Peoria Standard

City of El Paso Finance Committee met Oct. 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

A Finance Committee Meeting of the El Paso City Council was called to order by Chairman Will Moore on October 6th, 2025, at 6:00 PM.

Finance Committee Members present at 6:00 PM: Will Moore, Mary Ellen Kilpatrick. At 6:02 PM Alex Brucker joined the meeting. Absent: None. Present in Person: Director of Public Service Barry Kauther, Mayor Thad Mool, Clerk David Fever, Council Member Karen Wilkey, Caleb Tonozzi, Jennie Kearney, Doug Carls, and Amber Carls.

Present by Zoom Application: None.

Pledge of allegiance to the flag was recited.

Loan Discussion: it was discussed if the City of El Paso would consider approving a loan to property at 100 Recreation Blvd, El Paso, Illinois.

The owners of the property Doug and Amber Carls made a presentation on what they would like to do with the property at 100 Recreation Blvd. It was going to be a venue for weddings and expand to other events in the future. They were requesting a loan of a $100,000 at 3% for 15 years for renovation. The renovation would include repainting the inside and outside, new flooring, adding bathrooms, prep kitchen, landscaping, buying higher-end tables and chairs, and other changes. Doug advised that he had checked prices and knew it was going to be more than $100,000 for the work they had to do. They would like to start the business completed with higher end amenities instead of upgrading as they go. The current tenant is supposed to be out in November and they would like to start working on the building right away and have it ready for a summer opening, They had checked on other venues in the area and all are booked, and they were planning on booking events based on pictures and descriptions of the what the venue was going to be.

During the discussion it was asked where the $100,000 amount and length of the loan came from. Doug stated that he had come up with the amount and terms. He was asked if they would be requesting a liquor license and gambling license. Doug stated that they would want a liquor license and not gambling. The was discussion on the type, terms and amount of the loans and if a loan was approved how it would be administered.

The committee members discussed lengths and terms of the possible loan. The members decided that business plan would help them decide if the loan should be approved. They requested that the Carls provide a business plan and once the members had time to review the business plans there could be a second meeting to discuss the request in furtherance.

Motion by Alex Brucker and seconded be Mary Ellen Kilpatrick to adjourn. Voice vote taken of all ayes. The meeting was adjourned at 6:44 PM.

https://www.elpasoil.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10062025-339