East Central Reporter

City of Mattoon City Council met June 18.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council of the City of Mattoon held a regular meeting in the City Hall Council Chambers.

Mayor Gover presided and called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

Mayor Gover led the Pledge of Allegiance.

The following members of the Council answered roll call physically present: YEA Commissioner Dave Cox, YEA Commissioner Sandra Graven, YEA Commissioner Rick Hall, YEA Commissioner Preston Owen, and YEA Mayor Tim Gover.

Also physically present were City personnel: City Administrator Kyle Gill, City Attorney Daniel C. Jones, Finance Director/Treasurer Beth Wright, Arts & Tourism Director Angelia Burgett, Public Works Director Dean Barber, Interim Fire Chief Kris Phipps, Police Chief Jason Taylor, and City Clerk Susan O’Brien.

CONSENT AGENDA

Mayor Gover seconded by Commissioner Hall moved to approve the consent agenda consisting of minutes of the Regular Meeting June 4, 2019; bills and payroll for the first half of June 2019.

Mayor Gover declared the motion to approve the consent agenda carried by the following vote: YEA Commissioner Cox, YEA Commissioner Graven, YEA Commissioner Hall, YEA Commissioner Owen, YEA Mayor Gover.

PRESENTATIONS, PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

Mayor Gover opened the floor for Public comments with no response.

NEW BUSINESS

Commissioner Owen seconded by Commissioner Hall moved to approve Council Decision Request 2019-1944, granting up to $1,810.29 of Midtown TIF District Funds to the Mattoon Chamber of Commerce for double-sided pole banners to be displayed on Broadway and Charleston Avenues in the Midtown area.

Mayor Gover opened the floor for questions/comments/discussion. Commissioner Cox inquired as to a timeline for placement. Mr. Ed Dowd, Executive Director of Mattoon Chamber of Commerce, replied with a two-week design phase and within one month to be displayed.

Mayor Gover declared the motion carried by the following vote: YEA Commissioner Cox, YEA Commissioner Graven, YEA Commissioner Hall, YEA Commissioner Owen, YEA Mayor Gover.

Commissioner Cox seconded by Commissioner Graven moved to approve Council Decision Request 2019-1945, awarding the bid of $385,524.48 to Fuller-Wente Inc. for the Broadway Avenue Streetscaping Project from 19th Street to the CNRR Bridge (Veterans Memorial Bridge).

Mayor Gover opened the floor for questions/comments/discussion with no response.

Mayor Gover declared the motion carried by the following vote: YEA Commissioner Cox, YEA Commissioner Graven, YEA Commissioner Hall, YEA Commissioner Owen, YEA Mayor Gover.

Commissioner Cox seconded by Commissioner Graven moved to approve Council Decision Request 2019-1946, approving Change Order #1 in the amount of ($6,880.00) for the Broadway Avenue Streetscaping Project.

Mayor Gover opened the floor for questions/comments/discussion. Mr. Dowd thanked Director Barber for lowering the placement of the banners.

Mayor Gover declared the motion carried by the following vote: YEA Commissioner Cox, YEA Commissioner Graven, YEA Commissioner Hall, YEA Commissioner Owen, YEA Mayor Gover.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

CITY ADMINISTRATOR/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT noted economic development and grants meetings and dealing with nuisances; otherwise, business as usual. Mayor Gover opened the floor for questions with no response.

CITY ATTORNEY noted business as usual. Mayor Gover opened the floor for questions with no response.

CITY CLERK noted business as usual in addition to the finalizing the IMRF audit and preparing for the City audit. Mayor Gover opened the floor for questions with no response.

FINANCE distributed and reviewed the May Financial Report and cash position; and announced the auditors’ preliminary fieldwork to commence on the 26th. Mayor Gover opened the floor for questions with no response.

PUBLIC WORKS announced a meeting with IDOT to resurface DeWitt Avenue west to Rural King including street returns and handicapped ramps with the City’s portion in the amount of $250,000, and Charleston Avenue to the Interstate ramps including traffic signals with the City’s portion in the amount of $500,000 – both as a part of Rebuild IL. Commissioner Cox inquired as to the entrance of the Mall with Director Barber noting no change to the configuration of the entrance. Director Barber continued with discussion on the Clark Dietz Disinfection Study, start on the design and receipt of permit from IEPA; and explained tub grinder options. Mayor Gover opened the floor for questions with no response.

FIRE provided information including statistics on call, several inspections, hydrant testing, eight firefighters to Chicago for airport training, SCBA drills, and two grants: FM Global and fire investigation equipment. Mayor Gover opened the floor for questions with no response.

POLICE announced jury trial results, burglary at Verizon Wireless, two pending jury trials, an update on the Quakenbush properties, and three upcoming retirements. Mayor Gover opened the floor for questions with no response.

ARTS AND TOURISM updated Council on the 4th of July activities and preparation, Bagelfest food vendors and Oak Ridge Boys’ reserved seating sold out, Bagelfest advertising due to Consolidated’s sponsorship, Shakespeare in the Park, and Celebrate Downtown logo. Mayor Gover opened the floor for questions with no response.

COMMENTS BY THE COUNCIL

Commissioners Cox, Graven, Hall, and Owen had no further comments. Mayor Gover read compliments on the Complex fields from a visitor who attended ball tournaments the past weekend, specifically on how well the fields were after the large amount of rain Mattoon received. Superintendent Kurt Stretch received accolades for the outstanding job he does from Mayor Gover and Commissioner Cox.

Mayor Gover seconded by Commissioner Hall moved to recess to closed session at 6:52 p.m. pursuant to the Illinois Open Meetings Act for the purpose of the discussion of litigation that is affecting the City and an action is probable or imminent (5ILCS 120 (2)(C)(11)).

Mayor Gover declared the motion carried by the following vote: YEA Commissioner Cox, YEA Commissioner Graven, YEA Commissioner Hall, YEA Commissioner Owen, YEA Mayor Gover.

Council reconvened at 7:03 p.m.

Council with Administrator Gill and Attorney Jones briefly discussed annexations and the bids for the three houses to be demolished.

Commissioner Hall seconded by Commissioner Cox moved to adjourn at 7:12 p.m.

Mayor Gover declared the motion carried by the following vote: YEA Commissioner Cox, YEA Commissioner Graven, YEA Commissioner Hall, NAY Commissioner Owen, YEA Mayor Gover.

http://mattoon.illinois.gov/sites/default/files/citycouncil/061819_0.pdf