecker noted that the area has been monitored at specific times of the day, and there was no indication of an increase in u-turns at any specific times.

Loyal Gifford, 206 McGinley, spoke about his feeling of lack of communication between the residents and the City. He was speaking in regards to complaints that he has filed pertaining to neighbors and not getting any feedback from the Mayor, the Chief or the City Administrator. He referenced garbage cans being left out for ten days at a time and high noise volume. Chief Kuchenbecker responded that Mr. Gifford has been given feedback. When an issue is corrected and then it happens again, a complaint must be filed again. The Chief stated that the Police Department is very responsive to citizens and that Gifford's issues have been addressed in a very timely manner. City Administrator Morris pointed out that Mr. Gifford has turned in a myriad of complaints and not all are warranted. With a lot of the issues there has to be a demonstrated public nuisance by a number of neighbors rather than just a couple. This appears to be a neighborhood feud and that is not a City matter. The Police Department makes and has made a very good effort on this matter, but not all of the complaints rise to the level of something being able to be taken to court. The City is getting a lot of back and forth complaints. There have been many, many complaints lodged that are outside the authority of the Police Department. Chief Kuchenbecker suggested that he and Mr. Gifford sit down and discuss all of this and Gifford agreed.

City Attorney Black read, by title only, a Resolution accepting a water main easement to the City of Washington from Frederick G. Joos and Loren K. Joos. Alderman Shipp moved and Alderman Clanin seconded to adopt the Resolution as read. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Brubaker, Brucks, Newman, Dingledine, Howerter, Gee, Clanin, Shipp 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Attorney Black read, by title only, a Resolution evidencing the intention of the City of Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois, to issue Single Family Mortgage Revenue Bonds and related matters. Alderman Howerter moved and Alderman Shipp seconded to adopt the Resolution as read. Alderman Brubaker stated that this program (First Time Home Buyers Program) has been very well received in the community. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Brucks, Gee, Newman, Clanin, Dingledine, Brubaker, Shipp, Howerter 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Attorney Black read, by title only, a Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk of the City of Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois, to enter into a Vacant Land Sales Contract. Alderman Brucks moved and Alderman Dingledine seconded to adopt the Resolution as read. City Attorney Black pointed out that there will be some very slight modifications to the contract before closing. If adopted, the Resolution will provide for the purchase of the lot owned by Jack S. Pudik located at the northeast corner of Mt. Vernon and Constitution Street. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Gee, Brubaker, Howerter, Newman, Clanin, Shipp, Dingledine, Brucks 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Attorney Black provided second reading, by title only, of an ordinance amending Chapter 112 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois, to increase the number of Class A licenses. Alderman Gee moved and Alderman Clanin seconded to adopt the ordinance as read. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 7 Newman, Howerter, Shipp, Brucks, Dingledine, Clanin, Gee 
Nays: 1 Brubaker 
Motion declared carried.

City Attorney Black provided first readings, by title only, of an ordinance adopting a budget for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2008 and ending April 30, 2009 and approving certain amendments to the FY07-08 budget; an ordinance authorizing the sale of one Ford Crown Victoria Squad Car declared "surplus property"; an ordinance authorizing entering into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Washington Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Inc., for fire protection services and for ambulance and emergency medical services; an ordinance authorizing entering into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Washington Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Inc., establishing compensation for fire/rescue service and compensation for ambulance service for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2008 and ending April 30, 2008; and an ordinance authorizing entering into an Intergovernmental Agreement for ambulance and fire suppression services with the Washington Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Inc., Northern Tazewell Fire Protection District and Northern Tazewell Fire and Rescue Squad. All first readings will be scheduled as second readings and for Council action on the April 21, 2008 agenda.

City Administrator Morris notified those present that the April 14, 2008 Budget Hearing and Committee of the Whole meeting will be held in the Senior Citizens Room at Five Points Washington because events in conjunction with National Library Week have been scheduled for this room during the week of April 14 through April 18.

Mayor Manier recognized a Boy Scout in the audience and the scout stated he is from Troop 116 and here as a requirement of helping to earn a badge.

Mayor Manier also announced that a group photo of the Council and staff will be taken on Monday, April 21 in this room.

City Engineer Newman requested Council to award the bid for the 2008 Curb & Gutter Replacement to P. A. Atherton, Inc., of Spring Bay, Il for an amount of $138,278.00. Alderman Howerter moved and Alderman Newman seconded to award the bid as requested. Alderman Howerter asked Engineer Newman where G.M. Sipes Construction is from and Newman replied Rushville. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Dingledine, Shipp, Clanin, Gee, Brucks, Brubaker, Newman, Howerter 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Engineer Newman requested Council approval to opt out of the Community Water Supply Testing Program, and enter into a one-year agreement with PDC Laboratories to have our public water supply testing performed by them at an estimated cost of $7,136.00. Alderman Brucks moved and Alderman Brubaker seconded to authorize as requested. Alderman Howerter asked if the testing is done in Springfield will we have to drive the samples to Springfield. City Engineer Newman replied the samples can be shipped. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Howerter, Newman, Shipp, Clanin, Dingledine, Gee, Brubaker, Brucks 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Engineer Newman requested council to authorize the purchase of both temporary and permanent turf reinforcement mat from Ero-Tex Company in an amount of $7395.20 for the Court Drive drainage channel, rather than using rip-rap. Newman pointed out that rip-rap usually ends up unsightly and subject to growth of weeds and woody vegetation. The mat prevents erosion of the vegetated surface and has a life expectancy of at least ten years. Alderman Howerter moved and Alderman Brucks seconded to authorize the purchase as requested. Alderman Brucks asked if the material will have to be replaced in ten years and Engineer Newman replied the mat can be repaired if it breaks apart. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Shipp, Brubaker, Clanin, Dingledine, Newman, Gee, Brucks, Howerter 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

Controller Baxter requested authorization to purchase 400 water meters from H D Supply Waterworks after May 1, 2008 at a total cost of $30,000. $40,000 was budgeted for meters so we will be able to exchange additional meters later in the year as needed. Alderman Brubaker moved and Alderman Shipp seconded to authorize the purchase as requested. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 8 Clanin, Howerter, Gee, Dingledine, Newman, Brucks, Shipp, Brubaker 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Engineer Newman announced that tomorrow evening at 6:00 p.m. there will be a public meeting in this room pertaining to the Muller Road improvements. All of the business owners along Muller Road have been invited to the meeting and information on what is planned for the improvement will be discussed at that time. He stated that this is going to be an extremely difficult project because of the businesses located along the road. This will give the City an opportunity to hear all of the views and to let everyone know what is planned.

At 7:22 p.m. Alderman Dingledine moved and Alderman Howerter seconded to move into Executive Session for the purpose of collective negotiation matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives per 5ILCS 120/2(c)(2) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act, and 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 Newman, Clanin, Gee, Brucks, Shipp, Brubaker, Howerter, Dingledine 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

At 7:54 p.m. the Council reconvened in open session and Alderman Clanin moved and Alderman Brubaker seconded to adjourn. 
Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.