City of Virginia

Minutes of Regular Meeting

December 14th, 2015 7:30 p.m.

Mayor Steve Sudbrink opened the regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. Roll was called Devlin, Bowman, Clark, Behrends and Cox answered present, Anderson was absent. The minutes of the November meeting were presented. Alderman Clark moved and Alderman Bowman seconded that the minutes be approved as written. Motion carried unanimously. The monthly treasurer’s report was in the packet to the council, pretty much on track for the year so far. Kevin and Jeannette are still working on getting new software in line. The video game revenue for the months through November was $10,410 a total of $14,654.00 for the year. There was transfer of funds this month $8,000 from the General fund to the Police fund. Motion was made by Alderman Cox and seconded by Alderman Behrends to approve these transfers. Motion carried unanimously. Monthly bills were presented .Alderman Behrends made a motion and Alderman Clark seconded that the bills be paid as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

Guests: Virginia Students of the month for November were as follows: Maple Jo Ferguson- Elementary, Donnie Hinkle- Jr. High and Dillon Cook- High School, all cited for citizenship.

Public Works (McClure): 42 Julies and work orders last month. Working on street signs and Christmas on the Square this month, and working on permit for 4″ line on Gatton St. with EPA. CIPS will be in the area cutting trees in the next couple of weeks and will be cutting down 7 trees for the city as long as the city crew cleans up.

Police Chief (Boris):230 calls in November; 2 criminal arrests, 2 ordinance violations and 5 traffic citations as well as a Dog bite.

Fire Chief (Reynolds): 2 rescue calls (cancelled) and 1 mutual aid in Chandlerville

Board Reports

Zoning (Merriman): No report

Park: (Cox): No meeting last month for November, next meeting will be in January. The Andrew Sweatman family, Roger & Carolyn Sweatman, has donated $20,000 plus in memory of Andrew and would like to see the ball fields at the park upgraded. Andrew was a standout athlete and outstanding young man.

Library (Clark): Meeting held the 17th of November and they received resignation of the secretary. They had 21 kids for the Lego club and 30 kids for Halloween and participated in the Christmas on the square. Next meeting January 19th.

Economic Development (Anderson): Meet in January

Cemetery (Behrends): Met the 2nd Tuesday of last month. 4 trees will be removed that are a hazard. Old tombstone that had been found a few years ago has been moved to the Ashland cemetery at the request of the family to be put with the rest of the family buried in Ashland. Next meeting is in February.

Attorney’s Report: Court for the dog bite case mentioned by Chief Boris is set for Wednesday of next week 12/23/2015.

Aldermanic Reports

Cox: Square looked nice for Christmas on the Square

Behrends: Time frame for when stumps will be taken out from trees that were cut down last year.

Clark: Reported that he and Alderman Bowman spent time on chicken ordinance and wrote up a draft. They would like to have Attorney Thomas look over for next month.

Bowman: No report

Anderson: No report

Devlin: No report

Clerk’s Report: No report

Mayor’s Comments: Bids received on new electric power on the 9th; 5.87 cents which is 28% higher than last rate of 4.194 cents. Ameren’s default rate is 6.776 cents so it is still lower than Ameren default rate. Mayor Sudbrink wanted an update on the website for the City. Those setting up the site should be getting with Marcy to show her how to input minutes and make changes to the site.

Unfinished Business: First under unfinished business was the Excess water usage amendment ordinance. This was the second reading of this ordinance. Motion to approve the amendment was made by Alderman Devlin and seconded by Alderman Bowman. Motion carried unanimously. Next up was the addition of a handicap parking spot at Petefish Skiles & Co Bank; this was also the 2nd reading of this ordinance. Motion was made by Alderman Clark and seconded by Alderman Bowman to add the parking space for handicap parking near the bank on Beardstown St.

New Business: Alderman Anderson entered at 8:12 pm. First up under new business was the Tax levy ordinance. A motion was made to waive the two readings on this by Alderman Clark and seconded by Alderman Behrends. The ordinance had a 3.6% overall increase or $7,847 higher than last year. Motion was made by Alderman Clark and seconded by Alderman Cox to approve this Tax levy ordinance. Motion carried unanimously. With nothing further to discuss at this time a motion was made by Alderman Clark and seconded by Alderman Behrends to adjourn into executive session at 8:44 pm. Motion carried unanimously.

Meeting called back into regular session at 8:54 pm

First up on the agenda was an employee incentive bonus for this year. A motion was made by Alderman Clark and seconded Alderman Bowman to give bonuses recommended by council. Motion carried unanimously. Next up were the executive minutes and the semiannual review, no action taken at this time.

With nothing further to discuss at this time a motion was made by Alderman Behrends and seconded by Alderman Devlin to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.

Steve Sudbrink, Mayor

Anne Plunkett, City Clerk