Peoria Standard

 City of Chillicothe City Council met Oct. 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Chillicothe, Peoria County, Illinois, met in Regular Session in person October 14, 2024 at 7:00 P.M with Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Jenkins presiding and with proper notice having been posted.

Clerk Byrnes announced Mayor Michael D. Hughes will be absent from tonight's meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Jenkins will be presiding. Alderperson Gehrig will also be absent from tonight's meeting.

Mayor Pro Tem Jenkins called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.

The Pledge of Allegiance, to the Flag of the United States of America, was recited.

Acting Chairman Jenkins directed Clerk Byrnes to take roll.

Physically Present: Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Jenkins

Treasurer B.L. Bredeman

City Clerk Jill M. Byrnes

Absent: Mayor Michael D. Hughes

Alderpersons Present: Barry Bredeman, Patricia Westerman-Connor, Jeff Jenkins, Gary Sharp, Donald White, Timothy White

Alderpersons Absent: Courtney Gehrig

Also Physically Present:

City Attorney Kevin Day

Police Chief Jeremy Cooper

City Engineer Dave Horton

Officer Manager Denise Passage

Amanda Beadles, Economic Development Director

Shawn Sutherland, Superintendent of Public Works

Others Absent: Attorney William Streeter

Acting Chairman Jenkins declared a Quorum present.

The Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held on September 23, 2024 were presented. Motion Alderperson D. White, second Alderperson T. White, that the Council dispense with the reading of the Minutes of the September 23, 2024 Regular Council Meeting and approve the Minutes as presented.

Motion Carried Via Voce vote.

PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS BY THE CLERK:

Clerk Byrnes presented the following Committee and Commission Minutes:

1. Police Commission - 8/20/2024

2. Cemetery & Parks Committee - 9/17/2024

3. Shademakers-9/17/2024

4. Judicial Committee - 9/25/2024

5. Joint EDC & Finance Committee - 10/1/2024

6. Marketing & Tourism Commission - 10/7/2024

7. Public Works Committee - 10/9/2024

Communications by the Clerk:

1. City Collector's Report - 9/2024

2. City Budget Report - 9/2024

3. City Treasurer's Report - 9/30/2024

4. City Engineer Report - 10/9/2024

I am in receipt of an Application from Steve & Scott Turner to Rezone property located on Sunnyside Street behind 615 W. Truitt, from an R-2 to a C-2 Special Use. This application has been forwarded to the Plan Commission and a hearing date has been set for November 5, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.

I am in receipt of a resignation letter from Officer Bryan Green which reads:

To Police Chief Cooper,

Please be advised that I, Bryan Green, am resigning from my position as Police Officer with the City of Chillicothe, Illinois effective as of today, Thursday October 10, 2024. This is a listed agenda item that will be addressed later in the meeting.

Motion Alderperson D. White, second Alderperson T. White, that the petitions and communications as presented by Clerk Byrnes be accepted and placed on file.

Motion Carried Via Voce vote.

PETITIONS AND COMMUNICAITONS FROM THE MAYOR AND ALDERPERSONS:

Alderperson Connor informed the Council that she and Amanda Beadles, Economic Development Director had visited City Park in advance of the Nikolaus Market and commended

Shawn Sutherland, Superintendent of Public Works and his staff for the excellent renovation of the park restrooms. Alderperson Connor also stated a new business, Solez by Threadz, has opened at 1016 N. Second Street, formerly Chillicothe Appliance. Their merchandise will consist of shoes, purses and backpacks. Alderperson T. White informed the Council that the Lions Club recent Candy Sale was a great success. Alderperson T. White also mentioned the upcoming pancake/sausage breakfast at the Masonic Lodge this Sunday October 20, 2024 at 7:00 a.m.

COUNCIL COMMITTEE COMMUNICATION:

None

ANYONE WITH BUSINESS CONCERNING CITY GOVERNMENT:

None

Motion Alderperson D. White, second Alderperson Sharp, that the bills as presented be paid and the payrolls and transfers be approved.

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Jenkins, Sharp, D. White, T. White

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson D. White, second, Alderperson T. White requested that the Judicial Committee agenda items be moved up due to several audience members present.

Motion Carried Via Voce vote.

JUDICIAL COMMITTEE:

Motion Alderperson D. White, second Alderperson Sharp, that the Council approve Ordinance No. 24-10-25, an Ordinance regulating public camping and amending the City Code regarding the hours for public property, public parks and public boat docks.

Discussion: Alderperson D. White and City Attorney Day explained that in the city's best interest and a recent Supreme Court decision allowing municipalities to govern their public spaces for the health and safety of our community the Ordinance was necessary.

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Jenkins, Sharp, D. White, T. White

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson D. White, second Alderperson Sharp, that the Council approve Ordinance No. 24-10-26, an Ordinance regarding water wells.

Discussion: Office Manager Denise Passage gave an explanation that the 9th Well had not been previously identified in the City Code book, therefore the Ordinance was necessary.

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Jenkins, Sharp, D. White, T. White

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson D. White, second Alderperson T. White, that the Council approve Ordinance No. 24-10-27, an Ordinance amending the number of Class "D" liquor licenses. Discussion: Alderperson D. White explained to the Council that Connie Schrock, who was present in the audience had submitted an application for a Class "D" liquor license to open a new business, Northtown Grille, located at 1734 N. Santa Fe Avenue. The number of Class "D" liquor licenses had been closed following the closure of Lucky Dogs. Jamie Schrock addressed the Council stating that she felt adding a dining establishment to the City would potentially increase interest in the City and generate revenue.

Roll Call Vote was:

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Jenkins, Sharp, D. White, T. White

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

MAYOR PRO TEM JENKINS:

Mayor Hughes would like to nominate Patrick Semtner to fill the Third Ward Alderperson vacancy created by Jacob VanBruwaene's resignation. He will place the nomination on the November 11th Council agenda for consideration and approval.

Motion Alderperson Jenkins, second Alderperson D. White, that the Council approve waiving the grave opening fee of $600.00, for retired Officer Charles Britton.

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Jenkins, Sharp, D. White, T. White

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Jenkins, second Alderperson D. White, that the Council accept Officer Bryan Green's resignation, effective October 10, 2024 as read by the City Clerk.

Discussion: Chief Cooper addressed the Council stating that he would not be able to provide any details at this time due to an open investigation by the State Police, he would update the Council at a later date.

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Jenkins, Sharp, D. White, T. White

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

Motion Alderperson Sharp, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the Council approve an expenditure of $1,299.99 payable to Geigers True Value for the purchase of a cutquik saw. Payable from the Road & Bridge Fund and Water/Sewer Fund.

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Jenkins, Sharp, D. White, T. White

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Sharp, second Alderperson T. White, that the Council approve an expenditure of $3,339.00 payable to Pafco for the purchase of strobe lights for Public Works Truck # 29. Payable from the Road & Bridge Fund.

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Jenkins, Sharp, D. White, T. White

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Sharp, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the Council approve the final payment of $29,359.29, payable to Walker Excavating for the Pine Street Water Main Project. Payable as follows:

TIF Business - $ 4,559.17

General - ARPA $24,800.12

Roll Call Vote was:

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Jenkins, Sharp, D. White, T. White

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

FINANCE COMMITTEE:

Motion Alderperson D. White, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the Council approve the 2024 Tax Levy amount of $872,777.44

Note: Tax Levy Ordinance will be presented at a later date.

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Jenkins, Sharp, D. White, T. White

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:

Motion Alderperson Connor, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the Council approve an expenditure of $8,500.00 payable to Engbrecht Concrete for the installation of the footing for the Quonset Hut and approve an expenditure of $4,400.00 payable to Roanoke Concrete for the purchase of blocks. Payable from the General Fund ED Project Event Structures.

Discussion: Amanda Beadles, Economic Development Director informed the Council that the Quonset Hut was a multi-use facility, any remaining space would be used at the Superintendent's discretion.

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Jenkins, Sharp, D. White, T. White

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Alderperson Connor, agenda item #2 - Update - Bike Path Grant

Serena Page of TWM (the Bike Path engineer) facilitated a scope change for the Bike Path that moved $100,000 from property purchase to construction.

When the ITEP Bike Grant was created, $100,000 was allocated for the potential purchase of land. The School and library plan to dedicate the land to the City of Chillicothe so the property purchase funds were freed up for construction.

This request was approved Friday October 11, 2024.

Alderperson Jenkins announced that in-lieu of he being Mayor Pro Tem, Alderperson T. White would be reading the Public Safety Committee agenda items.

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE:

Motion Alderperson T. White, second Alderperson Connor, that the Council approve the Special Event Request, submitted by Chillicothe Chamber of Commerce, for the closing of Second Street from Walnut Street to Chestnut Street, on October 25, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. For the Merchant Trick or Treat.

Alderperson D. White voted present. (President of the Chamber)

Motion Carried Via Voce vote.

Motion Alderperson T. White, second Alderperson D. White, that the Council approve the Special Event Request, submitted by Alicia Vonk, Pearce Community Center, for the closing of Cedar Street from Sixth Street to Santa Fe Ave., on October 25, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. For the annual Halloween Spooktacular Event.

Motion Carried Via Voce vote.

Motion Alderperson T. White, second Alderperson D. White, that the Council approve the Special Event Request, submitted by Andrea Bredeman, IVCHS German Program, for the closing of Second Street from City Park to E. Beach Street, on November 23, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. For the Nikolaus 5K Lauf and Fun Walk 2024.

Alderperson Bredeman abstained.

Motion Carried Via Voce vote.

Motion Alderperson T. White, second Alderperson D. White, that the Council approve an expenditure of $737.00 payable to Josh Jeffries, for CPR/First Aid Training for the Police Department. Payable from Police Protection.

Discussion: Chief Cooper explained to the Council that this training is required every other year and will be done in house.

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Jenkins, Sharp, D. White, T. White

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson T. White, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the Council instruct the City Attorney to draft an Ordinance amending Appendix A-Traffic Schedule of the City Code by adding a three-way stop intersection at Harborway Drive and Bradley Avenue.

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Jenkins, Sharp, D. White, T. White

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson D. White, second Alderperson T. White, to adjourn at 7:28 p.m.

Mayor Pro Tem Jenkins declared the meeting adjourned.

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