Peoria Standard

City of Lewistown City Council met June 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

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

Invocation: Mayor Lafary

ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Alderperson Sally Clark, Jim Long, Brad Ward, Kendall Miller, Kim Pascal, John Spotloe and Mayor Doug Lafary. Also present: City Clerk Cindy Goddard, and City Attorney Nathan Collins. ABSENT: City Treasurer Debbie Brown,

DECLARATION OF QUORUM by Mayor Doug Lafary

CLERKS REPORT/MINUTES: Cindy Goddard. Alderperson Miller made a motion to approve the minutes of June 14, 2022, second by Alderperson Clark, roll call vote, the motion carried all ayes.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Debbie Brown. Absent, not report.

ATTORNEY'S REPORT: Attorney Nathan Collins. Discussion regarding 627 North Main, former Henderson Property. A few months ago, tried to contact the North Indiana Investments LLC have been trying to correspond with the group that bought the taxes. Sent them a quit claim deed for the property to the city. The Mayor and Attorney Collins has put out an effort, tried phone numbers, googled them and sent notices, no success. Now going to Petition the court to condemn unsafe and dangerous and demolish the property, then can put a lien on the property at that point. Mayor want to proceed and demolish. Alderman Miller asked if this could be an example of what the city will do for other properties. We will never make the money back. The city could by responsible if someone gets hurt on some of these unsafe properties. Another one is the Howard property; the neighbors are mowing it. We are spending our tax payer's money to tear these properties down, not fair, money should go to streets not other people's property. Mayor suggested renting a track hoe to tear down these properties. For example, a two story house it cost around $12,000.00 to tear down and clean up. Will need to budget for the expenses said Attorney Collins. Previously the court did not let the city tear down the Ramsey house, they said it was not causing a hazard to the citizens, just the trailer was torn down. Possibly get grants to demolish these condemned, unsafe properties. Properties all over town were discussed. Attorney Collins made a list of houses that we could consider tearing down.

ENGINEER'S REPORT: Keith Plavec. No Engineer present.

PUBLIC COMMENTS AND PETITIONS: None

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Finance/Insurance/Zoning - Alderperson Clark: Nothing to report.

Sewer – Alderperson Spotloe: Nothing to report.

Streets & Allies – Alderperson Miller: Nothing to report. Alderwoman Clark wanted to know when going to finish fire hydrants. Nathan Collins said as soon as generator is back up and running, they will be getting them done. Also, one of them has left for military so has hired another person to help.

Police/ESDA - Alderperson Ward: Nothing to report. Discuss in unfinished business.

Water - Alderperson Miller: Nothing right now.

Utilities/Publications - Alderperson Long: Nothing to report.

Public Buildings & Grounds – Alderperson Long: All public works are busy with weeds, grass and mowing. Someone mentioned that the caboose needs painted at the old Narrow-Gauge Depot.

Tourism – Alderman Pascal: Fourth of July Fireworks is on the 3rd at the Fulton County Fair Grounds along with a band and crowning of Mr. Firecracker and Miss Sparkler. Music in the Park this week has a big-time band providing the music, along with the fish fry. On the actual Fourth of July the bike parade from Ross Mansion Park to the Athletic Field. Suzy Fuller still needs a few items donated.

Tax Increment Financing - Alderperson Spotloe: Nothing at this time.

Citizens Committee – Amanda Smith still working on the funding from Cheri Bustos, and working with Bruce Weirauch on a grant for the Mural of Honor Roll of Veterans. Jack Ford is interested in painting it. Thinking now it will be put on the wall that use to be the US Cellular Building and doing some landscaping in front of it along the parking lot of The National Bank.

Christmas Committee - Kenny Haacke not present.

WORKS DIRECTOR'S REPORT – Evinn Palmer Director not present.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

1. Discuss/Approve Broken Water Meters – A few Water meters have frozen and the home owners have paid for them. Motion by Alderman Miller to reimburse as a credit on the water bill, second by Alderman Long, roll call vote motion carried all ayes.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Discuss/Approve Police Employment – Mayor Lafary wants to appoint Frank Merrill as Chief of Police, thinking that Chief Werland's last day to patrol is July 8, 2022. At this time lives in Peoria Heights and cares for his mother as soon as she is better, he will move here permanently. Will allow him extra time to get moved to Lewistown because of the situation. Merrill made the comment he really likes this small town. Alderman Spotloe accepted the appointment of Frank Merrill as Chief of Police, second by Alderwoman Clark, pay will be in the amount of $25.51 an hour, will also get paid for his drive time when called out other than regular shift, roll call vote motion carried all ayes.

PRESENTATION OF BILLS: Alderperson Ward made a motion to approve all bills properly endorsed; Seconded by Alderperson Clark roll call vote, the motion carried with all ayes.

CLOSED SESSION: No closed session

ADJOURNMENT: Alderperson Miller made a motion to adjourn at 7:25p.m.; Seconded by Alderperson Ward motion carried all ayes.

http://lewistownillinois.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/June-28-2022-council-min_07132022080149.pdf