M I n u t e s city Council of Leland Grove Regular Meeting Minutes

M I N U T E S 

 

City Council of Leland Grove Regular Meeting Minutes 

 January 24, 2017     6:00 PM 

Instructional Resource Center      2000 Chatham Road     Leland Grove, IL 62704 

 

The Regular Meeting of the Leland Grove City Council was called to order promptly at 

6:00pm by the Honorable Mayor Jill Egizii.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those 

present and the Roll Call was taken by Clerk Klokkenga with the following members present 

(P) or absent (A) as indicated: 

 

Jill Egizii - Mayor (P) 

Brian Miller - Treaurer (P) 

Steve Klokkenga - Clerk (P) 

Saul Morse - Legal Counsel (P) 

Diana Hetherington - Alderman Ward 1 (P) 

Jan Creasey - Alderman Ward 1 (P) 

Jim Moll - Alderman Ward 2 (P) 

Nick Williams - Alderman Ward 2 (A) 

Don LoBue - Alderman Ward 3 (P) 

Mary Jo Bangert - Alderman Ward 3 (P) 

Donald LoBue - Alderman Ward 3 (P) 

 

Also present were: 

Chief Dan Ryan, Leland Grove Police Chief 

Tyler Lanier, City Administrator 

City Engineer, Micky Mann 

 

 

APPROVAL of the December 20, 2016 Regular Meeting Minutes.  A motion was made by  

Alderman Hetherington and seconded by Alderman Creasey to approve the Minutes as 

written. The motion carried unanimously. 

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS -   

The Sangamon County Clerk, Don Gray, talked about services offered by his Office, regarding 

elections, marriage licenses, etc.  Clerk Don Gray and his staff have been making things more 

efficient in his office and wanted to share that with the Council.  In addition, the County Clerk's 

Office has a Vital Records Mobile Unit which is now available at events or activities.  They 

continue to work on the redevelopment of the election office to make it as user friendly as 

possible.  Investment in additional personnel has also proven helpful.   

 

In addition, Mr. Gray discussed how electronic voting is not a secure method yet because of 

hacking issues. Homeland Security will not allow online voting and informed the Council that 

presently the County Clerk's Office has no activity on the internet with regards to election 

voting. Finally, Mr. Gray provided candy bars to everyone present, which is his signature 

trademark. 

 

Sangamon County Auditor Andy Goleman presented to the Council as well.  Auditor Goleman 

provided a brochure on his office.  He discussed how the Auditor's  job is to monitor the internal 

financial operations and accounting for the county.  A lot of what the Auditor's office does 

involves watching over the assets of the County and works closely with elected officials on 

budgets for their offices.   

 

Alderman Bangert asked County Auditor Goleman about whether there might be any recycling 

grants available.  In addition she mentioned that Leland Grove taxes currently going to the 

county have an impact, is there a way to get any of that back?  Auditor Goleman indicated no, 

unfotunately there is not. 

 

Alderman LoBue asked about fees and wanting to get more back from driving tickets than 

currently come to the City.  Auditor Goleman stated that he gets it, but unfortunately can't do 

anything about it for the City.   

 

 The Council thanked both Clerk Gray and Auditor Goleman for answering their questions and 

appreciates what they do for the County. 

 

TREASURER'S REPORT - Treasurer Miller 

Treasurer Miller provided the Council with the Monthly Financial Statement.  Hearing no 

questions, a motion was made by Alderman Hetherington and seconded by Alderman Bangert to 

approve unpaid warrants PO1420 from the General Fund in the amount of $28, 892.01. The 

motion carried unanimously. 

 

A motion was made by Alderman Hetherington and seconded by Alderman Bangert to approve 

Paid warrants from the General Fund P01-422 in the amount of $32,121.53.  The motion carried 

unanimously.   

 

A motion was made by Alderman Hetherington and seconded by Alderman Creasey to approve 

unpaid warrants in the amount of $177.10 from MFT Fund P-01-421.  The motion carried 

unanimously.   

 

 

CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT 

Update from City Administrator Lanier who reported on limb pick up progress and signage.  The 

City has received additional sings to be put up along the roads and a new "City Limit" sign has 

been ordered, after recently being stolen. 

  

 

LEGAL UPDATE AND ACTIONS 

Legal Memo Update - Attorney Morse 

Council inquired about the status of the The Kent Gay/Permit Violation. Attorney Morse 

reported that Mr. Gray still contends the City's "lien" is not valid since it was not issued by a 

court.   Attorney Morse further indicated that Mr. Gray does not have an actual "lien" and that 

the proper terminology may not be used by some when discussing the matter. Attorney Morse 

briefly explained how the council initially, over a year ago, decided to vote to fine him for 

violating a City ordinance.  Attorney Morse noted that the City did send him a certified letter 

well over a year ago that he was being fined, which the Council never heard back from.  After 

not hearing back, the council decided to levy the fine, then notified him again of any 

consequences while also notifying the Sangamon County Recorder of Deeds, logically thinking 

if the house were ever sold, the title company would want it cleared out. Neither the Mayor, the 

Clerk, Legal Counsel, or the City Administrator ever received any contact from Mr. Gray after 

the letter was sent.  Attorney Morse further indicated that the council heard nothing from Mr. 

Gray until 2016, when he FOIA'd the fence ordinance regarding his in-laws property next door.  

Attorney Morse believes this issue can be litigated and believes the City would prevail.  

Attorney Morse further explained to the Council how its Administrative Hearing Office 

can issue a ruling and then the City would have to go to the Circuit Clerk for a judgment, which 

could then be turned into a lien.   

Alderman Moll wants the council to either pursue it or drop it.  He believes we should 

start with the Administrative Hearing process.  Counsel Morse indicated the City would need to 

give 30 days in advance for any hearing.   

Alderman Bangert stated she believes the City should follow the Administrative Hearing 

process it previously set in place. 

Mayor Egizii asked the Council how they wished to proceed and by a consensus of the Council 

the Kent Gray/Fence Permit issue will go to an Administrative Hearing.  

 

Attorney Morse also provided the council with his Monthly written update for review. 

 

 

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS 

Finance and Revenue - Alderman Hetherington 

Alderman Hetherington has been working on the budget and focusing on salaries.   Projected 

revenues show we are at the same level as last year.  She is also open to suggestions on how to 

proceed with the budget.  

 

Regarding the designation of funds from property taxes from Woodside Township for City roads, 

Alderman Bangert asked if the money could be allocated specifically for roads instead of going 

to the general fund? 

 

Attorney Morse cautioned about setting up a special fund and only using it for that reason, 

further explaining it limits the council's ability to use the money if needed elsewhere, especially 

in the event of an emergency.  

 

Health, Sanitation and Environment - Alderman Creasey - Nothing to Report 

 

Police and Public Safety - Alderman Williams/Police Report from Chief Ryan 

Chief Ryan is looking at Body Cams again and any costs involved with maintaining them.  

Digiticket with the Circuit Clerk's Office is not going to happen, but Chief Ryan is looking at 

alternatives.   

Jerome Police Department Calls - Leland Grove has been asked to help the Village of Jerome out 

from 7am to 11am as they undergo changes in their Department.  Calls for service in Jerome are 

not an everyday occurrence.  The average is about 39 minutes of calls a week that the Leland 

Grove Police force is helping with the Village of Jerome.  Only 4 direct calls for service in 

Jerome, so far.  Chief Ryan does not see this as a long term assignment.   

Alderman Moll is asking for a "heavy vehicles" enforcement and wants it carried out through 

February and March because of water making the roads soft. 

 

 

Human Resources - Alderman LoBue - No report at this time. 

Public Ways and Property - Alderman Moll - No report at this time. 

Building Permits and Zoning - Alderman Bangert - No report at this time. 

 

OLD BUSINESS 

Regarding the sale of the Dorothy Sager Easement Behind 2019 Huntley, Alderman LoBue 

reported that 8 years ago, Leland Grove acquired the easement through Fox Meadows and 

Lindsay Place.  At that time, the decision was made to give adjoining property owners the 

opportunity to acquire 15 feet of the easement in their lot.  At that time, the City decided it would 

charge .30 cents per square foot.  Alderman LoBue presented paperwork regarding the Easement 

further indicating that Leland Grove maintains no rights to the Easements once sold. 

A motion was made by Alderman LoBue and seconded by Alderman Creasey to approve the 

Sale of the Easement for $540 plus the cost of the recording fee.  The motion carried 

unanimously.   

 

Stop Sign Grant - Micky Mann, City Engineer 

Engineer Mann reported that all signs are supposed to have been delivered yesterday.  Other than 

this, nothing else to report.   

 

Azavar Contract - Alderman Hetherington 

Alderman Hetherington would like to put together a synopsis highlighting the key elements of 

the contract.  Alderman Moll wants a change to Azavar's disclaimer so that if/when they make a 

mistake, it would not cost Leland Grove any money.  A motion was made by Alderman Moll and 

seconded by Alderman LoBue to approve using Azavar with language changes protecting Leland 

Grove from not paying if we get no funds from the program.  The motion was Approved  4 yes, 0 

no, and1 abstention. 

   

Zoning Ordinance - This was on the Dec. 2016 Agenda and at the last meeting, the Council 

asked Clerk Klokkenga to place it on the Jan.2017 Agenda for further discussion. 

Attorney Morse went to Jim Stone at Sangamon County with regards to modifications in the 

contract, wanting an option to terminate the contract with a 10 days notice clause.   

A motion was made by Alderman Hetherington and seconded by Alderman Bangert to pass the 

ordinance to amend the zoning codes which would also authorize the Mayor to enter into an 

inter-governmental agreement with Sangamon County on the terms that the county previously 

presented to the city. The motion carried 3 yes and 2 no.  

 

City Administrator Lanier and Alderman Bangert will present at the next meeting, any zoning 

changes and what is going to be published and made available to residents, to make them aware.  

This item will be added to the February 2017 Agenda accordingly. 

 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS 

FY2018 Budget - Alderman Hetherington  - Covered earlier Under Alderman Hetherington's 

Finance Report. 

 

ADJOURNMENT 

A motion was made to Adjourn which was unanimously approved. 

 

Posted:___________     Date:__________  Time:___________