City of Chenoa City Council met Oct. 10.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The Chenoa City Council met in regular session on October 10, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Mayor Shane, Commissioners Myers, Lopeman, Hernandez, Treasurer Rowold, and City Clerk Rhoades were in attendance.
#5592 Commissioners Myers and Lopeman moved and seconded the Motion that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 12, 2023, the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 26, 2023, the Minutes of the Executive Session of September 26, 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.
#5593 Commissioners Myers and Lopeman moved and seconded the Motion to Approve a line of credit from State Bank of Graymont for City finances. The roll call vote was affirmative.
#5594 Commissioners Myers and Lopeman moved and seconded the Motion that to Approve Payment of $11,000 to Muni-Link to be used as the new Utility Billing System. The roll call vote was affirmative.
#5595 Commissioners Lopeman and Hernandez moved and seconded the Motion that the council do now adjourn. The roll call vote was affirmative.
IN OTHER BUSINESS BEFORE THE COUNCIL:
Mayoral Appointment to Fill Vacant Commissioner Seats
Scratch
Clearwell Financing
Mayor Shane said they need a resolution for the State Bank of Graymont showing them that the City is agreeing to look at a line of credit as an option. The interest would be 5 percent. This would be rolling year to year if they would decide to pull from the credit. Treasurer Rowold said the benefit of a line of credit vs a loan is that they only pay the interest on the portion they need at the time. They have enough in the bank to pay for the clear well currently, but it would put them tight for the day to day expenses. Having this line of credit would give them the option to pull money when needed. They would only take from the line of credit with a council approval.
Proposed Dog Park Update
Carmen Hernandez said they had some contractors come to look at the site. They would like to put a pavilion that will cover the small and large sides. They are still working on financing for it. Bark for your Park Contest is something they would like to enter for money to go towards the dog park. They do need letters from the council on city letterhead showing they approve of this project. Commissioner Lopeman asked who would be in charge of the waste clean up. Carmen said studies show that most people clean up their own. They are working with some community groups to help with that as well. It was asked if there would be restrooms for people to use. Carmen said that is still in the works but Pontiac has port-a-potties there and that would be an option.
Title 2, Chapters 1, 2, and 3 of the City Code Regarding Boards and Commissions Mayor Shane said the EDC asked to be paid like the Zoning Board. He asked the council to look over these for the next two weeks and discuss them at the next meeting.
Utility Billing Software
Mayor Shane said they have to go to a new system as this one will longer be used by the company. If they stay with the same company it will cost $7626.00 a year and $4650.00 for them to move the data over. City Clerk Rhoades has been researching and went to Lexington to see how their system works for them. She suggests they change companies and change to Muni-Link. The cost for Muni-Link will be $5700.00 a year with $11,000 for them to move data over. Commissioner Myers said this has been discussed since he has been on the council and they need to move forward with something. He likes that Muni-Link we know has no issues working with the meter system to where the other one has never been done.
Comments from the Floor
Barry Martin asked if the council looks over the ordinances to see if they need updated or changed. He was told they are in the process of doing that and it is a matter of cost. Barry feels they should look at the burning ordinance. He feels burning should be extended so there is not as much smoke at the same time. The council is currently trying to figure something out for this.
Sally Decker asked if the results of the surveys were going to be given out. She was informed that the suggested changes from them have been or are in the process of being made and she could come get the results anytime she would like. Sally said the hours are for her to get into City Hall. She was told that it is better if they can be explained to her and Office Assistant Michelle said she could work out a day to stay to meet with her. Sally said the results can be mailed to her. Commissioner Lopeman asked if there is going to be a presentation made at the next meeting. Michelle said the presentation has been emailed to Commissioner Myers for him to present. Sally also asked if the meetings can be recorded and posted. Commissioner Lopeman and Mayor Shane said that is something they would like and are working on it.
Barry Martin said he had Stiedingers run a camera in his drains but their camera wouldn't go. They ran an auger and did not have any obstructions. He feels the drainage problem is on the City’s property not his. He was told it would be looked into.
Attorney's Comments
None
Treasurer’s Comments
Treasurer Rowold explained the summary packet so that Commissioner Hernandez could understand the packet. He said overall the City so far has a deficit of $118,000.
Commissioner’s Comments
Commissioner Lopeman said the guys have been working on jetting a 24 inch line. They had blocks that they could not get through. They had Illinois Rural Water come and run their cameras but could not get through to see anything. They are going to contract it out for a different camera so they can figure it out. The guys have cleaned up the shop, taken scrap to get rid of that, helped with dumpsters, helped with the baseball field, and brush. There is a tree company in town cleaning up some trees. They have picked up some blocks to place at the building across the street as he does not know how long that will take and they want to have their barricades in case something comes up. He got an update from the company doing the solar project at the sewer plant. Ameren will only look at one project at a time for access on the grid which is holding up the process. They are also working with the State as part of that area is in a flood plain. They are still looking at being a year out for that project. He asked for an update on Code Red which he told they are supposed to have a meeting for the next step this week.
Commissioner Myers said he asked the grant writer to look for grants that have a rolling date so they are not pressed for time on deadlines and that he has personally got for someone else already. He came up with three of them. The council will need to look at them and decide which ones or all three that they would like for him to work on applying for.
Commissioner Hernandez said he found a survey done in 2022 by DNR. The reason there is not a lot of fish in the pond is due to the lack of vegetation in the pond. He is going to work on getting vegetation in there so they can stock the pond.
Mayor Shane said they should have a draft of the summary for the water distribution by the next meeting. He has someone looking at the house next to the shed that needs to come down.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
https://www.chenoail.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif6431/f/minutes/10_10_23.pdf
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