McLean County Times

City of Lexington City Council met Nov. 22.

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 Richard, Alderman Mattingly, Alderman Franklin and Alderwoman Wilson with Alderman Little absent. Members of the staff and public present were: Kenneth Sours, Mike Cotter, Nathan Poehlman, Brian Graves and Chief Belvery. 

It was moved by Alderwoman Wilson and seconded by Alderman Mattingly to approve the minutes of the November 8, 2021 regular city council meeting. Motion carried unanimously. 

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 $37,961.76. Motion carried unanimously. 

Public Input: None 

Old Business: None 

New Business: 

DISCUSSION/VOTE ORDINANCE 2021-14: CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF 102 E. PARKWAY 

DISCUSSION/VOTE ORDINANCE 2021-15: CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF 610 W. MAIN STREET 

DISCUSSION/VOTE ORDINANCE 2021-16: CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF 110 N. WEST STREET 

DISCUSSION/VOTE ORDINANCE 2021-17: CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF 104 S. CENTER STREET 

DISCUSSION/VOTE ORDINANCE 2021-19: CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF 506 ½ W. MAIN STREET 

These were the properties that the Planning Commission had approved for zoning classification changes at the last meeting. 

Motion was made by Alderman Franklin and seconded by Alderman Mattingly to approve Ordinances 2021-14, 2021-15, 2021-16, 2021-17 and 2021-19 changing the zoning classifications on the following properties: 102 E. Parkway, 610 W. Main Street, 110 N. West Street, 104 S. Center Street and 506 ½ W. Main Street. Motion carried unanimously. 

DISCUSSION/VOTE ORDINANCE 2021-18: AMENDING CHAPTER 240-32.1 OF THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF LEXINGTON REGARDING THE OPERATION OF NON-HIGHWAY VEHICLES IN THE CITY OF LEXINGTON 

This is the ordinance that contains the changes to what was discussed at previous meetings. 

Motion was made by Alderman Richard and seconded by Alderwoman Wilson to approve Ordinance 2021-18: Amending Chapter 240-32.1 of the City Code of the City of Lexington Regarding the Operation of Non-Highway Vehicles in the City of Lexington. 

DISCUSSION/VOTE - TIFF AMENDMENT AGREEMENT ANALYTICAL BREWING 

Alderman Stover led this discussion by stating that several of the expenses have been over the estimated actuales that the brewery had anticipated and they are requesting more money. They are now roughly in the range of $80,000. He would like to stick to the city’s 50% of the overall cost and add an additional $35,000 to the original mortgage. This would amend the first loan and modify the mortgage. This would bring the original loan to $100,000. 

Motion was made by Alderman Stover and seconded by Alderman Mattingly to approve the amendment to the agreement with Analytical Brewing. Motion carried unanimously. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS: 

Mayor’s Report: Mayor Johansen reported on the following items: 

He has met with BP and they have decided to buy the entire parcel that was annexed into the city. The closing is not until March. The Planning Commission will need to meet and rezone the property to B-2 at the end of December. Phase one will be the expansion of the gas station, phase two will be the adding of a Holiday Inn Express. He has put them in touch with someone wanting to put in an indoor training facility. One concern he has is for drainage and a retention basin. 

There is a parcel of land in Meadow Ridge that we have been using as a detention basin. Somehow twenty years ago that parcel was not assigned to the city. We thought it was ours and we have been maintaining it. When Jack Snyder died the property was sold for back taxes. The owner would like to sell for $12,500. There is no access to the parcel which he paid $775.00 for. It is landlocked and wet all the time. 

Brandt is out of their old office and the new business has started on the floor of the roasting place. They have started on the plumbing and are raising the floor 3 inches and will start on the drive thru window this year, but will do nothing inside till spring.

He has met with two potential new businesses this week. Tom Kaskabar’s house is to become an air bnb, and he is in talks about putting a cigar lounge in the pop up. 

Police: Alderman Richard reported that the new hire police officer is officially enrolled in the Police Academy. He will take his power test in December. He will transfer here to work full time. 

Building/Insurance Alderman Franklin reported that the Fire Department has met and that will be on the agenda for the next meeting. 

They are going to make a change of insurance carriers and will be able to keep our costs the same as they are now with more coverage. 

Finance /TIF Alderman Stover will have the levy ready for the next meeting. 

Water/Sewer/Sanitation None 

Street/Alley: None 

They will be putting the Christmas decorations up in front of City Hall tomorrow. Christmas on the Prairie will be December 4-5 which is before the next meeting. 

The Tree Lighting Ceremony will be at 5:00 P.M. on Saturday and Mayor Johansen would like as many Council Members as possible to be there. 

There being no further business, motion was made by Alderman Mattingly to adjourn at 7:21 P.M. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote. 

https://www.lexingtonillinois.org/images/__Minutes_November_22_2021.pdf