McLean County Times

City of Chenoa City Council met Nov. 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Chenoa City Council met in regular session at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Commissioners Buchanan, Bell, Reinhart, Daiker, Attorney Mann and City Clerk Rhoades were in attendance.

#5338 Commissioners Buchanan and Reinhart moved and seconded the Motion that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 9, 2021 be approved. That the bills and payrolls be allowed, and orders on the Treasurer be drawn in payment of same. The roll call vote was affirmative.

#5339 Commissioners Buchanan and Bell moved and seconded the Motion to approve the 2022 City Council Meeting Schedule. The roll call vote was affirmative.

#5340 Commissioners Buchanan and Daiker moved and seconded the Motion to approve to Enter into Executive Session to Discuss the Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance or Dismissal of Specific Employees of the City of Chenoa - Section 2(c)(1). The roll call vote was affirmative.

#5341 Commissioners Reinhart and Daiker moved and seconded the Motion to approve to Return to OPen Session. The roll call vote was affirmative.

#5342 Commissioners Buchanan and Bell moved and seconded the Motion that the council do now adjourn. The roll call vote was affirmative.

IN OTHER BUSINESS BEFORE THE COUNCIL:

Comments from the Floor

None

TIF Presentation from John Cerda

Dylan Cerda said his dad, John Cerda, and him have had the Chenoa Fitness Center, a family owned business, in operation since 2018. The business is going very well and are looking to hit over 700 members this holiday season. They are starting a new business down the road called OB’s Cervezaria. It will be a brewery and pizzeria with a family friendly atmosphere. They will specialize in Mexican beers but also the traditional beers. They will serve thin crust and deep dish pizza. They will only be open until 10:30 pm. If they have a special event that they will be staying up late for they will notify the City. Their goal is to be open by the 4th of July in 2022. They need $70,000 from TIF up front to go towards the loan. Dylan, John, and Andy Jolly have all invested their own funds as well. They are also asking for a second, third and fourth year with $20,000 each year to go towards construction cost. They did purchase the property for $175,000 and will cost about $200,000 in renovation. The estimate 15 jobs getting the place into operation and then 10 jobs once operating. They are projecting $800,000 in sales the first year which does not include gaming and distribution. They plan to distribute nationwide after the first year. It’s going to benefit Chenoa through tourism, increase in property value, and the tax dollars that are brought in. Commissioner Buchanan said in order not to drain the TIF funds for this year he thinks they should take $20,000 from the Business District and $50,000 from TIF to get them the $70,000 so they can meet their open goal of July 4, 2022. The $20,000 for the additional years would come from theTIF. The council all agreed with using both funds this year and want Gwen to draw up an ordinance for the next meeting.

2022 City Council Meeting Schedule

The council had no questions on the schedule that will keep the council meetings on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm.

Attorney's Comments

Attorney Mann wished everyone a safe Thanksgiving.

Commissioner’s Comments

Commissioner Reinhart said the EPA received a required form from the City late therefore, the City has to send a letter to everyone to notify them of it. He said there is nothing wrong with the samples or water. He said this month there were only 4 water shut offs. This is very good for the City. It saves money in labor from them not having to shut the water off them and going back to turn it on instead of doing other projects.

Commissioner Bell said they have the material ordered to replace roughly 450 feet of storm tile on Lincoln Street between Eighth and Ninth. They hope to start that project after the holidays.

Commissioner Buchanan had a handout for the council that explained the two different COVID Relief Programs and what they can do with them. It shows what they have already used the CURE money on. He asked if the council has anything they think might qualify for the money to email Alicia to check into it. The purchase does need to be made by the end of December and submitted by the end of January. The ARPA money can be submitted for over the next year. He wished everyone a good Thanksgiving.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

https://www.chenoail.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif6431/f/minutes/11_23_21.pdf