Peoria Standard

City of Chillicothe City Council met Aug. 25.

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 25, 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, Sandi Levell, Gary Sharp, Patrick Semtner

Also Present:

City Attorney Kevin Day

Attorney Taylor Cascia

Officer Manager Denise Passage

Economic Development Director Amanda Beadles

Superintendent of Public Works Shawn Sutherland

City Engineer Dave Horton

City Engineer Josh Harken

Others Absent

Police Chief Jeremy Cooper

Chairman Hughes declared a Quorum present

The Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting on August 11, 2025 were presented. Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the Council dispense with the reading of the Minutes of the August 11, 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. Police Commission - 4/15/2025

2. Economic Development Committee - 8/8/2025

3. Finance Committee - 8/13/2025

4. Cemetery & Parks Committee - 8/19/2025

Communications by the Clerk:

1. City Treasurer's Report - 7/31/2025

I am in receipt of a Thank You letter from IML President Brad Cole regarding the Mayor's

Meeting hosted by Mayor Hughes that was held at Grecian Gardens on August 20, 2025 which reads:

Mayor,

Thanks so much for the terrific hospitality last night in Chillicothe! The new hotel is wonderful as was dinner. I appreciate your support, keep up the good work.

Motion Alderperson Gehrig, second Alderperson Crabtree, 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 recognized City Engineer Dave Horton, since his resignation from Fehr Graham

this would be his last Council meeting. Mayor Hughes thanked Mr. Horton for his years of service with the City and wished him well moving forward. Mr. Horton thanked the Mayor and Council for the opportunity to work with the City. Mayor Hughes welcomed new Fehr Graham City Engineer Josh Harken.

Alderperson Connor informed the Council that the Walnut Street tree carving by TC Gill, Stump Carver would begin this week. Alderperson Crabtree recognized both the EDC Committee and Bike Path Task Force for their hard work and recent ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly completed Bike Trail.

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, Levell, Semtner, Sharp

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

MAYOR HUGHES:

Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the Council approve the appointment of Brett Cantwell as Fourth Ward Alderperson, to fill the unexpired term of Tim White.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Clerk Byrnes administered the Oath of Office to Brett Lee Cantwell, Ward Four Alderperson. Clerk Byrnes instructed Alderperson Cantwell to take his seat at the Council table.

Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson Crabtree, that the Council approve the Revised Mayoral Appointment of Council Committees as presented.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

ANNOUNCEMENT - NO MOTION:

Mayor Hughes announced that a new contract has been executed for the Residential Electrical Aggregation Option.

Citizens will have the option to opt out of this program. The opt out letters will go out in September. They have the ability to opt out online, by mail or by phone.

The program is designed for the residents to have a choice whether to participate in the program or not. Residents that do nothing will remain with the City municipal aggregation program. Residents that opt out will have to remain out for 12 months, exposing them to potential movements in the of price of electricity. Residents are able to opt out at any time during the contract without penalty, even after the opt out date listed on the letter.

In summary, Chillicothe's aggregation program has provided the community with significant benefits:

1. REFERENDUM: Aggregation was passed by referendum of the electors of each municipality.

2. STABILITY: Brings stability to today's electric supply cost.

3. CHOICE: Gives residents an alternative to Ameren which they can leave at any time without penalty.

4. PROTECTION: Provides protection from spikes in the energy market due to volatility. 5. PARTICIPATION: Approximately 80% of eligible accounts have participated.

Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson Sharp, that the Council approve an expenditure of $12,000.00 (40 tons @ $300.00/ton) payable to Advanced Asphalt Co., for the full depth patching project. Payable from the Road & Bridge Fund, Priority One Project Street Overlay/Curb Improvement.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

FINANCE COMMITTEE:

Motion Alderperson Crabtree, second Alderperson Semtner, that the Council approve increasing the salary for the Cemetery Record Keeper Jill Byrnes, to $12,000.00 annually effective August 27, 2025.

Discussion: Alderperson Crabtree informed the Council that the Cemetery Record Keeper position salary was originally set at $12,000.00, and traditionally lowered when a new employee is hired for the position. That Council decision in 2021 was to lower the salary to $9,000.00 and review yearly. The position salary has not been reviewed for three years. Alderperson Crabtree stated that the position has only become more involved, requires the employee to potentially be available after hours and weekends and since accepting the position the current Cemetery Record Keeper has proven her worth.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:

Motion Alderperson Connor, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the Council approve an application for the Façade Grant Program for Threadz by Sweet Finds located at 1016 N. Second Street up to the amount of $3,000.00 and authorize payout once project is complete, receipts submitted and work verified by Economic Development Director.

Payable from General Fund 01-61-891 Façade Program.

Discussion: ED Director Beadles informed the Council that this façade is needed to maintain the integrity of the building.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Connor, second Alderperson Sharp, that the Council approve the one year agreement between REsimplify and the City in the amount of $2,000.00 for a commercial real estate listing platform and authorize the Mayor to sign said agreement.

Payable from General Fund 01-61-553.02 Website.

Note: Agreement is for ($2,000.00 for the period September 1, 2025 - August 31, 2026

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Connor, second Alderperson Levell, that the Council approve the Economic Development Director to work with Ameren to complete a free Community Engagement Assessment that will help the City of Chillicothe prepare for electric transportation.

Note: There will be a minimal time commitment (3 meetings at 1 hour each). Ameren will send questionnaire prior to the meeting.

Discussion: Ed Director Beadles explained to the Council that the assessment provides information of available grants, assists in grant application, accesses the need for charging stations and readiness. The Council will be informed of the meeting dates and times and all information will come back to the Committee and Council for review.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Alderperson Connor announced EDC Agenda item #4, regarding the IDOT letter dated July 11, 2025, will be withdrawn and brought back to Council at a later date once additional information is obtained.

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE:

Motion Alderperson Bredeman, second Alderperson Gehrig, that the Council approve Ordinance No. 25-08-15, an Ordinance Amending the provisions regarding Animal Control of the City Code. (See attached)

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

CEMETERY & PARKS COMMITTEE:

Motion Alderperson Crabtree, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the Council approve the General Fund Cemetery Priority One Project Flag Pole in the amount of $7,000.00, as an approved project.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Crabtree, second Alderperson Sharp, that the Council approve the General Fund Priority One Project Cemetery Kiosk in the amount of $10,000.00, as an approved project, and approve an expenditure of $502.50 to Owens Design Group for the art/design/setup and 2 - 3 X 3 aluminum panels with vinyl applied graphics. Payable from said project amount. Discussion: Alderperson Connor informed the Council that these panels will replace the existing Cemetery Rules sign that is in disrepair. The panels will only include pertinent rules and a QR code directing residents to the City website for a complete listing of Cemetery Rules.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Crabtree, second Alderperson Gehrig, that the Council refer to the City Attorney the Cemetery Lot Matter to research, at a cost not to exceed $750.00, and report back to the Cemetery & Parks Committee.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE:

Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson Crabtree, that the Council approve the General Fund Administration Priority One Project New Employee in the amount of $79,000.00, as an approved project, and authorize the Human Resources Committee to begin the process of selecting a new employee.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson Sharp, that the Council approve a wage increase of $2.00 an hour for part-time Building Maintenance employee Jerry Myers, effective August 27, 2025.

Discussion: Alderperson Semtner informed the Council that Mr. Myers had not had a wage increase since 2023.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Crabtree, second Alderperson Sharp, that the meeting adjourn at 7:33 p.m.

Mayor Hughes declared the meeting adjourned.

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