City of Tuscola City Council met March 9.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The regular meeting of the City Council was called to order with Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop, and Mayor Kleiss in attendance. Mayor Kleiss led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Comment
J.C. Crawford spoke to council about the Warrior Pub’s plans for a car show on June 27, 2026. The pub would like to close one block of Washington Street in front of their building for six hours during the afternoon of June 27. The Scott Street and Pinzon Street intersections will be open. The pub will use Ameren’s parking lot (Scott Street west of the pub) for overflow parking. A car cruise from the pub to route 36, around town, and back to the pub will take place after the show. Proceeds from this event will go to the Shriner’s.
Mayor Kleiss went over the items on the consent agenda:
Minutes of the February 23, 2026, meeting
Payment of bills totaling $306,729.92
Pay request from MB Construction in the amount of $14,686.00, for the hydrant isolation valves (included in bills total)
Change order to AKRA Builders for pool house renovation in the amount of $14,800.50, mostly for electrical (also included in bills)
• Approval for Washington Street Pub car show on June 27, 2026
Prairielands Council Cub Scout fishing derby at Wimple Park July 11, 2026
Closure of West Sale Street September 18-19 for the Tuscola Odd Fellows event (same as previous years)
Hoey moved to approve the items on the consent agenda. Rund seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop. Shoemaker moved to approve the consent agenda for March 9, 2026. Morris seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.
Mayor
Mayor Kleiss reported Officer Cotton was unable to attend tonight’s meeting. He will come to another meeting so council can have the opportunity to hear about his recent police training. City Clerk – No Report
City Treasurer – No Report
City Attorney- No Report
City Administrator
Administrator Hoel let council know he and Mayor Kleiss had recently met with the Executive Director of the Central Illinois Land Bank Authority. The land bank is an organization in Illinois with authority to sort of act like municipalities in regard to dilapidated properties, vacant properties, structures that need to be demoed, or structures that have had the taxes sold on them. The land bank is a conduit for some grant funding through the Illinois Housing Authority and has similar authorities to a home rule community. Hoel went on to say there are 19 or 20 communities in the Central IL Land Bank area. The land bank has expertise in dealing with condemnations. They are funded by seed money, state grants, and they buy and sell properties. So, if a city is a member of the land bank and has a dilapidated property the land bank is able to help tear down, the land bank will get title to the property. The land bank has relationships with developers and could sell the property to help fund the organization. Hoel went on to say, he and Mayor Kleiss think this is a good idea and he will be sending out some information in the next day or so. Hoel added we are under the gun on this because the land bank board meets in April and their funding cycle begins in June. If we can get on board by the April meeting we could be considered for the next funding cycle. Mayor Kleiss added there are at least four dilapidated properties in town we could use the land bank’s help with. Administrator Hoel stated the process for acquiring these properties is basically the same; the land bank has expertise and familiarity with the process and this helps move it along. Attorney Schweighart stated he has not had a lot of experience with condemnation. The process is statutory so everyone goes through the same process. He sees the value of someone who does this all day every day. Schweighart asked if the land bank is paid by taking title of the property once the process is complete. Hoel answered yes and by funding through state grants. There is basically no cost to the city unless we would force demolition on a property. It is possible we could get a grant for demolition. Mayor Kleiss added the Executive Director would be happy to come to a future meeting and speak to council.
Ordinances
Hoey moved to approve ordinance 2026-0-2, an ordinance to make transfers of appropriation within the general and sewer funds of appropriation ordinance 2025-0-9. Waldrop seconded. This transfer of funds is to cover three new expense lines that were overlooked when preparing the original appropriation ordinance. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.
Slaughter moved to approve ordinance 2026-0-3, an ordinance amending section 111.21 to increase the number of Class A liquor licenses from 15 to 20. Shoemaker seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop. Mayor Kleiss noted he has been in discussion with individuals who are thinking about opening businesses here in town and would likely need a liquor license.
Contracts and Agreements
Informed that three quotes had been obtained for the fencing around the east ball diamond at Ervin Park. Rund moved to waive formal bidding for new fencing at the east ball diamond at Ervin Park. Slaughter seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.
Hoey moved to approve the low quote of the three obtained in the amount of $36,000.00, with Midwest Custom Fencing LLC, for installation of new fencing at the east ball diamond at Ervin Park. Waldrop seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.
Other
1. Morris moved to approve the first listing of summer hires 2026, as presented. Waldrop seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop. List attached, making it part of the minutes.
2. The following budget committee meetings were set: Public Safety – March 24 @ 1:00 pm; Public Works – March 24 @ 4:00 pm; Community Development – March 25 @ 3:00 pm; Finance and Administration – March 26 @ 3:30 pm.
The motion to adjourn was made by Slaughter and seconded by Waldrop. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.
https://tuscola.org/file/1701
