East Central Reporter

City of Casey City Council met June 15.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The Regular Meeting of the City Council was held beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Mayor Nik Groothuis call the Meeting to Order:

Roll Call:

Present: Alderman Mumford

Alderman Richardson

Alderman Ruffner

Alderman Todd

Alderman Williams – arrived at 6:04 p.m.

Alderman Washburn

Absent: None

A quorum was declared.

Public Forum:

There was a large audience this evening. The following residents spoke about downtown parking. Jim Bolin – Bolin Enterprise, Karen Huddleston – Casey Family Medical, Gary Francis – Mainstreet Merchantile, Ruthie Wimbley - Ruthies Family Hairstyling, Moe Wimbley – Wimbley Construction and Kyle Nickles – Tee Shirt Connection. Moe Wimbley voiced concern about the stripping on Main Street. Mayor Groothuis told those in attendance that the City was going to have the green area on the south-east corner turned into a parking lot. Also discussed was the enforcement of 2-hour parking downtown. Jim Bolin and Karen Huddleston both spoke about the sale of public parking.

Downtown Property

Alderman Ruffner motioned to not sell the public parking on N. Central Ave., seconded by

Alderman Washburn. Alderman Washburn rescinded her second and Alderman Mumford seconded. Upon roll call the vote was:

Ayes: 4 - Mumford, Richardson, Ruffner, Williams

Nays: 1 – Todd

Abstain: 1 – Washburn

Absent: 0 - None

Motion declared carried.

Parking Assessment:

Alderman Williams motioned to have a Parking Assessment done by a outside firm. With the stipulation that it can be completed in 60 days, seconded by Alderman Richardson. Upon roll call the vote was:

Ayes: 4 – Mumford, Richardson, Todd, and Williams

Nays: 1 – Ruffner

Abstain: 1 – Washburn

Absent: 0 - None

Meeting Minutes:

Mayor Groothuis requested approval of the minutes of the June 1, 2020 City Council Meeting.

Alderman Washburn motioned approval of the minutes of the June 1, 2020 meeting. Seconded by Alderman Mumford. Upon roll call the vote was:

Ayes: 6 – Washburn, Williams, Mumford, Richardson, Ruffner, and Todd

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried

Officers Reports:

Treasurer Lorton reported that the total for the June 15th bills totaled $385,677.30. Alderman Todd motioned approval of the June bills totaling $385,677.30 bills paid, seconded by Alderman Richardson. Upon roll call the vote was:

Ayes: 6 – Williams, Mumford, Richardson, Ruffner, Todd, and Washburn

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried

Treasurer Lorton reported for the audit the Council needed to decide if the $80,000.00 transferred to Water was a transfer or loan. Alderman Williams motioned for the $80,000.00 to be a transfer, seconded by Alderman Richardson. Upon roll call the vote was:

Ayes: 6 – Mumford, Richardson, Ruffner, Todd, Washburn, and Williams

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried

Attorney Shoaff

Attorney Shoaff requested Executive Session for the purpose of personnel.

Alderman Washburn motioned to go into Executive Session for the discussion of personnel, seconded by Alderman Richardson. Upon roll call the vote was:

Ayes: 6 – Richardson, Ruffner, Todd, Washburn, Williams, and Mumford

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motioned declared carried.

Executive Session started at 7:39 p.m.

Alderman Mumford motioned approval to resume the regular meeting, seconded by Alderman Washburn. Upon roll call the vote was:

Ayes: 6 – Mumford, Richardson, Ruffner, Todd, Washburn, and Williams

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carries

Regular Meeting resumed at 8:07 p.m.

Mayor Groothuis reported that there is no action needed after Executive Session.

Superintendent Biggs reported that the Light poles have been set with LED lights in the Park for the Saddle Club. The poles were donated by Bolin Enterprise. City wide clean-up will run from Saturday June 20th through Saturday, June 27th.

Collector Hickox reported that she had sent out 22 letter and only heard back from 1 customer about their overdue utility bills. Shut off will take place on July 1st.

Economic Development Director Maulding reported that the Illinois Rebuild grant has been turned in but they are paused now with the COVID 19. The City website in still being updated.

Several students have contacted her about the intern position. Discussion followed about getting a student that could come in and work for a few hours a week.

Chief Henderson provided the council with his department’s activity report for the month of May, 2020. He is working on a list of locations that need yards mowed. Chief Henderson also reported that the testing went well Saturday and that 7 made it to the interview section.

EMA Director Brewer talked to the council about the ID card machine. Alderman Williams told him it was already in the budget.

New Business

Downtown Improvement and Economic Development Committee Chairman Mumford reported on the meeting held earlier this evening. Two grant applications were received requesting the revitalization grants.

Alderman Mumford motioned to approve a revitalization grant to Jamie Hays, 10 W. Buckeye for $500.00 pending dumpster invoice, seconded by Alderman Washburn. Upon roll call the vote was:

Ayes: 6 - Ruffner, Todd, Washburn, Williams, Mumford, and Richardson

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried

Alderman Mumford motioned to approve a revitalization grant to Jeremiah Wright, Van Buren and SW 1st Street for $500.00 pending dumpster invoice, seconded by Alderman Todd. Upon roll call the vote was:

Ayes: 6 – Todd, Washburn, Williams, Mumford, Richardson, and Ruffner

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried

Unfinished Business:

Alderman Williams motioned to accept the bid from Dhanke’s Pine Patch for $3,930.37 for City Hall Landscaping, seconded by Alderman Richardson. Upon roll call the vote was:

Ayes: 6 – Washburn, Williams, Mumford, Richardson, Ruffner, and Todd

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried

Summer activities in the park were discussed. The entertainment for the 4th of July was cancelled.

Mayor Groothuis reported that City Attorney position needed appointed every year. Alderman Williams motioned to appoint Cara Shoaff as City Attorney, seconded by Alderman Washburn.

Upon roll call the vote was:

Ayes: 6 – Mumford, Richardson, Ruffner, Todd, Washburn, and Williams

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

Alderman Reports:

Alderman Mumford stated that the rules of driving golf carts needs to be put on the Cities website.

There was no further Business of the City Council for the June 15th, 2020 Council Meeting.

Adjournment:

Alderman Mumford motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Washburn. Upon roll call the vote was:

Ayes: 6 – Todd, Washburn, Williams, Mumford, Richardson, and Ruffner

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried

Adjournment of the City Council was at 8:58 p.m

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