East Central Reporter

City of Mattoon City Council met April 1.

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 April 1, 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, YEA Commissioner David Phipps and YEA Mayor Rick Hall.

Also physically present were City personnel: City Administrator/Interim Manager 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 & Code Enforcement 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 March 18, 2025, bills and payroll for the last half of March 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 with no response.

PUBLIC HEARING – FY26 BUDGET

Mayor Hall opened the Public Hearing of the Fiscal Year 26 Budget in the City Hall Council Chambers located at 208 N. 19th Street, Mattoon, Illinois 61938 at 6:32 p.m. City Administrator Gill reviewed the proposed FY26 Budget including General Fund Revenues and largest Expenditures in each fund of the Police Department, Fire Department, Public Works Department, Parks/Lakes/Cemetery, Community Development, City Manager, City Clerk, Finance Department, Council, Computer IT, Legal, Economic Development, Property Tax versus Pensions, Motor Fuel Tax, Hotel Tax, Festival Management, Mobile Equipment Fund, Revolving Loan Fund, Capital Projects Fund, Midtown TIF (2027), I-57 East TIF (2030), I-57 Business District (2030), Broadway East TIF (2031), Broadway East Business District (2031), South Route 45 TIF District (2031), South Route 45 Business District, Remington Road & I-57 Business District, Water Fund, Sewer Fund, Health Insurance Fund and Insurance & Tort Judgment Fund. The floor was opened for questions. Commissioner Closson inquired as to the inclusion of the Grocery Tax with Administrator Gill stating affirmatively with a reinstatement before January 2026. With no further questions Mayor Hall closed the Public Hearing at 7:06 p.m.

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Hall seconded by Commissioner Cox moved to adopt Ordinance No. 2025-5490, establishing the Manager Form of Government; and amending the municipal code of ordinances Chapter 31 CITY OFFICIALS Section 31.20 to codify the City Manager position.

Mayor Hall opened the floor for comments. Interim Manager Gill explained the bike trail under the Interchange on 57 and requested solar lighting; and stated the State would pay for the lighting. Director Clark noted taking the lead with Farnsworth and desire to have solar lighting to eliminate a power expense.

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 2025-2581, approving the engineering proposal from the Farnsworth Group for the design of solar lighting in the tunnel for the Lincoln Prairie Trail under I-57 in the amount of $14,000; and authorizing the mayor to sign the proposal.

Interim Manager Gill noted the approval of Farnsworth to perform the study.

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 Graven seconded by Commissioner Phipps moved to approve Council Decision Request 2025-2582, approving the water and sewer billing adjustment in the amount of $1,038.17 on behalf of Katherine Wright located at 711 S. 16th Street.

Mayor Hall noted the common adjustment.

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 Graven seconded by Commissioner Cox moved to approve Council Decision Request 2025-2583, approving the water and sewer billing adjustment in the amount of $1,137.62 on behalf of Kristen Becker located at 2721 Commercial.

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

Mayor Hall seconded by Commissioner Closson moved to approve Council Decision Request 2025-2584, approving the bid of $171,600 from Taylor Roofing for the roof restoration on the Police Department building through OMNIA Partners, Public Sector Contracting Services.

Mayor Hall opened the floor for comments. Interim Manager Gill noted the Federal bid letting, Taylor Roofing in local area, other bidder as Industrial Roofing, Taylor’s 30-year warranty, received pricing on City Hall but determined to wait on those numerous repairs.

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 2025-2585, authorizing the employment of Tyler Borntrager as Maintenance Worker III with an annual salary of $48,630.40 effective April 07, 2025, pending passage of a drug screening and background check.

Mayor Hall opened the floor for comments. Interim Manager Gill noted this was the last new hire for Public Works with 17 in budget; explained Mr. Bontrager’s experience with field tiling and heavy equipment; and a welcomed addition.

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.

Mayor Hall seconded by Commissioner Cox moved to approve Council Decision Request 2025- 2586, ratifying the re-appointment of Mark Welton to the Police Pension Board with a term ending 04/30/2027.

Mayor Hall opened the floor for comments/questions. Mayor Hall noted his contact with Mr. Welton who was happy to take the role; and was a good addition to the Board.

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 budget work with Director & Treasurer Wright, attendance at tomorrow’s IML Lobby Day to contact our local legislators. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

CITY ATTORNEY noted business as usual while preparing items for the council meeting. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

CITY CLERK noted open enrollment for our 457s and 125 insurances; and business as usual.

FINANCE distributed and reviewed Major Sources of Revenue, ARPA reporting, unrestricted cash, budget amendment and water/sewer rates for next meeting. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

PUBLIC WORKS noted significant maintenance work on streets and sidewalks by the crews, lift station power outages over the weekend due to storms and IEPA reporting. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

FIRE reported on calls for service, eight inspections and follow-ups, various training, vehicle accident on DeWitt Avenue East and Lerna Road and business as usual. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

POLICE reported on calls for service and 494 arrests. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

ARTS AND TOURISM working with Peyton Morrow for second alley mural with 80’s theme, the upcoming Gardenfest on May 10th in Lytle Park, Bagelfest entertainment announcement on April 8th, Artisan Fair in park on April 12th, and preparing maps and guides. Mayor Hall opened the floor for questions with no response.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT updated Council on Grant Writer Cather and his congressional spending request for the right-in and right-out at Walmart through Senator Durbin’s office; Interim Manager Gill and his preparations for corridor development changes, childcare facility planning discussion, update on former Brown Shoe factory having a new demolition contract with owner and submitted a variance to the Planning Commission for the Fire Station #3 addition.

COMMENTS BY THE COUNCIL

Commissioner Closson updated Council on the Parks ballfield preparations, Park employees replacing roof on Bandshell and invitation from Carolyn Cloyd on the Coles County Veterans Support Coalition’s “At Ease” Program which assists in the transitions into civilian life at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Commissioners Cox, Graven and Phipps had no further comments. Mayor Hall congratulated Kyle on Interim City Manager; and explained a visit to Rosie’s Dinner in Naperville which was owned and operated by veterans and interested in a satellite franchise in Mattoon.

Commissioner Cox seconded by Commissioner Phipps moved to adjourn at 7:34 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-2025-04-01/