City of Chenoa City Council met May 10.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The Chenoa City Council met in regular session at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Mayor Wilder, Commissioners Buchanan, Daiker and City Clerk Rhoades were in attendance.
#5389 Commissioners Buchanan and Daiker moved and seconded the Motion that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 26, 2022 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.
#5390 Mayor Wilder and Commissioner Buchanan moved and seconded the Motion to approve to Appoint Dwayne Price as Streets and Alleys Commissioner replacing vacant seat for the remainder of this term ending at the election in 2025. The roll call vote was affirmative.
#5391 Commissioners Buchanan and Daiker 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
Rick Carranza asked when the drainage problem by his house would be taken care of. He said they know it is plugged up and wonders why they can not get it taken care of. Mayor Wilder said the Jet Vac has been down and they plan to get started on it as soon as they have it back.
Connie Summers asked if they could be open later than 10:00 on Sunday July 3rd when they have the Street Dance. Mayor Wilder asked Zack what time the Committee plans to go to that night. Zack said they normally ask to go until 11:59. The council agreed to let the bars stay open until midnight that night. She asked how that would be policed. She knows a lot of people that are afraid to come with the concern of the police sitting and waiting for them to leave. Her concern is people will not come and that is their biggest selling night. She said when they are doing something wrong she understands but not when they are being stopped for not stopping at a stop sign for ten seconds or for dirty license plates. Mayor Wilder asked Chief Cornwall how many officers will be on duty that night. Chief Cornwall said he is unsure at this time as the schedule is not written. They normally try to have four on duty that night. He said last year they did have a DUI crash leaving the Street Dance. He said until someone brings him a problem of getting stopped for not committing a crime, they are going to police the way they do. Connie said the State's Attorney has dropped tickets from Chenoa. Chief Cornwall said they have the right to drop anything they would like but that does not mean it was not a crime.
Bill Bridge said he presented a letter to the council two weeks ago regarding the policing and he has not received any response from the council. He has spoken with Mayor Wilder on this but is asking the rest of the council if they have any concerns with what is going on. Mayor Wilder said he feels they are doing everything they can to address his concerns. Bill said he has people not willing to go into his bar after 6:00 pm and it has cost him thousands of dollars. He does not think this is right and that it is over reach. He thinks they have created a problem that didn’t exist and the council is unresponsive. Mayor Wilder said Bill can speak with Travis Cornwall after the meeting regarding his concerns.
Zack Lopeman said the 4th of July Committee will have the Road Rally. The speed limit for the participants is reduced in town and in the country just like the past years. They will also be having the Street Dance and are looking at options for free shuttles in town.
Chenoa Public Library
Sheryl said the Library is having a Blues Musician on June 15th. She is asking permission to close the road in front of the Library from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. They did this last September and had a good turn out. The council agreed that this would be fine and they will have the guys drop the barricades off that Friday afternoon for them.
Presentation and Discussion with Chad Seeman Regarding TIF/BDD Application
Chad Seeman said he purchased the old Kat-E-Korner and will be turning it into Katie’s Korner after his little sister. Kecia said they will bring ice cream back into the building but unsure what else they will be doing with the building. They are asking to use TIF funds to do the required work and updates to the building. Chad said he does not fully understand how TIF works. Commissioner Buchanan said in a nutshell by improving the property raises property values which bring more TIF money in from taxes along with a percent of the sales tax from the ice cream, food or drinks. Mayor Wilder said they work with a law firm in Bloomington that handles all of the TIF agreements. They determine what is eligible for TIF funds and the council decides how much they would like to give to the applicants of the eligible cost. Chad said now he knows a little bit more about this to get a plan together to present to the council. Commissioner Buchanan said Gwen, with the attorney firm, and himself will work with Chad on any more questions he has and what he can use funds for with his plans.
Discussion on TIF/BDD Application from Cheryl Jolly
Scratch from meeting
Discuss and Vote on Mayoral Appointment to replace Water & Sewer Commissioner and Street Commissioner
Mayor Wilder said he has talked to several people regarding the vacant seats. He has not had anyone say yes for the Water and Sewer seat. He would like to move forward with appointing Dwayne Price as the Street Commissioner. Dwayne ran at the last election, was the Street Commissioner before and is still interested in doing it. Those are the reasons he feels he would be the right choice to fill the vacancy. Dwayne Price was then sworn in as the Street and Alley Commissioner.
Attorney's Comments
None
Treasurer’s Comments
Bryan Rowold said this is the best year since he has been with the City with the numbers being positive and in a good spot. Only two funds ending in a loss and neither were surprising as they are the swimming pool and TIF. He said he is ready for the next budget whenever the council is.
Commissioner’s Comments
Commissioner Daiker said the park is starting to come together. They will have the drainage work done soon and then the mulch put in. The pool is starting to get cleaned up and filled.
Commissioner Buchanan said he has been looking at the employee handbook. He feels it should be looked at every year. He has some small changes and updates that he will bring to the next meeting.
Mayor Wilder said the police have a new white police squad that is just waiting to have the decal on it. The old 2017 Expedition, that was the K-9 squad, has around 160,000 miles on it, was taken to K&S for an estimated value. They thought it was between $5,000 nad $7,500. He would like the attorney to draw up the paperwork to start accepting sealed bids with a minimum bid of $6,000.
Budget Workshop
Mayor Wilder said they have worked on the budget and only have a few tweaks to make. He asked the council to look over their portions again so they can get it to Bryan. He would like to get that approved soon. Commissioner Buchanan asked the council to get any major project plans together so they can get those added to the budget as well. The garbage truck is about 26 years old and they may need to start getting prices and budget to replace that. Dave Shane asked how the Silliman money works. Treasurer Rowold said the money restricted in the budget is the City's, the Trust is handled at the bank and they give a check each year to the City. Dave was confused about the money adding up. Treasurer Rowold said he would look into it and get back with him on it.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
https://www.chenoail.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif6431/f/minutes/5_10_22.pdf
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