Mayor Gary W. Manier called the regular scheduled May 5, 2008 City Council meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the meeting room at Washington District Library, 380 N. Wilmor Road.

Answering present for Roll Call were Aldermen Al Howerter, Jim Newman, Don Brubaker, Jim Gee, Bob Brucks, Todd Clanin and Dave Dingledine.

Also present was City Attorney Kenneth L. Black, City Administrator Bob Morris, City Treasurer Bob Gordon, City Engineer Ken Newman, Planning & Development Director Jon Oliphant, Chief of Police Jim Kuchenbecker, Public Services Manager Bill Bimrose and City Clerk Carol Moss, Tom & Judy Gross, Rita Fischbach, Paul Habel, and Boy Scout Scott Garrison of Troop 163 and his parents.

Scott Garrison led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Alderman Brubaker moved and Alderman Dingledine seconded to approve the Consent Agenda of May 5, 2008 as presented. Items included on the Consent Agenda were minutes of the April 21, 2008 Council meeting, a Raffle Permit Application from the Chamber of Commerce for the Chamber, a Raffle Permit from the Chamber of Commerce for the Citizens Police Academy, and a request to write-off water and sewer utility bills in the amount of $7337.95. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 7 Gee, Howerter, Newman, Clanin, Brucks, Dingledine, Brubaker 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

Rita Fischbach, Chairwoman for Take Pride in Washington annual clean-up day reported that 180 individuals took part in the clean-up process on Saturday, May 3, 2008. City Administrator Morris was responsible for coordinating a lot of the event. She stated that there were a lot of young people involved in the days events and she would like to see more adults become involved. Next year's date will be either the Saturday before or the Saturday after Earth Day. Fischbach thanked the City and the media for their involvement. Mayor Manier thanked Mrs. Fischbach for her level of participation in the event and encouraged everyone to practice clean up every day. He said that doing this teaches our youth to be responsible as far as litter is concerned and there is a need to work hard on the problem of litter.

Judy Gross, 201 S. Main, spoke regarding the proposed motel tax amendment saying that she is the innkeeper and owner of a small establishment on the Square. She has to pay the same six percent state tax and the same five percent city tax, and it might not seem so, but a one percent increase is significant. She went on to say that as she understands this proposal, the one percent increase would go to the Peoria Area Convention Bureau, and the members of this organization are charged for being a member. She was a member of the organization but dropped the membership because she did not believe the benefit was great and the membership fee was pretty high. She went on to say that she would much rather see the increase go to benefit business in the City. She asked that if this rate increase is approved that the City then follow through and see if there is any benefit to the City in any way. Mayor Manier indicated that maybe something can be done to exempt smaller establishments like the Cornerstone Inn. He also stated that it might be wise to amend the ordinance to include the increase on a two year trial basis.

City Attorney Black read, by title only, a Resolution declaring fifty-eight (58) assorted, found and/or recovered bicycles as "surplus property". Alderman Dingledine moved and Alderman Brubaker seconded to adopt the resolution as read. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 7 Newman, Howerter, Gee, Clanin, Brucks, Brubaker, Dingledine 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Attorney Black read, by title only a resolution for the temporary closure/signage of a state maintained roadway for a public event. Alderman Dingledine moved and Alderman Brubaker seconded to adopt the resolution as read. If adopted the resolution would allow signage to be placed along Business 24 during the Cherry Festival with IDOT approval. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 7 Howerter, Gee, Clanin, Brucks, Newman, Brubaker, Dingledine 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Attorney Black provided second reading, by title only, of an ordinance establishing compensation for the Mayor, Aldermen, City Clerk, and City Treasurer effective May 1, 2009. Alderman Brucks moved and Alderman Gee seconded to adopt the ordinance as read. Alderman Dingledine stated that he was not at the Committee of the Whole meeting when this matter was discussed, but he said that the way the Mayor's position has transformed over the last few years the compensation increase is appropriate. He went on to say that it is a part time position but publicly it is a full time position, and said that he is not sure that $10,000 is sufficient. Alderman Brubaker agreed. Alderman Gee stated that the Mayor's position requires a lot more time than it did in 1980, and the Mayor represents the City of Washington around the tri-county area. Alderman Newman pointed out that the current Mayor is deserving of the pay increase, but said what happens if the next one is not. Alderman Brucks stated that he has received calls regarding the compensation increase for the Mayor, and said he believes it is appropriate. There is a need to communicate to the residents of the City that the Mayor's compensation has not increased since 1980. City Attorney Black pointed out that if adopted, the ordinance will not take effect until May 1, 2009. Elected officials compensation cannot be increased during their term of office and any increase has to be approved at least 180 days prior to the beginning of the new term. Alderman Dingledine also stated that he believes that alderman compensation should be increased to $50.00 per meeting regardless of whether it is a Council meeting, Committee of the Whole meeting or special meeting. Alderman Dingledine moved and Alderman Gee seconded to amend the ordinance to increase alderman compensation to fifty dollars per meeting for regular and special meetings. 
On roll call on the amendment the vote was: 
Ayes: 6 Clanin, Brubaker, Brucks, Newman, Gee, Dingledine 
Nays: 1 Howerter 
Motion declared carried.

On roll call on the original motion, as amended, the vote was: 
Ayes: 7 Dingledine, Howerter, Newman, Brubaker, Clanin, Gee, Brucks 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

Second reading of an ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Washington, Illinois, by amending Section 117.003 of Chapter 117 entitled "Motel Tax" was read, by title only, by City Attorney Black. Alderman Brucks moved and Alderman Howerter seconded to adopt the ordinance as read. Alderman Newman voiced concerns pertaining to the comments made by Mrs. Gross saying he tends to agree with her that she is not going to profit from the type of business that the tax increase will promote. Mayor Manier went on to say that hotels/motels with swimming pools are going to attract families and team members of sports events where bed and breakfasts will not. Following additional discussion on the matter it was agreed to table action until an amendment can be written to exclude smaller establishments such as bed and breakfast. Alderman Brucks moved and Alderman Howerter seconded to table action on the ordinance until further review can be done. 
On roll call on the motion to table the vote was: 
Ayes: 7 Brubaker, Clanin, Newman, Gee, Dingledine, Howerter, Brucks 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Attorney Black read, by title only, second reading of an ordinance amending the Personnel Manual of the City of Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois, regarding compensatory time. Alderman Howerter moved and Alderman Brubaker seconded to adopt the ordinance as read. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 7 Brucks, Dingledine, Newman, Clanin, Gee, Brubaker, Howerter 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Attorney Black provided first readings of an ordinance establishing policy regarding severance pay compensation for City Administrators and Chiefs of Police, an ordinance amending §112.20 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois., and an ordinance authorizing the sale, donation and/or disposal of fifty-eight (58) assorted, found and/or recovered bicycles declared as 'surplus property". All three ordinances will be scheduled for second reading and for Council action on the May 19 agenda. City Engineer Newman requested Council authorization to spend an amount of $39,300.00 and approve entering into a contract with Foth Infrastructure & Environment LLC for design engineering services on the Lincoln Street Bridge replacement project. Alderman Brucks moved and Alderman Newman seconded to authorize the expenditure and approve entering into the contract as requested. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 7 Clanin, Dingledine, Gee, Howerter, Brubaker, Newman, Brucks 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

City Engineer Newman requested Council authorization to hire Smeltz Excavating, Ltd., to complete the North School Street Force Main in the amount of $8,120.00. Alderman Gee moved and Alderman Howerter seconded to authorize the expenditure as requested. 
On roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 7 Brubaker, Brucks, Clanin, Dingledine, Newman, Howerter, Gee 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

Aldermen's Comments - Alderman Clanin said that he would like to see discussion take place at the upcoming Committee of the Whole meeting in regards to updating a number of our out of date ordinances. The matter will be scheduled for discussion at the May 12 Committee of the Whole meeting.

There were no additional comments and at 7:04 p.m. Alderman Howerter moved and Alderman Brucks seconded to adjourn. 
Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.