Peoria Standard

City of Chillicothe City Council met July 28.

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 July 28, 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.

Present: Mayor Michael D. Hughes

City Clerk Jill M. Byrnes

City Treasurer Andrea Bredeman

Alderpersons Present: Barry Bredeman, Patricia Westerman-Connor, Michael Crabtree, Courtney Gehrig, Patrick Semtner

Alderpersons Absent: Gary Sharp

Also Present: City Attorney Kevin Day

Attorney Taylor Cascia

Police Chief Jeremy Cooper

Officer Manager Denise Passage

Economic Development Director Amanda Beadles

Superintendent of Public Works Shawn Sutherland

Others Absent: City Engineer Dave Horton

Chairman Hughes declared a Quorum present

The Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting on July 14, 2025 were presented. Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the Council dispense with the reading of the Minutes of the July 14, 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 - 6/3/2025

2. Marketing & Tourism Commission - 7/7/2025

3. Zoning Board of Appeals - 7/16/2025 4. Finance Committee - 7/16/2025

5. Judicial Committee - 7/17/2025

6. Human Resources Committee - 7/21/2025

7. Cemetery & Parks Committee - 7/22/2025

Communications by the Clerk:

IDOT requested the City of Chillicothe submit a letter requesting funding for Phase I and Phase II engineering for the Viaduct. The Economic Development Director and the Mayor completed this request in June 2025. I am in receipt of a letter addressed to Mayor Hughes received from IDOT dated July 11, 2025 with support for Phase I engineering study not to exceed $1,000.000 with the request for the City to lead Phase I engineering study. The letter will be referred to the Economic Development Committee for review at their next meeting and brought back to Council at a later date.

Motion Alderperson Crabtree, second Alderperson Bredeman, 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:

None

COUNCIL COMMITTEE COMMUNICATIONS:

Alderperson Connor informed the Council that in June 2025 TWM submitted the state LPA

Grant Application for Phase II of the Sycamore Street Shared Use/Bike Path connecting IVC and South School, no match was required and an agreement between the City and TWM was approved by the Mayor for $2,000.00.

ANYONE WITH BUSINESS CONCERNING CITY GOVERNMENT:

None

Motion Alderperson Crabtree, second Alderperson Gehrig, that the bills as presented be paid and the payrolls and transfers be approved.

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Semtner

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

MAYOR HUGHES:

Shademakers: Alderperson Connor announced the 32nd Annual Catch the Beauty award winners.

Residential Award Winner: Dennis & Sandy Luckett, 304 Sycamore Trail

Commercial Award Winner: The Carnegie, 822 N. Second Street, Brady Miller and Charlie Rusk

Special Feature Award Winner: Richard & Bonnie Witte, 648 Truitt

Honorable Mention Award Winner: City of Chillicothe Public Works Building, 1707 N. Santa Fe Most winners were present in the audience. Each winner received a professional photo album, engraved Catch the Beauty Winner 2025 rock, a yard rock and a plant.

Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson Crabtree, that the Council accept the resignation of Sandi Levell from the Zoning Board of Appeals effective immediately and thank her for her service.

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Semtner

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the Council accept the resignation of Tim White, Alderperson Ward 4 from the City Council effective immediately and thank him for his service

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Semtner

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Alderperson Semtner read Mayor Hughes agenda item #4: As Mayor, I would like to nominate Sandi Levell to fill the unexpired term of Donald White, as Alderperson for Ward One. I will be seeking approval at the August 11 Council meeting.

Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson Gehrig, that the Council approve the temporary appointment of Michael Hughes to the Public Works Committee.

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Semtner

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

FINANCE COMMITTEE:

Alderperson Crabtree, second Alderperson Gehrig, that the Council authorize the Office

Manager to advertise in the Peoria Journal Star, a NOTICE OF PROPOSAL TO SELL REAL PROPERTY BY THE CITY OF CHILLICOTHE.

The City of Chillicothe will accept bids for the sale of certain real property owned by the City of Chillicothe as follows:

Additional Terms of Sale:

a) City shall provide owner's policy of title insurance in the amount of purchase price.

b) Closing will be within 30 days of opening bids.

c) City reserves the right to reject any bids.

d) Buyer shall be required to execute sales contract which shall require Buyer to complete construction of a minimum 1,200 square foot, ready for occupancy, single family residence on the property within 18 months of closing. Failure to comply with this provision will require Buyer to reconvey the property and all improvements to the City.

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Semtner

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:

Motion Alderperson Connor, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the Council approve an expenditure of $5,500.00 payable to Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau/Discover Peoria for the June 2025-July 2026 dues. Payable from the General Fund.

Discussion: EDC Director Beadles informed the Council of the many benefits of Discover Peoria, including listing The Carnegie on the "Enjoy Illinois" website.

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Semtner

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Connor, second Alderperson Crabtree, that the Council approve an application for the Façade Grant Program for Dame's Fine Coffee located at 903 N. Fourth Street up to the amount of $3,000.00 and authorize payout once project is complete, receipts submitted and work verified by ED Director. Payable from the General Fund 01-61-891 Façade Program.

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Semtner

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Connor, second Alderperson Gehrig, that the Council approve the Priority One General Fund Economic Development Project - Event Structures, in the amount of $50,000.00 as an approved project and accept Boondocks proposal to build 5 Chalets in the amount of $23,245.00 ($4,649.00 each). Boondocks will begin work after receiveing 1⁄2 down $11,622.50 and the other 1⁄2 due upon completion of the structures. Payable from the General Fund 01-61-619

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Semtner

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Connor, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the Council approve the request from Matt Briggs to utilize a Chalet for the 2025 Grey Ghost Classic event, to be held at IVC High School.

Note: This event is expected to bring 3-5K people into the area and will be a good marketing tool for the Nikolausmarkt German Festival.

Discussion: EDC Director Beadles informed the Council that due to the large number of people attending the band competition, the event committee reached out to local businesses and

restaurants as an opportunity to promote their business. The date for the event is September 20, 2025.

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Semtner

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Connor, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the Council approve the agreement between the City of Chillicothe and TWM for engineering services not to exceed $2,000.00 for the completion of the Safe Routes to School Application and authorize the Mayor and Economic Development Director to take reasonable and prudent actions necessary to execute any documents regarding the agreement. Payable from the General Fund.

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Semtner

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE:

Motion Alderperson Bredeman, second Alderperson Gehrig, that the Council approve the Request for Live Entertainment in a beer garden/outdoor pavilion as submitted by the American Legion on August 9, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. for the band "Chilli Dogz"

Motion Carried Via Voce vote.

HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE:

Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson Crabtree, that the council approve the Policy

- Absence of Regular Council Meetings as presented.

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Semtner

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

MAYOR HUGHES EXTRA AGENDA ITEM #1:

Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson Gehrig, in accordance with Section 2-94(2)

of the City of Chillicothe Code that the Council be permitted to discuss the Sturgeon Lane Trailer Park, as a non-listed agenda topic, given Mayor Hughes declaration that said topic involves emergent matters due to the public safety, public health, water service, and litigation issues currently related to said property.

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Semtner

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson Crabtree, that the Council adjourn to Closed Session at 7:41 p.m., for the Purchase of Real Estate - 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) to discuss the purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including whether a particular parcel should be acquired; and Litigation - 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (11) - to discuss litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the City has been filed and is now pending before a court, or when action is probable or imminent and allow Attorney Day and Office Manager Passage to attend. Upon returning to Open Session no action will be taken.

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Semtner

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Council returned to Open Session at 8:46 p.m.

Motion Alderperson Crabtree, second Alderperson Semtner, that the meeting adjourn at 8:47 p.m.

Mayor Hughes declared the meeting adjourned.

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