East Central Reporter

City of Mattoon City Council met Aug. 20.

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 August 20, 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, Public Works Director David Clark, Fire Chief Jeff Hilligoss, Police Chief Sam Gaines, Community Development and Planning Manager 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 August 6, 2024 with corrections of scriveners’ errors that occurred on the Trust # in the minutes; bills and payroll for the first half of August 2024.

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 with no comment.

PUBLIC HEARING: 6:30 p.m. OSLAD FY25 Grant Application

Mayor Rick Hall opened the Public Hearing on the FY25 OSLAD Grant Application in the City Hall Council Chambers at 6:33 p.m. on August 20, 2024. Community Development & Planning Director Alex Benishek discussed the OSLAD FY25 Application including the review of the grant from FY24, vision for OSLAD FY25 Phase II of the Lake Mattoon Revitalization Project, request of $600,000 in grant funding, contingency of the City being considered “distressed community” by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, possibility of not available due to receipt of the FY24 grant, changing demographics, and request of permission to apply for the FY25 grant. CDP Director Benishek added if the IDNR does not consider the City a “distressed community”, the City would not receive the grant. Mr. Ed Dowd Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce inquired if this was an annual application and apply next year. CDP Director Benishek stated affirmatively, and if there would be matching funds required, the City would not apply. With no further questions, Mayor Hall closed the Public Hearing on the OSLAD FY25 Grant at 6:39 p.m.

NEW BUSINESS

Commissioner Closson seconded by Commissioner Phipps moved to adopt Resolution No. 2024-3278, approving the application for the State of Illinois Department of Natural Resources OSLAD FY25 Grant; and the support for and adoption of Phase II of the Lake Mattoon Marina and Campgrounds Revitalization Project.

Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions. Mayor Hall stated only a couple of fees changed. Administrator Gill noted the $200 monthly fees for premium lots, boat deck rentals to $300, tent camping at $7.50 and explained the premium areas with no increases since 2021. Commissioner Cox noted the great improvements that were made to the area. Administrator Gill stated the plan was to continue with improvements.

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 stated for the benefit of the Public in attendance that the next three motions dealt with the sanitary sewer project from the sports complex to the Waste Water Treatment Plant.

Commissioner Phipps seconded by Commissioner Graven moved to adopt Special Ordinance No. 2024-1919, authorizing the purchase of a permanent easement for the construction of a sanitary sewer project from the Emerald Acres Sports connection to the Waste Water Treatment Plant from AJM, L.L.C. in the amount of $10.00, including a temporary easement.

Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions/comments. Administrator Gill stated the newspaper had an incorrect amount, Rural King was more or less donating the property with no current crop damage costs anticipating the crops would be out of the field by the time the contractor would reach the property. If the crops were not out of the field, the City may have crop damage costs.

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 adopt Special Ordinance No. 2024-1920, authorizing the purchase of a permanent easement for the construction of a sanitary sewer project from the Emerald Acres Sports connection to the Waste Water Treatment Plant from GLC Overton Farms, Inc. in the amount of $15,897.63, including a temporary easement.

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 adopt Special Ordinance No. 2024-1921, authorizing the purchase of a permanent easement for the construction of a sanitary sewer project from the Emerald Acres Sports connection to the Waste Water Treatment Plant from I.O.O.F. Grand Lodge in the amount of $30,768.56, including a temporary easement.

Mayor Hall opened the floor for comments. Administrator Gill stated he had spoken with the Board members who would actually be voting this weekend. Mayor Hall added this resolution would be dependent on passage by the I.O.O.F. Board.

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 Adopt Resolution No. 2024-3279, authorizing a lease of office space in the Illinois Central Railroad Depot to the Coles County Veterans Support Coalition; and authorizing the mayor to sign the Commercial Office Space Lease.

Mayor Hall opened the floor for comments. Mrs. Carolyn Cloyd, Director of the Coles County Veterans Support Coalition, introduced the Board members as John Geib, President, Connie Jones, Secretary/Treasurer, and Kari Jones, Director; and stated the Board wanted to thank the Council for allowing the lease, explained the search for space, how their coalition benefits the community, and appreciated the opportunity to continue to provide the benefits. Commissioner Closson inquired as to signage out front and thanked Commissioner Graven for bringing this to Council. Director Cloyd hoped to have their information on the digital board if possible. Mayor Hall inquired as to their hours of operation. Secretary/Treasurer Jones stated they would have regular business hours as well as other workshops. Director Cloyd added they would be in the space frequently.

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 2024-2534, approving Change Order #2 in the amount of $32,263.31 for the Sports Complex Roadway Project; and authorizing the Public Works Director to sign the request. 23-00353-00-PV

Mayor Hall opened the floor for comments. Director Clark noted the adjustment was for additional work due to the rains. Mayor Hall inquired as to extra costs with Director Clark stating not to the City since the costs are a 50/50 split between the sports complex and the grant. Mayor Hall clarified the City would be reimbursed.

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 work on easements, TIF address reviews with Beth for the State’s website, hiring for the Park Department, day-to-day issues; and would be seeking the Council’s opinion on economic development. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

CITY ATTORNEY noted business as usual while waiting on the ruling from the judge on the Quakenbush matter. Commissioner Cox inquired on the hearing of the former Brown Shoe Factory owner with Attorney Jones stating the owner hired legal counsel which postponed the hearing until September 16th.

CITY CLERK noted business as usual and announced the April 1, 2025 Election information is on the City’s website and petitions are available at the City Clerk’s Office. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

FINANCE distributed and reviewed the July Financial Report including revenues/expenses, cash position, Revenue Tracking, property taxes received on the 9th of August, notification of PPRT from the Department of Revenue stating the City was to receive two-thirds less than what was received last year, completion of the draft of the FY24 Treasurer’s Report to be published in the newspaper and submitted to the County to receive the final installment of property taxes in November, and unrestricted cash. Commissioner Cox inquired about not publishing in the newspaper but an online format. Director & Treasurer Wright noted the attempt to condense the report. Administrator Gill stated there was attempts to pass a law to allow publication on another website, but had not been passed yet.

PUBLIC WORKS updated Council on the general maintenance throughout the City, various ongoing projects, new pump at Lake Mattoon, lead water line and grant with Lake Land to collect the data, Safe Routes to School project with ribbon cutting, Broadway finishing up on north side of 14th and 15th Streets, sport complex all of Remington Road and Fort Worth Way paved with sidewalks to begin next Monday, and the sanitary sewer line. Mayor Hall inquired as to the Wooddell Way timeframe with Director Clark stating by Thanksgiving weather permitting. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

FIRE reported on calls for service, three inspections and a lot at the Emerald Acres sprinkler and alarms and follow-ups, last group to attend the Chicago live airport training, hydrant testing, night drill, and his work on the County Hazard Mitigation Plan and MOU for the next meeting. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

POLICE reported on calls for service, arrests, and I/O Solutions for a new hire list and actively seeking locals for a November 16th test. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

ARTS AND TOURISM Commissioner Cox reported on Director Burgett and Festival Coordinator White’s attendance at a lightworks meeting in Shelbyville with Effingham, Shelbyville, Tuscola and Sullivan to have a partnership to expand cross promotions, staff met with Emerald Acres to discuss Tourism involvement, meeting with Cromwell for the 40th Anniversary of Bagelfest, local artist for Downtown art, meeting with building owners on Downtown lights, Downstate Illinois Visitor’s Guide, and finalizing the Bagelfest and 4th of July reports. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT reported on finishing up the demolitions for this fiscal year totaling 10 for this year, sports complex moving forward, his meeting to bring ideas for Downtown, his Washington D.C. US Chamber of Commerce foundation for workforce development and childcare to primarily reverse the exodus of people from the area. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

COMMENTS BY THE COUNCIL

Council expressed thanks to the Board of Veteran Coalition for their service and benefits provided. Commissioner Closson added an update on the pickleball court dedication on September 11th at 5:30 p.m., and meeting with Tyler Yoder on Emerald’s history and what they can do transitioning for the winter months for pickleball players. Commissioner Cox added a thanks to Commissioner Graven for bringing this to Council. Commissioner Graven added the Police and Fire Departments softball game for Relay for Life. Chief Hilligoss stated the Fire Department would be selling tee shirts at the game. Commissioner Phipps added his attendance at the preconstruction meeting on the sewer project, good work Public Works was doing with two to three personnel short and contracting with others for timely projects. Mayor Hall noted a good meeting with Kingspan, which wanted to be a community corporation, at the Chamber Office, following up on fundraising for the sports complex and review of the hazard mitigation report.

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, NAY Commissioner Graven, YEA Commissioner Phipps, YEA Mayor Hall.

https://mattoon.illinois.gov/download/city-council-meeting-2024-09-03/