Potential for Dog Park in Mt. Carroll

Rachel Smith For The Prairie Advocate News

The bell was rung to start the January 26th meeting. After the roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance, the invocation was given and the city council unanimously approved the regular meeting minutes of the January 12th, 2010 meeting, as well as the Accounts payable. In attendance: Mayor Carl Bates and Aldermen John Boelkens, Nina Cooper, Doug Bergren, Bill Sparboe, and Doris Bork.

After Mayor Bates commented that the reason that the beginning balance changed from 777,364.54 to an ending balance $573,079.86 was due to the first payment on the water and tower project of $222,053.04, the financial reports were then approved.

The Historic Preservation Advisory Committee (HPAC) met on January 20th. Mr. Bergren shared that the façade guidelines are still being worked on, and the Teardown/Rebuild Ordinance for downtown Mt. Carroll will need to be rewritten. Mr. Bergren also reported that the city previously received material from the International Building Codes Council. At this time, the council has not voted on whether to adapt these as the Building Maintenance Ordinance for the downtown area.

The HPAC also decided that historical signage for the downtown buildings should be similar to that found throughout the district. However, it was decided that affected business owners should be contacted and asked what they think about this idea and also to collect information needed for the sign.

Currently, the Brick Street Workshop for 2010 has been canceled due to lack of an instructor. Mr. Bergren is asking that anyone who knows of an individual who is knowledgeable about brick streets to contact him.

In new business, Mr. Bergren announced that a new President, Vice-President, and Secretary had been elected, but they will need a few more individuals on the Committee. Also, the potential for individual recognition of the Bud Seitner House on the National Register was discussed. Information about the house will need to be researched with the help of the owner. Finally, it was suggested that HPAC tour a couple of historic homes every year.

Mayor Bates then reported on topics discussed during the meeting of the Revolving Loan Fund Board. During the meeting, there was a review of the Kraft Building Project and an application from the Mt. Carroll Community Development Corporation for a loan of $16,000 from the City Revolving Loan Fund to purchase windows for the second floor of the Kraft building. It was noted that there will be a cost savings of $2,548.29 if the windows are ordered at this time, rather than later on. Payment would be annual and from the Special Tax Allocation Fund (TIF) for a fifteen year period. $1,253 will need to be added annually to cover payment for this portion. It was then motioned and approved that the application for $16,000 be approved and that the clerk be authorized to issue a purchase order for the windows.

Aldermen Boelkens then reported about the Finance Committee. Roger Schamberger, a representative for Barbach Aquatics, Inc., Architects and Engineers of Platteville, WI, addressed the committee concerning a proposal to evaluate compliance issues in regard to needed drain changes and health and safety issues. Cost for the evaluation would total $4,500 plus reimbursables and the cost to develop a new construction or renovation plan would cost $2,900 plus reimbursables. At that time, Mayor Bates said plans would be provided to Maintenance Superintendent Handel for review.

It was then moved and approved to transfer $77,000 from the enterprise water fund to the debt service fund and a movement to transfer $5,000 from the water fund to the sewer fund. Finally, it was moved to approve the payment of up to $400 for a band at the Good Samaritan Center’s 40th Anniversary Celebration on August 28th, 2010.

An update on the Kraft Building Project was given, including the pouring of cement for the foundation and the purchase of new windows.

Mr. Bergren then spoke about the People for Progress meeting. Mr. Bergren explained the difference between the newly adopted community theme, “Brick Streets & Country Charm”, and the community brand, “Brick Streets.” The idea being that “Brick Streets” would be used when advertising local events, such as “Brick Streets Cruise Night” so that Mt. Carroll will become known for and is associated with its brick streets.

Sharon Pepin then gave an update concerning an EPA loan request and a commercial street grant application.

It was then motioned and approved that Mt. Carroll adopts the brand “Brick Streets” for Mt. Carroll, IL to be used in all marketing and promotions.

Next, a representative from Winkel, Parker, and Foster spoke about the 2009 Annual Audit Report. The representative noted that there were no instances of non-compliance, but there are three areas that she wanted to bring to the councils attentions. She also noted that these are the same issues addressed the previous year mostly pertaining to the smallness of Mt. Carroll’s administration. The firm suggested that the city needs to implement a comprehensive review procedure to insure that internal errors or potential omissions are identified and corrected and year-end adjustments are complete and accurate. The firm also noted that a higher degree of segregation of duties would be more ideal and suggested that management can compensate by closely supervising accounting information. It was then motioned and approved to accept the audit as presented.

It was then motioned and approved that City Clerk Cuckler be designated as the Freedom of Information Act Officer.

Dog Park and Cat Traps

In other business, Cindy Mierzwa spoke to the council about the possibility of having a dog park in Mt. Carroll. Ms. Mierzwa noted that there are over 8,000 dogs registered in Carroll County and potentially another 1,000 unregistered dogs, approximately 800 of which are in Mt. Carroll. Mayor Bates then interjected that this has been a topic of conversation to the council before and that one area for locating a dog park might be south of the “burning grounds” located right of the Galena bridge. Mayor Bates then noted that they would need to find out requirements and then see if there is potential funding available. Ms. Mierzwa stated that the dog park would require about two acres and liability would be minimal. Mayor Gates said the council would look into what the acreage of the burning grounds is and asked Ms. Mierzwa to report back when she has financial information regarding the costs.

Margie Knirlberger then asked what is needed to move the city council towards a cat control ordinance. Ms. Cooper then reported that she had spoken with one of Mr. Schroeder’s assistants about the possibility of trap and release. Ms. Mierzwa then commented that she had done some research and found out that “moving the cats to another area will make you have two colonies of feral cats.” It was then suggested that the cat problem is a result of individuals who are allowing their cats to breed and not approaching an organization to get help. Margie then said that Lanark’s ordnance works well for them and she would like to see something similar adapted for Mt. Carroll. Council members said they would like to look at the information she has collected and would report back.

In correspondence, Richard (Rick) Cass II submitted his resignation letter from the Mt. Carroll Police department. Also submitting his resignation was Chief of Police Delbert A. Hockman. Mr. Hockman received a standing ovation from attendees. Mayor Bates said he would like to meet with Mr. Hockman to make plans for his replacement. The council also received an acknowledgement from Congressman Manzullo of having received a letter from the Mt. Carroll City Council in support of the Thomson facility as a federal penitentiary.

After briefly discussing the issuance of a reminder about shoveling walks, the meeting was then adjourned. The next city council meeting will be held on January 12th at 7:30 p.m.

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