A regular meeting of the Canton City Council was held on October 16, 2007 in Council Chambers, at the Historic Depot, 50 North 4th Avenue, Canton, Illinois.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE OPENED THE MEETING FOLLOWED BY THE INVOCATION GIVEN BY CITY CLERK NANCY WHITES.

Mayor Heinze asked for roll call at 6:30 p.m. Present – Aldermen Eric Schenck, Larry Sarff, Craig West, David Nidiffer, Jason Strandberg, Sonya Lewis. Absent – Joe Berardi, Kevin Meade.

Others in attendance – Mayor Rodney W. Heinze, City Clerk Nancy Whites, City Treasurer Kathy Luker, City Attorney Chrissie Peterson, Police Chief Jeffrey Fritz, Fire Chief Bonnie Cremer, Public Works Director Clif O’Brien, Wastewater Treatment Supt. Joe Carruthers, Water Treatment Supt Greg Pollitt, System Maintenance Bill Terry, Video Services provided by Joe Ginger. Audience – News Media of Daily Ledger - John Froehling, WBYS - Mark Bixler, Democrat - Denise Bankes. In the audience was Chad and Staci Mayall, and one unidentified lady, and the union members of ASFCME Public Works.

MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON OCTOBER 2, 2007. Motion and second by Aldermen West/Sarff, the minutes of October 2, 2007 be accepted and placed on file as presented. The motion carried by voice vote, and was unanimous.

MINUTES OF CLERICAL COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON OCTOBER 9, 2007. Motion and second by Aldermen Sarff/Nidiffer, the minutes of Clerical Committee meeting held on October 9, 2007 be accepted and placed on file as presented. The motion carried by voice vote, and was unanimous.

BILLS. Motion and second by Aldermen Sarff/West, all bills presented be authorized for payment. Roll call. AYES – Aldermen Lewis, Strandberg, Nidiffer, West, Sarff, Schenck. NAYS – None. 6 AYES, 0 NAYS, 2 ABSENT. Motion carried.

TREASURER’S REPORT. Motion and second by Aldermen Sarff/Strandberg, the Treasurer’s Report be accepted. Discussion. City Treasurer Kathy Luker explained, the negative balance in the health care fund I will try to resolve in the next few months. I will need to talk with the Auditor’s to see how to handle it. The Canton Park District and the Parlin-Ingersoll Library will be charged their portion of the lag claims and negative balance from the 2006-2007 fiscal year end. The City of Canton will be responsible for the rest of the balance. The motion carried by voice vote, and was unanimous.

BUDGET REPORT. Motion and second by Aldermen West/Nidiffer, to accept the Budget Report. Discussion. City Treasurer Kathy Luker reported all departments are around/lower on their budgets. The Pie Chart looks very good for the 4½ months of spending. The motion carried by voice vote, and was unanimous.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Finance.

Council Action

Depreciation Account. Motion and second by Aldermen Sarff/Nidiffer, the approval for City Treasurer Kathy Luker add to the General Fund and Water/Sewer Fund, Depreciation Account of $250,000/yr total for the general fund, and $150,000/yr total for the Water/Sewer Fund. Roll call. AYES – Aldermen Schenck, Sarff, West, Nidiffer, Strandberg, Lewis. NAYS – None. 6 AYES, 0 NAYS, 2 ABSENT. Motion carried.

Greenwood Cemetery Payment. Motion and second by Aldermen Sarff/West, approval of making the second payment to Greenwood Cemetery of the fiscal year 2007-2008 of $25,000. Roll call. AYES – Aldermen Lewis, Strandberg, Nidiffer, West, Sarff, Schenck. NAYS – None. 6 AYES, 0 NAYS, 2 ABSENT. Motion carried.

Legal & Ordinance.

Council Action

None.

Community & Industrial Development.

Council Action

None.

Negotiations, Grievance & Personnel.

Council Action

None.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR HEINZE –

Good News. Mayor Heinze honored the Humane Society by given them a Proclamation. It reads –

HUMANE SOCIETY DAY

WHEREAS, the Humane Society of Fulton County began in 1997 as a non-profit volunteer organization whose purpose is to provide for the well-being of animals in Fulton County; and

WHEREAS, the organization has become an integral part of the unique cooperation between the City of Canton Animal Control, the Fulton County Animal Control, and the Humane Society of Fulton County; and

WHEREAS, the Humane Society of Fulton County cares for and speaks for over 1000 animals who cannot speak for themselves each year; and

WHEREAS, the Humane Society of Fulton County has been a community leader in issues such as educating the community about responsible pet ownership and the humane care and treatment of animals, seeking to return lost animals to their owners, providing pet adoption, and helping relieve suffering among animals; and

WHEREAS, the Humane Society of Fulton County has built a state-of-the-art animal shelter to further improve the level of care they may offer the animals and citizens in our community.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Rodney W. Heinze, Mayor of the City of Canton, Illinois, do hereby proclaim Monday, November 5, 2007, as HUMANE SOCIETY DAY in the City of Canton and hereby do affix my signature this 16 , day of October, 2007.

Mayor Heinze remarked that the animal shelter was a dream of Karen Threw. She bequeathed 22 acres to Fulton County. She also bequeathed $300,000 for a building to be used as an animal shelter. Gary and Diane Grzanich acted in her behalf. The County has let the City of Canton have use of the facility and we agreed to paying a maintenance fee. The Humane Society provides the food for the young puppies and kittens.

Chad and Staci Mayall was given the Proclamation for the Humane Society. Staci thanked the mayor and said she was very impressed with the issues before the council and how they are working on them. She also said she was very honored to receive the proclamation.

Mayor Heinze mentioned the names of the members of the Humane Society volunteers, and they are – Marsha Delost, Toni Scott, Staci Mayall, Michelle Lowe, Netia Viano, Deb Zaborac, Maria Orwig, Martha Hunt, and Karen Klinedinst.

Appointment WIRC. Motion and second by Aldermen Sarff/Strandberg, the appointment of Deputy Clerk Diana Tucker to WIRC, be confirmed. Voice vote, motion carried unanimously.

Bids – Avenue C Sanitary Sewer and Storm Sewer Improvements. Mayor Heinze mentioned they are not prepared tonight to be approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

ORDINANCE – PROVIDING FOR STOP SIGN ON SOUTHBOUND VANBUREN COURT AT THE INTERSECTION OF VANBUREN COURT AND WALNUT STREET, FOR A STOP SIGN AT THE NORTH END OF THE ALLEY AT WALNUT STREET. Second reading, read by title. Motion and second by Aldermen Sarff/Strandberg, the ordinance be placed on its passage. Roll call. AYES – Aldermen Schenck, Sarff, West, Nidiffer, Strandberg, Lewis. NAYS – None. 6 AYES, 0 NAYS, 2 ABSENT. Motion carried. Ordinance being #1912.

ORDINANCE – AMENDING SECTION 6-4-8(A) (DEFINITIONS) AND AMENDING SECTION 6-4-8(D) (LIMIT ON NUMBER OF DOGS) AND AMENDING SECTION 6-4-8(E) (LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF CATS) AND DELETING SECTION 6-4-8(F) (LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF RABBITS) AND AMENDING SECTION 6-4-8(I) (PENALTY). Second reading, read by title. Motion and second by Aldermen Sarff/West the ordinance be sent to Legal & Ordinance Committee. Discussion. Alderman Strandberg said when the ordinance comes for a vote, lets do it right. The motion carried by voice vote, and was unanimous.

NEW BUSINESS:

RESOLUTION – JUNIOR WOMAN’S CLUB HOLDING A SANTA PARADE FOR NOVEMBER 24TH. First reading, read by title. Motion and second by Aldermen Sarff/West, the resolution be adopted. Roll call. AYES – Aldermen Lewis, Strandberg, Nidiffer, West, Sarff, Schenck. NAYS – None. 6 AYES, 0 NAYS, 2 ABSENT. Motion carried. Resolution being #3830.

RESOLUTION – APPROVING WORK ORDER #3 FOR CONTINUED BROWNFIELDS PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION SERVICES BETWEEN VANDEWALLE & ASSOCIATES AND THE CITY OF CANTON. First reading, read by title. Motion and second by Aldermen Nidiffer/Lewis, the resolution be adopted. Discussion. Alderman Sarff asked if the amendment was made? City Attorney Chrissie Peterson said it was and all Aldermen have the copy. (The amendment was, to be no double billing.) Roll call. AYES – Aldermen Schenck, Sarff, West, Nidiffer, Strandberg, Lewis. NAYS – None. 6 AYES, 0 NAYS, 2 ABSENT. Motion carried. Resolution being #3831.

RESOLUTION – APPROVING A PRE-ANENXATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF CANTON AND HOWARD AND ALICE MCADAMS. First reading, read by title. Motion and second by Aldermen West/Nidiffer, the resolution be adopted. Roll call. AYES – Aldermen Lewis, Strandberg, Nidiffer, West, Sarff, Schenck. NAYS – None. 6 AYES, 0 NAYS, 2 ABSENT. Resolution being #3832.

Adjournment. Motion and second by Aldermen Strandberg/Sarff, to adjourn. The motion carried by voice vote, and was unanimous.

The regular scheduled council meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

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Nancy Whites, City Clerk

APPROVED:

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Rodney W. Heinze, Mayor