The regular City Council meeting of Monday, August 18, 2008 was called to order at 6:30 p.m. in the meeting room at the Library by Mayor Gary W. Manier.

Present and answering Roll Call were Aldermen Don Brubaker, Todd Clanin, Dave Dingledine, Jim Gee, Al Howerter, Jim Newman and Gene Schneider. Alderman Bob Brucks was absent.

Also present was City Attorney Kenneth L. Black, City Administrator Bob Morris, Deputy Chief of Police Don Volk, Controller Joanie Baxter, City Treasurer Bob Gordon, City Engineer Ken Newman, P&D Director Jon Oliphant, Public Services Manager Bill Bimrose and City Clerk Carol Moss.

Following Roll Call Mayor Manier led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Agenda was reviewed and stood as presented.

Alderman Gee moved and Alderman Brubaker seconded to approve the Consent Agenda of August 18, 2008 as presented. Agenda items included minutes of the August 4, 2008 Council meeting, Bills & Payroll in the amount of $1,021,354.01, purchase authorization for varied water main materials for the Avon Court water main replacement in the amount of $13,032.67 from HD Supply Waterworks, Ltd., TIF Pay Request #1 from Portrait Life for the first of three subsidy payments in the amount of $5,034.80. 
On roll call on the motion to approve the vote was: 
Ayes: 7 Howerter, Clanin, Newman, Dingledine, Schneider, Brubaker, Gee 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

Audience Comments - present in the audience were the Miller's, Nygaard's and Bennett's asking when the oak tree seedlings are going to be removed at Glendale Cemetery. David Miller, 1405 Hampton Road, stated that he believes they are all getting the run around because the trees planted by John Jackson are still there. He noted that the burr oak tree is an ugly, big tree that will eventually over grow the graves in the vicinity. Mayor Manier noted that he knows that there was a plan to plant 70 plus flowering pear trees in the newer parts of the cemetery, and that some of those trees were planted, with the remainder to be planted when the recommendation of the ICC horticulturist is received.

Alderman Howerter, Chairman of the Public Services Committee, reported that a master plan is being worked on for the planting of trees at the cemetery. Twenty-three of the burr oak trees planted are still alive. Nothing is going to be done about the trees at the cemetery until this master plan is complete. All planting has halted and any of the oak trees that died over the winter will not be replaced. The horticulturist from ICC has given some very specific recommendations on diversity of trees. It will clearly take several months for this plan to be completed. Once the plan is received it will be circulated and public comment will be sought.

City Administrator Morris noted that he has spoken to Street Supervisor Craig Cohen and Mr. Cohen has stated that he was aware that there was a plan in place from for the planting of several dozen Bradford Pear trees throughout the cemetery.

Nadine Bennett stated that City Administrator Morris, at a prior meeting, stated, or someone stated, that the seedlings were coming out when weather permitted. They bought their cemetery lots because it was a neat, clean, uncluttered area and now things have been changed on them. They have not been treated fairly. The burr oak tree is an ugly, dirty tree that requires a lot of maintenance and they do not want them in their area of the cemetery. She went on to say that none of them realized that the City could just do what they wanted to.

Administrator Morris replied that he has never indicated that the seedlings were coming out. He went on to say that there is not any one person who is going to decide this matter. This matter will be decided by the elected body of the City.

Dave Nygaard said that there are cemeteries that have areas that do not have any trees. Alderman Gee replied that information has been passed on to the person at ICC.

David Miller asked if the trees are going to stay while this decision is being determined. He said that the trees should not have been planted in the first place and every tree should be pulled out until the decision is made. Alderman Gee replied the Committee is not making a decision to pull the trees or to plant trees until word is back from the horticulturist.

Mayor Manier thanked everyone who came to address this issue this evening and said that the City hopes to resolve this matter soon. He indicated that there is another side to this and that side also has to be heard. Miller said if there are those in the community who want the trees, how come they are not here this evening. Administrator Morris replied the other side is not here this evening because this is not an agenda item. He went on to say that there is a large faction in the community who are in favor of the trees that have been planted in the cemetery.

City Attorney Black read, by title only, a resolution approving the Preliminary Plat of Spiezio Subdivision. Alderman Howerter moved and Alderman Dingledine seconded to adopt the resolution as read. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 7 Newman, Gee, Clanin, Brubaker, Schneider, Dingledine, Howerter 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Attorney Black read, by title only, a resolution for participation in State of Illinois Federal Surplus Property Program. Alderman Brubaker moved and Alderman Clanin seconded to adopt the resolution as read. Alderman Howerter said that he is familiar with this program and sometimes one can find excellent bargains, but sometimes there aren't many bargains. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 7 Dingledine, Howerter, Schneider, Gee, Newman, Clanin, Brubaker 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Attorney Black provided second reading, by title only, of an ordinance vacating parts of alleys located north of Walnut Street and east of North Elm Street contiguous to the library property in the City of Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois. Alderman Howerter moved and Alderman Dingledine seconded to adopt the ordinance as read. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 7 Brubaker, Schneider, Gee, Newman, Clanin, Dingledine, Howerter 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Attorney Black read, by title only, second reading of an ordinance authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a third agreement (2008) for private development with Jeffrey W. Woods and Julia L. Woods for the redevelopment of a portion of the Downtown Tax Increment Redevelopment Project Area. Alderman Dingledine moved and Alderman Newman seconded to adopt the ordinance as read. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 7 Schneider, Gee, Howerter, Clanin, Brubaker, Newman, Dingledine 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Attorney Black provided second reading, by title only, of an ordinance amending §112.01 and §112.20 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois. If adopted the ordinance provides for a restaurant license classification as well as a license for a beer garden. Alderman Gee moved and Alderman Clanin seconded to adopt the ordinance as read. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 6 Newman, Howerter, Schneider, Dingledine, Clanin, Gee 
Nays: 1 Brubaker 
Motion declared carried.

City Attorney Black read, by title only, second reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 72 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois, entitled "Parking Regulations" to restrict parking on the east side of South Spruce Street from Walnut to Maple. Alderman Howerter moved and Alderman Newman seconded to adopt the ordinance as read. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 7 Clanin, Dingledine, Brubaker, Gee, Schneider, Newman, Howerter 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Attorney Black provided first readings, by title only, of two ordinances - one amending §112.20 of the Code of Ordinances entitled Alcoholic Beverages by increasing the number of Class D liquor licenses; and an ordinance vacating a part of an alley located north of Adams Street contiguous to the Calvary Mennonite Church in the City of Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois. Both ordinances will be presented as second readings and for action on the September 1 Council agenda.

P&D Director Oliphant requested Council approval of the Final Plat of Spiezio Subdivision subject to the payment of $25.00 subdivision review fee. Alderman Clanin moved and Alderman Brubaker seconded to approve Final Plat of Spiezio Subdivision as stated. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 7 Gee, Howerter, Newman, Schneider, Dingledine, Brubaker, Clanin 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

Controller Baxter requested Council approval for the purchase of four replacement computers in the Finance Department and Planning & Development Department for a total cost $7,105 from PTC Select. Alderman Dingledine moved and Alderman Brubaker seconded to approve the purchase as requested. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 7 Howerter, Clanin, Gee, Newman, Schneider, Brubaker, Dingledine 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Engineer Newman requested Council authorization to hire McMahon Associates to provide engineering services for STP #1 interim improvements in the amount of $5000. Alderman Howerter moved and Alderman Gee seconded to authorize as requested. City Engineer Newman reported that the City had seriously considered abandoning Sewer Treatment Plant No. a couple of years ago, but now realizes that there is a need to keep that plant in service for a good number of years. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 7 Schneider, Newman, Clanin, Brubaker, Dingledine, Gee, Howerter 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

At 7:17 p.m. Alderman Dingledine moved and Alderman Howerter seconded to adjourn. 
Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.