MINUTES

DANVILLE CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 15, 2008

#1....THE REGULAR MEETING of the City Council of the City of Danville was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Scott Eisenhauer.

THE ROLL CALL was answered by Mayor Scott Eisenhauer, Vice Mayor Terry Baldwin, Aldermen Jerry Askren, Dale Brandenburg, Ron Candido, Jon Cooper, Lois Cooper, Steve Foster, Bill Gilbert, Steve Nichols, Nancy O’Kane, Michael Puhr, Tommie Reed, Rick Strebing and DeMarko Wright. A quorum was present.

Staff Members Present: City Treasurer Lisa Monson, City Clerk Janet Myers, City Comptroller Gayle Brandon, Corporation Counsel John P. Wolgamot, Finance Office Manager/Revenue Clerk Amie Thompson, Human Relations Manager Sandra Houston, Information Services Manager Teresa Winn, Public Development Director John Heckler, Public Safety Director Larry Thomason, Public Transportation Director Richard Brazda, and Public Works Director Doug Ahrens.

There were also 4 news media and 11 audience members in attendance.

#2....INVOCATION was given by Alderman Reverend Tommie Reed followed by
#3....THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderman Jerry Askren.

#4....THE MINUTES of the regular meeting held January 2, 2008, having been published, posted and distributed, were presented. Alderman L.Cooper moved for approval, seconded by Alderman Reed. On the voice vote, all ayes, no nays; the motion so ordered.

#5....THE AGENDA for the evening was presented. There being no changes, Alderman Brandenburg moved for approval, seconded by Alderman Strebing. On the voice vote, all ayes, no nays; the motion so ordered.

#6….MAYOR’S REPORT
#6-A..Proclamations – None

#6-B..Board/Committee Appointments
Mayor Eisenhauer announced the reappointment of Charles Hall to the Board of Police & Fire Commissioners, term to expire 12/01/10. Alderman O’Kane moved to concur, seconded by Alderman Gilbert. On the voice vote, all ayes, no nays; the motion so ordered.

#6-C..Reports of Boards, Agencies, Commissions - None

#6-D..Items of Information
Mayor Eisenhauer announced Martin Luther King Celebration activities will include a banquet on Sunday, January 20 at 4:00 p.m. at Danville Days Inn. Monday will include a March beginning at 10:00 a.m. traveling to St. James United Methodist Church for a service at 11:30 a.m.

#7….PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, AUDIENCE COMMENTS
• Terry Moreman, 208 Prospect Pl., Jerry Hawker, 207 Payne, Gayle Jochim, Georgetown, and Marion Maden, 907 W. Columbia, all rental property owners, spoke opposition to the proposal to bill property owners for sewer and garbage fees if the City takes over the billing and collection from Aqua Illinois. They voiced support of Aqua Illinois continuing the service due to the ability to shut off water for non-payment.
• Reggie Romine, 6 Highland Shore, questioned the estimated annual cost of in-house billing and collection; questioned revenues not received by Aqua and why the City hasn’t pursued action; and voiced support of Aqua continuing with the billing service due to the ability to shut off water.

#8….ZONING PETITIONS – None were presented.
#9….CLOSED SESSION was not needed.

#10...PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT
Chairman Puhr presented Items A & B for a single vote, moved to dispense with the readings and asked for approval. There being no objections, Alderman Brandenburg seconded. Those items being:
#10-A..PAYROLL for January 4, 2008, of $467,022.40 and for January 11, 2008, of $59,322.73;
#10-B..SCHEDULE OF VOUCHERS PAYABLE, each having been published, posted, and distributed, for January 8, 2008, of $121,765.75, for Special Voucher January 8, 2008, of $2,096.82, and for January 15, 2008, of $192,250.83;
There being no questions, the roll call vote being:
Ayes: Aldermen Foster, J.Cooper, Askren, Baldwin, O’Kane, Nichols, Puhr, Brandenburg, Gilbert, L.Cooper, Strebing, Reed, Wright, Candido
Nays: None
Motion carried 14 to 0.

#10-C..Chairman Puhr presented RESOLUTION NO. 2008-2 authorizing the City Comptroller to borrow up to $2,000,000.00 for a Cash Flow Line of Credit for Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Fund to pay for current and upcoming projects, to be repaid through State MFT reimbursement, moved to dispense with the reading and asked for approval as recommended by Committee, seconded by Alderman Strebing. There being no discussion, the roll call vote being:
Ayes: Aldermen J.Cooper, Askren, O’Kane, Nichols, Puhr, Brandenburg, Gilbert, L.Cooper, Strebing, Reed, Wright, Foster
Nays: Aldermen Baldwin, Candido
Motion carried 12 to 2.

#10-D..Chairman Puhr presented RESOLUTION NO. 2008-3 approving the Termination of Agreements with Aqua Illinois Water Company regarding Service Fee Billing and Collections and the implementation of an in-house Billing and Collection System for Sanitary Sewer and Solid Waste Enterprise Funds, with property owners being responsible for payment of both service fees and Sanitary Sewer billing changed from water-based system to a tiered flat rate system for residential and small business accounts, moved to dispense with the reading and asked for approval as recommended by Committee, seconded by Alderman Strebing. Aldermen L.Cooper and Askren voiced support of the termination and implementation of in-house billing and collection but voiced opposition to billing the property owner directly instead of the occupant of the property. Alderman Puhr voiced concern with the amount the City is behind on receiving payment based on projections of revenue. He clarified the property owner has always been ultimately responsible for the sewer even with the ability of Aqua shutting off water for non-payment. Alderman O’Kane questioned the ability to shut off water or disconnect the sewer for non-payment if the City took over billing and collection and voiced hesitation on charging a flat rate without knowing that figure. Public Works Director Doug Ahrens stated further research would be needed to see if a separate agreement could be made with Aqua to shut off water for non-payment of City services. It was clarified the fee schedule would be discussed and voted on as a separate item when research is completed. Director Ahrens addressed Alderman Askren’s questions by stating with the current system, when water service is shut off at a vacant property, there are no sewer or garbage fees billed during that time. Mayor Eisenhauer also clarified that in order for the City to take on billing and collection and based on the information accessible to the City today, there must be a flat rate fee and property owners must be billed directly. However, other options could be revealed with continued research during the next few weeks. Alderman J.Cooper questioned if Aqua had provided any further information as requested and it was stated some answers were received that clarified the number of accounts not being billed is much lower than originally thought. Tim Cahill with Aqua Illinois stated some rough draft reports have been generated and are being reviewed by staff, which should be finalized and submitted to the City by the end of the week. Alderman Strebing voiced concern with purchasing equipment for the automated system without having the true amount of revenue generated by Aqua not being turned over to the City. Alderman Candido voiced objection to the proposal due to the number of complaints from citizens having subsided; flat rate fees as it moves away from consumption-based taxes and would increase costs to the majority of residents; a proposed 19% hike in water bills; an upcoming increase in solid waste fees; and his opposition to growing government. Alderman Foster voiced support of the proposal due to the issues created by Aqua Illinois and wants to move forward. Alderman O’Kane questioned the timing and funding for equipment, staff, and implementation of in-house billing and collection. Mayor Eisenhauer stated funds would come from the Solid Waste and Sanitary Sewer Enterprise Funds and plans need to begin immediately in order to place the appropriate figures into the 2008-2009 budget. Director Ahrens addressed Alderman Puhr’s questions by stating with a flat rate system, there will be a monthly charge for sewer and garbage regardless of whether the property is inhabited or not. The operational costs of the Department do not change when a structure is vacant and the service of sewer and garbage remains a value to the property, not the tenant. Mayor Eisenhauer stated the City is called upon to address many issues and the customer services our constituents have received from City staff has been far superior than that of Aqua Illinois during this entire process. He assured everyone that it is the desire to continue to provide the best customer service in the future. There being no further discussion, the roll call vote being:
Ayes: Aldermen Askren, O’Kane, Nichols, Puhr, Brandenburg, Gilbert, L.Cooper, Strebing, Reed, Wright, Foster, J.Cooper
Nays: Aldermen Baldwin, Candido
Motion carried 12 to 2.

#10-E..Chairman Puhr presented RESOLUTION NO. 2008-4 approving an Engineering Agreement to rehabilitate the pump stations at West Williams Street, Lake Shore Drive, and Thornhill Drive with Donohue & Associates in an amount not to exceed $26,200.00, to come from the Sanitary Sewer Department Fund, moved to dispense with the reading and asked for approval as recommended by Committee, seconded by Alderman Strebing. There being no discussion, the roll call vote being:
Ayes: Aldermen Baldwin, O’Kane, Nichols, Puhr, Brandenburg, Gilbert, L.Cooper, Strebing, Reed, Wright, Candido, Foster, J.Cooper, Askren
Nays: None
Motion carried 14 to 0.

#10-F..Chairman Puhr presented the Motor Fuel Tax Audit for 2006, moved for acceptance and placement on file, seconded by Alderman Brandenburg. There being no discussion, on the voice vote, all ayes, no nays; the motion so ordered.

#10-G..Items of Information
Chairman Puhr announced the next Public Works Committee meeting on Tuesday, February 12, 2008, at 6:00 p.m.

#11...PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE REPORT
Chairman Nichols presented Items A and B for a single vote, moved to dispense with the readings and for approval and placement on file. There being no objections, Alderman Strebing seconded. Those items being:
#11-A..Approving a Raffle License for Illiana Extreme Baseball per the City Clerk’s Report;
#11-B..City Treasurer’s Statement of Receipts and Disbursements for December 2007, showing a Beginning Fund Balance on December 1, 2007, of $11,222,767.03, Receipts of $3,725,151.97, Disbursements of $3,527,671.58, an Ending Fund Balance on December 31, 2007, of $11,420,247.42, and a Cash Balance of $594,678.33;
There being no questions, on the voice vote, all ayes, no nays; the motion so ordered.

#11-C..Items of Information
Chairman Nichols announced the next Public Services Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 23, 2008, following the City/County Public Safety Building Committee meeting.

#12…ITEMS OF INFORMATION
• Alderman Puhr, as Chairman of the Danville Housing Authority, provided Aldermen with information regarding responses by Mayor Eisenhauer on several Housing Authority issues. If it is the desire of the Council to have Mr. Hilleary present at an upcoming meeting to address any questions or concerns, he would be available.
• Alderman Candido questioned if wells could be constructed within City limits and was referred to the Engineering Department.
• Alderman Askren praised one of the newspapers for an article about recycling. He recommends residents purchase additional Toters if one is not enough to contain all garbage.

#13...ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 7:08 p.m. following a
motion by Alderman Strebing and a second by Alderman L.Cooper.

____________________________________
Janet K. Myers, City Clerk

I, Janet K. Myers, City Clerk of the City of Danville, Illinois, do hereby certify that the foregoing Minutes are a true and correct copy of the regular meeting held January 15, 2008, as the same appears on the records of the City now in my custody and keeping.

________________________________________
Approved: 02/05/08 Janet K. Myers, City Clerk
Posted Publicly: 02/06/08