City of Lewistown City Council met Aug. 22.
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: Pastor Paul Walmsley
ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Alderperson Sally Clark, Jim Long, Brad Ward, Kendall Miller, and Mayor Doug Lafary. Also present: City Clerk Cindy Goddard, City Treasurer Debby Brown, and Acting Police Chief Jim Tunney.
ABSENT: Alderpersons David Levingston, John Spotloe, and Evinn Palmer.
DECLARATION OF QUORUM by Mayor Doug Lafary
CLERKS REPORT/MINUTES: Cindy Goddard.
Alderperson Miller made a motion to approve the minutes of August 8, 2023, second by Alderperson Long, the motion carried all ayes.
Report- Kid's Day went great but disappointed that more parents didn't bring their kids to it, but the kids that were there had a great time.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Debbie Brown. Nothing at this time.
ATTORNEY'S REPORT: Attorney Nathan Collins. Absent.
ENGINEER'S REPORT: Keith Plavec. No Engineer present.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND PETITIONS: No comments.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance/Insurance/Zoning - Alderperson Clark: Nothing to report.
Sewer - Alderperson Spotloe: Absent
Streets & Allies - Alderperson Levingston: Absent
Police/ESDA-Alderperson Ward: Interview went good with the applicant for police chief and his wife. They walked around town and looked the town over. He had a family emergency and cannot take the position now. He has also quit the job he is at presently because of this emergency. Alderperson Clark is all for police protection 24/7, people want police protection and they are getting scared. They don't even like to sit out on their porch at night now. Chief Tunney said that John Martin from Cuba called him and was interested in helping clean up the Negley property, he started last Friday and worked on it Monday and today (Tuesday). Mayor Lafary is letting him use his truck, tractor and trailer, he has not seen any mice, snakes or rodents while cleaning up the property. Chief Tunney has been working on an agreement with Axon which previous Chief Merrill had signed an agreement with so he has been trying to get out of the agreement and get the equipment back to them. He is getting a credit back from them in the amount of around $5,000.00. It was reported that Negley was still burning today and was told not to burn any more.
Attorney Collins arrived at 6:34 p.m.
Water - Alderperson Miller: A few water leaks around town, they have them fixed.
Utilities/Publications - Alderperson Long: Nothing to report.
Public Buildings & Grounds - Alderperson Long: Working with Joy Corsaw, she is going to make some signs for the city trucks to identify them, also going to make some emblems for the rest of the vehicles.
Tourism - Alderman Miller: Sunday, September 3, is the 200th anniversary celebration at the Fulton County Fair Grounds. Also, VFW will also have 2 bands and BBQ cook off that day.
Tax Increment Financing - Alderperson Spotloe: Absent.
Citizens Committee - Amanda Smith not present. City Clerk said that the City did not get any money for the Housing Redevelopment Grant for rehabilitation. When list was released, it was quite of few towns from Southern Illinois received the money.
Christmas Committee - Kenny Haacke not present.
WORKS DIRECTOR'S REPORT – Evinn Palmer Director – absent.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Discuss/Act Upon Audit FY23 with Andrew Ryon, CPA of Gordon, Stockman and Waugh - Presented the Audit results for FY23. Unmodified opinion from them. Balance sheet total funds available enough for 26/27 months on hand, most towns try for 24 months. Motion by Alderperson Ward to approve the FY 23 Audit, second by Alderperson Clark, roll call vote, motion carried all ayes. Audit is available at city hall to look at.
2. Discuss/Act Upon TIF application for Justin Higgins (5 Plex Remodel) - Justin Higgins said he is planning on sand blasting, tuck point and replacing some of the wood trim with some cedar wood on the outside of the building to make it look good. TIF Committee suggested $7,000.00 at their meeting on August 8. Motion by Alderperson Clark, second by Alderperson Long to approve a $7,000.00 TIF grant to Justin Higgins (5 Plex Remodel), roll call vote, motion carried all ayes.
3. Discuss/Act Upon TIF application for VFW Post 5001 (Exterior Improvements) — They are going to redo the stucco, on the outside of the building, replacing the windows and replacing the fence. They reminded everyone that this is one of the first buildings seen when entering town and want it to look nice. TIF Committee suggested a $35,000.00 grant at the August 8 meeting. Motion by Alderperson Miller to approve a $35,000.00 TIF grant to the VFW Post 5001, second by Alderperson Ward, roll call vote, motion carried all ayes.
4. Discuss/Act Upon hiring a Chief of Police - covered previously in the committee reports, table at this time.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Discuss/Act Upon voting to Start Process to Continue the Illinois TIF Act - The very first thing to do is send a letter out to all our taxing districts to get support from them, list in packet. Motion by Alderperson Miller to send letters to all taxing bodies for support, second by Alderperson Long, all ayes.
2. Discuss/Act Upon approving payment for membership of Western Illinois Regional Council for FY24 - They help us get grants. The renewal fee is $1,224.60 for year. Motion by Alderperson Clark, second by Alderperson Long to approve payment for membership of Western Illinois Regional Council for FY24, roll call vote, motion carried all ayes.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS:
Alderperson Miller 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 7:01 p.m.; Seconded by Alderperson Long motion carried all ayes.
https://lewistownillinois.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Aug-22-2023-City-Council-Min.pdf
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