East Central Reporter

City of Mattoon City Council met Sept. 3.

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 September 3, 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, Arts & Tourism Director Angelia Burgett, Public Works Director David Clark, Fire Chief Jeff Hilligoss, Deputy Police Chief Ryan Hurst, 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 20, 2024 bills and payroll for the last 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. Ms. Wanda Ryan of 616 Dakota requested the City to do something about her neighbor’s bamboo plant which has overgrown onto her property. Administrator Gill stated the City would look into it with Deputy Chief Hurst stating the Police Department would also check into the situation.

NEW BUSINESS

Commissioner Cox seconded by Commissioner Phipps moved to adopt Special Ordinance No. 2024-1922, approving a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) providing a temporary variance regarding the promotional testing promotional list; and authorizing the mayor to sign the MOU. (Cox)

CITY OF MATTOON, ILLINOIS

SPECIAL ORDINANCE NO. 2024-1922

AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (“MOU”) BETWEEN THE CITY OF MATTOON AND THE MATTOON FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION LOCAL 691 PROVIDING A TEMPORARY VARIANCE REGARDING THE PROMOTIONAL TESTING PROCESS AS OUTLINED IN THE CBA AND THE “PROMOTIONAL ACT: (50ILCS 742)”.

WHEREAS, the City of Mattoon (hereinafter “City”) entered into a Collective Bargaining Agreement (hereinafter “CBA”) with the Mattoon Firefighters Association Local 691 (hereinafter “Firefighters”) beginning May 1, 2022 which remains in effect until a successor contract is approved; and,

WHEREAS, the City and the Firefighters agree to amend certain promotional provisions of the fire department “promotional act” (50 ILCS 742) these amendments, and this MOU, shall be for this current promotional testing cycle; and,

WHEREAS, said MOU is to provide a temporary variance of the parties’ collective bargaining agreement with regards to waiving the 90-day notification of examination; and,

WHEREAS, said MOU is to provide a temporary variance of the parties’ collective bargaining agreement with regards to allowing the Fire Chief to administer the written examination; and,

WHEREAS, said MOU is to add that to be eligible to take this promotional examination, the candidate shall have completed probation at the date of the written examination; and,

WHEREAS, all other procedures that are specified in the CBA shall be followed in relation to the promotional process; and,

WHEREAS, the City has drafted said MOU to memorialize the terms of their agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF MATTOON, COLES COUNTY, A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION, as follows:

Section 1. The City Council hereby approves and ratifies the Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) attached hereto as Exhibit “A” and incorporated herein by this reference.

Section 2. This ordinance shall be deemed published as of the day of its adoption and approval by the City Council.

Section 3. This ordinance shall be effective upon its approval as provided by law.

Upon motion by Commissioner Cox , seconded by Commissioner Phipps , adopted this 3rd day of September 2024, by a roll call vote, as follows:

AYES (Names): Commissioner Closson, Commissioner Cox, Commissioner Graven, Commissioner Phipps, Mayor Hall

NAYS (Names): None

ABSENT (Names): None

Approved this 3rd day of September 2024.

/s/Rick Hall______________________

Rick Hall, Mayor

City of Mattoon, Coles County, Illinois

ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM

/s/Susan J. O’Brien_______

Susan J. O’Brien, City Clerk

/s/ Dan C. Jones__________

Dan C. Jones, City Attorney

Recorded in the Municipality’s Records on 09-03 , 2024.

Mayor Hall opened the floor for comments/questions. Administrator Gill noted previous discussion and differences between state statutes and contract. Chief Hilligoss stated the change to allow the chief to proctor the testing which would reduce the cost of administering the testing.

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. 2024-3280, authorizing the approval and execution of a solar power purchase agreement between the City of Mattoon and Renewable Energy Evolution to be located at the Waste Water Treatment Plant; and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute the agreement and other relevant documents. (Closson)

CITY OF MATTOON, ILLINOIS

RESOLUTION NO. 2024-3280

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE APPROVAL AND THE EXECUTION OF A SOLAR POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF MATTOON AND RENEWABLE ENERGY EVOLUTION; AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE THE ATTACHED AGREEMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

WHEREAS, the City of Mattoon from time to time enters into power purchase agreements; and

WHEREAS, the City has previously approved a letter of intent with Renewable Energy Evolution and Commercial Electric Inc. to develop a power purchase agreement and solar array project for the Mattoon Wastewater Treatment Plant; and

WHEREAS, the City is desirous of moving forward with an agreement for the construction of a solar array and power purchase agreement at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and

WHEREAS, Renewable Energy Evolution is a firm experienced in arranging for the power purchase agreements to be financed by a third-party investor which would be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the solar array.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF MATTOON, COLES COUNTY, ILLINOIS, that the City enters into the Solar Power Purchase Agreement with Renewable Energy Evolution and further authorizes the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the attached agreement and other relevant documents as necessary to move forward with the endeavor.

Upon motion by Commissioner Closson , seconded by Commissioner Phipps , adopted this 3rd day of September 2024, by a roll call vote, as follows:

AYES (Names): Commissioner Closson, Commissioner Cox, Commissioner Graven, Commissioner Phipps, Mayor Hall

NAYS (Names): None

ABSENT (Names): None

Approved this 3rd day of September 2024.

/s/Rick Hall______________________

Rick Hall, Mayor

City of Mattoon, Coles County, Illinois

ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM

/s/Susan J. O’Brien_______

Susan J. O’Brien, City Clerk

/s/Dan C. Jones__________

Dan C. Jones, City Attorney

Recorded in the Municipality’s Records on 09-03 , 2024.

Mayor Hall opened the floor for comments/questions. Administrator Gill noted the attendance of Mr. Derek Bartlett, the previous presentation, the section of part of the sewer plant not being used, good project with no expense for six years. Mayor Hall inquired as to the aid or support with Administrator Gill noting tax credit purchases. Commissioner Closson noted the

WWTP Superintendent Doug Homann was behind the project and would have significant savings to the WWTP.

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 Cox moved to approve Council Decision Request 2024-2535, approving Change Order #1 in the amount of $26,688 to Curry Construction for the Primary Pump Replacement Project at the Waste Water Treatment Plant; and authorizing the public works director to sign the order. (Closson)

Mayor Hall opened the floor for comments. Administrator Gill explained the change order including the engineer’s design was too tall to fit the products available.

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 2024-2536, approving the employment of Jaxon Boyce as Engineering Technician with an annual salary of $56,160 and effective date of 09/16/2024. (Phipps)

Mayor Hall opened the floor for comments/questions. Director Clark noted the current reduction of technicians and the entry-level position at the going rates today.

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 business as usual while reviewing lease agreement with Blue Bird Network seeking property by the east water tower for a fiberoptic shelter, nuisance complaints, and demo costs lending a possibility of a couple additional demolitions. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

CITY ATTORNEY noted business as usual while waiting on the Quakenbush ruling. Commissioner Graven inquired as to the Perry issue with Attorney Jones stating he could try to push that one. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

CITY CLERK noted getting ready for insurance renewal sessions and processing various reports. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

FINANCE distributed and reviewed the Revenue Tracking Report including comparisons from last year, unrestricted cash in General Fund, and fielding auditors’ questions. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

PUBLIC WORKS updated Council on the Western Avenue grade and seeding with the sidewalk project, Broadway main issue resolved and moving to southside of 15th/16th Street, sports complex’s parking lots, sidewalks and hauling rock on Swords to pave curbs, oil and chip project to start, and the start of the 2024 sidewalk project. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

FIRE reported on calls for service, inspections, walkthroughs of downtown businesses, EMS training, and participation in the Peterson Park softball game. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

POLICE reported on calls for service, 50 arrests, busy Labor Day, one officer graduated from Academy and two officers sent to Academy, new hire testing on November 16, and meeting with Mr. Yoder at the sports complex for security expectations of off-duty officers. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

ARTS AND TOURISM reported on Festival Coordinator White and Director Burgett’s attendance with eight other communities in Shelbyville to collaborate with the Winkle Lights Tour for cross promotion, discussions with Downstate Illinois to promote coffee travel, Burger King, Bagelfest for a visitors’ guide/marketing agency, upcoming events including the Photography Show and Holiday Arts Sale in November and provided good stats.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT updated Council on the 10 demolitions, Solar Farm Special Use extension, Coles Together substation project, Celebrate Downtown special lights drone show and other projects to spur downtown, Land Bank for a vacant lot on N. 33rd, Housing study to be completed next month, Use of Street application for Milk & Honey’s event with vendors on September 15th, Clarion opening on Friday, and the beginning of review of the updated building codes. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

COMMENTS BY THE COUNCIL

Commissioner Closson announced the Parks Department’s preparation for Lightworks and reminder of Pickleball Court Dedication on September 11th. Commissioners Cox and Graven had no further comments. Commissioner Phipps congratulated Director Clark to accept the Lou Liay Spirit Award at the home football Illini game after 47 years of consecutive attendance. Mayor Hall had no further comments.

Commissioner Phipps seconded by Commissioner Phipps moved to adjourn at 6:53 p.m.

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

https://mattoon.illinois.gov/download/city-council-meeting-2024-09-17/