On the agenda: Decaturil City Council Meeting — surveillance camera (Jun 30)

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

Monday, June 30, 2014

On Monday, June 30, 2014, the City Council of the City of Decatur, Illinois, met in
Regular Meeting at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers, One Gary K. Anderson Plaza,
Decatur, Illinois. Mayor Michael T. McElroy presided; together with him being
Councilmen Jerry J. Dawson, Larry W. Foster, Pat McDaniel, Julie Moore-Wolfe and
Dana M. Ray. Six members were present. Councilman Patrick S. Laegeler was
absent. Mayor McElroy declared a quorum present.
City Manager, Ryan P. McCrady, attended the meeting as well.
Mayor McElroy led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
The minutes of the meeting of June 16, 2014, were presented. Councilman Jerry
J. Dawson moved the minutes be approved as written; seconded by Councilman Larry
W. Foster, and on call of the roll, Councilmen Jerry J. Dawson, Larry W. Foster, Pat
McDaniel, Julie Moore-Wolfe, Dana M. Ray and Mayor McElroy voted aye. The Mayor
declared the motion carried.
This being the time set aside for unfinished business and there being no
unfinished business, the Mayor proceeded to New Business.
There were no
Proclamations or Mayor’s Recognitions, Patrick Hoban provided an Economic Update.
R2014-73 Resolution Accepting the Bid and Authorizing the Execution of a
Contract for Multi-Year Sanitary Sewer Herbicide Root Control Project, City Project
2014-31, was presented.
Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass; seconded by
Councilman Julie Moore-Wolfe.
On call of the roll Councilmen Jerry J. Dawson, Larry W. Foster, Pat McDaniel,
Julie Moore-Wolfe, Dana M. Ray, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. The Mayor declared
the motion carried.
R2014-74 Resolution Authorizing Contract for Pay and Benefits – I.A.F.F. Local
505, Fire Association, was presented.
Councilman Jerry J. Dawson moved the Resolution do pass; seconded by
Councilman Dana M. Ray.
On call of the roll Councilmen Jerry J. Dawson, Larry W. Foster, Pat McDaniel,
Julie Moore-Wolfe, Dana M. Ray, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. The Mayor declared
the motion carried.

2014-28 Ordinance Amending Chapter 52 – Alcoholic Liquor, was presented.
Councilman Jerry J. Dawson moved the Ordinance do pass; seconded by
Councilman Julie Moore-Wolfe.
Sherry Procarione of Oakley, Illinois, asked how government can impose itself on
a private company and allow some to sell alcohol and others not to sell alcohol.
Corporation Counsel, Wendy L. Morthland, advised the U.S. Supreme Court and Illinois
Supreme Court have granted communities the power to self-govern and alcohol is a
regulated industry and because of that it is regulated by way of license and that is what
gives the City the authority.
On call of the roll Councilmen Jerry J. Dawson, Larry W. Foster, Pat McDaniel,
Julie Moore-Wolfe, Dana M. Ray, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. The Mayor declared
the motion carried.
Mayor McElroy called for Consent Calendar Items A - C and asked if any Council
member wished to have an item removed from Consent Calendar. Items A through C
were approved by Omnibus Vote.
Councilman Jerry J. Dawson moved that Consent Calendar Items A - C be
approved by Omnibus Vote and seconded by Councilman Dana M. Ray and on call of
the roll Councilmen Jerry J. Dawson, Larry W. Foster, Pat McDaniel, Julie Moore-Wolfe,
Dana M. Ray, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
A.
Receiving and Filing of Minutes of Boards and Commissions;
B.
R2014-75 Resolution Accepting the Bid of Anderson Backhoe for
Demolition of Property Located at 1621 East North Street
C.
R2014-76 Resolution Accepting the Bid of Steve’s Trucking, Inc. for
Demolition of Property Located at 646 East Division Street
This being the time for Appearance of Citizens the following appeared:
Jim Taylor, Decatur, Illinois, stated he was sad because of the empty houses,
buildings and lots. Mr. Taylor stated he is concerned about citizens and businesses
who throw grass clippings and other garbage in the street that end up in the sewer. He
also stated the money spent to demolish a house would be better spent repairing and
bringing the house up to code. The house could then be given to a family who would be
able to pay property taxes and take care of the property.
John Phillips, Decatur, Illinois, stated he is in support of a gasoline tax for
improving roads. He would like the roads improved but does not really want the taxes.
The City may impact its own sales tax revenue by imposing a gasoline tax.
Sherry Procarione of Oakley, Illinois, asked Council to vote no when the fiber
optics proposal comes before them to connect, utilize and/or rent fiber optics for the

purpose to attract business. Ms. Procarione stated she is in favor of zero property tax
and a consumer tax. In addition, the issue of surveillance cameras robs citizens of due
process and the presumption of innocent until proven guilty. She state surveillance
cameras merely move crime to another area of the city and is not effective. Ms.
Procarione stated she would rather have her full legal right to arm herself in a
neighborhood. Law enforcement should be funded fully which will reduce the need to
look for grants.
Mayor McElroy proceeded to Other Business at which time City Manager
McCrady advised there will be an update on the dredging project at the July 7th Council
meeting.
There being no further business, Councilman Julie Moore-Wolfe moved the
meeting be adjourned; seconded by Councilman Larry W. Foster, and on call of the roll,
Councilmen Jerry J. Dawson, Larry W. Foster, Pat McDaniel, Julie Moore-Wolfe, Dana
M. Ray, and Mayor McElroy voted aye. The Mayor declared the Council meeting
adjourned at 6:08 p.m.

Approved July 7, 2014
Linda M. Swartz
City Clerk