Rockford Sun

City of South Beloit City Council Met Sept. 21.

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 Adleman, Fitzgerald, Hedrington, Morse, and Mayor Rehl.

City Attorney Wiktoria Goscik was present

City Clerk Tracy Patrick recorded the minutes

Department Heads in attendance:

Police Chief Adam Truman

Fire Chief Administrator Dan Zerfass

Waste Water Treatment Plant Superintendent Jeff Reininger

Street Superintendent Mike Murphy

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 Hedrington made a motion to approve the agenda second by Commissioner Adleman. Voice vote carried the motion.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Jerry Miller with the South Beloit Lion’s Club was present to speak to Council. Mr. Miller said he received the Hotel Motel Fund Application, and would like to know if the previous request for funds would be given to the Club. Mr. Miller reminded Council that Lion’s Club holds several events, and that the Club has been patiently waiting for an answer for the requested funds. Mr. Miller said the Club has given back to the City in various ways. Mayor Rehl said the Hotel Motel Fund Application is a direct response to the request, as the City did not previously have a process for obtaining funds. The application is now the process for receiving funds from the City. Mayor Rehl said the Covid-19 pandemic put the City in a horrible position. Mayor Rehl said he would contact Mr. Miller for the response, although, the Application is most likely the direct response. Mayor Rehl added that the Lion’s Club is a Service Club that serves, and added that Council is torn. There was no previous process, however; now that the City has the Hotel Motel Fund Application it will benefit everyone. Commissioner Fitzgerald said he always wanted to give the funds to different groups, but it was not legally right. The application makes giving money from the fund legal and proper, which is the way it has to be.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

1. Commissioner Adleman made a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held on September 8, 2020. Commissioner Fitzgerald second the motion. Voice vote carried the motion.

REPORT OF OFFICERS:

1. Finance:

Commissioner Hedrington made a motion to pay the claims to be paid from September 5-18, 2020 in the amount of $250,901.02. Commissioner Fitzgerald second the motion. Roll call vote showed 5 ayes.

2. Attorney Report:

4. Commissioner’s Report:

Accounts & Finance-Commissioner Tom Fitzgerald

Health & Public Safety-Commissioner Brian Hedrington

Streets & Public Improvement-Commissioner Ryan Adleman

Public Properties-Commissioner Ken Morse

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Discussion and/or Motion Items:

a. From the Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting held on September 16, 2020 a positive recommendation was given regarding a Text Amendment. Commissioner Adleman made a motion to approve Ordinance 2551 amending Chapter 118, Zoning, Article XI, Fences of the City’s Zoning Code and creating a new section regarding Dumpster Enclosures. Commissioner Morse second the motion. Attorney Goscik said dumpster enclosures are required as part of Special Use Permits. There are no guidelines in the City’s Code of Ordinances regarding new and existing construction as well as in the floodplain. The Ordinance will now address dumpster enclosures. Roll call vote showed 5 ayes.

b. Commissioner Adleman made a motion to approve Ordinance 2552 amending various provisions of the City of South Beloit Code of Ordinances regarding Water Sprinkler Meters, Sewer Billing, and Solid Waste Collection Fees. Commissioner Morse second the motion.

Attorney Goscik said the Sprinkler Meter regulations were previously adopted via Resolution.

The regulations will now be part of the Code of Ordinances. There were also changes to procedures, changes to sewer bills, updated garbage fees, and changes to installment payments.

Roll call vote showed 5 ayes.

c. Commissioner Hedrington made a motion to approve Ordinance 2553 amending Section 38- 101 and 38-112 of the Fire Prevention Code of the City of South Beloit Code of Ordinances.

Commissioner Adleman second the motion. Attorney Goscik said the language in the code is being updated and also incorporates inspection fees by the Fire Department. Roll call vote showed 5 ayes.

d. Commissioner Hedrington made a motion to approve Ordinance 2554 Local Coronavirus Urgent Remediation Emergency Support Conditions and Certification for the City of South Beloit, Illinois. Commissioner Morse second the motion. Attorney Goscik said the Ordinance is regarding funding that the City can receive for support for non-budgeted items due to Covid-19 up through the end of 2020. Roll call vote showed 5 ayes.

e. Commissioner Hedrington made a motion to approve Ordinance 2555 authorizing the disposal of certain personal property owned by the City of South Beloit (portable radios). Commissioner Adleman second the motion. Chief Zerfass said the radios are old and no longer in service. Roll call vote showed 5 ayes.

f. Commissioner Morse made a motion to approve Resolution 6164 approving Change Order No. 3 from Larson & Larson Builders, Inc. regarding the repairs to the Fire Department roof in the amount of $2,260.00. Commissioner Fitzgerald second the motion. Roll call vote showed 5 ayes.

g. Council discussed a possible revision to the City’s Liquor Code for allowing dart boards and pool tables for BG License holders. Commissioner Adleman said he received a call from Hollywood Slots asking for dartboards to be allowed for BG license holders. Commissioner Adleman said he believes it’s the right thing to do with the fee increasing to $7,500.

Commissioner Adleman would like to allow pool tables and juke boxes as well. Mayor Rehl said Roscoe and Rockton have the same restrictions. Commissioner Adleman said he spoke to a bar owner who said they would see no issue with allowing dartboards. Commissioner Morse asked what the reasoning for the restrictions were. Clerk Patrick said when the license was initially created, the restrictions were put in place to separate the bars from the gaming boutiques. The other difference is the percentage requirements for sales. Commissioner Fitzgerald said there would be a parking issue for some BG license holders. Commissioner Adleman said the restrictions are not imposed by the Illinois Gaming, but by the City. Jim Stringham from Hollywood Slots was present and said the dart leagues are now all virtual, so, parking would not be an issue at their location. Commissioner Morse said he believes the guidelines were set and believes they should not be changed. Commissioner Hedrington said he does not see any issues. Mayor Rehl asked Council members to each visit a different bar and gaming establishment in the City and bring the matter back at the next meeting.

h. Council discussed membership with the Rockford Area Convention Visitors Bureau (RACVB). Mayor Rehl said he spoke with Loves Park Mayor, Greg Jury who said Loves Park got out of the agreement because of concerns with how much was being spent. Commissioner Fitzgerald said he has always been against the agreement, and does not feel the City receives anything from the City of Rockford. Commissioner Fitzgerald said he believes 20% given out of the City’s Hotel Motel Tax Income is too much given away. Commissioner Adleman asked if Visit Beloit should be considered as well since they also receive 20% from the City’s Hotel Motel Tax Income, and recommended looking into hiring an Economic Development person. Mayor Rehl said he would look into having both groups come in and provide a report in future upcoming meetings.

MISCELLANEOUS

LICENSES & PERMITS:

1. RLE’s:

a. Kane Wendt-Got Slots

Commissioner Morse made a motion to approve the license second by Commissioner Hedrington. Voice vote carried the motion.

ADJOURN:

At 6:10 pm on a motion made by Commissioner Adleman second by Commissioner Hedrington. Voice vote carried the motion.

https://southbeloit.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/9-21-20-Regular-Councill-Meeting.pdf