McLean County Times

City of Le Roy City Council Met Oct. 19.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM via remote session by Mayor Dean with council members Rick Kline, Kyle Merkle, Brad Poindexter, Kelly Lay, Ron Legner and Matt Steffen present at roll call. Dawn Hanafin and Greg Steffen were absent. 

Staff members present were Chief Williamson, Perry Mayer, Scott Bryant, Dan Lush, Sergeant Wilkins, Samantha Walley and Vicki Moreland. 

Included on the Consent Agenda were meeting minutes from October 5, 2020, Invoices in the amount of $92,211.33, and payroll for the period ending October 9, 2020 totaling $41,412.36. Motion was made by Kelly and seconded by Matt for approval of the consent agenda. Roll call: Rick Kline-yes, Kyle Merkle-yes, Brad Poindexter-abstain, Kelly Lay-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Matt Steffen-yes. Motion carried 5 yeas, 0 nays, 1 abstain. 

During Staff Reports Scott stated that Chastain had installed the monitoring meters October 8 and were waiting for a substantial rain. He also stated that his portion of the Meadow Lane project had been completed. 

Chief Williamson reported that he should have squad bids ready for the next meeting. 

Dan reported that the ditch work at Meadow Lane had been completed, seeded and straw put down and was waiting for the contractor to pour road over the installed culverts. 

Perry stated that two of the larger meters, Hillcrest and King City Park had been changed out to the cellular meter system and he was working to try to stay ahead of the curve regarding repairs and maintenance at the water treatment plant. 

Motion was made by Rick and seconded by Kelly for acceptance of Woodrum Warren Street Subdivision document, as tendered by Mr. Douglas Woodrum. Roll call: Rick Kline-yes, Kyle Merkle-yes, Brad Poindexter-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Matt Steffen-yes. Motion carried 6 yeas, 0 nays. 

Motion was made by Rick and seconded by Kyle for approval of mowing RFP for mowing seasons 2021-2023. Roll call: Rick Kline-yes, Kyle Merkle yes, Brad Poindexter-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Matt Steffen-yes. Motion carried 6 yeas, 0 nays. 

Greg joined the meeting at 7:17 PM. 

Council reviewed the water softener media changeout that was recommended by Water Superintendent Perry Mayer. He recommended replacing the media in the softeners so the water quality would be a little better while waiting for the replacement of the filter system. The media would have to be changed out again after the new filters are online. Motion was made by Kelly and seconded by Kyle to table acceptance of water softener media changeout until the November 2 council meeting. Roll call: Rick Kline-yes, Kyle Merkle-yes, Brad Poindexter-yes, Kelly Lay yes, Ron Legner-yes, Matt Steffen-yes, Greg Steffen. Motion carried 7 yeas, 0 nays. 

Motion was made by Kyle and seconded by Matt for acceptance of policy providing paid administrative leave for City of Le Roy employees that have exhausted their available Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL) and/or FMLA + leave relating to COVID-19 infection, exposure and contact. Roll call: Rick Kline-yes, Kyle Merkle-yes, Brad Poindexter-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Ron Legner yes, Matt Steffen-yes, Greg Steffen. Motion carried 7 yeas, 0 nays. 

Included on the agenda was amendment of 2020-2021 City of Le Roy Holiday Schedule to add Tuesday, November 3, 2020 (Election Day) and remove Friday, April 2, 2021 (Good Friday) as recognized holidays. The majority of the City of Le Roy employees would like to see Good Friday continue as a City Holiday, therefore council action was not needed. 

Motion was made by Kelly and seconded by Rick for acceptance of Ordinance No. 20-09-03-50, renewing and extending the current franchise agreement with Cornbelt Electric Cooperative for a period of fifty (50) years. Roll call: Rick Kline-no, Kyle Merkle-no, Brad Poindexter-no, Kelly Lay-no, Ron Legner-no, Matt Steffen-no. Motion failed 0 yays, 6 nays. 

Greg Steffen had left the meeting before the vote. 

Ordinance No. 20-09-03-50, renewal of the franchise agreement with Cornbelt Electric Cooperative for a period of twenty (20) years at the rate of 4% of their revenue was passed on a motion made by Kelly and seconded by Kyle. Roll call: Rick Kline-yes, Kyle Merkle-yes, Brad Poindexter-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Matt Steffen-yes. Motion carried 6 yeas, 0 nays. 

Council discussed resumption of in-person City Council and Committee meetings at City Hall Chambers beginning Monday, November 2, 2020. Mayor Dean informed the Council that it was still legal for remote session meetings. Motion was made by Brad and seconded by Matt to maintain online meetings through 2020. Roll call: Rick Kline-yes, Kyle Merkle-yes, Brad Poindexter-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Matt Steffen-yes. Motion carried 6 yeas, 0 nays. 

In Old and New Business Samantha informed the council that the police union steward would like to hold off until the beginning of the year for union negotiation meetings. 

Kelly asked if there were any updates on the dog park. Mayor Dean stated that it was in the hands of the Attorney General's Office. 

Motion was made by Matt and seconded by Rick to adjourn the regular council meeting at 7:52 PM. 

https://www.leroy.org/file/2147/20201104095339817.pdf