Peoria Standard

City of Chillicothe City Council met April 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 April 14, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. with Mayor Michael D. Hughes presiding and with proper notice having been posted.

Mayor Hughes 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.

Chairman Hughes directed Clerk Byrnes to take roll.

Physically Present:

Mayor Michael D. Hughes

Treasurer B.L. Bredeman

City Clerk Jill M. Byrnes

Alderpersons Present:

Barry Bredeman, Patricia Westerman-Connor, Courtney Gehrig (present upon taking the Oath of Office) Jeff Jenkins, Patrick Semtner, Gary Sharp, Don White, Timothy White

Also Physically Present:

City Attorney Kevin Day

Attorney Taylor Cascia

Police Chief Jeremy Cooper

Officer Manager Denise Passage

City Engineer Dave Horton

Economic Development Director, Amanda Beadles

Superintendent of Public Works, Shawn Sutherland

Chairman Hughes declared a Quorum present

The Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held on March 24, 2025 were presented. Motion Alderperson Jenkins, second Alderperson D. White, that the Council dispense with the reading of the Minutes of the March 24, 2025 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. Public Safety Committee - 3/4/2025

2. Shademakers Committee - 3/18/2025

3. Human Resources Committee - 3/27/2025 (cancelled)

4. Finance Committee/Budget Workshop - 3/29/2025

5. Marketing & Tourism Commission - 4/7/2025

6. Public Works Committee - 4/9/2025

Communications by the Clerk:

1. City Budget Report - 3/2025

2. City Collector's Report - 3/2025

3. City Treasurer's Report - 3/31/2025

Reminder: There will be a Special Meeting of the City Council Monday April 21, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. for the Tri-County Comprehensive Plan presentation.

Reminder: Economic Interest Statements are due no later than May 1, 2025

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 stated that the Shademakers Committee hosted a Planting Day with K-4

Girl Scout Troops at Moffitt Park to earn environmental badges that included a visit from the Easter Bunny. Alderperson Jenkins stated the Drew's Plots fund raising event was well attended and offers a valuable service to the citizens of Chillicothe.

COUNCIL COMMITTEE COMMUNICATIONS:

Alderperson and Chairman of Finance Committee D. White read a statement regarding the Voucher Program. (See attached)

ANYONE WITH BUSINESS CONCERNING CITY GOVERNMENT:

None

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

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

MAYOR HUGHES:

Motion Alderperson Jenkins, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the Council concur with the

Mayoral appointment of Courtney Gehrig to fill the 2 year unexpired term of the Second Ward Alderperson.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Clerk Byrnes administered the Oath of Office to Courtney Gehrig and instructed her to take her seat at the Council table.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE:

Motion Alderperson Sharp, second Alderperson D. White, that the Council approve the expenditure of $10,613.50, payable to Fehr Graham for engineering services for the Cloverdale Project. Payable from the Road & Bridge Fund.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Sharp, second Alderperson D. White, that the Council approve the Tri- County Regional Planning Commission Joint Funding Agreement for FY26 with an annual fee of $3,409.76 and authorize the Mayor to take reasonable and prudent actions necessary to execute any documents regarding the Joint Funding Agreement.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Sharp, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the Council approve Ordinance No. 25-04-04, an Ordinance establishing a process for sewer line blockage investigation. Discussion: Superintendent Sutherland explained the purpose of the Ordinance is to inform residents should they develop a sewer issue to contact the City first to determine if the issue is the City's responsible or the property owners. Residents have been contacting plumbers on their own and then told by the plumber to bill the City for the repair, when the issue in fact was the property owners responsibility.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE:

Motion Alderperson Jenkins, second Alderperson T. White, that the Council approve the Special Event Request submitted from Shirley Loser, for the use of City Park, on April 19, 2025, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for the "Easter Egg Round Up".

Motion Carried Via Voce vote.

Motion Alderperson Jenkins, second Alderperson T. White, that the Council approve the Special Event Request submitted from Dawn Childers, for the use of a parking space at 806 Second Street, on April 19, 2025, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for a food truck for a "Bring on Spring Event".

Motion Carried Via Voce vote.

Alderperson Jenkins announced Agenda Item #3, Special Event Request submitted by Cindy Scime, Little Shop of Hoarders is being withdrawn, the Food Truck scheduled has cancelled.

Motion Alderperson Jenkins, second Alderperson D. White, that the Council approve the Special

Event Request submitted from Leann Stickel, for the use of Second Street from Shore Acres to Walnut Street, on June 6 & 7, 2025, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for the "Tri 2 Beat MS Kids Triathlon".

Motion Carried Via Voce vote:

Motion Alderperson Jenkins, second Alderperson T. White, that the Council approve the Special Event Request with open containers submitted from Chillicothe Parks Foundation, for the use of City Park, Cedar Street, Second Street, & Chestnut Street surrounding the west end of City Park, and Second Street from Chestnut Street to Shore Acres, on June 7, 2025, 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. for the "Party in the Park Summer Kickoff Event"

Motion Carried Via Voce vote:

Motion Alderperson Jenkins, second Alderperson T. White, that the Council approve the Request for Live Entertainment in the outdoor pavilion/beer garden, as submitted by the American Legion, on April 18, 2025 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., for the live band "The Chilli Dogz", pending receipt of insurance.

Motion Carried Via Voce vote.

Motion Alderperson Jenkins, second Alderperson T. White, that the Council approve Ordinance No. 25-04-05, an Ordinance authorizing disposal of personal property owned by the City of Chillicothe. (2015 Impala, 2011 Nissan, and 2011 Audi - Police Vehicles).

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Jenkins, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the Council approve an expenditure of $2,820.00, payable to Municipal Electronics Division, LLC. for the purchase of two Stalker Dual in-car radar devices. Payable from General Fund - Police Department.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Jenkins, second Alderperson T. White, that the Council approve a two-year agreement with Motorola Solutions for cloud video storage and hardware at a cost of $18,080.02 and authorize and direct the Mayor and Police Chief Cooper to take reasonable and prudent action necessary to fulfill the agreement. Payable from General Fund - Police Equipment.

Discussion: Chief Cooper explained to the Council that the department server is currently down. It is required by the State of Illinois to have access to cloud video storage justifying the need for the agreement.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Jenkins, second Alderperson T. White, that the Council approve an expenditure of $2,914.60 for the purchase of ammunition for the Police Department. Payable to Ray O'Herron. Payable from the General Fund - Police Equipment.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Jenkins, second Alderperson T. White, that the Council authorize the City Attorney to draft an Ordinance amending Chapter 14 Animals, of the City Code to include Trap/Neuter/Vaccinate/Return (TNVR) of feral cats.

Discussion: Chief Cooper explained to the Council that Peoria County recently adopted an amendment to the language of their Ordinance and suggested the City of Chillicothe do the same which would allow for Peoria County to assist the City with complaints of feral cats at no cost to the City.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried

DISCUSSION: Code Enforcement Officer

Note: When/if the City posts (advertises for a position we are required by the Salary Transparency Law to include pay scale and benefit information in job postings. (Effective January 1, 2025).

Alderperson and Chairman of Public Safety Committee Jeff Jenkins, advised the Council that the new Fire Chief Tom Shubert informed the Committee his department would no longer be inspecting residential property, therefore justifying the need for the City to consider hiring a Code Enforcement Officer. Several job description options were discussed. The consensus of the Council was to continue discussion in future Public Safety Committee meetings.

Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson D. White, that the Council approve the following City Council and Council Committee Closed Session minutes:

City Council minutes: 11/11/2024, 01/13/2025, and 3/10/2025.

Council Committee minutes:

Human Resource: 03/03/2025, 03/04/2025 and 03/20/2025

Joint Finance/EDC: 03/12/2025

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson D. White, that the Council approve the tentative agreement, reached with the Fraternal Order of Police, representing the Chillicothe Police Officers and ratified by the Fraternal Order of Police and to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute said agreement.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson Jenkins, that the Council adjourn to Closed Session at 7:42 p.m., for Personnel – ILCS 120/2 (c) (2) Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees and allow Attorney Day, Superintendent Sutherland and Office Manager Passage to attend. Upon returning to Open Session no action will be taken.

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes:

Bredeman, Connor, Gehrig, Jenkins,

Semtner, Sharp, D. White, T. White

Nays:

Chairman declared motion carried.

None

Council returned to Open Session at 8:05 p.m.

Motion Alderperson Jenkins, second Alderperson D. White, to adjourn at 8:05 p.m.

Mayor Hughes declared the meeting adjourned.

https://cms9files.revize.com/chillicothe/04.14.2025%20council.pdf