Peoria Standard

City of El Paso City Council met March 17.

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 March 17, 2025, at 7:00 PM.

Council Members Present: Brucker, Howard, Kilpatrick, Ragusa, Moore and Mool. Absent: None. Present in Person: Director of Public Services Barry Kauther, Administrative Assistant Sandee Kessinger, Treasurer Linda Haas, Police Chief Joe Montemurro, Public Works Supervisor Casey Jones, Recreation Director Colton Scott and Clerk David Fever. Also present: Autum Jones, Kelly Mool, Spencer & Tristyn Mool, Lisa & Summer Price, Karen Wilkey, Lisa Hocker, Teresa Gauger, Clint Barker and Jennie Kearney as the local press.

Also present by Zoom Application: Per Zoom software online was iPhone and Don.

Pledge of allegiance to the flag was recited.

Approval of Agenda: Motion by Brucker seconded by Howard to approve the agenda as presented. Voice vote taken of all ages.

Consent Agenda.

Council Minutes: The minutes of March 3, 2025, the City Council Meeting were presented in written form.

Water & Sewer Committee: The minutes of March 3, 2025, the Water and Sewer Committee Meeting were presented in written form.

Register of Bills: The Register of Bills in the amount of $ 107,002.16 as of March 17th was presented.

Treasurer's Report: The Treasurer's report for the month ending February 28, 2025, showing investments, revenue and expenses was presented in written form.

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:

Woodford County Agriculture: Autum Jones of the Woodford County Farm Bureau was presented and requested the Council's Support of local agriculture. Motion by Mool, seconded by Moore to approve Resolution 2025-3, a resolution in support of Woodford County Agricultural. Voice vote taken of all ayes.

Ordinance 1085 Gaming: Motion by Brucker, seconded by Howard to pass Proposed Ordinance #1085, an ordinance updating Chapter 185 Games of Chance to limit the number of terminals to five at any location. Roll call vote taken of all ayes.

Ordinance 1086 Zoning: Motion by Moore, seconded by Brucker to pass Proposed Ordinance #1085, an ordinance updating Chapter 315 to allow the majority of the zoning board to pass an item. Voice vote taken of all ayes.

Kirby Foods: Motion by Mool, seconded by Howard to approve renewal of liquor licenses for Kirby Foods DBA Kirby Foods #379 for classes E & G. Voice vote taken of all ayes.

El Paso Antique Mall: Motion by Mool seconded by Ragusa to approve renewal of liquor licenses for El Paso Antique Mall LLC for classes B, H & I. Voice vote taken of all ayes.

Freedom Oil Company: Motion by Mool, seconded by Ragusa to approve renewal of liquor licenses for Freedom Oil Company for classes C, F & I. Voice vote taken of all ayes.

Director of Public Service: Report was presented in written form. He reported that the proposed budget will be presented to Finance Committee on Apry 7th, 2025 and that he now has the two titles needed to sell last of the property from 35 E. Front St.

Mayor's Report: None.

City Council Comments: None.

Police Chief Report: Written report presented. Joe also said he expects to receive about $141,000 from camera grants.

Operations Supervisor: Written report presented.

Parks and Recreation Department: Colton spoke about various programs including Mother Son Nerf Ball, a morning Adult Fitness Class with 30 plus participants plus spring soccer is started.

City Attorney: Attorney Stoller spoke of issues discovered concerning allowing solar panels to be placed over sewer lagoon. After issues presented it was the consensus to pursue such.

City Clerk: The Clerk reported Swearing in of new city officers will be between Old and New Business at Council Meeting on April 4, 2025.

Executive Session:

Motion by Kilpatrick, seconded by Moore, to adjourn into an executive session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation of employees under 5 ILCS 120/2 Exception C1.

Staff members to be present are Barry Kauther, Administrative Assistant Sandee Kessinger, Police Chief Joe Montemurro, Operations Supervisor Casey Jones, Parks & Recreation Director Colton Scott and Clerk Fever. The executive session is expected to last 30 minutes and will begin at 7:45 PM and will resume in the open session at 8:15 PM, at which time the City Council may move to continue in the 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 9:31 PM and no action will be taken.

Motion by Moore seconded by Ragusa to adjourn. Voice vote taken of all ayes. The meeting was adjourned at 9:32 PM.

https://www.elpasoil.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03172025-318