Mayor Gary W. Manier called the regular meeting of Monday, March 15, 2010 to order at 6:30 p.m. in the meeting room at Washington District Library.

Present and answering roll call were Aldermen Newman, Brucks, Clanin, Howerter, Gee and Schneider. Aldermen Brubaker and Dingledine were absent. Also present was City Attorney Ken Black, City Administrator Robert Morris, Public Services Manager Bill Bimrose, City Clerk Pat Brown, and members of the press.

All present stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. 

The Agenda was reviewed and stood as presented. 

Alderman Gee moved and Alderman Clanin seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. Items included on the Consent Agenda were minutes of the March 1, 2010 Council meeting and bills and payroll. 
On roll call on the motion to approve the vote was: 
Ayes: 6 Howerter, Schneider, Brucks, Newman, Clanin, Gee 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried. 

Joseph Hajny - Rolling Meadows Subdivision. Mr. Hajny asked if there was going to be any type of follow-up on the parking issues on courts and cul-de-sacs beyond the article that was placed in the newspaper. Mayor Manier shared that the members of the Public Safety Committee were not in attendance this evening and Administrator Morris asked Mr. Hajny if the problem is still persisting and he replied that it has happened 4-5 times since the article in the newspaper. Administrator Morris indicated this information would be provided to Police Chief Kuchenbecker. Mr. Hajny also asked if the City has ordinances against parking vehicles, campers, and boats in a front yard and Mayor Manier replied that we do and one of the rules is they have to have a current license. Administrator Morris asked if there was a specific location of concern and Mr. Hajny replied yes, and will share the concern after this evening's meeting.

Alderman Bob Brucks, Finance & Personnel Chairman reported nothing on the agenda. Alderman Al Howerter, Public Services Committee reported nothing on the agenda.

City Attorney Black read a resolution, by title and brief synopsis, regarding the City of Washington, Illinois tentative annual budget for fiscal year 2010-2011. If adopted the resolution will place on file a copy of the tentative annual budget, schedule a public hearing for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 12, 2010, and direct publication of a notice of Public Hearing for the April 12 date. Alderman Brucks moved and Alderman Howerter seconded to adopt the resolution as read. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 6 Newman, Clanin, Gee, Schneider, Howerter, Brucks 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Attorney Black provided first reading, by title and brief synopsis, of the following ordinances: amending Chapter 112, entitled "Alcoholic Beverages" by adding a Class M Caterer's License; and authorizing to extend for one-year an intergovernmental agreement between the City and the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. First readings will be listed on the April 5th agenda as second readings for Council action.

City Attorney Black provided second reading, by title and brief synopsis, of an ordinance authorizing the execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Washington and Washington Community High School District #308. Alderman Howerter moved and Alderman Newman seconded to adopt the ordinance as read. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 6 Brucks, Gee, Clanin, Schneider, Newman, Howerter 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

Budget Review - Water & IMRF. City Administrator Morris provided a brief overview of the following: 1) Water Fund - FY09-10 collections are estimated to be on budget. Expenditures are expected to be under budget by $126,000 with a major portion of this being carried forward for the unfinished work related to the WTP #1 reaction basin. Wage and benefit costs are projected to remain unchanged in FY10-11. Total budgeted operation expenses are proposed to decrease by $48,000 with a portion directly related to our recent purchase of electricity. Capital expenditures are as follows, completion of reaction basin, water meters, water main replacement program, variable frequency drives for WTP #1 and #2, and fire hydrant replacement program. Debt service is very small, just over $10,000 with the help of projects being done through the TIF Program.

IMRF funding is being fully funded by the water fund and will no longer receive funding from property taxes. Looking forward the City is experiencing steadily escalating commodity costs. Electricity has increased by about 85% since deregulation, softener salt has gone from $66,000 to $104,000 over the last three years, and chemical costs have increased about 50% since FY07-08. Funding is in place to perform the planned major maintenance on Water Tank #2 in 2010. A third elevated water tank is anticipated but will be dictated by the pace of new construction. The recently approved new valving at Dallas and Westminster will enhance the inter-operability of our two systems. 2) Water Subdivision Development Fee Account - Fees are collected from new residential developments and supports future growth and development. Revenues are substantially under budget due to the slowing pace of new subdivision plats. Expenses are projected to be under budget as well. Capital funding of $9,950 is budgeted to pay retainage for the newly constructed water main along Dallas and Nofsinger Roads. 3) Water Connection Fee Account - FY09-10 projected revenues are estimated to be slightly under budget. Budgeted funds were not spent to provide the backup power supply to the Legion Road wells due to the availability of TIF funds. No expenditures are planned in FY10-11. Alderman Howerter asked if these funds could be used towards Water Tower #2 and Morris replied no, they are targeted to treatment, wells, and raw water conveyance only. 4) Water Tower Reserve Account - FY09-10 revenues are consistent with budget and estimated expenditures are less than budget. Currently receiving about $50,000 from two cell phone providers who lease space on Water Tower #1. Transfers are planned from the Water Fund in the coming year to provide supplemental funding for Water Tower #2 maintenance work. We will be using all available funds for the maintenance of Water Tower #2. 5) Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund - Due to the downturn in the market, funding is proposed to increase by 20% over last year. The market has rebounded and we will be seeing benefits a year from now. The city's 2010 IMRF rate is 11.75% of covered wages, a 27.5% increase over the prior rate of 9.22%.

Mayor Manier asked Administrator Morris to give a summary of the Governor's proposed budget and how it will affect us. Administrator Morris began by saying there are a lot of components to the proposed budget but the substantial change that will affect us is in the municipal share of the Illinois State Income Tax. The City's share last year was $1.2 M with a loss of $225,000 because of the economy. The Governor's proposal would change the municipal share formula from the 10% we now receive to 7%, and based on our current projections we will lose $300,000. Mayor Manier commented that $300,000 is a lot to lose, but staff has been good to work within what we have and noted that if they approve this we will never get it back. Cities and County's will both be affected by this.

City Administrator Morris presented a modified proposal from our current waste hauler, Waste Management, for the yard waste subscription service. Waste Management's original bid was $20 per month with a three month minimum consecutive service. Waste Management has modified the original bid that offers residents a rate of $17 per month for a full season (8 months) or a half season (4 months). They have modified the $20 to be a month to month service and will not hold residents to a three (3) month minimum consecutive service. He asked for Council's direction on whether we want to offer residents the bid alternate from the original bid that would allow a customer to purchase a sticker for yard waste collections, which was at $4 per bag in Waste Management's original bid. If there is a desire we could offer a sticker program to potentially meet the needs of those who have a small amount of waste. We would make them available to purchase at City Hall and select retailers in the community. Alderman Howerter asked if this would be in addition to the season and monthly charges and Morris replied, yes. Alderman Newman asked how Waste Management would keep track of who has a stickered bag out for pick up and Morris replied that they now drive every street looking for yard waste so their practice would not change. Mayor Manier commented that adding the sticker option makes sense and that we should check at year end to see if our residents increase the usage of yard waste service. Alderman Schneider asked if Waste Management has exclusive rights to collect yard waste and Morris replied no, it is a subscription service. He asked what the ratio is for recycling usage and Morris replied, about 60%, noting that everyone pays because it is mandatory but not everyone uses. Alderman Brucks asked who would administer the cost of the sticker and Morris replied that Waste Management would print the sticker and we would sell it. Administrator Morris said he will move forward with contacting Waste Management with acceptance of the proposed modifications and propose the addition of the sticker program.

Alderman Clanin thanked everyone for their thoughts and prayers during this time with the passing of his Dad.

At 7:10 p.m. Alderman Gee moved and Alderman Newman seconded to move into Executive Session for the purpose of collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees, per 5 ILCS120/2(c)(2) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act. 
Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

At 7:28 p.m. the Council reconvened in open session and Alderman Gee moved and Alderman Howerter seconded to adjourn. 
Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.