City of Chenoa City Council met Aug. 23.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The Chenoa City Council met in regular session on August 23, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Mayor Wilder, Commissioners Buchanan, Price, Moreland, Daiker, Treasurer Rowold, and City Clerk Rhoades were in attendance.
#5428 Commissioners Buchanan and Price moved and seconded the Motion that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 26, 2022, the Minutes of Special Meeting of August 2, 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.
#5429 Commissioners Buchanan and Price moved and seconded the Motion to Approve Changes to the Employee Handbook. The roll call vote was affirmative.
#5430 Mayor Wilder and Commissioner Moreland Price moved and seconded the Motion to Increase the Wage of Jerold Meier by $1.00 per hour Effective Immediately for passing his Sewer Operators License. The roll call vote was affirmative.
#5431 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
Sarah Michaels discussed revamping the old section of Route 66 next to the railroad tracks. It has been discussed to come up with a plan to utilize the hotel tax levy money which is State mandated to be used for tourism. She talked about expanding the mowing to make it more park-like, landscaping the area, having tables and benches, and reparking a time appropriate car there. She would like a car as a photo opportunity that does not look abandoned like the last one did. She would also like to see more signage in the area. She also asked what the plan is for the unused billboard next to the interstate. Commissioner Buchanan said they are working with Wally’s who plan to rent the billboard.
Kathy Smith voiced her concerns on how Officer Hinshaw handled a traffic incident back in May. She said her nephew was in a minor accident in Chenoa on his way to a family funeral in Fairbury and exchanged information with the other driver before leaving to go to the funeral as the officer was not there yet and he was going to be late to the funeral. She asks that the officer write an apology for going to the funeral and pulling her nephew away instead of waiting until the funeral was over. Mayor Wilder gave her his sympathy for her loss.
Melissa Cooper said the Shop-N-Go car wash is August 28 from 11:00 until 4:00. They did get permission from Barlow to use the driveway. September 11 they will have the Ninja Course, Powerwheel Car Show, and Drone Obstacle Course. They ask if they can close Owsley Street from Division to Second and have the park for the whole day. She asks if they can be on the corner of Route 66 and Rou7te 24 with donation buckets on September 25 from 9:00 until 4:00. They do have their safety jackets. The cou8ncil had no concerns on the events.
Dave Shane asked what was being done with the properties on Sheridan, corner of York and Third, corner on Cemetery and Pickett, and the house on Crittenden. He said they have not been mowed all year and look really bad. Mayor Wilder said they are working on them as it has been difficult to send them a notice as they are vacant and have no address of owners. Dave asked who is in charge of keeping the storm drains cleaned. Commissioner Price said according to the ordinance the residents are. Dave stated that he does not agree with that ordinance because that is part of the City’s infrastructure and if it is not cleaned it goes down into the system causing problems.
Molly Wilder said she saw Division Street was on the agenda to discuss. She asks that they keep her concerns that she brought up a couple weeks in mind.
Sally Decker asked the council to review the ordinance stating that there are only six chickens allowed per residence. She said you can no longer go to the store and buy six as the new minimum is eight chickens at the store. The council said that is something they can consider.
Division St. Water Main Bids and McLean County Agreements
Mayor Wilder said at the request of the city members they did put the water main project out for bid again prior to any agreements with the county. The bid opening was last week with only three bids. The low bid was $596,181.00 with the highest bid of $793,316.00. He said a year ago when they had a similar opportunity the bid was $436,00.00. His option is the water main needs to be replaced and upgraded to a minimum of an eight inch main. Since he has been on City council they have lost three water lines that go under the tracks. He said the City has an opportunity that has been laid in front of them. The County’s proposed agreement gives the City $225,000.00 to be used for this project. The ARPA funds gives the City roughly $230,000.00 that has to be used for projects like this. The McLean County ARPA funds would provide $250,000.00 to the City for this if the agreement is signed. The County Highway Department will do all the drainage labor if the City buys all the material. Mayor Wilder’s option i8s to ask Attorney Mann to look at the agreements and move forward as the money is here now and may not be in the future. The council agreed to have Attorney Mann look over the agreements.
Changes to the Employee Handbook
Commissioner Buchanan said this has been discussed multiple times. The main updates are adding the National Holiday, Juneteenth, adding a dress code, and changing the call in time from one hour to 30 minutes. The council had no concerns.
Sale of Police Vehicle
Mayor Wilder said the Expedition has been out for bid with a minimum bid of $6,000.00. The first bid from Cheryl Durhm is for $9,000.00. The next bid from Ringwoods Motors for $6, 680.00. The council agreed Cheryl Durhm wins the bid as na as is sale and will have Attorney Mann draw up the paperwork for the next meeting.
Sale of Surplus Police Property
Chief Cornwall said they updated all the in car radar computers a few years back. He has the old ones still work but does the City no good sitting in boxes in a closet. He estimates the value about $300.00 each. He has a couple people asking if we have any. Mayor Wilder said he will have Attorney Mann draw something up for the next meeting.
Attorney's Comments
None
Treasurer’s Comments
Treasurer Rowold went over the overall surplus vs defficates of the account he said all accounts are doing well other than the pool which they do expect every year to be that way.
Commissioner’s Comments
Commissioner Daiker said the DNR will be coming in September to look at our pond to figure out what will be the best fish to stock it with.
Commissioner Moreland said after taking a couple tours of the water plant there are a few little issues that need to be taken care of. They are working on tidying some of those up. He said the U of I will be coming out to look at the electric to lower the bills by grants. He plans to work on looking into the water loss but needs to get more information on it before he moves forward. He believes the water mains need to be flushed more to help with the water color. He plans to flush every hydrant when they do the fall flushing. He said the City equipment needs to be maintenanced better and they now have a system set up for it.
Commissioner Price said the seal coating has been done on Veto and Commercial Street and looks really good. He said with the staff being short handed they have had more concerns than the drains but they will get to it as they can.
Commissioner Buchanan said there will be two TIF agreements being presented at the next meeting and Gwen should be here for that. He has been working with a group on looking at some grants for the City.
Mayor Wilder said the Fishing Derby is this weekend at the pond. He has been talking to people about beautification of the City and he would like to check into getting a LED sign for when people come into town. He said it is unfortunate to hear some of the complaints this evening. He said one of the part time mowers is moving out of state after this season so they will need to find a new one for next year.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
https://www.chenoail.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif6431/f/minutes/8_23_22.pdf
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