Dr. Renato Rivera Breese Mayor Kevin Timmermann remembered Dr. Renato Rivera during the Breese City Council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Rivera passed away on Sunday, Oct. 4.
Timmermann said Rivera gave back a lot to the community. He had a lot of mission trips to the Philippines and he brought crews of doctors with him to work on people in the Philippines who were in desperate need.
"You don't find people like that very often," Timmermann said. "I thank him and his family for everything they have done for Clinton County and beyond."
Timmermann also recognized Brian Gonzalez on his retirement. He worked for the city for 24 years.
During the finance portion of the meeting, the council approved an ordinance authorizing and providing for the issuance of not to exceed $17,000,000 aggregate principal amount general obligation bonds in one or more series for the levy of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on the bonds.
During the public works portion of the meeting, the council approved an ordinance authorizing the disposal of surplus property. Sealed bids for the surplus property must be turned into City Hall by 4 p.m. Oct. 23, and bid opening will be Oct. 26 at City Hall.
During the public safety portion of the meeting, the council approved an ordinance amending the Breese code of ordinances to update peddler license fees. Breese Police Chief Mark Berndsen said people who come to Breese have to have a peddler's license. If a peddler calls someone on the phone and makes an appointment with them, the police department can't enforce the law. If a peddler comes to your door, the police department can enforce the law.
Audience member Alan Huelsmann asked how someone deters the phone calls. Berndsen said to not answer the call.
During the recreation portion of the meeting, Jason Davinroy thanked everyone for supporting the Buddy Walk and the Breese Fall Fest.
"It's just awesome to see how this community comes together for everyone," Davinroy said.
The final town hall meeting for the Breese Nature Amphitheater will be at the end of October.
During the public buildings portion of the meeting, it was announced that the Breese Public Library would be having a Medicare information series for seniors from 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14. The Lions Club is having a Halloween event at the library on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon.
The council approved an ordinance establishing a definition for short-term rentals and allowing them as a special use in R-1, R-2, C-1 and C-2 districts and amending the hotel/motel tax code to include short term rentals during the zoning portion of the meeting.
The council approved to rescind the vote of the zoning board of an amendment to the City of Breese zoning code 40-8-16 regarding billboards and electronic messaging signage in a C-2 commercial highway district. The zoning board will relook at the amendment at a future date.
The leaf dump will be open Oct. 24 through Dec. 12 on Wednesdays and Sundays from noon-4 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Huelsmann talked during public comment about the proposed new fire department building and other topics.
Breese is looking at building a second firehouse.
The parcel of land is located on North 12th Street by Joe's Pizza and Pasta. It was rezoned from residential to commercial.
Huelsmann said it is difficult to turn left onto the street where the proposed new firehouse would be built. He asked if they were going to put a stop light or a roundabout in that area. Huelsmann said the other roundabout in town has caused problems.
"I just don't understand why we need another fire building when we already have a wonderful one already," Huelsmann said.
Huelsmann asked Berndsen if a Commercial Driver's License is required to drive a fire truck. Berndsen said he didn't know because he's not a fireman.
Huelsmann informed Berndsen when his officers are driving around town and they have their hitch on, that is illegal in Illinois. Berndsen said it wasn't. Huelsmann asked if there was an attorney at the meeting to clarify that policy. He was told he needed to direct his comments to the council and the mayor.
Huelsmann said times are tough and bills and fuel costs will be going up. He said most of the police vehicles are running 10 hours a day which is why they need oil changes constantly and why they wear out. Huelsmann asked Berndsen to direct his department to turn the cars off when they are not on patrol. A member of the audience said turning the vehicle off would turn off all the computer systems in the vehicles.
"You can boot those up just like anything else, it will boot up in a second, so don't give me that crap," Huelsmann said.
The next city council meeting is 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Breese City Hall.
