East Central Reporter

City of Tuscola City Council met March 25.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The regular meeting of the City Council was called to order with Brace, Day, Hoey, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop, and Mayor Kleiss in attendance. Aldermen Morris and Shoemaker were absent. Mayor Kleiss led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Consent Agenda

Mayor Kleiss went over the items on the consent agenda:

• Minutes of the March 11, 2024 meeting
• Financial report for February 2024
• Payment of bills totaling $542,739.59
• Pay request in the amount of $15,000.00, from James Crane for Washington Street design engineering
• Community Building lease request with alcohol from Jenna Jacobs for her wedding reception August 9-11, 2024

Hoey moved to approve the items on the consent agenda. Brace seconded. At the suggestion of Administrator Hoel, Hoey revised his motion to include the request for approval of a run/walk route for the Nash 5K, submitted by Sarah Sumption. Brace agreed. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop. Rund moved to approve the consent agenda for March 25, 2024. Slaughter seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop.

Mayor

Mayor Kleiss requested approval of Andrew Bequette as City Attorney. After March 30, Bequette will no longer be practicing with Tummelson, Bryan, and Knox, Kleiss stated, and will serve personally as Tuscola's City Attorney. Slaughter moved to approve the appointment of Andrew Bequette as Tuscola City Attorney. Rund seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop. Bequette thanked council, adding he appreciates our consideration.

City Clerk - No Report

City Treasurer - No Report

City Attorney - No Report

City Administrator - No Report

Contracts and Agreements

• A new 2024 Dodge Durango has become available at Pilson's in Mattoon. This is a vehicle ordered for a sheriff's department that did not take delivery. Since the wait time for squad cars is 18 months or more, staff would like to make the purchase now. The 2025 draft budget allows for the purchase of a new squad car. When delivered, the 2024 Durango will be used by the Administrative Department and the Tahoe will be transferred to the police. When the Tahoe is no longer useable, the Durango will go over to the police department. Hoey moved to approve the purchase of a 2024 Dodge Durango Police Pursuit vehicle from Pilson's Auto Center in the amount of $46,225.00. Slaughter seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop.
• Day moved to approve the purchase of a 2024 F-350 cab and chassis only, in the amount of $50,027.76, from Ford of Tuscola. This vehicle will replace the F250 being used by the water department and will need a utility body installed once vehicle is delivered in six to twelve months. The expense is included in our current year budget. Slaughter seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop.
• Day moved to approve the purchase of a 2024 F-450 cab and chassis only, in the amount of $53,113.76, from Ford of Tuscola. Waldrop seconded. This vehicle will replace the 1 ton being used by the street department, has a six to twelve month expected delivery and will need a bed, and other accessories currently estimated at ~ $48,000.00. This estimate will be revised closer to delivery date. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop.
• Rund moved to approve the agreement with American Patriot Pyro, Inc., for a fireworks show at the annual Sparks in the Park celebration on July 6, 2024, at a cost of $30,414.49. Waldrop seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop.
• Administrator Hoel discussed an intergovernmental agreement with the Tuscola Chamber and Economic Development (TCEDI), Douglas County, and the cities of Tuscola, Arcola, and Villa Grove. This agreement reorganizes economic development for the purpose of extending, supplementing, and restating the previous agreement between the City and TCEDI, provides duties and obligations, clarifies employee salary and benefits administration. The agreement also covers obligations to develop a plan to rename and rebrand the corporation to reflect county wide focus and change the name to Douglas County Economic Development Corporation. Hoel went on to say council has already approved the agreement for Tuscola's funding level which is $50,000.00 per year, effective January 1, 2024. This intergovernmental agreement is shared county wide and updates our master agreement with Tuscola Economic Development. Hoey moved to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement with the Tuscola Chamber and Economic Development, Inc., for economic development services and consulting at an annual contribution fee of $50,000.00. Brace seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop.
• Administrator Hoel discussed a second agreement between the City of Tuscola and Tuscola Chamber and Economic Development, Inc. This agreement addresses funding for an Assistant Director dedicated to promoting economic development, tourism, marketing, and other promotional activities. Hoel went on to say, Stephany McMahon has been hired by TCEDI for this position and replaces the 4 time position recently vacated by Anna Nelson. Day moved to approve the agreement between the City and Tuscola Chamber and Economic Development Inc., for tourism and marketing services at an annual contribution of $35,000.00, payable from tourism funds, and effective January 1, 2024. Brace seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop.

Other

1. Council discussed the Justice Street redevelopment agreement with Owen Tucker and a possible solution for clearing up Tucker's delinquency and getting back on track with new homes and tax revenue in that area. Administrator Hoel stated Mr. Tucker has proposed the sale of 11 of the remaining 14 lots to Raymond Miller, an area builder, as a way to get construction started again. Our recourse under the current redevelopment agreement with Tucker is to get back as many lots as are currently delinquent. This is currently three lots with an additional two for 2023, payable 2024 taxes. If the city takes back these lots, we would then need to find a builder or auction off the lots. Hoel went on to say what we really want is homes built there to make our cash flow work. His personal opinion is Tucker's solution to sell lots to Miller is our best option to get homes built quickly. Hoel went on to say, Tucker has not been paid last year's tax increment due to his delinquency. Hoel would like to go ahead and release those funds to Tucker and waive the delinquencies. Hoel believes we should leave the redevelopment agreement in place and hope Miller gets started and builds some homes quickly. Hoey moved to grant a partial waiver of the new home construction delinquencies in the Justice Street Barker/Prairie TIF area to allow transfer of lots and release the 2023 property tax rebate to Owen Tucker. Day seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop.

2. Mayor Kleiss thanked city staff and council for working on the 2025 budget. A draft will likely be sent out to all before the next meeting. A study session will be held prior to the April 8 meeting.

3. Mayor Kleiss displayed and read a plaque presented to the City by the IL Association of Water Pollution Control recognizing our wastewater plant operators.

The motion to adjourn was made by Slaughter and seconded by Brace. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop.

https://tuscola.org/council-meeting-documents