City of Mattoon City Council met Dec. 19.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The City Council of the City of Mattoon held a Regular City Council meeting in the Council Chambers of City Hall on December 19, 2023. Mayor Hall presided and called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Mayor Hall led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The following members of the Council answered roll call physically present in person: YEA Commissioner Jim Closson, YEA Commissioner Dave Cox, YEA Commissioner Sandra Graven, YEA Commissioner David Phipps and YEA Mayor Rick Hall.
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 (6:32 p.m.), Public Works Director Dean Barber, Fire Chief Jeff Hilligoss, Code Enforcement Alex Benishek and City Clerk Susan O’Brien.
CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Hall seconded by Commissioner Cox moved to approve the consent agenda consisting of Regular Meeting minutes of December 5, 2023; bills and payroll for the first half of December 2023.
PRESENTATIONS, PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
This portion of the City Council meeting is reserved for persons who desire to address the Council. The Illinois Open Meetings Act mandates that the City Council may NOT take action on comments received on matters that have not been identified on this agenda, but the Council may direct staff to address the topic or refer the matter for action on the agenda for another meeting. Persons addressing the Council are requested to limit their presentations to three minutes and to avoid repetitious comments. We would also ask you to state your name and address for the record as well as stand when speaking.
Mayor Hall opened the floor for Public comments from those in attendance with no response.
Mayor Hall acknowledged the retirement of Rick Easton with more than 19 years of service with the Public Works Department on December 30, 2023. Administrator Gill noted Mr. Easton worked mostly at the Police Department providing maintenance.
Mayor Hall acknowledged this meeting was the last Council meeting for Director Barber with his upcoming retirement.
NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Hall seconded by Commissioner Phipps moved to adopt Resolution No. 2023- 3268, approving an update to the City’s Equal Employment Opportunity Plan (EEOP).
Mayor Hall opened the floor for comments. Mr. Clark thanked the Council for the opportunity and looked forward to it.
Mayor Hall declared the motion carried by the following vote: YEA Commissioner Closson, YEA Commissioner Cox, YEA Commissioner Graven, YEA Commissioner Phipps, YEA Mayor Hall.
Commissioner Phipps seconded by Commissioner Cox moved to approve Council Decision Request 2023-2432, awarding the bid in the amount of $1,166,982.70 to and Change Order #1 in the amount of $710 from Fuller-Wente for the Broadway Avenue Streetscaping Project from 16th to 14th Street; and authorizing the public works director to sign Change Order #1. 13-00254-03-SW
Mayor Hall opened the floor for comments. Director Barber noted the good bid, the extent of the Streetscaping timeframe since he was employed with a completion date of 2027.
Mayor Hall declared the motion carried by the following vote: YEA Commissioner Closson, YEA Commissioner Cox, YEA Commissioner Graven, YEA Commissioner Phipps, YEA Mayor Hall.
Commissioner Phipps seconded by Commissioner Closson moved to approve Council Decision Request 2023-2433, approving the plans and specifications for the Riddle Elementary School Sidewalk Project including sidewalk and ramp construction on the north side of Western Avenue between 43rd Street to the west entrance of Country Gardens and Westview Drive to Noyes Court. 21-00333-00-SW
Mayor Hall opened the floor for comments/questions. Director Barber noted the plans were in line to be bid by IDOT, using Federal Funds, and all work scheduled to be completed by next summer.
Mayor Hall declared the motion carried by the following vote: YEA Commissioner Closson, YEA Commissioner Cox, YEA Commissioner Graven, YEA Commissioner Phipps, YEA Mayor Hall.
Commissioner Closson seconded by Commissioner Phipps moved to approve Council Decision Request 2023-2434, approving the plans and specifications for the Waste Water Treatment Plant Primary Pump Replacement Project.
Mayor Hall opened the floor for comments. Director Barber noted both WWTP bids would be out to bidders with a bid opening at the end of January and bid award at the first meeting in February.
Mayor Hall declared the motion carried by the following vote: YEA Commissioner Closson, YEA Commissioner Cox, YEA Commissioner Graven, YEA Commissioner Phipps, YEA Mayor Hall.
Commissioner Closson seconded by Commissioner Phipps moved to approve Council Decision Request 2023-2435, approving the plans and specifications for the Waste Water Treatment Plant Primary Clarifier Rehab Project.
Mayor Hall declared the motion carried by the following vote: YEA Commissioner Closson, YEA Commissioner Cox, YEA Commissioner Graven, YEA Commissioner Phipps, YEA Mayor Hall.
Commissioner Cox seconded by Commissioner Phipps moved to approve Council Decision Request 2023-2436, approving the emergency purchase of a 2023 E-One Fire Rescue Pumper Truck from Banner Fire Equipment, Inc. in the amount of $739,639; and authorizing the mayor to sign all documents necessary for the purchase.
Mayor Hall opened the floor for comments. Chief Hilligoss explained the desperate need, rented truck to get by, and increase of cost of trucks just in months. Administrator Gill stated two engines were older than 20 years. Commissioner Graven inquired how far out was the order until receipt of the truck with Chief Hilligoss stating mid-January, because Banner was already assembling it.
Mayor Hall declared the motion carried by the following vote: YEA Commissioner Closson, YEA Commissioner Cox, YEA Commissioner Graven, YEA Commissioner Phipps, YEA Mayor Hall.
Commissioner Graven seconded by Commissioner Cox moved to adopt Special Ordinance No. 2023-1887, approving the interest rate and terms for a $739,639 loan from the Revolving Loan Fund to the City of Mattoon to finance the purchase of a 2023 E-One Fire Rescue Pumper Truck.
Mayor Hall opened the floor for an explanation. Administrator Gill stated the Revolving Loan Fund had a better rate of a $62,000 payment a year with hope that the City would pay it off sooner to allow for the RLF to help others. Chief Hilligoss explained the other loan opportunities at 5 - 5 ¾% interest.
Mayor Hall declared the motion carried by the following vote: YEA Commissioner Closson, YEA Commissioner Cox, YEA Commissioner Graven, YEA Commissioner Phipps, YEA Mayor Hall.
Commissioner Graven seconded by Commissioner Cox moved to adopt Special Ordinance No. 2023-1888, approving the interest rate and terms for a $35,000 loan from the Revolving Loan Fund to Pizzarena, Ltd. Jonathan Arena, President to make renovations at the Villa Pizza restaurant located at 2100 Broadway Avenue, Mattoon, Illinois.
Mayor Hall opened the floor for comments. Administrator Gill stated the $35,000 loan was at 3% over 5 years. Mayor Hall noted the new location.
Mayor Hall declared the motion carried by the following vote: YEA Commissioner Closson, YEA Commissioner Cox, YEA Commissioner Graven, YEA Commissioner Phipps, YEA Mayor Hall.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
CITY ADMINISTRATOR noted preparation of agenda items and Council Chamber audio issues; otherwise, business as usual. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.
CITY ATTORNEY noted business as usual with the Quakenbush hearing being continued reset for mid-January. Commissioner Graven inquired about the Perry lawsuit with Attorney Jones noting Mr. Perry had filed an appeal, so we were waiting for a date set for a hearing.
CITY CLERK noted finalization of the BCBS insurance enrollments and FSA enrollments; and announced the next Council meeting was on January 2, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.
FINANCE distributed and reviewed November Financial Report, cash position, major sources of revenue and unrestricted cash. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.
PUBLIC WORKS updated Council on the water at Lake Paradise, finished preparing the bids of the Street Sweeper with a bid opening January 10th. Commissioner Graven inquired when the water would taste better with Director Barber stating the crews would be working diligently working on it. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.
FIRE reported on calls for service, training, switching to digital last week, rental truck had more transmission issues, reserve engine is operational and waiting on parts from Pierce for Engine 23. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.
ARTS AND TOURISM noted work on end-of-year things, preparation of 2024 calendars, grant letters of intent for budgeting purposes, finished the year with 220 events promoted; thanked Mr. Ed Dowd of the Mattoon Chamber with his part of helping with the promotion of the 1,600 email blasts including seven different Facebook, City website and share within breakrooms; and announced the Lightworks’ car count and donations were up and expected to finish strong. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT noted attendance at the hearing at the Chambers Board meeting, Housing stock survey 90% complete, partnership with the Illinois Housing Authority in March for townhalls to see data collected and input for planning over the next five to ten years, an invitation to serve with the Illinois Strategic Planning program, Land Bank next steps, meeting with Attorney Jones regarding the former Brown Shoe Factory to see if the Illinois Authority can help, Park grants PARC could help fund a brand new Marina next year, and working with CCRP-DC to create interactive maps. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.
COMMENTS BY THE COUNCIL
The Council thanked Director Barber for his service, welcomed Mr. Clark; and wished everyone a Merry Christmas. Commissioner Closson noted one more interview for the WTP Superintendent and the Council was two and a half years in. Commissioners Cox and Graven
had no further comments. Commissioner Phipps elaborated on Director Barber’s work with the City and wished him the best. Director Barber gave credit to the 35 people who work at Public Works. Mayor Hall shared a story with Shop with a Cop and the 100 children it served.
Commissioner Cox seconded by Commissioner Closson adjourn at 7:04 p.m.
Mayor Hall declared the motion carried by the following vote: YEA Commissioner Closson, YEA Commissioner Cox, NAY Commissioner Graven, YEA Commissioner Phipps, YEA Mayor Hall.
https://mattoon.illinois.gov/download/city-council-meeting-2024-01-02/
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