McLean County Times

City of Le Roy City Council met Feb. 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Steve Dean at 7:00 PM at Le Roy City Hall, 207 S East Street, Le Roy. Council members present were Matt Steffen, Sarah Welte, Kelly Lay, Dawn Hanafin, Justin Morfey, Ron Legner, Kyle Merkle, Patti Welander.

Staff members present were Perry Mayer, Jason Williamson, Dan Lush, Dave Jenkins and Anita Corso.

Included on the consent agenda were Regular Meeting Minutes from January 16, 2023, invoices from 02/06/2023 totaling $164,871.61, and payroll for the period of 1/27/2023 in the amount of $ 46,222.94.

The items in the consent agenda were voted on separately.

Motion was made by Matt and seconded by Sarah for approval of the Council Meeting Minutes. Roll call: Matt Steffen-yes, Sarah Welte-yes, Kelly Lay-abstain, Dawn Hanafin-yes, Justin Morfey-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Kyle Merkle-yes, Patti Welander-yes. Motion carried 7 yeas, 0 nays, 1 abstain.

Motion was made by Kyle and seconded by Justin for approval of the invoices and payroll. Roll call: Matt Steffen-yes, Sarah Welte-yes, Kelly Lay-abstain, Dawn Hanafin-yes, Justin Morfey yes, Ron Legner-abstain, Kyle Merkle-yes, Patti Welander-yes. Motion carried 6 yeas, 0 nays, 2 abstain.

Perry reported the plant is running smoothly. He will be attending a two-day training session later this month. Still waiting for parts on the chlorinator for the south tower.

Jason reported receipt of a grant from Diamond Grove LLC for the K-9 program. Also, 7 candidates participated in the physical and written tests, 4 will move on to the background check stage.

Dave reported budget planning is in progress. He’s meeting with department heads to work on numbers. Also, the DCEO grant has been approved. The money will be used toward replacing the sewer plant clarifier.

Representatives from Diamond Grove, LLC as well as members of the public were present for the discussion reviewing the buffer map showing the 1.5 mile area where the company needs City permission to build wind turbines. Discussion covered the building process, noise studies already completed, property value impact studies still in process as well as financial benefits for the landowners as well as the city. A public hearing will be held before any decision is made by council. The date will be set and publicized so all interested residents may attend and be heard.

ORD 23-02-01-10 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY CODE – UTILITY BILLING PRACTICES. Motion was made by Matt and seconded by Dawn to approve the ordinance. Discussion reviewed the necessity of collecting deposits on accounts chronically past due as well as setting a fee for returned checks. Roll call: Matt Steffen-yes, Sarah Welte-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Dawn Hanafin-yes, Justin Morfey-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Kyle Merkle-yes, Patti Welander-yes. Motion carried 8 yeas, 0 nays.

ORD 23-02-02-41 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 8-1-14 OF THE LE ROY CODE OF ORDINANCES – RIGHT OF ENTRY. Motion to approve was made by Dawn and seconded by Kelly. Discussion explained the code already mentions right of entry but this ordinance provides clarification and specific results for non-compliance. Roll call: Matt Steffen-yes, Sarah Welte-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Dawn Hanafin-yes, Justin Morfey-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Kyle Merkle-yes, Patti Welander-yes. Motion carried 8 yeas, 0 nays.

In Old and New Business the Community & Economic Development Committee Chairman Justin Morfey gave an update of the sign changes discussed previously before final pricing is obtained. Also discussed were possible slogans for the signs, the favorite being ‘Come Grow with Us’.

The Mayor said a proposal to renovate the Frisbee golf course has been received with a new layout. Discussion suggested a sledding hill, walking trail. The Mayor will put a survey question out on Facebook to get input from the community.

Dave reported a third call for Meter Replacement bids has been published. The Mayor said the pharmacy is waiting on the state to complete licensing.

Dave spoke with the owner of the nursing home. He should be in attendance at the Feb 13 public hearing and said the windows have been repaired.

Reminder, the public hearing for the new TIF district is 6:00 p.m. Monday Feb 13, 2023 at City Hall.

Mayor’s Birthday Fundraiser will be Sunday March 5, 2023 with appetizers at El K’azador and cake at Oak and Flame.

At 8:23 pm a motion was made by Sarah and seconded by Kyle to enter executive session pursuant to 5ILCS 120/2 (c)(1) to discuss the appointment, employment, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees or legal counsel for the public body. Specifically, to discuss the terms within a two year agreement between the City of Le Roy and Dave Jenkins as City Administrator. Roll call: Matt Steffen-yes, Sarah Welte-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Dawn Hanafin-yes, Justin Morfey-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Kyle Merkle-yes, Patti Welander-yes. Motion carried 8 yeas, 0 nays.

At 8:44pm a motion was made by Sarah and seconded by Kyle to return to regular session. Roll call: Matt Steffen-yes, Sarah Welte-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Dawn Hanafin-yes, Justin Morfey-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Kyle Merkle-yes, Patti Welander-yes. Motion carried 8 yeas, 0 nays.

Motion was made by Kelly and seconded by Kyle to adjourn the regular council meeting Roll call: Matt Steffen-yes, Sarah Welte-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Dawn Hanafin-yes, Justin Morfey-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Kyle Merkle-yes, Patti Welander-yes. Motion carried 8 yeas, 0 nays.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:45 PM.

https://www.leroy.org/file/2463/2023%20reg%20mtg%20Feb%206.pdf