East Central Reporter

City of Tuscola City Council met April 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Kleiss opened the budget study session at 6:30 PM and asked Treasurer Long to go. over some details of the proposed FY 25 budget:

Capital fund revenues are strong, with close to $500,000.00, city wide, now earning interest.

The water fund cash position is not great but will improve with the $550,000.00, Meadowview grant funds and IEPA low interest loan. IL American has notified the City they are requesting a water rate increase with the ICC. A water rate study will be conducted and we will probably need to raise rates.

There are currently $4.5 million in capital projects to be finished, most already in the budget, using funds from savings, grants, loans - the firehouse is almost complete; funds for finishing included in 25 budget. Shooting range is also close to completion; funds for finishing included in FY 25.

Once the new firehouse is complete, the police station remodel will begin. Budgeted FY 25.

Street re-surfacing project includes Washington/Parke and possibly a portion of North Central. Funds for this project will come from the IDOT bonds, MFT and street general reserves.

Meadowview water line and Tuscola meter station upgrades total $1.9 million in expense. With the IEPA grant and low interest IEPA loan with 50% principal forgiveness, net cost to the City should be $486,000.00.

Other items included in the 25 budget include: Cashford funds - no planned project as yet; downtown park - lights installed; flower beds, butterfly garden, stage, etc., being planned; sidewalks, pool building repairs, bulk water purchasing interface, commercial meter replacement, fire turn-out gear. Long noted this is an ambitious capital plan that has been in the works for some time.

Capital equipment replacement items include a police vehicle, street truck, and water truck, all previously approved by council March 25, 2024.

Administrative expenses for FY 25 include a 4.1% salary and wage increase; minimum. wage now @ $14/hour; expected Ameren increase in May; increased technology expenses for new building.

The yearend general fund budget shows $5.5 million in operating reserves; $2 million in water; sewer fund in good shape. The Barker/Prairie area will be the only active TIF. MFT balance close to zero after regular maintenance and road projects. Tourism and library are routine approved by their boards.

Long stated she believes we have sufficient fund balances remaining. Action will be taken on the proposed budget at the April 22, 2024 meeting. Contact Long with questions or concerns.

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

Consent Agenda

Mayor Kleiss went over the items on the consent agenda:

Minutes of the March 25, 2024 meeting

Payment of bills totaling $636,386.78

Pay request in the amount of $93,150.00, from Wohltman Construction for the maintenance building (included in bill total)

Pay request from Wohltman Construction in the amount of $172,896.30, for the fire station (included in total)

Change order on the fire station for an additional $7,503.00

Community Building lease request with alcohol from Aleida Mendoza for a Quinceanera April 20, 2024

Day moved to approve the items on the consent agenda. Morris seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop. Shoemaker moved to approve the consent agenda for April 8, 2024. Day seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.

Mayor - No Report

City Clerk - No Report

City Treasurer - No Report

City Attorney - No Report

City Administrator – No Report

Contracts and Agreements

Pilson Auto in Mattoon has an additional 2024 Dodge Durango another municipality did not take delivery of and has offered it to the city. By making this purchase now, the city can trade two Ford Explorers with high mileage and not be subject to the 12-18 month wait when ordering new vehicles. Slaughter moved to approve the purchase of a 2024 Dodge Durango police vehicle from Pilson Auto in Mattoon, IL, for $28,225.00, with trade in of two 2017 Ford Explorers. Morris seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.

Hoey moved to approve the quote from Adkisson Construction in the amount of $19,999.50, for roof repair on the police department building. Slaughter seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.

Day moved to approve the agreement with Ford of Tuscola/Pafco Truck Bodies for the utility bed and installation for the F350 water truck ordered after approval at the last meeting. Bed and installation quoted at $17,864.00. Waldrop seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.

Administrator Hoel discussed the Meadowview water main project bids that were opened recently. Through some investigative work, Hoel learned the low bidder on the project, Groundworks Contracting, will have to be rejected due to non-compliance on some bid notifications. Hoel added he was concerned with their low amount which was much lower than the other bids and below the engineer's estimate. Hoel learned from DCEO this bid would need to be rejected as non-responsive-non-responsible. Slaughter moved to award the bid and authorize the contract approval with C&S Companies in the amount of $928,247.00, for the Meadowview water main project. Morris seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.

Hoey moved to approve the bid and authorize execution of the contract with Grunloh Building, Inc., in the amount of $670,105.00, for the Tuscola master meter station replacement project. Brace seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.

Mayor Kleiss discussed a $100,000.00, grant agreement with the State of IL Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The city was approved some time ago for this grant, which will go towards completion of the new fire station. Morris moved to approve the grant agreement with DCEO in the amount of $100,000.00, for the new fire station. Shoemaker seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.

Other

Slaughter moved to approve the Tuscola Fire Department Personnel Roster as presented, effective April 2, 2024. Day seconded. Copy of roster attached, making it part of the minutes. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.

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

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