City of Pekin City Council met Oct. 26.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CALL TO ORDER
Human Resources Director, Sarah Newcomb, confirmed by roll call vote, that all councilmembers were physically present except for Mayor Mark Luft, who was electronically present. Mayor Pro Tem Orrick presided as Chair.
City Clerk Sue McMillan and Deputy City Clerk Nicole Stewart were absent.
| Attendee Name | Organization | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Rick Hilst | City of Pekin | Councilman | Present | 4:44 PM |
| Karen Hohimer | City of Pekin | Councilwoman | Present | 4:42 PM |
| Dave Nutter | City of Pekin | Councilman | Present | 4:43 PM |
| Becky Cloyd | City of Pekin | Councilwoman | Present | 4:43 PM |
| Lloyd Orrick | City of Pekin | Mayor Pro-Tem | Present | 4:42 PM |
| John P Abel | City of Pekin | Councilman | Present | 4:42 PM |
| Mark Luft | City of Pekin | Mayor | Remote | 4:43 PM |
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: John P Abel, Councilman SECONDER: Karen Hohimer, Councilwoman AYES: Hilst, Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft |
No public input was given.
NEW BUSINESS
5.1. Ordinance No. 3030-21/22 Authorization to Purchase Property for Right of Way
City Manager, Mr. Mark Rothert, explained that recently the City participated in an online auction for Gamblewood Farm toward the Northeast border of the City of Pekin on the proposed pathway for the Veterans Drive project that included 160 acres. The property was discussed in previous executive sessions and Council concurred that the City Manager was provided a spending authority and as a result, the City entered the online auction and was successful in the high bid to Elizabeth L Gamble Trust. The property included about 120 acres of farmland and about 40 acres in timber. The City was the final bidder in the online auction, with a final bid of $1,475,680.
It was stated that the land purchase would be financed through a local bank through a promissory note at a rate of 2.55%. Mr. Rothert additionally stated that there would be some closing fees including the contingencies for the farmland that were noted in the auction rules.
Councilmember Nutter asked the term and Mr. Beckham stated the note was for 16 years.
Councilmember Hohimer asked if the City would continue to allow the property to be farmed. Mr. Rothert stated that the City would most likely continue farming and would most likely have to do an RFP for farming the property.
Councilmember Orrick asked about the potential sale of some of the property and the potential to move the road to one side or the other. Mr. Rothert stated that the City would have to confer with IDOT and some of the other stakeholders as well to determine what it would entail to change any of the engineering plans.
Public Works Director, Mr. Justin Reeise agreed that it would take at least 6 months to 1 year to determine any changes to engineering plans.
Councilmember Nutter asked about the closing date. City Attorney, Ms. Kate Swise noted that the contract stated that the Contract says by December 1.
Mayor Luft added that this was the pursuit of a vision that came from Council, legislators, and agencies that came before us and that we would be pursuing grants and funding to move forward. The people coming after us that the future administration and leaders will continue to complete this road.
Councilmember Abel asked if it would be easier if we owned the land as it would make it easier to get funding. Mr. Rothert stated that owning the land and having the engineering would make it a “shovel ready” project for grant procurement.
Councilmember Orrick stated that pursuing the property to the North, so we could connect 98 to I-474, would be beneficial to the City. The more we get done, the more emphasis there would be to complete all sections. Mayor Luft asked the percentage done, Rothert said it was 63% complete at this point.
| RESULT: ADOPTED [6 TO 1]
MOVER: Dave Nutter, Councilman SECONDER: Karen Hohimer, Councilwoman AYES: Hohimer, Nutter, Cloyd, Orrick, Abel, Luft NAYS: Rick Hilst |
There being no further business coming to Council, a motion was made by Councilmember Hohimer, seconded by Councilmember Cloyd to adjourn. Motion carried viva voce. Mayor Pro-tem Orrick adjourned the meeting at 5:15 PM.
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