Peoria Standard

City of El Paso City Council met Nov. 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

A Regular Meeting of the El Paso City Council was called to order by Mayor Price on November 6, 2023 at 7:00 PM.

Council Members Present: Kilpatrick, Mool, Moore, Brucker and Howard. Zoom: Ragusa Absent: None. Late: Mool at 7:06 PM. It was reported the meeting is being recorded.

Present in Person: Director of Public Services Barry Kauther, Administrative Assistant, Sandee Kessinger, Clerk David Fever, Attorney Stoller, and Treasurer Linda Haas. Also present: Julie and Dylan Hager, Jennie Kearney and Kim Kearney as the local press.

Also present by Zoom Application: Public Works Director Casey Jones, Recreation Supervisor Colton Scoot and City Engineer Justin Recuse. Other name on zoom software were Don and Karen.

Mr. Melick's Civics Class Members: Also in attendance were members of Mr. Melick's EPG High School Civics Class. Including Abigail Drake, Blake Ramsey, Kiersten Wheatley, Jack Harlan. Shane Holderby, Abram Steiner, Tyler Beck, Brayden Evelsizer, Caroline Quam, Lana Roberts, Zeke Gaddy, Addison Baker, Nathanel Hiles and Chad Holliday. Dave Steiner and Dale Hiles were attending.

Pledge of allegiance to the flag was recited.

Approval of Agenda: Motion by Brucker, seconded by Mool to approve the agenda as presented. Voice vote taken of all ayes.

Consent Agenda.

Council Minutes: The minutes of the October 16, 2023 City Council Meeting were presented in written form.

Register of Bills: The Register of Bills in the amount of $ 155,573.94 as of November 6th was presented.

Approval of Consent Agenda: Motion by Brucker, seconded by Moore to approve items on consent agenda. Voice call vote taken of all ayes.

Public Comments: None.

Old Business: None.

New Business:

Annual Financial Report: Motion by Brucker, seconded by Kilpatrick to approve the recommendation of the Audit Committee and accept the Audit for year ending April 30, 2023 as prepared by Phillips & Associates CPA, PC. Roll call vote taken of all ayes.

School Resource Officer: Motion by Moore, seconded by Mool to approve proposed contract between the City and El Paso Gridley School District #11 concerning a School Resource Officer. Approval of this is subject to approval by School Board later this month. Roll call vote taken of ayes.

South Water Tower: Four bids for painting and repairs to South Water Tower were received. Motion by Moore, seconded by Mool to approve Tecorp, Inc. from Joliet with a low base bid of $518,000. Roll call vote taken of all ayes.

Director of Public Service: Report was presented in written form.

Mayor's Report: The Mayor thanked the Students from EPG attending meeting. He also spoke about what it means to be involved in local Government and told of several city services available to all Citizens.

City Council Comments: Alderman Moore spoke of Autumn Jones of Darin LaHood's office being at City Hall a couple weeks ago and her suggestions concerning applications for Grants.

Police Chief Report: Not present.

Parks and Recreation Department: Colton was absent and unavailable.

Attorney Stoller had nothing to report.

Executive Session: Motion by Kilpatrick, seconded by Howard, to adjourn into an executive session to discuss the purchase of lease of real property for the public body under 5 ILCS 120/2 Exception 5 and also to discuss the appointment, employment, and compensation of employees under 5 ILCS 120/2 Exception C5. Staff members to be present are: Barry Kauther, Sandee Kessinger and Clerk Fever. The executive session is anticipated to last 30 minutes and will begin at 8:10 PM and will resume in open session at 8:40 PM, at which time the City Council may move to continue in executive session if additional discussion is warranted. No action is anticipated following the executive session. Voice vote taken of all ayes

Open session was called back to order at 9:04 PM and no action will be taken.

Motion by Mool seconded by Brucker to adjourn. Voice vote taken of all ayes. Meeting adjourned at 9:05 PM.

https://www.elpasoil.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11062023-264