East Central Reporter

City of Mattoon City Council met Jan. 7.

Here is the agenda 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 January 7, 2025. 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, and YEA Mayor Rick Hall. Commissioner David Phipps was absent.

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 Dave Clark, Fire Chief Jeff Hilligoss, Police Chief Sam Gaines, Community Development & Planning Manager Alex Benishek (6:32pm) and City Clerk Susan O’Brien.

Mayor Hall seconded by Commissioner Graven moved to allow the electronic attendance by Commissioner Phipps due to employment purposes.

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

Commissioner Phipps attended the meeting through audio means at 6:31 p.m.

CONSENT AGENDA

Mayor Hall seconded by Commissioner Cox moved to approve the consent agenda consisting of Regular Meeting minutes of December 3, 2024, bills and payrolls for the last half of December 2024 and first half of January 2025.

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

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 questions of the Public in attendance and attending virtually with no response.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

CITY ADMINISTRATOR informed Council of the posting of job vacancies/descriptions, the grant writer position with interviews tomorrow, speaking with attorneys regarding the city manager form of government, compliments on Public Works and clearing of roads, thanked the employees and new employees for their efforts who provided a good team effort. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

CITY ATTORNEY announced the waiting on the Quakenbush ruling. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

CITY CLERK explained short of staff the last two weeks due to the holiday, and mainly day-to day issues. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

FINANCE distributed and reviewed the Major Sources of Revenue, noted processing budgets and reviews for next year with Administrator Gill, waiting on IML reports for some revenues, and unrestricted cash in the General Fund. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

PUBLIC WORKS remarked on the six to eight inches of snow Mattoon received and the good job the crews did clearing the snow by working 12-hour shifts for a couple of days, continued cleanup from the storm; and noted design projects in-house and various plan reviews, Upchurch working on the west side drainage and loop road by Walmart. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions. Commissioner Closson inquired as to the delay of the sewer line by the sports complex with Director Clark explaining working around an unidentified gas and fiber optic lines and looking for alternative routes, force main to Dettro and plans getting together caused a legitimate delay for the contractors.

FIRE reported on calls for service, three inspections & follow-ups, training; completion of the Station Rehabilitation Grant for $350,000 to add an additional bay at Station 3; and calls for service up by around 381 from last year and would provide a detailed report to Council next week. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions. Chief Hilligoss thanked the Public Works, Parks and everyone who had a hand in clearing the snow and remarked on the fabulous job.

POLICE reported on calls for service, 68 arrests over the past three weeks, and would have the year-end reports to Council next week.

ARTS AND TOURISM announced the collection of letter of intent for grants, Central Illinois small town get together, meeting with Parks Supt. Hesse and Festival Coordinator White for Lightworks next year, meeting with Peyton Morrow on additional murals, meeting with Coordinator White and the marketing of Bagelfest, work on the budget; and stated Lightworks’ donations were more with less cars in 2024. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT provided updates on various grants, a three million dollar update and expansion grant, six more houses preparing to be demolished, upcoming year-end reports, and Inspector Sudkamp and Inspector Carter reviewing certificates of occupancy with Fire Shift Captain Clatfelter. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

COMMENTS BY THE COUNCIL

Council expressed their thanks and appreciation on all of the crews (Public Works, Fire, Police) in working together to have the snow cleared. Mayor Hall added work on the changing to the managerial form of government and Phase II of Emerald Acres.

Mayor Hall seconded by Commissioner Cox moved to recess to closed session at 6:50 p.m. pursuant to the Illinois Open Meetings Act for the purpose of the discussion of the appointment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the City or legal counsel for the City under (5ILCS 120 (2)(C)(1)); and collective negotiating matters between the City of Mattoon and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees under (5ILCS 120 (2)(C)(2)).

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.

Council reconvened at 7:52 p.m.

Mayor Hall led discussion regarding the change of government to the managerial form, contacting groups to help with the process: ILCMA, search group, and law firm to answer legal questions

and prepare ordinances. Council discussed the statutes and hiring of a law firm to answer legal questions and ordinance preparations.

Commissioner Cox seconded by Commissioner Closson moved to adjourn at 8:09 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-2025-01-07/