Peoria Standard

City of Lewistown City Council met Sept. 25.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The Lewistown City Council met in regular session in the council chambers. Mayor Elmer Littlefield called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Aldermen Sally Clark, Trevor Kelley, John Foxall, Sheldon Burget, and Mayor Elmer Littlefield. Also present: Wendy Martin from the Fulton Democrat, Larry Eskridge from Canton Daily Ledger, City Administrator Amanda Woodruff, City Clerk Cindy Goddard, Public Works Director Gary Shawgo, and City Engineer Keith Plavec, Kim Pascal, Jennifer Hebb, Karen King, Jan Brown and Dennis Monn Jr. ABSENT: Alderman Weese and Alderman Spotloe.

DECLARATION OF QUORUM by Mayor Elmer Littlefield

CLERKS REPORT/MINUTES: Cindy Goddard.

Alderman Kelley made a motion to approve the minutes of September 11, 2018, second by Alderman Clark roll call vote, the motion carried all ayes.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Debbie Brown. Absent, no treasurer’s report.

BILLS:

Alderman Burget made a motion to approve all bills properly endorsed; Seconded by Alderman Foxall, roll call vote, the motion carried with all ayes.

PUBLIC COMMENTS AND PETITIONS: None

ATTORNEY’S REPORT: Attorney Nathan Collins. Absent.

ENGINEER’S REPORT: Keith Plavec. Engineer present. Two issues – 1. In the Well field there are a couple of wells not pumping at all. In #9 it was a line down, it is up and running now and #10 (installed in 1971), it is not pumping any water at this time. #10 is caked shut with iron and debris. Can put a new screen in it if doesn’t work. #13 (installed in 1990) is another one with issues; they believe there is a hole in casing. There are seven wells at this time. Every 3 years they need cleaned; this will help extend the life. Keith is not sure at this time the total for repairs. The peak times are spring and fall. 2. Have been talking to Mike Stoddard of the well drilling company. The streets of Adams and Washington Streets, (by the Courthouse) repairs are getting fixed. Also there is another area that has issues. The city can apply for Construction grants up to $600,000.00. Total bill so $51,000.00 for manhole repairs by the Courthouse with backup pump. Television Company is presently cleaning out and televising the sewer lines. 3. Western Area Schools putting packet together with maps for sidewalks. Ave E to Maple for sidewalk grants. For 2019 can apply for up to $200,000.00 paying 100%, still have to pay for construction. Some of these sidewalks were on the list so this would help the city. IDOT will do the ramps. 4. Keith is going to go over the sewer rates and maybe figure out some projects that need done. GIS is used for mapping, and is used for specifying where sewer backups are.

The Mayor said there still needs something put in to keep the debris from the jail. This is something the county should pay for.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Finance – Alderman Clark: Nothing to report. Sewer – Alderman Burget: Nothing to report.

Street & Alley – Alderman Foxall – parking on West Euclid – 4 way stop, kid’s school buses, and too many cars parked there. Chief Werland said they could do no parking on one side of the street.

Police/ESDA – Alderman Spotloe: Absent

Water – Alderman Weese: Resignation of Alderman Roger D. Weese from Ward 2, because of health issues effective immediately. Mayor wants to appoint Jennifer Herb; also she is going to run for Alderman of Ward 2. A back ground check needs to be done on Jennifer Hebb before next meeting. Will be on next agenda to approve or disapprove appointing her as Alderman for Ward 2.

Utilities/Publications – Alderman Kelley: Nothing to report.

Buildings and Grounds – Alderman Kelley: Nothing to report. Burget said the dump is getting full. Does not want commercial dumping over the weekend. Homeowners are supposed to let the city know when a tree is going to be cut down by a commercial company so they can dump there.

Tourism – Mayor Littlefield: Scarecrow contest. Scarecrows will be along Main Street. Piece Keeper Ride over the weekend gave the city some business, restaurants and gas stations were busy.

OLD BUSINESS:

NEW BUSINESS:

A. Dennis Monn Jr. Address Council about the Walker House – A Proposal of

Marionette Installation (Eve from New Orleans did an Installation in France) Want to place these 5 foot box stages in the house that the marionettes are in that tell a story. They are run on a washing machine motor. Dennis presented a 5 year time line of developing the puppets and then the middle room would have a revolving art show featuring local artists. Free museum open to the public, with no cost to the town. A Bed and Breakfast up stairs with a kitchen in the back and a gift shop. In a contract written up by the attorney, it would always be a free museum to the public. Mayor said that the results would have be obvious each year. He has applied for grants, has received over $100,000 in grants in previous years. Has many ideas on funding, and will provide jobs when completed at the end of five years. Dennis presented some pictures. Table at this time for the council to think about it.

B. Discuss/Approve TIF Façade Grant Ordinance for Black Maple Coffee - Motion by Alderman Burget to approve the TIF Façade Grant in the amount of $5,000.00, second by Alderman Kelley, roll call vote, motion carried all ayes.

C. Discuss/Approve Trick-or-Treating Hours, October 31st 5:00-8:00 p.m. – Motion by Alderman Burget, second by Alderman Clark to approve Trick-or-Treating from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on October 31, 2018, roll call vote, motion carried all ayes.

D. Discuss/Approve Tree Cutting Bid – There has been many compliments on cutting the trees down, four trees need cut down at this time because of being put on notice, S & S lowest bid of $2,800.00 and Big Jim’s Tree Service was $3,250.00, motion by Alderman Clark to approve the bid from S&S in the amount of $2,800, second by Alderman Burget, roll call vote, motion carried.

E. Discuss/Approve Pre-Annexation and Water Tap fro Mike Hitchcock – Mike and Carolyn Hitchcock – The Hitchcock’s are building a small building outside city limits for the Front Porch Soaps Company. No objections at this time. Motion made by Alderman Kelley for water tap to Mike and Carolyn Hitchcock, second by Alderman Burget, roll call vote, motion carried all ayes.

F. Closed Session, approve July 10, 2018 Minutes - did not go into closed session

ADJOURNMENT:

Alderman Burget made a motion to adjourn at 7:53 p.m.; Seconded by Alderman Clark motion carried all ayes.

http://lewistownillinois.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/September-25-2018-City-Council-Minutes.pdf