Rockford Sun

City of South Beloit City Council met Sept. 16.

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, Morse, and Mayor Rehl. Commissioner Hedrington was absent

City Attorney Kristine Gibbons 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. Commissioner Morse second the motion. Voice vote carried the motion.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Taylor Vrunch said he has had water in his basement and wondered if there are any plans for water pumping. Mr. Vrunch also said Gardner Street continues to have a number of vehicles speeding.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Commissioner Fitzgerald made a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held on September 3, 2019. Commissioner Duffy 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 August 31-September 13, 2019 in the amount of $209,571.84. Commissioner Duffy second the motion. Roll call vote showed 4 ayes and 1 absent by Commissioner Hedrington.

2. Attorney Report:

None

4. Commissioner’s Report:

Streets & Public Improvements-Commissioner Lori Duffy

Public Properties-Commissioner Ken Morse

Accounts & Finance-Commissioner Brian Hedrington

Public Health & Safety-Commissioner Tom Fitzgerald

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

1. Discussion and/or Motion Items:

a. Commissioner Duffy made a motion to layover Resolution 6072 approving a Tentative Replat of PBC Linear for the property located at 6402 Rockton Road with

PIN No. 04-15-300-013 from applicant Schroeder Beloit LLC until a later time.

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

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Discussion and/or Motion Items:

a. Commissioner Fitzgerald made a motion to approve the request for a block party to be held on Oakland Avenue between Hayes Avenue and Shaw Street on September 21, 2019 from 1 PM – 12 AM. Commissioner Duffy second the motion. Voice vote carried the motion.

b. Commissioner Morse made a motion to approve the request for a Candy Day Fundraiser for the South Beloit Lions Club to be held on the corner of Dorr Road and Prairie Hill Road on September 21, 2019 from 9 AM – 2 PM. Commissioner Duffy second the motion. Voice vote carried the motion.

c. Commissioner Morse made a motion to approve the request for the Homecoming Parade to be held on October 4, 2019 from 12:45 – 1:15 PM for the South Beloit High School District 320. Commissioner Fitzgerald second the motion. Voice vote carried the motion.

d. Commissioner Duffy made a motion to approve Ordinance 2464 authorizing the sale of certain personal property owned by the City of South Beloit (1995 Ford L8000 Vactor Jetter Truck). Commissioner Morse second the motion. Public Works Superintendent, Jeff Reininger said he would like to sell the truck, would put a minimum bid amount of $40,000.00, and he knows there are private contractors interested in the truck. Commissioner Morse second the motion. Roll call vote showed 4 ayes and 1 absent by Commissioner Hedrington.

e. Commissioner Duffy made a motion to approve Ordinance 2465 approving and authorizing the City to enter into a Master Lease Agreement and Related Documents thereto with Enterprise Fleet Management Inc. regarding City purchases of vehicles. Commissioner Fitzgerald second the motion. Finance Director, Donald Elliott explained the plan is to shorten the life cycle of the City’s vehicle fleet and save on maintenance costs. With the program, the fleet would turn over every 4-5 years. Enterprise representative, Raymond Jess explained the City can purchase a vehicle at a discounted governmental price and pay cash then sell it within the next year at a profit and have funds to purchase a new vehicle. The plan would allow the City to rotate the fleet and make money. Mr. Elliott explained the contract would include a maintenance fee, however; the maintenance could be done locally with a business that is contracted through Enterprise. Enterprise would recommend when the vehicles should be flipped. The goal is to purchase 5 new vehicles. Roll call vote showed 4 ayes and 1 absent by Commissioner Hedrington.

f. Commissioner Duffy made a motion to approve Ordinance 2466 Creating a maximum number of dogs/and or cats. Commissioner Fitzgerald second the motion. Mayor Rehl said he was contacted by Commissioner Hedrington regarding concerns with feral cats running at large and breeding. Council recognizes the issue and is concerned, however; the problem is being able to enforce the number of animals even if an ordinance is passed. Council would like to continue to address the concern. Commissioner Fitzgerald said Council is looking at programs to help fix the problem. He believes the only issues is with feral cats. The City may have to help out. Commissioner Duffy said there are several programs available to help. Commissioner Morse agreed and said the City already spends money for animal control through the County. After discussion Council determined to look into programs to help with the number of feral cats and consider funding for the program. Roll call vote showed 4 nays and 1 absent by Commissioner Hedrington. The motion failed.

g. Commissioner Duffy made a motion to approve Resolution 6075 approving and authorizing the write-off of old unpaid sewer bills in the amount of $1,787,525.60. Commissioner Morse second the motion. Mr. Elliott explained the old sewer bills stem back to the old sewer billing system when penalties were being charged at 10% of the balance and compounded monthly. The amount of uncollectable accounts have been an audit reporting issue. The plan was to have the accounts approved to be written off prior to importing in to the new system, however; that was not able to be completed. The write offs are a housekeeping issue. The balances are since 2016 that have had no activity. Roll call showed 4 ayes and 1 absent by Commissioner Hedrington.

MISCELLANEOUS

LICENSES AND PERMITS:

1. RLE License’s:

a. David Edwards-American Legion

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

ADJOURN:

At 5:51pm on a motion made by Commissioner Fitzgerald second by Commissioner Morse.

Voice vote carried the motion.

https://southbeloit.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/9-16-19-Regular-Council-Meeting.pdf