Peoria Standard

City of Chillicothe City Council met Aug. 11.

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 August 11, 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

Officer Manager Denise Passage

Others Absent: Economic Development Director Amanda Beadles

City Engineer Dave Horton

Superintendent of Public Works Shawn Sutherland

Attorney Taylor Cascia

Chief of Police Jeremy Cooper

Chairman Hughes declared a Quorum present

The Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting on July 28, 2025 were presented. Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson Gehrig, that the Council dispense with the reading of the Minutes of the July 28, 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 - 7/8/2025

2. Economic Development Committee - 7/15/2025

3. Shademakers Committee - 7/22/2025

4. Judicial Committee - 7/30/2025

5. Marketing & Tourism Commission - 8/4/2025

6. Public Works Committee - 8/6/2025

Communications by the Clerk:

1. City Budget Report - 7/2025

2. City Collector's Report - 7/2025

3. City Engineer Report - 8/6/2025

Motion Alderperson Crabtree, second Alderperson Gehrig, 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:

Mayor Hughes commented on the success of the "Who Killed The Mayor" recent downtown event sponsored by the Chillicothe Players. Alderperson Connor also commented on the event stating it was well coordinated and attended. Mayor Hughes had 2 ribbon cuttings on Saturday,

Dame's Fine Coffee, 903 N Fourth Street and Midwest Wellness Lounge, 300 W. Pine Street.

Mayor Hughes is hosting a Mayor's meeting on Wednesday August 20, 2025 at Grecian Gardens, meet and greet beginning at 6:00 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. IML CEO Brad Cole will be the featured speaker. Alderperson Connor informed the Council that this Saturday August 16, 2025 Illinois State Treasurers office will host its annual Local Officials Appreciation Picnic at the Illinois State Fair on the Director's Lawn from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. This event celebrates the service of municipal leaders throughout Illinois and will include lunch, games and prizes.

COUNCIL COMMITTEE COMMUNICATIONS:

None

ANYONE WITH BUSINESS CONCERNING CITY GOVERNMENT:

None

Motion Alderperson Crabtree, second Alderperson Bredeman, 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.

Bredeman, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Semtner

MAYOR HUGHES:

Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson Gehrig, that the Council approve the appointment of Sandi Levell as First Ward Alderperson, to fill the unexpired term of Donald White.

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Semtner

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Clerk Byrnes administered the Oath of Office to Sandra K. Levell, Ward One Alderperson. Clerk Byrnes instructed Alderperson Levell to take her seat at the Council table.

As, Mayor, I would like to nominate Brett Cantwell to fill the unexpired term of Tim White, as the Alderperson for Ward Four. I will be seeking approval at the August 25, 2025 Council meeting.

Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson Crabtree, that the Council approve the appointment of Scott Hemstreet to the Zoning Board of Appeals, to fill the unexpired term of Sandi Levell. (2028)

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Levell, Semtner

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson Crabtree, that the Council authorize the Mayor to respond to the Peoria County Variance, regarding a variance for a porch requested for property located at 4610 Lakeview Dr., owned by Dylan Jones, that is within the 1 1/2 mile

jurisdiction of Chillicothe, with the response that the City has no objection to the variance. Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Levell, Semtner

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the Council approve Resolution No. 25-08-04, a Resolution committing funds for the Cloverdale (PPUATS) Project.

Section #24-00044-00-RS

Job #C-94-049-25

Project #9XXJ (839)

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Levell, Semtner

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE:

Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson Gehrig, that the Council approve the following application for the 2025 Sidewalk Program:

Ardean Larsen 514 Taylor Drive $1,497.60

Program Balance $7,408.00

8/11 Approval $1,497.60

Balance $5,910.40

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Levell, Semtner

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson Gehrig, that the Council approve an expenditure of $3,340.00, payable to Complete Maintenance System, for the flushing of the fire hydrants. Payable from the Water/Sewer Fund.

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Levell, Semtner

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

CEMETERY & PARKS COMMITTEE:

Motion Alderperson Crabtree, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the Council approve Ordinance No. 25-08-14, an Ordinance regarding Columbarium and Ossuary Engraving. Discussion: JoAnne Gordon, 619 N. Sixth Street addressed the Council regarding her request to add Son, Dad, PawPaw to her son's niche engraving. Attorney Day explained that the Ordinance allows, if space available, the City of Chillicothe may permit, in its sole discretion, additional engraving for an individual's familial status and an appropriate nickname. This applies to single niche's only. (See attached Ordinance)

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Levell, Semtner

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE:

Motion Alderperson Bredeman, second Alderperson Gehrig, that the Council approve the Special Event Request with open containers submitted by Charlie Ault, that Chestnut Street be closed from Second Street east to the alley, August 22, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. for the band "Chilli Dawgs Band" party.

Motion Carried Via Voce vote.

Motion Alderperson Bredeman, second Alderperson Gehrig, that the Council approve the Special Event Request, submitted by Heather Murphy, for the use of Second Street from Moffitt Street to Walnut Street and Walnut Street from Second Street to Front Street, on October 25, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Street closing is from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. For the "Nightmare on Second Street Parade".

Motion Carried Via Voce vote.

Motion Alderperson Bredeman, second Alderperson Gehrig, that the Council approve the Special Event Request, submitted by Cindy Scime, Little Shop of Hoarders, for the use of the parking spaces on Second Street in front of their store, on August 30, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., for a food truck.

Motion Carried Via Voce vote.

Motion Alderperson Bredeman, second Alderperson Gehrig, that the Council approve the Special Event Request, submitted by Marti Jones, for the use of Woodbine cul de sac, on September 20, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., for a "Block Party".

Motion Carried Via Voce vote.

Superintendent of Public Works Shawn Sutherland entered the meeting at 7:25 p.m.

Motion Alderperson Bredeman, second Alderperson Gehrig, that the Council adjourn to Closed Session at 7:24 p.m., for Litigation - ILCS 120/2 (c) (11) – Pending, Probable or Imminent Litigation and Purchase or Lease of Real Estate ILCS 120/2 (c) (5) and allow Attorney Day and Office Manager Passage to attend. Motion was amended to allow Attorney Michael Mahoney to attend. Upon returning to Open Session possible action may be taken.

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Levell, Semtner

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Council returned to Open Session at 8:16 p.m.

Motion Alderperson Bredeman, second Alderperson Gehrig, that the Council agree to purchase the Sturgeon Lane Trailer Park parcels and direct Attorney Day to take reasonable and prudent actions to in furtherance the purchase including due diligence with any agreement coming back to Council for final approval.

Roll Call Vote was:

Ayes: Bredeman, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Levell, Semtner

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Gehrig, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the meeting adjourn at 8:18 p.m.

Mayor Hughes declared the meeting adjourned.

https://cms9files.revize.com/chillicothe/08.11.2025%20council.pdf