City of Leroy City Council met Jan. 19.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Steve Dean at 7:02 PM at Le Roy City Hall, 207 S East Street, Le Roy. The council members present were Matt Steffen, Kyle Merkle, Kelly Lay, Dawn Hanafin, Scott Tucker, Curt Dunafin, and Sarah Welte.
Staff members present were Dan Lush, Jason Williamson, Perry Mayer, Dave Jenkins, Sean Spencer, Anita Corso, and Scott Bryant.
There were no public comments.
Included on the consent agenda were Approval of Regular Council Meeting Minutes 12/15/2025, invoices from 1/5/2026 totaling $261,703.50, invoices from 1/19/2026 totaling $275,772.16, payroll for the period of 12/26/2025 in the amount of $53,943.53 and payroll for the period of 1/9/2026 in the amount of $ 54,830.12.
The items of the consent agenda were voted on separately.
Motion was made by Matt and seconded by Curt for approval of the Regular Council Meeting Minutes 12/15/2025. Roll call: Matt Steffen-yes, Dawn Hanafin-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Curt Dunafin-yes, Kyle Merkle yes, Scott Tucker-yes, Sarah Welte-abstain. Motion carried 6 yeas, 0 nays, 1 abstain.
Ron Legner was seated at 7:04 pm.
Motion was made by Kyle and seconded by Kelly for approval of the invoices from 1/5/2026 totaling $261,703.50 and payroll for the period of 12/26/2025 in the amount of $53,943.53. Roll call: Matt Steffen-yes, Dawn Hanafin-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Curt Dunafin-yes, Kyle Merkle-yes, Scott Tucker-yes, Sarah Welte-yes, Ron Legner-yes. Motion carried 8 yeas, 0 nays.
Motion by Sarah was seconded by Matt for approval of invoices from 1/19/2026 totaling $275,772.16 and payroll for the period of 1/9/2026 in the amount of $ 54,830.12. Roll call: Matt Steffen-yes, Dawn Hanafin-abstain, Kelly Lay-yes, Curt Dunafin-yes, Kyle Merkle-yes, Scott Tucker-yes, Ron Legner-abstain, Sarah Welte-yes. Motion carried 6 yeas, 0 nays, 2 abstain.
In Staff Reports Scott Bryant reported there should be an answer regarding funding by June or July for the sewer plant project. He also described the updates needed for the exterior wall and an easement for next year’s sewer updates.
Dan reported that the first Christmas tree pickup is complete and the second will be Friday Jan 30, 2026.
Perry reported the city has again passed the lead / copper testing and can begin decreasing the frequency of testing. It also shows the corrosion control at the plant is working. He does not recommend the insurance advertised in fliers recently received by residents. John Gwin will be taking his operator class D test at the training later this month. Jacobs Engineering has completed their onsite work. Chlorine levels are remaining constant south of the interstate.
Sean is working with downtown owners regarding building safety.
Anita explained the tablets for each Alderman are a step to decreasing the paper packets and they should remain at City Hall.
Dave reported the electronic sign installation is waiting for weather conditions and cameras have been installed at Bowman Park
Motion to approve the Le Roy Hotel/Motel Tourism Tax Fund Grant Application request totaling $7,500.00 from the Christian Motorcyclists Association of Illinois for the 6th annual “Thunder on the Prairie Rally” in Kiwanis Park on July 9 – 12 was made by Curt and seconded by Scott Tucker. Discussion included the past success of the event and the number of visitors. Roll call: Matt Steffen-yes, Dawn Hanafin-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Curt Dunafin-yes, Kyle Merkle-yes, Scott Tucker-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Sarah Welte-yes. Motion carried 8 yeas, 0 nays.
Motion by Matt was seconded by Sarah for approval of the LBD funding request from Justin Morfey for 222 E. Center Street totaling $52,853.00. Economic Development Committee recommended approval as it’s a safety update. Discussion included the fire alarm system and number of units included. Roll call: Matt Steffen-yes, Dawn Hanafin-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Curt Dunafin-yes, Kyle Merkle-yes, Scott Tucker-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Sarah Welte-yes. Motion carried 8 yeas, 0 nays.
Motion by Sarah was seconded by Kelly for approval of the funding request from David Forshey for the nursing home Feasibility study from OGS Capital totaling $4,600 and a Nursing Home Cost Assessment from Farnsworth Group at a not-to-exceed cost of $28,200 for a total cost of $32,800.00. Economic Development Committee recommends the city own the information in case it’s needed later. Discussion included bank requirements and funding from TIF. Roll call: Matt Steffen-yes, Dawn Hanafin-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Curt Dunafin-yes, Kyle Merkle-yes, Scott Tucker-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Sarah Welte-yes. Motion carried 8 yeas, 0 nays.
ORD 26-01-01-90 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO IMPLEMENT A DUMPSTER DELIVERY PROGRAM. Motion to approve by Kyle was seconded by Scott Tucker. Discussion included the current program and a liability waiver. Roll call: Matt Steffen-yes, Dawn Hanafin-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Curt Dunafin-yes, Kyle Merkle-yes, Scott Tucker-yes, Ron Legner-no, Sarah Welte-yes. Motion carried 7 yeas, 1 nays.
ORD 26-01-02-90 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO DISPOSE OF LOGS, LIMBS AND OTHER VEGETATION COLLECTED BY THE CITY. Motion to approve by Matt was seconded by Sarah. Discussion included program overview along with a liability waiver. Roll call: Matt Steffen-yes, Dawn Hanafin-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Curt Dunafin-yes, Kyle Merkle-yes, Scott Tucker-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Sarah Welte-yes. Motion carried 8 yeas, 0 nays.
In Old & New Business, Dave mentioned the family of Bob Rice was looking to place a memorial. Memorial trees include a medallion. Another suggestion was a brick at the Replex.
The compost operation company will be in Le Roy are Monday 1/26 to visit the landfill area so a proposal can be formed. Kelly explained the program and process. Discussion included weight limits, road width and traffic issues.
The Frisbee Golf Course is still being maintained.
The need to possibly widen Salt Creek Rd was presented. Dan mentioned plans to work on the shoulders this spring.
Solar Farms are getting close to City Limits on the west side of Le Roy. Discussed ground level panels within city limits must follow set-back and other requirements. Most residential lots not large enough.
Discussed resident request for speed limit sign on Fox Run Ct. Other options include Children Playing sign.
At 8:00 pm a motion by Matt was seconded by Sarah to enter Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(6) discussing or setting the price for the sale or lease of real property owned by the public body. Specifically, the city owned lots along Independence Dr and Bel Air Dr. Roll call: Matt Steffen-yes, Dawn Hanafin-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Curt Dunafin-yes, Kyle Merkle-yes, Scott Tucker-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Sarah Welte-yes. Motion carried 8 yeas, 0 nays.
At 8:17 pm a motion was made by Kyle, seconded by Scott Tucker, to return to regular session. Roll call: Matt Steffen-yes, Dawn Hanafin-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Curt Dunafin-yes, Kyle Merkle-yes, Scott Tucker-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Sarah Welte-yes. Motion carried 8 yeas, 0 nays.
Motion by Sarah was seconded by Matt to adjourn the regular council meeting. Roll call: Matt Steffen yes, Dawn Hanafin-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Curt Dunafin-yes, Kyle Merkle-yes, Scott Tucker-yes, Ron Legner yes, Sarah Welte-yes. Motion carried 8 yeas, 0 nays.
Meeting adjourned at 8:18 PM.
https://www.leroy.org/file/3015/2026%20reg%20mtg%20Jan%2019.pdf
