City of Lexington City Council met March 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 Mattingly, Alderman Little, Alderman Richard, Alderman Stover, Alderwoman Wilson and Alderman Franklin. Members of the staff and public present were: Peg Reynolds with the Lexingtonian, Tom Kinsella, Josh Smith and Sergeant Schultz.
Approval of the minutes of the February 27, 2023 regular session of the City Council meeting was postponed.
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 $48,131.51. Motion carried unanimously.
Public Input: Tom Kinsella reported to the council that the guard rail at Casey’s was severely damaged and in need of repair or replacement. It does not set a good image for the community.
Mayor Johansen is aware of the problem and is working on a solution.
Old Business:
Solar Update
Alderman Franklin and the committee that was to follow up on the solar bids had new estimates for the projects to put solar panels at the Water and Sewer plants. Estimate for the Water Plant was $350,000 and the Sewer Plant was $500,000. The city still needs to figure out where we are and what money is available till the end of the TIF. These figures still need to be finalized.
Mayor Johansen commented that we had a lot more questions about this and needed to be sure and look at the timing of the funds for the TIF.
New Business:
Presentation Lexington Police Security Camera Program
Mayor Johansen wanted to compliment Sergeant Schultz on the way he has stepped up and created the facebook page and helped with the transition.
Sergeant Schultz wants to create a roster of residents with security cameras that would be willing to provide information in the event that something would happen. This will be a voluntary registration with an incentive to register such as a voucher to be used at local businesses. This will also promote shopping in Lexington, still some details to work out.
Mayor Johansen has seen that these cameras work and that they deter crime. Discussion/Vote Kinsella Property Proposal
Alderman Franklin spoke about the alley that runs through the Kinsella Property at 507 W. Main Street which is on the north west side of the building. It was deeded to the owners in the 1940s but never recorded and we wanted to make sure there was a buffer on the north west side to protect them from future development. It will need a new water line and the city will need to create a new ordinance. The city agreed to take the expense of doing this whether it required another survey, etc.
Mayor Johansen did not think we would need to do a new survey as both ours and David Kinsella’s are pretty current. We would only have the drawing up of the legal information to transfer this property.
The city has talked to Dave Kinsella about leasing that parking lot and he is in agreement to that. We just need to work out the details.
Motion was made by Alderman Franklin and seconded by Alderman Richard to approve the Kinsella Property Proposal agreement. Motion carried unanimously.
Discussion/Vote TIF Proposal Josh Smith
There was a TIF application from Ultra Physical Therapy for a remodel of their building at 427 W. Main Street. Ultra Physical Therapy sees repeat business from Lexington residents as well as many from surrounding areas who are also referred to the fitness center in Lexington. The remodel would create additional retail space for Donnie B’s Popcorn, a flower shop, Ropp Cheese and Serendipity “resale” shop as possible vendors. Vendors would create repeat business which creates local sales tax income.
Josh also presented costs to upgrade the building improvements. Work to be done includes painting, HVAC and electric. Total estimate for work is $16,240 and is projected to create six jobs. Projected annual retail sales generated by this project is $95,000. Discussion followed.
Motion was made by Alderman Stover and seconded by Alderman Franklin to approve TIF Proposal for Josh Smith up to 50% of the cost of improvements not to exceed $12,000. Motion carried unanimously.
Update on Police Chief Search
Of the four candidates that were selected to be interviewed candidate #1 returned no response, candidate #2 accepted another position and candidates #3 & 4 were not considered as optimum candidates.
Rich Cooper has agreed to stay on as interim chief until we fill the position. We are going to figure out a different way to get the word out that we are looking for candidates rather than the way we have been doing it.
We have had one applicant for sewer superintendent.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Johansen reported on the following items:
He and Alderman Franklin have met with Charlie Farner and Carey Davis regarding the subdivision.
He is opposed to the airport tax for Bloomington/Normal Airport which would increase real estate taxes for all homeowners in McLean County. In 2018 we passed a resolution opposing this. The McLean County Farm Bureau is opposing it too. WGLT will interview Mayor Johansen on March 14th. He is reaching out to other McLean County mayors to get feedback. He does not know what the procedure will be to protest this.
Police: Alderman Richard reported that they will be conducting interviews to fill the part time positions. Sheriff Lane will be sitting in on the interviews.
Building/Insurance Alderman Franklin reported that the Quit Claim deed for the property between Timber Ridge and Meadow Ridge has been received back from the seller and is ready to file.
Finance /TIF Alderman Stover asked for any items that need to be included in the budget.
Water/Sewer/Sanitation None
Street/Alley None
There being no further business, a motion was made by Alderman Mattingly to adjourn at 7:35 P.M. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
https://www.lexingtonillinois.org/images/Minutes_March_13_2023.pdf
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