City of Chenoa City Council met July 25.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The Chenoa City Council met in regular session on June 25, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Mayor Shane, Commissioners Myers, Price, Moreland, Lopeman, Attorney Mann, and City Clerk Rhoades were in attendance.
#5556 Commissioners Price and Moreland moved and seconded the Motion that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 11, 2023, the Minutes of the Executive Session of July, 2023 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.
#5557 Commissioners Moreland and Price moved and seconded the Motion to Approve an Ordinance Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a Redevelopment Agreement by and between the City of Chenoa and Reliable Engineering, LLC. Ordinance #856. The roll call vote was affirmative.
#5558 Commissioners Price and Moreland moved and seconded the Motion to Approve an Ordinance Approving and Authorizing the Execution of the Second Amendment to the TIF Redevelopment Agreement by and between the City of Chenoa and PuppyDo Transformations, LLC. Ordinance #857.. The roll call vote was affirmative.
#5559 Mayor Shane and Commissioner Lopeman moved and seconded the Motion to Approve Proposed Agreement for Project Planning Study for Water System Improvements (Farnsworth Group) $28,500.00. The roll call vote was affirmative.
#5560 Commissioners Lopeman and Myers moved and seconded the Motion to Approve an Ordinance Dedicating an Alley in Block 3 of Pearce’s Addition to the City of Chenoa, Illinois. Ordinance #858. The roll call vote was affirmative.
#5561 Mayor Shane and Commissioner Myers moved and seconded the Motion to Approve to Enter into Executive Session to Discuss the Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance or Dismissal of Specific Employees of the City of Chenoa - Section 2(c)(1) and Executive Session to Discuss Litigation – Section 2(c)(11) – Pending Probable or Imminent Litigation. The roll call vote was affirmative.
#5562 Commissioners Price and Myers moved and seconded the Motion that to Approve to Return to Open Session The roll call vote was affirmative.
#5563 Commissioners Moreland and Myers moved and seconded the Motion that the council do now adjourn. The roll call vote was affirmative.
Discuss and Vote on Proposed Agreement for the Project Planning Study for Water System Improvements (Farnsworth Grp)
Kevin Hannel with Farnsworth has been working with Commissioner Moreland and Mayor Shane regarding updating the water system. This is a study to be done to get to the EPA to get Chenoa in the hat for loan money from them. This loan is very low interest money. They also have principal forgiveness loans. You can not get an EPA loan or grant without having a planning study done first. The lead service lines can be put in with the mains. They plan to do this study in the next month. The next step would be the design and bid phase which would be another four to six months. The study will cost $28,500. The study is good for five years. The area that will be in this study will be determined based on where the most lead service lines are, where the most leaks are, and overall where the worst lines are based on a conversation with the employees.
Ordinance Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a Redevelopment Agreement by and between the City of Chenoa and Reliable Engineering, LLC
It was confirmed that this would go to the end of the current TIF Life with an opportunity to reapply to extend into the extension on the TIF life if that was to happen. There were no other questions or concerns.
Ordinance Approving and Authorizing the Execution of the Second Amendment to the TIF Redevelopment Agreement by and between the City of Chenoa and PuppyDo Transformations, LLC.
This amendment is due to the business relocating to another property in town. It was confirmed that the agreement is for rent and a couple kennels which is everything that goes with them to the new location. There were no other questions or concerns.
Review and Discuss Water Budget
Commissioner Moreland said he has spoken and worked with Bryan on the budget. He would like things more streamlined in his department to give a better overall view of the water loss vs. profit. The equipment that is used, he pays two thirds of fuel and repairs. He feels it should be split evenly. He also feels the unbilled water should be billed some for to give a true picture. May and June had roughly $20,000 of unbilled water. He also pays all of the Treasurer bill which pays for all payroll and city bills. The council agreed to work with Bryan more on the budget and discuss some of these concerns.
Discuss and Vote on Updating City Employee Handbook to add on call person guidelines Commissioner Moreland said the only change that has been made from the last one is that they modified the section where it talks about the on-call person doing whatever the commissioners ask them to do. If a commissioner asks for something that seems to be able to wait until Monday, the employee is to call their immediate commissioner to work out if needs done or waits. So there's no conflict of interest if the Commissioner is the immediate Commissioner the employee is to go to the Mayor. The council agreed to have Attorney Mann draw this up to approve to add to the employee manual at the next meeting.
Discuss and Vote for Existing Charges on Current Water Bills
First Tuesday of each month late notices go out to be shut off, the Second Thursday phone calls go out as a reminder that their water will be shut off the next Tuesday. The third Tuesday of the month they are shut off. The third Thursday they will be called to let them know the next Monday their garbage cans will be picked up. Once picked up the water account will be suspended of all charges. There was concern with going on someone's property to get the cans if they are not left out by the curb. They agreed they will do what they can to pick the cans up and not suspend the account until the can is picked up. They agreed to give them 6 months to pay before the City uses the deposit towards the bill and the account is closed.
Vote on S Veto Extension
Commissioner Lopeman said he worked with Farnsworth to draw up the change of the alley to a street. He proposed they use money from the Business District to pay for that bill. The council agreed to find out if they can use that money to pay for it. There were no other questions or concerns.
Comments from the Floor
Marci Bell-Curtis shared her concerns about the hole in her yard. They did put a snow fence around the hole but on her way to the meeting the fence was not covering the entire hole. Her son does not understand things and she is very concerned that something will happen.
Chad Decker asked about the street repair being done by his house where it was washed out by a hydrant as someone can twist an ankle on it. Commissioner Lopeman said it is on the list.
Attorney's Comments
None
Treasurer’s Comments
None
Commissioner’s Comments
Commissioner Moreland said the clear tank floor is poured and moving in the right direction.
Commissioner Lopeman the jet vac has had some maintenance done. They have started to clean up the curbed roads. They are working on the tile on Seventh Street as well.
Commissioner Price said they have been busy cleaning up the park. They have put mulch at the park. They are working on the pump at the pool and it might be open tomorrow. He asked residents to notify City Hall if the bulk items are not picked up the first and second Mondays of the month.
Commissioner Myers said he is getting ready to start with the grant writer. He is working on a list to discuss ordinances.
Mayor Shane said they need to meet with Heartland on clearwell financing and ask Commissioner Moreland if he wants to go with Commissioner Myers or go himself. Commissioner Moreland said Mayor Shane can go with.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
https://www.chenoail.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif6431/f/minutes/7_25_23_1.pdf
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