East Central Reporter

City of Tuscola City Council met Nov. 12.

City of Olney Fire Pension Board met Nov. 12council:

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

Consent Agenda

Mayor Kleiss went over the items on the consent agenda:

• Minutes of the October 28, 2024, meeting

• Payment of bills totaling $472,589.97

• Pay request from Grunloh Building, Inc. in the amount of $214,779.26, for the master meter station. This amount is in addition to the bills total and will be paid with a draw on the EPA loan.

Hoey moved to approve the items on the consent agenda. Morris seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop. Rund moved to approve the consent agenda for November 12, 2024. Morris seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop.

Mayor

Mayor Kleiss congratulated Kate Foltz, TCHS junior, on her record setting Class 1A state win.

City Clerk

Clerk Leamon reminded candidates running for office in the April 1 consolidated election they can file their nominating papers November 12-15 and November 18 between the hours of 7:30 am and 4:30 pm.

City Treasurer - No Report

City Attorney - No Report

City Administrator

Administrator Hoel announced we should begin seeing construction equipment on Moore Ave north of Love's. The developer has sold off one of the parcels and a privately funded project will begin soon.

Contracts and Agreements

Administrator Hoel discussed two items - an agreement with Chastain & Associates concerning a joint agency pipeline conflict review and an IDOT reimbursement. The state is planning to widen route 45 from Tuscola to Pesotum. Our joint water line runs along route 45 on a private easement close enough to the road that it could be impacted. With the widening of route 45, our water line may not have as much cover as it currently does. Because this is on a private easement, the state pays all engineering and construction costs for investigating, identification of conflicts, and determining whether or not relocation is appropriate.

Waldrop moved to approve the agreement with Chastain & Associates for the joint water agency pipeline conflict review of proposed IDOT route 45 widening at a cost not to exceed $15,000.00. Brace seconded. Hoel added the City of Arcola will review this agreement and act on it next week. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop. Day moved to approve the reimbursable utility adjustment agreement with IDOT for the route 45 project. Hoey seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop. Other

• Mayor Kleiss opened discussion on the proposed property tax levy for next year. Treasurer Long and Administrator Hoel recommend going with a 4% increase to keep taxes flat. By keeping the levy below 5%, we will avoid the need for additional notices. The ordinance for a 4% levy will be prepared and on file at City Hall for public viewing.

• Mayor Kleiss asked for approval of the revised Tuscola fire fighter roster. Morris moved to approve the revised fire fighter roster as submitted. Copy attached to the minutes. Hoey seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop.

• Slaughter moved to approve the appointment of Rob Hardwick, effective 10/28/2024 as Street Department Team Leader at a rate of $31.50 per hour. Waldrop seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop.

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

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