Council approves engineering supplement, personnel step and appointment; tables term‑limits ordinance and refers chicken ordinance to committee

The Washington City Council on Feb. 3 approved several routine actions, considered a second‑reading ordinance and scheduled additional committee review on a proposed animal‑keeping rule.

Engineering supplement: The council approved a supplement to the engineering agreement with Tera Engineering to perform a PISA revalidation for $1,546. City Administrator Dennis Carr said the supplement is needed because earlier environmental/plan work timed out during project sequencing; the work will allow the previously awarded Safe Routes to School/Grant Street work to proceed. The motion to approve was seconded and passed on a roll‑call vote with Adams, Blundy (remote), Butler, Martin, McIntyre and Stevens recorded in favor.

Personnel pay‑step: Council approved a resolution advancing part‑time employee Randy Schwager one step in the pay plan. The council voted by roll call in favor of the pay‑step advancement.

Fire board appointment: The mayor presented a nomination to the fire board, naming Cliff Otto as a candidate. After discussion about how appointment information had been distributed to alderpersons, the council voted to appoint Cliff Otto to the fire board; several council members commented that Otto appears qualified based on provided materials.

Term‑limits ordinance tabled: A second reading of an ordinance to impose term limits on alderpersons and the mayor appeared on the agenda. Alderman Martin moved to table the ordinance until the third meeting next month (or the first business meeting after that), citing a desire for broader discussion and for placing the matter on the ballot for voters to decide. The motion to table passed on roll call.

Chicken ordinance referral: Alderman Martin asked the council to consider a local chicken/poultry ordinance (discussing permits for hens, limits on roosters and lot‑size flexibility). The council voted to place the matter on a Committee of the Whole agenda for additional study.

Executive session: The council voted unanimously to enter executive session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6) to discuss pricing for the sale or lease of public property. The mayor stated there would be no action coming out of the executive session and the meeting adjourned thereafter.

Votes and motions (recorded in meeting): - Motion to approve the engineering agreement supplement with Tera Engineering ($1,546): recorded yes votes — Adams, Blundy (remote), Butler, Martin, McIntyre, Stevens; outcome: approved. - Motion to approve pay plan step advancement for Randy Schwager: recorded yes votes — Adams, Blundy (remote), Butler, Martin, McIntyre, Stevens; outcome: approved. - Motion to appoint Cliff Otto to the fire board: recorded yes votes — Adams, Blundy (remote), Butler, Martin, McIntyre, Stevens; outcome: approved. - Motion to table the term‑limits ordinance until the third meeting next month: recorded yes votes — Adams, Blundy (remote), Butler, Martin, McIntyre, Stevens; outcome: approved. - Motion to move into executive session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6): recorded yes votes — Adams, Blundy (remote), Butler, Martin, McIntyre, Stevens; outcome: approved.

Why it matters: The engineering supplement preserves grant‑funded project timelines and keeps sidewalk and Safe Routes to School segments moving; the appointment and personnel action are routine governance matters. The council’s decision to table the term‑limits ordinance postpones a potential change to elected‑office rules and signals council interest in seeking more public input and ballot placement options. The chicken‑ordinance referral is a policy initiation that could affect small‑scale livestock keeping in the city.

Next steps: Staff will proceed with the PISA revalidation work under the Tera Engineering supplement. The term‑limits ordinance will return after the third meeting next month unless otherwise scheduled. The chicken ordinance will be discussed at a Committee of the Whole meeting to develop potential permit or lot‑size rules.