Alderman Hejna was not in attendance at these committee meetings. Alderman Niemietz arrived at approximately 7:14 right as the Ordinance, Planning and Zoning meeting was beginning.
Refuse Collection & Recycling
• Refuse & Recycling Contract Presentation/Discussion
This meeting did not take place as Alderman Hejna would not be in attendance and she is the committee chair.
Ordinance, Planning and Zoning
• Main Street Facade Grant Guidelines & Application Amendments Discussion
The discussion of prevailing wages came up first. The issue was that Columbia had no criteria for prevailing wage in their grant facade program. Illinois has passed a law (SB 223) that goes into effect next year stating that projects receiving public funding must pay all labor at or above the prevailing wage. Since Columbia is giving these businesses money to improve their buildings appearance they must pay all workers prevailing wage even if they use the public portion of the money to buy only material. Owners of the business can do work themselves but their employees as an example may need to be paid painters prevailing wages for the time they spend painting when associated with a façade grant.
A line will be added where people sign the grant application stating they have read and understand the application, as apparently some applicants have not read or understood the grant process in the past.
The issue of whether painting should be allowed funding through the grant was discussed. Alderman Agne noted that some painting is a maintenance issue and should not be funded by the grant as the city has codes that require maintenance of buildings. Alderman Row noted that painting can greatly improve the appearance of a building which is the point of the façade grant program. The mayor said that in cases where a company changes logos or company colors it is more in line with the program possibly.
It was determined that the facade review board will look at grant applications on a case by case basis remembering that the facade grant is not intended to be used for maintenance purposes and continue to pass their recommendations on to the city council who has always had final say on the projects.
Streets Sidewalks, Drainage, and Public Utilities
• Old Town Project – Davenport (404 E. Cherry) & Crimm (216 Ferkel) Driveway Issue Discussion
I’ll explain these one at a time. But the idea here is that when the new streets went in these residents had issues with the way their driveways changed when compared to before the new street was in. It should be noted that all of the driveways and street segments in question are within in the criteria set forth by IDOT.
Crimm – The city has already changed his approach in an effort to keep his cars from dragging when he pulls in off the street. The city was within the design criteria when the new street was put in. The actual metal on the bottom of his car hit concrete when he pulled in. After the city had the contractor make changes to the driveway only the plastic ground affects on his car hits the concrete. Crimm has two low riding cars which have been altered to ride even lower to the ground than when originally manufactured, I believe one is a Mustang and the other is a Corvette. The city will do no more to his driveway.
Davenport – When this resident backs their boat into their driveway the hitch hits the concrete. Alderman Row made a number of points regarding this resident saying that no one anticipated the issue before construction but if they had Mr. Davenport would have requested what he wants done now in his easement. Row also suggested that the city should replace his driveway all the way to his garage or split the costs in some way with the city. Alderman Roessler said he thought Mr. Davenport had more of an issue with the visual look of the driveway rather than its functionality. Either way they both feel that something should be done
Alderman Oberkfell, Niemietz, and Ebersohl all said that doing anything sets a precedent for the city on similar projects in the future. There is a lot of work to be completed on this project in the coming months.
Alderman Roessler will check with the Davenports to see what solutions the Davenports would find reasonable. HE will bring those ideas back to the council at the next meeting.
Committee of the Whole
•National Incident Management System Discussion
There currently is no system in place for the city to keep tract of which employees have completed required NIMS training. It was determined that Al Hudzik the city administrator will begin a program to track what everyone should have in terms of training and if they have completed it. Al said this was on his list of things to get done. It was suggested he contact Gene Henkler with the county to discuss what everyone is required to have done.
Personnel & License, Insurance, CEMA and Contracts (Joint Committee Meeting)
•Pre-Employment Testing Service Provider Discussion
Additional pricing was available from Progressive Family to compare to the pricing the city already had from St. Elizabeth’s. Some tests were higher at Progressive while others were higher at St. Elizabeth’s, not all tests were available at Progressive Family though. Chief Edwards noted that in the past Progressive did not always have an MD administer the tests as requested.
Alderman Row mentioned that the psychological tests for the police candidates should be administered as close as possible to keep mileage reimbursements costs down. Chief Edwards noted that he is aware of one doctor in Illinois that can administer those tests and he has an office in South County that they send candidates to.
Alderman Niemietz and Row both agreed that as many tests as possible should be administered in one location to make it easier on both the candidate getting the tests and the city when waiting for test results.
The committee moved to have Al Hudzik iron out a one year agreement with St. Elizabeth’s and have it ready for the next council meeting.
•Collective Bargaining
Discussed in Executive Session
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