City of Lexington City Council met Sept. 13.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The regular meeting of the Lexington City Council was called to order at 7:00 P. M. by Mayor Spencer Johansen in the City Council Chambers at City Hall.
Mayor Johansen led the council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll call was taken to find the following physically present: Mayor Johansen, Alderman Stover, Alderman Little, Alderman Richard, Alderman Mattingly, Alderman Franklin and Alderwoman Wilson. Members of the staff and public present were: None
It was moved by Alderwoman Wilson and seconded by Alderman Franklin to approve the minutes of the August 23, 2021 City Council meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Alderwoman Wilson and seconded by Alderman Mattingly to approve the closed session meeting minutes of the August 23, 2021 City Council meeting. Motion carried with 5 yes votes and Alderman Richard sustaining.
It was moved by Alderman Stover and seconded by Alderman Franklin to approve the Treasurer’s Report and paying of the bills in the amount of $49,530.09. Motion carried unanimously.
Public Input: None
Old Business:
DISCUSSION GOLF CART UPDATE
Alderman Richard believes this version has everything that has been discussed. He has included fees that he believes are reasonable but others may think are too high and that was part of the topic for discussion. He feels a starting fee of $25.00 is reasonable to cover the cost of reflective tape and other miscellaneous items. Also, an annual charge of $15.00 after that to cover Star’s time and mailing.
He is also working on a sheet to send to everyone in the spring so they can come in and be in compliance with the new guidelines. Maybe set a date to come in and get so much off of the registration fee. He has checked with Star and she was fine with making April the registration month.
Mayor Johansen was fine with the fees that Alderman Richard suggested. He will send these to the attorney so they can start working on the new ordinance.
Alderman Richard called notice to special event exemptions registrations. They would be given a temporary registration for the event only that may not be in compliance with the requirements of this chapter and are valid and issued only during that event. They must complete a temporary special event registration form and comply with provisions and provide the required information to the City at the time of registration. They will be given a laminated card for the special event and are not allowed to run at night unless they are equipped with lights.
He will have an application ready for approval by the next meeting.
DISCUSSION/VOTE - ORDINANCE 2021-12: AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A PROPERTY EXCHANGE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LEXINGTON AND CHEEVER FAMILY TRUST
This is a formality as we have already approved the agreement and this needs to be done to get the property transferred.
We are pretty close to getting all of the salt and other items out of the Salt Shed.
Motion was made by Alderman Mattingly and seconded by Alderman Stover to approve Ordinance 2021-12: Approving a Property Exchange Agreement Between the City of Lexington and Cheever Family Trust. Motion carried unanimously.
New Business: None
Alderman Franklin was asking about the timing of brush pick up. He has a neighbor who has a big burn pile and is not mowing their yard. It is the third week of the month.
In October they have a bucket truck rented in order to trim some trees.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Johansen reported on the following items:
He has heard from the attorney regarding the carnival and the attorney’s for the carnival agreed with her that the contract was really vague; it was in uncharted waters with covid. They did not understand why the carnival would not agree to extend the contract until next year. He was going to reach out to them to see why they would not extend the contract till next year. If they want to do that, fine. Mayor Johansen would like to try and find another company.
BP is still pursuing their expansion plans. Evan Leake is working on getting his property subdivided and annexed into the city.
He and Aldermen Stover, Richard and Franklin met with Commerce Bank and are working with a possible buyer for their building.
Commerce Bank is donating their office furniture to the city and we hope to be in possession of it the second week of October. We will get high school students to help with the moving of the furniture.
He is meeting with two individuals who want to open a retail art store and sell art pieces, paintings, etc.
The governor has announced another grant that is to be used on Main Street for upgrading lighting, sidewalks, etc. He has reached out to Farnsworth and they have given him a layout of what we need to do. He will get together with our grant writer and see what we can come up with. He wants to reach out to a couple of citizens to be included on a Main Street Improvement Committee to get their ideas.
The new owners of Donna Hawthorne’s building had approached him about a TIF loan to make repairs to their basement. They bought the building for an investment.
They are planning to leave the city tent up thru Halloween.
A question was asked about the parking spots that DaT Bar was taking up with their outside seating. They will be taking those down in about a week.
Police: Alderman Richard reported that the council will need to vote on new technical support for the Police Department. Their e-ticket budget is $3,500. Brick Technology is the best quote that we have and they are double that at $6,600 a year. We don’t have any service now. In the past we have relied on police officers to take care of our needs or have paid by the hour. Problems just don’t get resolved this way. He will get more bids by the next meeting. Brick Technology is who we have our phones, cameras and computers with now and are part of the Tentac Group.
They have put the new police officer on all waiting lists but it still could be January 9th before he gets into the academy.
The library would like to have the sidewalk fixed in front of their building and a rail put up to assist individuals stepping up onto the sidewalk. There is not enough room to put up a wheel chair ramp and even if there was, there is still no way for them to get into the building. Alderman Mattingly agreed to take care of this problem.
Building/Insurance: Alderman Franklin reported that Brandts are still waiting on office furniture but have agreed to let Coffee Hound start on the block building.
He is getting insurance quotes. There have been a lot of changes with property as well as adding new vehicles. He will get a list of equipment out to everyone to look over.
Finance /TIF: Alderman Stover is working on the appropriation numbers to have at the next meeting and will have the EAV numbers in October.
Water/Sewer/Sanitation: None
Street/Alley: Alderman Mattingly reported that they have been painting stripes and are working on the curb in front of the library and installing a handrail.
There being no further business, motion was made by Alderman Franklin to adjourn at 7:44 P.M. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
https://www.lexingtonillinois.org/images/_Minutes_September_13_2021.pdf
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