East Central Reporter

City of Mattoon City Council met Jan. 2.

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 January 2, 2024. 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, Fire Chief Jeff Hilligoss, Deputy Police Chief Ryan Hurst, Code Enforcement Alex Benishek and City Clerk Susan O’Brien.

CONSENT AGENDA

Mayor Hall seconded by Commissioner Phipps moved to approve the consent agenda consisting of Regular Meeting minutes of December 19, 2023; bills and payroll for the first half of December 2023.

Mayor Hall declared the motion carried by the following omnibus vote: YEA Commissioner Closson, YEA Commissioner Cox, YEA Commissioner Graven, YEA Commissioner Phipps, YEA Mayor Hall.

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 comment from those in person and online with no response.

Commissioner Phipps acknowledged the retirement of Dean Barber with more than 12 years of service with the Public Works Department on December 30, 2023; and noted the benefits from his work and staff for years to come.

NEW BUSINESS

Commissioner Phipps seconded by Commissioner Closson moved to approve Council Decision Request 2023-2437, authorizing the employment of Austin Hilgenberg as a Maintenance Worker I in the Public Works Street/Utility Department with an annual compensation of $33,779.20, effective January 08, 2024 pending a successful drug testing and background check.

Mayor Hall opened the floor for comments. Commissioner Phipps noted two promotions caused the filling of vacancies for these two motions. Administrator Gill noted Mr. Hilgenberg had worked the past two summers with the Public Works Department and performed well.

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 2023-2438, authorizing the employment of Lyle Hanley as a Maintenance Worker III in the Public Works Street/Utility Department with an annual compensation of $46,758.40, effective January 08, 2024 pending a successful drug testing and background check.

Mayor Hall opened the floor for comments. Administrator Gill noted the good background of Mr. Hanley as a concrete finisher the last ten years, who had good skills and would be an asset to the Department.

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 preparations for union negotiations, reorganization of the Public Works Department to put the Department in a better position and meetings with the Water Treatment Plant employees. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

CITY ATTORNEY had nothing new to report. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

CITY CLERK noted business as usual. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

FINANCE distributed and reviewed the Revenue Tracking Report and unrestricted cash; and noted preparations for the FY25 budget. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

PUBLIC WORKS Administrator Gill announced Public Works Superintendent Alex Fuqua stepping up and working with other Departments and introducing Mr. Clark next week.

FIRE reported on calls for service, four inspections, training, expectation of new truck the third week of January, and preparation of year-end stats. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

POLICE Deputy Chief Hurst reported on calls for service, 31 arrests, preparation of end of-year stats with the State reporting on 684 felonies for Coles County which included 55% from Mattoon Police Department as a result of proactive policing and big crimes being down; and noted interviews for custodians with Administrator Gill and Chief Gaines. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

ARTS AND TOURISM Commissioner Cox reported the final report of Lightworks to be provided next Council meeting would show a great year due to the number of cars and revenues, Bagelfest contracts for the Summer were mailed, Director Burgett spoke at Rotary, and Director Burgett and Festivals Coordinator Mindy White would be attending a seminar the 15-19th.

Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT provided an update on the SAMS.gov registration, recent ranking of the City as one of the most affordable by homesnacks.com, preparation of the housing ordinances and resolution to cite property owners. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

COMMENTS BY THE COUNCIL Commissioner Closson reported on Cunningham Park with Kiwanis donating a sidewalk around the equipment, two baseball tournaments already scheduled, filling a vacancy of the Water Treatment Plant superintendent next meeting, water levels at Lake Paradise better and report from Manager Benishek of an OSLAD grant of $600,000 to benefit Lake Mattoon Marina. Commissioner Cox announced a potential relocation to Mattoon by an individual who can work remotely, customers complimenting the appearance of Mattoon, and condolences to the family of Matt Hutti of Charleston. Commissioner Graven had no further comments. Commissioner Phipps noted Public Works had a watermain break which was fixed before the holiday, defined maintenance issues at Water Plant, Streetscaping going to next phase, Rt. 16 Interchange set to bid by State, Little Wabash grant for drainage, Riddle Elementary sidewalks in place, three sets of plans for the Sports Complex roadway, water and sewer which work should be complete by the end of August. Mayor Hall announced an exciting 2024 year with building up and plans for new restaurants providing lots of opportunities.

Mayor Hall seconded by Commissioner Phipps move to recess to closed session pursuant at 6:49 p.m. to the Illinois Open Meetings Act for the purpose of the discussion of the appointment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the City or legal counsel for the City. (5ILCS 120 (2)(C)(1)); and collective negotiating matters between the City of Mattoon and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees (5ILCS 120 (2)(C)(2)).

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.

Council reconvened at 7:19 p.m.

Commissioner Cox seconded by Commissioner Closson moved to adjourn at 7:20 p.m.

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

 https://mattoon.illinois.gov/download/city-council-meeting-2024-1-16/