City of Lexington City Council met June 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, Alderwoman Wilson, Alderman Little, Alderman Mattingly and Alderman Franklin with Alderman Richard absent. Members of the staff and public present were: Ken Sours.
It was moved by Alderwoman Wilson and seconded by Alderman Mattingly to approve the minutes of the May 23, 2022 regular session of the 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 $43,678.04. It was noted that there was an electric bill for 105 S. Center Street for $129.39 that Mayor Johansen was unsure of what that was for. He is going to check on that before it is paid. Motion carried unanimously.
Public Input: None
Old Business: None
New Business:
Discussion/Vote Real Estate Purchase Agreement
This purchase agreement is with Bruce Klein for a detention basin in the southwest portion of Trail Ridge. This parcel is land locked and the city has been taking care of it. The contract purchase price is $1.00 and was part of the original agreement with the subdivision.
Motion was made by Alderwoman Wilson and seconded by Alderman Franklin to approve the Real Estate Purchase Agreement. Motion carried unanimously.
Discussion/Vote Ordinance 2022-4: Approving a Real Estate Purchase Contract for Drainage Property in Trail Ridge Subdivision
Motion was made by Alderwoman Wilson and seconded by Alderman Mattingly to approve Ordinance 2022-4: Approving a Real Estate Purchase Contract for Drainage Property in Trail Ridge Subdivision. Motion carried unanimously.
Discussion/Vote for Seal Coating
There was one bid that was 5.6% cheaper than anticipated at $24,656.75. That is the one they decided to go with.
Motion was made by Alderwoman Wilson and seconded by Alderman Mattingly to accept the bid from D&D for $24,656.75. Motion carried unanimously.
Discussion/Vote Super Sign Proposal
Mayor Johansen and Alderman Stover had discussed the sign at the old Commerce Bank. Only one side had been working. There was discussion about if they could repair the old sign but they are not able to purchase new parts and can only repair it with used parts.
Terry has not asked us to help in repairing or replacing the clock but he has spent a lot of money on the building. The bid from Super Sign replaces the whole new insert and includes the sign that said Commerce Bank. If Sue Davis is not interested maybe the City would put something in. The clock enhances the appearance of downtown Lexington. Alderman Stover feels that Terry may not own that building forever and if we pay for it we know that it will get repaired when it needs it. Sue can put her logo on there and Terry can pay the power bill.
The question was asked if we could put one up similar to the one down by old 66. The thought was that that would double or triple the cost. It would downsize the clock and leave the framework too small of a screen.
Council felt it would be a good investment to go half of the cost of the sign.
Motion was made by Alderman Franklin and seconded by Alderwoman Wilson to accept Super Sign Proposal of $13,940.00 with the City of Lexington agreeing to pay for one half if Terry Bittner agrees to pay for the other one half. Motion carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Johansen reported on the following items:
The intergovernmental agreement is finished and should be out to the mayors soon. They are to start on the Water Tower in August.
They have been working on getting bids to paint City Hall but all are not in yet.
He has been approached about another business wanting to come to town but has yet to find a location. He approached the owner’s of the building that Christian Farmers is in but they were not interested in signing a lease for the other side but have since changed their minds. He was hoping to get the old location of Personal Touch Sewing but believes Josh next door wants to expand his business.
The state is going to release 185 new cannabis retail licenses. They are going to start in the Chicago area. The state is going to realize how much revenue that is going to bring in and you will see a lot more licenses.
He recently posted on his facebook page his frustrations with the Post Office. He wants everyone to know it is not the Post Office employees fault nor is it our fault but the fault of upper management for the Post Office. He has been in contact with Ray LaHood’s office to see if they are able to help us with the problem. He had been in contact with someone in that office but had not had much response from them. Ray LaHood was going to see if he could get his staff moving. Our Post Office is very overcrowded.
City employees were very appreciative of their salary increases and morale is good. We have hired Alderman Stover’s son for part time work over the summer. Police: None
Building/Insurance Alderman Franklin reported that Jan Proeber has not gotten back to him. Mayor Johansen commented that the city was not interested in giving up the parcel that they were interested in as that is where they park their trailers and there is not much space back there.
Finance /TIF None
Water/Sewer/Sanitation None
Street/Alley: Alderman Mattingly is getting a couple of bids from Mid State Asphalt and D&D. One was $2,000 less so that is the one they were going to go with and it was under $25,000 for the seal coating.
It was noted that Analytical Brewery will be opening June 25, 2022.
Our attorney has sent Fred a letter that he has 30 days to pay in full or we will take legal action. The Garden Walk is June 25, 2022. Donnie Bounds will set up a pop up shop in City Hall.
The question was asked about what is being done about the railroad lease for the abandoned track for $577.89. This is for the dry storage building that is probably on railroad property. Mayor Johansen will call them and ask why we are paying this. We could have it filled in because it is a hazard. It is a hole under the railroad tracks that connects to the building. Brandt’s did not disclose this when we bought the building.
There being no further business, a motion was made by Alderman Mattingly to adjourn at 7:33 P.M. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
https://www.lexingtonillinois.org/images/__Minutes_June_13_2022.pdf
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