Peoria Standard

City of Chillicothe City Council met Oct. 13.

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 October 13, 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

Alderpersons Present:

Also Present:

City Treasurer Andrea Bredeman

Barry Bredeman, Brett Cantwell,

Patricia Westerman-Connor, Michael Crabtree

Sandi Levell, Patrick Semtner, Gary Sharp

City Attorney Kevin Day

Office Manager Denise Passage

Police Officer Douglas Hahn

Economic Development Director Amanda Beadles

City Engineer Josh Harken

Alderpersons Absent:

Courtney Gehrig

Others Absent

Police Chief Jeremy Cooper

Superintendent of Public Works, Shawn Sutherland

Chairman Hughes declared a Quorum present

The Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting on September 22, 2025 were presented. Motion Alderperson Semtner, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the Council dispense with the reading of the Minutes of the September 22, 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. Plan Commission - 7/8/2025

2. Police Commission - 8/19/2025

3. Joint Finance/EDC Committee - 9/23/2025

4. Public Works Committee - 10/8/2025

Communications by the Clerk:

1. City Collector's Report - 09/2025

2. City Budget Report - 09/2025

Per Amanda Beadles, EDC Director: I am pleased to share that IDOT has awarded Chillicothe full project funding of $935,000.00 for the Sycamore Street Bike Path Trail. On May 23rd of this year, Serena Page from TWM Engineering contacted the City about IDOT's $400 million dollar Call for Projects. With Mayor Hughes approval, TWM prepared and submitted our grant by the June 1, 2025 deadline. On October 1, 2025, IDOT released their list of funded projects and Chillicothe's trail was fully awarded. This project will build a half-mile, 10-foot wide paved path, set five feet behind the new curb and gutter on Sycamore Street. The trail will connect the High School, Library and South School, making it a valuable addition for students, families and the community.

Motion Alderperson Bredeman, 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:

Alderperson Bredeman thanked Mayor Hughes and Office Manager Passage for hosting the German students at City Hall on October 3, 2025.

COUNCIL COMMITTEE COMMUNICATIONS:

Alderperson Semtner updated the Council on the applications received for the Assistant Office

Manager position. Pre-screening phone interviews will begin next week; however, applications are still being accepted until the end of October. Alderperson Connor informed the Council that submissions are being accepted until Monday October 20, 2025 for the Shademakers

Halloween Decoration Contest, winners will receive a monetary award and yard ornament, they will be announced at the Nightmare on Second Street event on Saturday October 25, 2024.

ANYONE WITH BUSINESS CONCERNING CITY GOVERNMENT:

Rebecca Hawkins, 301 W. Maple Street, addressed the elected officials thanking them for their diligence to accomplish the many City business issues they are currently dealing with given the size of the municipality. Rebecca did make a suggestion regarding the times of Committee meetings, she felt the 4:30 p.m. start times are too early for many working residents to attend. Rebecca suggested that if the Council would like to attract a younger demographic they might consider adjusting the times to allow for more residents to attend.

Chris Adkinson, 1322 N. Logan Street, addressed the Council informing them of his interest in purchasing the city owned property located at 1249 N. Fourth Street and was present to answer any questions the Council might have regarding his interest in the property. This is an agenda item under Economic Development Committee Agenda item #2.

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, Cantwell, Connor, Crabtree, Levell, Semtner, Sharp

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

MAYOR HUGHES:

None

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE:

Motion Alderperson Sharp, second Alderperson Levell, that the Council refer to the City Attorney the Tazwood Community Service Inc., vendor agreement for utility assistance for review and recommendation.

Discussion: Attorney Day addressed the Council to disclose that his firm Hasselberg, Grebe, Snodgrass, Urban & Wentworth also represents the Tazwood Community Service Inc.,

if Council agrees to allow Attorney Day to represent both parties, this would require a waiver signed by both the City and Tazwood Community Service Inc. The City does have the option to seek other legal services if not comfortable with Attorney Day representing both parties. Attorney Day did not feel that this would be an adversary relationship, there were no objections from the Council.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Sharp, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the Council refer to the City Attorney the petition for easement agreement, from Attorney Mahoney on behalf of Mr. Tobin and direct the Mayor, City Attorney and office staff to take prudent and reasonable actions to request, review, and negotiate an agreement regarding the petition for easement.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Sharp, second Alderperson Crabtree, that the Council approve an expenditure of $3,176.00, payable to Beau's Tire for the purchase of tires for Public Works truck #25 and Public Works truck #27. Payable from the Road & Bridge Fund.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Sharp, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the Council approve the Road & Bridge Priority One Project - Skid Steer Attachment, in the amount of $25,000,00 as an approved project and approve an expenditure of $21,034.91, payable to Central Illinois Equipment Sales for the purchase of a Paladin/Harley 84" MX7H Power Rake ($12,631.36) and a 96" HYD Rotary Hydraulic Angle Broom (8,403.55). Payable from said project.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Sharp, second Alderperson Cantwell, that the Council approve the 2025- 2026 Master Service Agreement for Engineering between the City of Chillicothe and Fehr Graham Engineering and authorize the Mayor to take prudent and reasonable actions to execute said agreement.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:

Alderperson Connor, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the Council approve Resolution

No. 25-10-05 a Resolution of support and submission of a grant for a Safe Routes To School Project (SRTS).

Discussion: ED Director Beadles explained that upon review of the grant by TWM it was discovered that the engineering costs for Phase 1 and Phase 2 was not included in the $250,000.00 Safe Routes To School grant contract, resulting in a potential cost to the City of approximately $75,000.00. Director Beadles stated Serena Page of TWM is committed to assisting the City of Chillicothe in finding the needed engineering funds.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: Sharp

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Connor, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the council accept the

Request for Proposal as submitted by Christ Adkinson of Adkinson Construction in the amount of $75,000.00 for the property at 1249 Fourth Street and authorize the Mayor, City Attorney and Economic Development Director to take reasonable and prudent actions to complete the transaction.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Motion Alderperson Connor, second Alderperson Crabtree, that the Council reject all Request for Proposals received for the properties behind City Hall. (908 N. Second Street)

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE:

Motion Alderperson Bredeman, second Alderperson Levell, that the Council approve the Special Event Request as submitted by Alicia Vonk, Pearce Community Center, for the closing of Cedar

Street from Sixth Street to Santa Fe Ave., on Friday October 24, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. For the "Annual Halloween Spooktacular Event".

Motion Carried Via Voce vote.

Motion Alderperson Bredeman, second Alderperson Levell, that the Council approve the Special Event Request with open containers, as submitted by Ed Director Amanda Beadles, for the use of City Park and closing of a portion of Chestnut Street from Second Street to Fire

House and Second Street from Cedar Street to Walnut Street for Carriage Rides as submitted on the map submitted with the Special Event Request.

November 21, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

November 22, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Carriage Rides 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Motion Carried Via Voce vote.

Motion Alderperson Bredeman, second Alderperson Levell, that the Council approve the Special Event Request, submitted by the Chillicothe Chamber of Commerce, for the closing of Second

Street from Walnut Street to Chestnut Street, on October 24, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., for the "Merchant Trick or Treat".

Motion Carried Via Voce vote.

Motion Alderperson Bredeman, second Alderperson Levell, that the Council approve the Special Event Request, submitted by Andrea Bredeman, IVCHS German Program, for the closing of Second Street from City Park to E. Beach Street, on November 22, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to

11:00 a.m. For the "Nikolaus 5k Lauf and Fun Walk 2025".

Motion Carried Via Voce vote.

Motion Alderperson Bredeman, second Alderperson Sharp, that the Council adjourn to Closed Session at 7:37 p.m., for Litigation - ILCS 120/2 (c) (11) - Pending, Probable or Imminent Litigation and allow Attorney Day, and Office Manager Passage to attend. Upon returning to Open Session possible action may be taken.

Roll Call Vote was:

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

Nays: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Council returned to Open Session at 8:17 p.m.

Alderperson Bredeman stated he is withdrawing Agenda Item #6. The City is not in the position to move forward at this time, updates will be discussed at a future meeting.

Motion Alderperson Sharp, second Alderperson Connor, that the meeting adjourn at 8:18 p.m.

Mayor Hughes declared the meeting adjourned.

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