East Central Reporter

City of Mattoon City Council met Feb. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

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 Dave Clark, Police Chief Sam Gaines, Community Development & Planning Manager Alex Benishek (7:10pm) 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 February 18, 2025, bills and payroll for the first half of February 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 Public comments in attendance and online. Ms. Mickey Gartlan, City employee, spoke on behalf of retaining Administrator Gill and presented a petition to the Council with approximately 70% of employees’ signatures.

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Hall asked for any objections to moving the first item to the last item to be considered. There were no objections.

Commissioner Phipps seconded by Commissioner Closson moved to approve Council Decision Request 2025-2571, authorizing the employment of Cole Wolfe at the Public Works

Department Streets/Utilities as a Maintenance Worker II with an annual salary of $41,184.00 effective March 03, 2025, contingent upon passage of his background and drug screening.

Mayor Hall opened the floor for comments. Administrator Gill provided a brief background of Mr. Wolfe; and noted that he would be a good asset. Director Clark explained how impressed he was with Mr. Wolfe’s attitude and experience.

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 approve Council Decision Request 2025-2572, authorizing the employment of Nathan Nash at the Public Works Department Water Treatment Plant as a Maintenance Worker III with an annual salary of $48,630.40 effective March 10, 2025, contingent upon passage of his background and drug screening.

Mayor Hall opened the floor for comments. Administrator Gill explained Mr. Nash’s unique history working on oil rigs, electronics and carpentry skills as well as mechanical aptitude with pumps. Director Clark stated the need for maintenance personnel to help with the plant pumps.

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 approve Council Decision Request 2025-2573, authorizing the employment of Dane Croy at the Public Works Department Waste Water Treatment Plant as an Operator II with an annual salary of $41,184.00 effective March 03, 2025, contingent upon passage of his background and drug screening.

Mayor Hall opened the floor for comments. Administrator Gill provided a background with tree and landscaping, and yardwork for the Lumpkins of Mr. Croy; and noted a good work ethic and good fit in the Department. Commissioner Graven inquired if Mr. Croy was related to Mike with Administrator Gill noting a distant cousin.

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 Graven moved to adopt Special Ordinance No. 2025-1944, approving the designation of revenues generated from the municipal cannabis retailers’ occupation tax to certain needs of the City.

Mayor Hall opened the floor for comments. The Council discussed the designation of revenues, addressing awareness campaigns, changes to the ordinance, consideration at the time when permits were considered, not agreeing with the allocation of specific items and need for control over what was needed at the time, more funds to the drug drop-off and Safe Haven programs, Taylorville’s aggressive substance counseling, assisting with payment of counseling, [Chief Gaines and Fire Captain Bart Owen provided information on their Departments dealing with issues of mental health and CESSA mandates.] Mayor Hall motioned to table until the next meeting, purchases with video gaming, having more public awareness, hiring part-time staff to assist with mental health, committee’s decisions on funding, internal funding, [Administrator Gill provided potential guidance on allocated area funding.] committee’s powers, contracting and hiring from organization, [Attorney Jones noted the treatment of everyone on an equal basis.] [CECD Manager Benishek noted the request from a cannabis distribution company waiting for Council action on approving a permit.] validity of moving forward to collect the revenues, new concepts for drug addiction and mental health, having additional resources to help the problem, Commissioner Phipps called the question, [Attorney Jones reviewed with Council the procedures for withdrawing, amending, calling questions, and tabling.] Commissioner Phipps withdrew his motion to call to question, Mayor Hall withdrew his motion to table.

Commissioner Phipps seconded by Commissioner Graven moved to amend the motion to change amend Section 2, Item 1 to strike “(ex Safe Passage, DARE, etc.). Examples of such services include but are not limited to Lifelinks, CEAD Council, Safe Passage program, etc”.

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

Commissioner Cox stated he does approve the motion to amend and meant to vote YEA.

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

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

CITY ADMINISTRATOR noted preparations of budgets with Director & Treasurer Wright and Department Heads, reviewed some changes to create a balanced budget; processing of backgrounds of new hires, and review of an electrical aggregation proposal from another firm. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

CITY ATTORNEY noted review of several projects, upcoming Quakenbush hearing on Wednesday and Perry hearing in the near future; and would update Council at the next meeting. Commissioner Cox inquired as to the Perry issue with Attorney Jones noting a motion to dismiss Mr. Perry’s request, which would allow the hearing of the case. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

CITY CLERK noted processing of new hires, insurance issues and day-to-day operations. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

FINANCE distributed and reviewed the January Financial Report including the General Fund revenues and expenditures, cash position, Revenue Tracking spreadsheet, unrestricted cash and budgeting meetings. Commissioner Phipps inquired as to the spike in sales tax with Director and Treasurer Wright noting November sales recorded in December – seasonality to sales taxes with December numbers coming. Commissioner Closson stated the loss of sales tax. Administrator Gill noted paying close attention to numbers and with some stores closing, consumers would visit other stores. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

PUBLIC WORKS noted several applicants for the Assistant Public Works position; updated Council on the Lead Water Line soon to be completed, furnace issues at two locations,

iWorQ software with the expectation of being a big timesaver. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

FIRE Commissioner Cox reported on the calls for service including two structure fires, 14 inspections including Emerald Acres and the Sarah Bush walk-in Clinic.

POLICE reported on calls for service, 40 arrests, proud of the staff handling major incidents being solved within hours, finishing week three of four with State mandated training, and noted the 70% backing of employees would have been higher due to the short turnaround. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

ARTS AND TOURISM Commissioner Cox reported that Director Burgett and Festivals Coordinator White attended Macomb’s Downtown Arts and Installation, and coordinating with Peyton Morrow on the next alley mural, Mattoon School District’s Celebrity Creatives with school, first networking meeting with other tourism offices, finalizing the plans with Emerald Acres partnerships, and plans for Lightworks and the 40th Anniversary of Bagelfest. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT updated Council on his attendance of the excellent Solar Farm presentation, the City’s ownership of 1816 Grant through the Land Bank, mandatory budget update with DCEO, and retail strategies to involve a retail recruitment firm for South Route 45 and present to Council in April. Commissioner Phipps inquired as to which solar company with CDCE Manager Benishek responding Earthwise Energy.

COMMENTS BY THE COUNCIL

Commissioner Closson complimented the Street crews for their pretreatment of the roads before the bad weather, noted Lakes Maintenance John Wurtsbaugh provided the boat sticker sales were approximately 1,100 annually, and appreciated the dialogue this evening. Commissioner Cox thanked Ms. Garland for her attendance, good culture and commended Administrator Gill too. Commissioner Graven had no further comments. Commissioner Phipps reported on a meeting with Administrator Gill, Director Clark and constituents regarding the Westside Drainage project, and appreciated the dialogue. Mayor Hall had no further comment.

Mayor Hall seconded by Commissioner Cox moved to recess to closed session at 8:07 p.m. pursuant to the Illinois Open Meetings Act for the purpose of considering the selection of a person to fill a public office as defined in this Act for the City under (5ILCS 120 (2)(c)(3)).

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 8:35 p.m.

Commissioner Cox seconded by Commissioner Closson moved to adjourn at 8:35 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-2025-03-04/