Peoria Standard

City of Chillicothe City Council met Sept. 8.

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 September 8, 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 Acting Clerk Gehrig to take roll.

Present: Mayor Michael D. Hughes

Acting City Clerk Courtney Gehrig 

City Treasurer Andrea Bredeman

Alderpersons Present:

Barry Bredeman, Brett Cantwell,

Patricia Westerman-Connor

Courtney Gehrig, Sandi Levell, Patrick Semtner, Gary Sharp

Electronic Attendance:

Michael Crabtree

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 Josh Harken

Others Absent

City Clerk Jill M. Byrnes 

Police Chief Jeremy Cooper

Chairman Hughes declared a Quorum present

The Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting on August 25, 2025 were presented. Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson Sharp, that the Council dispense with the reading of the Minutes of the August 25, 2025 Regular Council Meeting and approve the Minutes as presented.

Motion Carried Via Voce vote.

PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS BY THE CLERK:

Acting Clerk Gehrig presented the following Committee and Commission Minutes:

1. Joint Finance & HR Committee - 8/26/2025

2. Judicial Committee - 8/27/2025

3. Public Works Committee - 9/3/2025

Communications by the Acting Clerk:

1. City Collector's Report - 08/2025

2. City Budget Report - 08/2025

3. Annual Treasurers Report - for period ending 4/2025

I am in receipt of one bid submitted on September 3, 2025, for City owned property located at 817 N. Sixth Street. This will be further addressed under Mayor Hughes Agenda Item #5.

Motion Alderperson Connor, second Alderperson Crabtree, that the petitions and communications as presented by Acting Clerk Gehrig be accepted and placed on file. Motion Carried Via Voce vote.

PETITIONS AND COMMUNICAITONS FROM THE MAYOR AND ALDERPERSONS:

Alderperson Semtner asked the Council to please check your City emails on a regular basis for updates and information.

COUNCIL COMMITTEE COMMUNICATIONS:

None

ANYONE WITH BUSINESS CONCERNING CITY GOVERNMENT:

James Milliken, 818 W. Sunnyside Street, approached the Council with noise ordinance concerns. Mr. Milliken read 3 letters from residents regarding the early morning and late night use of lawn mowers, leaf blowers, chainsaws and strobe lights on both Cutright and Benedict Streets. (See attached). After discussion it was the consensus of the Council to refer this issue to Judicial Committee for a potential amendment to the noise ordinance.

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

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

MAYOR HUGHES:

Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson Sharp, that the Council accept the resignation of Sandra Levell from Marketing & Tourism Commission as a representative of Cool  Thingz.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson Sharp, that the Council approve the Mayoral appointment of Sandra Levell to the Marketing & Tourism Commission as a "Representative of the Council".

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson Levell, that the Council approve the Mayoral appointment of Dawn Childers to the Marketing & Tourism Commission as a representative of Looking 4 Treasurers.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson Gehrig, that the Council waive the outstanding water sewer service balance in the amount of $10,634.03, from Sturgeon Lane Trailer Park, pending the Sanitary District agrees to waive their portion of the water sewer service bill in the amount of $9,992.76.

Discussion: Alderperson Semtner amended the motion to state the City agrees to pay the outstanding water sewer service bill subject to successful conveyance of the property to the City.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the Council refer any and all bids for 817 N. Sixth Street to the Finance Committee for review and recommendation.

Discussion: Acting Clerk Gehrig opened and read the one sealed bid submitted. (See attached). The next Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 9/10/2025 at 4:30 p.m.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE:

Motion Alderperson Sharp, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the Council approve an expenditure in the amount of $5,581.27 payable to Core & Main for the fire hydrant replacement due to a motor vehicle accident on Benedict Street. Payable from Water/Sewer Fund.

Discussion: Office Manager Passage explained that it is the City's responsibility to repair the fire hydrant regardless of how it was damaged, however, it has been submitted to our insurance company who will pursue payment from the individual responsible for the accident depending on his insurance coverage.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Sharp, second Alderperson Semtner, that the Council refer to the City

Attorney to amend the City Code regarding use of City Owned Parking Lots.

Discussion: Parking lots between Chestnut and Pine Streets.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE:

Motion Alderperson Bredeman, second Alderperson Sharp, that the Council approve the Special Event Request as submitted by Nathan Oedewaldt, Castaways for the "20th Anniversary Party" on September 27, 2025 from 11:00 am - 11:00 pm with open containers. Location event is 1635 N. Fourth Street & 1707 N. Fourth Street, for the use of Wilmot Street from Rt. 29 to back of Castaways fence, street closing from 10:00 am - 12:00 am.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Bredeman, second Alderperson Sharp, that the Council approve the Special Event Request as submitted by Nathan Oedewaldt, Castaways for the "Epilepsy Advocacy Network Block Park Fundraiser" on September 13, 2025, from 4:00 pm - 11:00 pm with open containers. Location event is 1635 N. Fourth Street & 1707 N. Fourth Street, for the use of Wilmot Street from Rt. 29 to back of Castaways fence, street closing from 12:00 pm - 12:00 am.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Bredeman, second Alderperson Sharp that the Council approve Ordinance No. 25-09-16, an Ordinance authorizing the disposal of items of personal property owned by the City (bicycles).

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

JUDICIAL COMMITTEE:

Motion Alderperson Gehrig, second Alderperson Sharp, that the Council refer to the City Attorney to draft an Ordinance to amend the City Code, Section 2-94, Agenda for Regular Meetings and Section 2-95, Order of Business to add New Business and Closed Session (optional) to the agenda.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE:

Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson Gehrig, that the Council refer to the City Attorney to prepare a Memorandum of Understanding, with the Teamsters, and authorize the Mayor and Attorney to take all reasonable and prudent actions necessary to execute said MOU.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Bredeman, second Alderperson Sharp, that the meeting adjourn at 7:45 p.m.

Mayor Hughes declared the meeting adjourned.

https://cms9files.revize.com/chillicothe/09.08.2025%20council.pdf?t=202509251409110&t=202509251409110