Rockford Sun

City of South Beloit City Council met Aug. 5.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER: 5:00 pm, Council Chambers, City Hall by Mayor Rehl.

ROLL CALL: Present & answering to roll call were Commissioners Duffy, Fitzgerald, Hedrington,

Morse, and Mayor Rehl.

City Attorney Aaron Szeto was present

City Clerk Tracy Patrick recorded the minutes

Department Heads in attendance:

Fire Chief Mike Davenport

Police Chief Adam Truman

Public Works Superintendent Jeff Reininger

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: 

Led by Mayor Rehl and recited by all members present.

INVOCATION: 

Mayor Rehl asked for a moment of silence.

APPROVE AGENDA:

Commissioner Duffy made a motion to approve the agenda second by Commissioner Fitzgerald. Voice vote carried the motion.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Angela Hefti said she is the owner of a Craft Shop located in the Best of Beloit Antique Mall. Ms. Hefti said she is hoping for the Ordinance regarding Craft Shops to be able to host Paint and Sip events with alcohol will be approved that is currently on the agenda.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Commissioner Duffy made a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held on July 15, 2019 and the minutes of the Public Hearing held on July 15, 2019. Commissioner Morse second the motion. Voice vote carried the motion.

REPORT OF OFFICERS:

1. Finance:

Commissioner Morse made a motion to approve the claims to be paid from July 13- August 2, 2019 in the amount of $239,664.51. Commissioner Hedrington second the motion. Roll call vote showed 5 ayes.

2. Attorney Report:

None

3. Commissioner’s Report:

Accounts & Finance-Commissioner Brian Hedrington Public Health & Safety-Commissioner Tom Fitzgerald Streets & Public Improvements-Commissioner Lori Duffy Public Properties-Commissioner Ken Morse

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

1. Discussion and/or Motion Items:

a-b. Commissioner Morse asked that items a. and b. be laid over indefinitely.

Commissioner Fitzgerald second the motion. Voice vote carried the motion.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Discussion and/or Motion Items:

a. Commissioner Duffy made a motion to approve a request for a Block party to be held on August 17, 2019 on Dusty Lane and Prairie Commons Lane from 4pm-10pm from Barb Peterson. Commissioner Fitzgerald second the motion. Voice vote carried the motion.

b. From the Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting held on July 17, 2019 a positive recommendation was given regarding a Special Use Permit. Commissioner Duffy made a motion to approve Ordinance 2449 approving a Special Use permit to allow open sales lot in the (CG) Commercial General Zoning District for the property commonly known as 1240 Blackhawk Blvd., South Beloit, Illinois, Winnebago County, with PIN No.’s 04-07-231-013, 04-07-231-014, and 04-07-231-015.

Commissioner Morse second the motion. Roll call vote showed 5 ayes.

c. Commissioner Morse made a motion to approve Ordinance 2450 authorizing the issuance of a Class EV Special Event Liquor License for St Peter Catholic Church for an event to be held on September 14, 2019. Commissioner Hedrington second the motion. Roll call vote showed 5 ayes.

d. Commissioner Hedrington made a motion to approve Resolution 6062 approving the compliance Commitment Agreement with Tollway Motel. Commissioner Fitzgerald second the motion. Roll call vote showed 5 ayes.

e. Commissioner Duffy made a motion to approve Resolution 6063 authorizing the eleventh IPA Loan Disbursement request in the amount of $1,526,584.86. Commissioner Fitzgerald second the motion. Roll call vote showed 5 ayes.

f. Commissioner Fitzgerald made a motion to approve Resolution 6064 approving a Professional Services Agreement with Fehr Graham for City Hall ADA Improvements Design in the amount of $13,900.00. Commissioner Hedrington second the motion. Roll call vote showed 5 ayes.

g. Commissioner Fitzgerald made a motion to approve a Professional Services Agreement with Tyson and Billy Architects for City Hall Construction Architectural Services in the amount of $8,375.00. Commissioner Hedrington second the motion. Roll call vote showed 5 ayes.

h. Commissioner Duffy made a motion to approve Resolution 6066 approving Incentives for employees following the selection of HMO Health Insurance Plan for 2019-2020. Commissioner Morse second the motion. Roll call vote showed 5 ayes.

i. Commissioner Hedrington made a motion to approve Resolution 6067 appointing member to the Police Pension Board as follows:

 Pam Drye is appointed to a two-year term set to expire on the second Tuesday in May of 2021

Commissioner Fitzgerald second the motion. Roll call vote showed 5 ayes.

j. Commissioner Duffy made a motion to approve Ordinance 2451 amending Section 34-152(c) of the City Code of Ordinances regarding Applications for Site Development Permits. Commissioner Morse second the motion. Attorney Szeto provided a clarification of the existing Ordinance stating current allows for a flat fee of $250.00. The change would allow for reimbursement of any consulting reimbursement expenses including City staff, attorney, and engineer time in excess of the base fee of $250.00. Commissioner Fitzgerald said the City needs to do something to help out the small businesses and would like to look into an incentive plan to be able to reimburse small businesses for some of their expenses. Mayor Rehl said he would like to have some conversation regarding the subject and believes it needs to be looked at, however; there needs to be a balance. Roll call vote showed 5 ayes.

k. Commissioner Duffy made a motion to approve Ordinance 2452 amending Article III, Retail License, Sec. 6-82-Classification; Scope; Number; Fees, of the City Code of Ordinances to create two new Classification of Liquor Licenses. Commissioner Fitzgerald second the motion. Attorney Szeto explained the City’s Code does not speak to anything regarding these types of establishments that want to provide complimentary beer and wine. Attorney Szeto provided information for how some other communities handle these events and recommended and Ordinance creating 2 new classifications. The new classes would be for Crafting Establishments (CE) at an annual fee of $500.00 and Salon/Spa Establishments (SS) at an annual fee of $350.00. The ordinance would allow both to provide complimentary wine or beer only, and both classes would have regulations, as well as required Basset Training. Council discussed the difference in fee cost. Attorney Szeto explained the cost of the alcohol is usually build into the cost of the craft being made and is part of the crafting experience, whereas the salon/spas are not built in to the cost and not necessarily part of the salon/spa experience. Roll call vote showed 5 ayes.

l. Council discussed the South Beloit ITEP project. City Engineer, Seth Gronewold was present to speak to Council about the project. Mr. Gronewold and Mayor Rehl recently met with IDOT about the project. IDOT encouraged the City to apply for additional funding for the project and proposed options. The City currently has a grant with remaining funds of $576,000. Mr. Gronewold provided Council a breakdown of cost for the project in 2 phases of years 1-2 and 3-5 and a map showing the route options. The City could apply for a scope amendment and continue with the proposed alternate route for the path to go under Lathrop to connect from Park Avenue to the City Park and apply for the additional funding and use the additional funds to make improvements to ADA ramps along the way. Simultaneously, the City would work with the Railroad through the ICC Petitioning Process to get the crossing approved and using the ITEP funds to fund the box culvert cost that would have been a cost to the City. In addition, IDOT recommended adding the intersection improvements of Park and Gardner. Public Works Superintendent, Jeff Reininger said the TIF Funds could be used for the intersection improvements. The traffic lights there need to be improved and are currently dangerous for pedestrians and bike path users. Mr. Gronewold added that for phase 2 ITEP is also looking to change their rules regarding preliminary engineer and design amounts will be included as grant eligible funds. Consensus from Council was to move forward.

MISCELLANEOUS

LICENSES AND PERMITS:

1. RLE’s:

a. Amy Hart-Dunlap-American Legion

b. Sierra Lervik-Mustang’s Bar & Grill

Chief Truman asked Council to layover both applications until the next meeting. Commissioner Morse made a motion to lay over both licenses second by Commissioner Duffy. Voice vote carried the motion.

ADJOURN:

At 6:01 pm on a motion made by Commissioner Fitzgerald second by Commissioner Hedrington. Voice vote carried the motion.

https://southbeloit.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/8-5-19-Regular-Council-Meeting.pdf