City of Lexington City Council met Feb. 14.
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 and Alderwoman Wilson with Alderman Little and Alderman Franklin absent. Members of the staff and public present were: Ken Sours.
It was moved by Alderman Mattingly and seconded by Alderwoman Richard to approve the minutes of the January 24, 2022 regular city council meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Alderman Stover and seconded by Alderman Mattingly to approve the Treasurer’s Report and paying of the bills in the amount of $23,372.47. Motion carried unanimously.
Public Input: Alderman Mattingly brought up the fact that the brewery was coming right along. They were having a large piece of equipment coming in next week and wanted the city to help unload it. They hope to open in May or June.
Old Business:
Discussion/Vote: Ordinance 2022-1: Amending Chapter 5, Section 16 of the City Code of the City of Lexington Pertaining to the Sale and Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages in Outdoor Gardens
This ordinance was passed out and discussed at the last meeting. Mayor Johansen has had no questions or comments regarding the ordinance.
There was some discussion about whether the area has to be roped off or identified and be part of the door coming out of the bar? You are saying the parking lot cannot be used as a beer garden? Also, that it was no longer legal to have a beer and sandwich while sitting under the tent.
Mayor Johansen replied that it was never legal to drink while sitting under the tent. During COVID the governor had encouraged municipalities to think outside the box and the city had relaxed their outside liquor ordinance to allow alcohol under the tent. If establishments want to allow liquor on the sidewalks they will need to get a special use permit. The ordinance also removes the retaining wall. It was felt there were too many restrictions. It also limits the number of people allowed in the garden.
Motion was made by Alderwoman Wilson and seconded by Alderman Stover to approve Ordinance 2022-1: Amending Chapter 5, Section 16 of the City Code of the City of Lexington Pertaining to the Sale and Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages in Outdoor Gardens. Motion carried unanimously.
Discussion/Vote: License Agreement between the City of Lexington and Rex Osborn
Mayor Johansen led this discussion by stating that since the last meeting someone has decided to lease the building and the attorney felt we needed to clean up the lease rather than separate the parcels. This will modify or divide the property and transfer with the sale of the building.
Motion was made by Alderman Richard and seconded by Alderman Mattingly to approve the License Agreement between the City of Lexington and Rex Osborn. The motion did not carry on the vote.
There was more discussion on the vote where the statement was corrected that if the building sells, the next buyer will need to approach the city to get a new agreement with the city. This cleared up the misunderstanding as to how the lease was written and another vote was taken to which it was approved unanimously.
New Business: None
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Johansen reported on the following items:
He received a letter from Dan McDaniels resigning as EMA Director effective February 28, 2022. He did recommend Angie Groth and Candy Thomas as replacements. He has already resigned from animal control.
There is a vacancy cleaning position for City Hall.
The solar panel company is in negotiations with the property owners. The only thing the city should need to deal with is the 300 acres that are in the city limits that we annexed and are in the TIF district, whether we want a solar farm on that.
They are still working with BP with their plans for the detention basin. Zak has been working with them. He still has concerns about the amount of truck parking but he is excited about the hotel coming.
Talks with the developer across from the Coffee Hound are going well. Another meeting is set for the end of February or first of March.
The council needs to look at all alleys on the property development. There is an easement that runs through the two pieces of property that cuts the corner of the Kinsella building off next to where the Brandt property was. He would like to get that cleaned up before they do anything with that lot. This is the same alley that the city was dealing with across the street. The Sidwell Map shows an alley going straight down the middle of the Kinsella building.
The McLean County Mayor’s Association met with the McLean County Administrator and McLean County Board Chairman to discuss their proposal. They go before the Executive Committee March 7th. They seemed receptive to the idea. There are several county board members that are receptive to the proposal. He is hoping that by the end of March they will have some kind of an idea as to what they are going to do.
The question was asked: what if they do not want to go with the proposal but will go with a different amount? Mayor Johansen felt they had asked on the high side but there was no discussion on what they would take. There was no negotiating. He thinks they have earmarked $4,000,000 for the project but he does not know what the plan is if they do give the full amount.
They asked why more communities didn’t respond to the survey? They sent 20 surveys out and received 9 replies.
He will be meeting with Dollface Desserts later this week. They want a smaller building as most of their business is carry-out since COVID.
Terry Bittner has closed on the Commerce Bank building but is frustrated with the Post Office. They need to do a study now on the existing building to see how they can make it more useful. He will be looking for someone else to occupy the building.
Police: Alderman Richard reported that the Police Department has received their new portable Breath Analyser and it has been very active.
He has been going back through names for a new police officer and will be going over them with the Chief.
Building/Insurance None
Finance /TIF Alderman Stover reported that it is time to start working on the budget.
Water/Sewer/Sanitation None
Street/Alley: None
There being no further business, motion was made by Alderwoman Wilson to adjourn at 7:28 P.M. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
https://www.lexingtonillinois.org/images/Minutes_February_14_2022.pdf
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