City of Virginia
Minutes of Regular Meeting
Monday December 11th , 2017
Mayor Brunk opened the regular meeting at 7:30pm. Roll was called French, Anderson, Bowman, Wulf, and Cox answered present. Alderman Behrends has asked to attend electronically due to employment obligations, he has complied with the electronic ordinance and if there is no objection, we will go ahead and connect with Alderman Behrends. With no objection, Alderman Behrends joined the meeting electronically. Motion to approve the agenda was made by Alderman Cox and seconded by Alderman Wulf, motion carried unanimously. The minutes of the November meeting were presented. Alderman Behrends stated that his name was indicated as present in the roll call when he was not present, request to remove name from present list. Alderman Wulf made a motion that the meeting minutes be approved and Alderman Anderson seconded. Motion carried unanimously. The monthly treasurer’s report was in the council’s monthly packet, the council reviewed. The video gaming revenue for the month of November was $2497.48. The sales tax figures for the month of November were $10988.39. Treasurer Barrett stated that he has been working on the books. Treasurer Barrett also stated that things are being corrected that needed to be such as Social Security and Unemployment. Treasurer Barrett attended the Library Board meeting per request to help them understand the budgeting. TIF will be paying the city $3000.
There was no transfer of funds this month. Monthly bills were presented. Alderman Cox made a motion and Alderman Bowman seconded that the bills be paid as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Guests: Steve Clark, Ashley Reese, Laura Helmich, Mike Lowe
Student of the Month: Kelsey Hamann: elementary student of the month, character: trustworthy
Public Comment: None
Public Works (McClure): Christmas in Virginia is complete. Crew is working on winterizing equipment right now. Need to call a meeting in regards to the housing project and the sewer lines. After discussion with Alderman Cox, Bowman, and French, the water committee meeting is set for 12/13 at 5pm
Police Chief : during the month of November, the city was understaffed due to resignations. The county covered a lot of the calls for the city. There were 39 calls, 15 service calls.
Fire Chief (Reynolds): 4 calls- 1- field fire, 1- responded to barn, 1- call to Chanderville, 1- dumpster on fire on Sylvan St.
Board Reports
Zoning (Merriman): nothing to report at this time
Park (Cox): Next meeting in February 2018
Library: Steve Clark was present and stated that Treasurer Barrett came to the meeting and reviewed the budget and he thinks there is a better understanding now. 11/28-12/15 the Library will be accepting non-perishable donations in lieu of taking fines for late fees. Next meeting is 1/16 at 6pm.
Economic Development (Anderson): nothing to report at this time
Cemetery (Behrends): nothing to report at this time
Attorney’s Report: 1 property maintenance issue is still ongoing. Though most has been cleaned up, the resident was supposed to remove cement slabs by court ordered and they have not been removed. Resident did organize them but did not remove them. Attorney also asked the council to pass the first reading of the Sexual Harassment Ordinance.
Aldermanic Reports
Cox: Welcomed new police chief, thanked Randy for preparing the city for Christmas on the Square.
Behrends: nothing to report
Wulf: wants to pursue completing a TIF application for the LED signs for the pedestrian and school crosswalk. Will meet with Treasurer Barrett regarding this.
Bowman: nothing to report
Anderson: having issues with the paper delivery being thrown all over, Mayor Brunk states he thinks the Journal Courier has something to do with the paper and will call and let them know that the community is displeased.
French: set date of 12/13 at 5pm for the water committee meeting
Clerks Report: nothing to report at this time
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Brunk thanked Jeanette and Kayla for decorating City Hall. Mayor Brunk would also like to thank the Christmas on the Square committee for a great job and that there was a great turnout. Mayor Brunk also stated that he received a report in regards to the creek on Morgan St that people are dumping trash in it. Mayor Brunk distributed record to Alderman of what the employees received last year for a Christmas bonus and asked the council to review.
Unfinished Business:
A) Tax Levy (2nd reading)
Motion was made by Alderman Wulf to approve the 2nd reading of the Taxy Levy. Alderman Cox seconded that motion. Motion carried unanimously.
New Business:
A) Sexual Harrassment Ordinance:
Ordinance prohibits sexual harassment. All units in government are passing ordinances against sexual harassment which also prohibits retaliation. It ties to the Illinois Whistleblowers Act, which also includes consequences for filing a false report. Attorney states that Mayor needs to establish “Ethics Officer”, though does not suggest that Mayor be the officer. The Public Works Director can receive the report but cannot be the officer. The Officer can be someone from the council or the public. Attorney also asks the council to pass this ordinance.
Alderman Cox made a motion to go into Executive Session at 7:55pm to discuss employee compensations. Alderman French seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Roll was called to resume public session. French, Anderson, Bowman, Wulf, Cox all answered present. Alderman Behrends had to disconnect electronically during executive session due to employment obligations therefore he was not present when public session resumed.
Alderman Cox made a motion to approve the Sexual Harassment Ordinance, Alderman French seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Alderman Wulf made a motion to grant full time employees with Christmas Bonuses, Alderman Cox seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Alderman Cox made a motion to give Chief Helmich $45,000 in salary plus benefits with an incentive review in May 2018 for $48,000. Alderman Bowman seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Police Chief Helmich accepted.
With nothing further to discuss at this time in open session a motion was made by Alderman Wulf to adjourn at 8:30pm and seconded by Bowman. Motion carried unanimously.
_____________________ ______________________
Reg Brunk, Mayor Ashley Cox, City Clerk