East Central Reporter

City of Tuscola City Council met Oct. 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The regular meeting of the Tuscola 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 October 15, 2024, meeting

Financial report for September 2024

Payment of bills totaling $494,306.06

Mayor Kleiss announced the Salvation Army has requested time on the agenda to speak about the upcoming 'Red Kettle' season and to ask permission to ring the bell every Saturday from November 11 - December 21.

Hoey moved to approve the items on the consent agenda. Morris seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop. Day moved to approve the consent agenda for October 28, 2024. Waldrop seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Wisovaty, representing the Salvation Army, arrived at 7:15 pm. The Wisovaty's were able to get their first 'Red Kettle' donations from council.

Mayor

Kleiss introduced Matt Schweighart as his recommendation for the City Attorney position. Schweighart grew up in Tuscola and graduated from TCHS in 1999. Schweighart currently lives in Champaign and has a law practice there in addition to his practice in Tuscola. Hoey moved to approve the appointment of Matt Schweighart as City Attorney, effective November 1, 2024, at the current rate of pay. Day seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.

Mayor Kleiss noted that after 52 years of employment, tonight is Foreman Cruzan's last council meeting! Kleiss thanked Attorney Bequette, also attending his last council meeting, for his 18 years of service to the City and presented him with an appreciation gift.

City Clerk - No Report

City Treasurer

Treasurer Long called council's attention to the annual Treasurer's report. This report will be published in the County Chronicle this week.

Kaci Magee, Larsson, Woodyard, and Henson CPA's addressed council about the city's recent audit. There were no issues or problems and Magee feels the city is in a great financial position. All council members have a copy of the annual audit.

City Attorney

Attorney Bequette thanked council for the opportunity to serve the city for the last 18 years. He has great memories of the time he served and was always proud to say he represented the City of Tuscola.

City Administrator - No Report

Contracts and Agreements

Slaughter moved to approve the proposal submitted by Utz and Associates Architects for architectural, design, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering for the renovation of the pool house, at a fee of $45,000.00. Rund seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.

Other

Shoemaker moved to approve a $200 holiday bonus for all full time city employees and firefighters. Waldrop seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.

Day moved council go into executive session to discuss personnel. The time was 7:21 PM. Morris seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop. The meeting was called back to order at 7:40 PM with Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop, and Mayor Kleiss in attendance. Hoey moved to approve the appointment of Tony Krable as a full time police officer effective October 29, 2024. Krable's probation period is one year and salary is $28.81. Slaughter seconded. 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/file/1474