McLean County Times

City of Chenoa City Council met Oct. 24.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Chenoa City Council met in regular session on October 24, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Mayor Shane, Commissioners Myers, Lopeman, Hernandez, Attorney Mann and City Clerk Rhoades were in attendance.

#5596 Commissioners Lopeman and Hernandez moved and seconded the Motion that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 10, 2023. That the bills and payrolls be allowed, and orders on the Treasurer be drawn in payment of same. The roll call vote was affirmative.

#5597 Commissioners Hernandez and Myers moved and seconded the Motion to Approve Liquor Permit for Fire Department Cash Bash. The roll call vote was affirmative.

#5598 Commissioners Myers and Lopeman moved and seconded the Motion that to Approve to Appoint Ann Householder to the Economic Development Committee. The roll call vote was affirmative.

#5599 Mayor Shane and Commissioner Myers moved and seconded the Motion that to Approve Ordinance Levying a Tax for Corporate Purposes Upon All the Property Subject to taxation Within the City of Chenoa, for the Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2024. Ordinance #861. The roll call vote was affirmative.

#5600 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

Liquor License for the Chenoa Fire Department Cash Bash

Troy Aldrich said they are having their cash bash November 4 and would like to get a liquor license. Mayor Shane asked if they had to vote on this as the past councils have just agreed to give the permit. Attorney Mann said he would need to look into it, but he would prefer them to vote on it. The council had no questions or concerns.

Fill Vacant EDC Seats

Mayor Shane said Anne Householder said she would like to be on the committee. This still leaves one vacant seat on the committee. The council had no questions or concerns.

Line of Credit with State Bank of Graymont

Mayor Shane said they had some questions that came up so they would not be voting until they get more answers from the bank. Commissioner Lopeman said the interest is a variable rate that starts at 6% and can be changed for the first time on November 23, 2023 and monthly thereafter. He talked to a banker friend who has issued these before. His friend said they are using the State Bank of Graymont commercial lending rate and does not understand why they are not using Wall Street Journal prime, the standard in the banking industry. Commissioner Myers said he was informed that people’s local banks will be the ones that take care of them and give them the best rates. Attorney Mann said he agrees with Commissioner Lopeman’s concern. Commissioner Lopeman feels there should be three or five council members to sign. The council agreed with that.He would also like to change it to where it can only be by paper so that the 3 or 5 of them have to actually sign it. He would like to change the paperwork to reflect that. Mayor Shane would like to add that they need to have a plan on how they are going to pay it back before they pull from it. The council agreed with that as well. Attorney Mann asked to be involved with the changes being made.

Next Steps in Major Grants for Water Infrastructure Improvements

Commissioner Myers said the grant writer found 3 grants that he has got before and he feels we have a good chance at getting. The research stage cost $7,000. The next step will take a lot of time. The USDA Water Grant he would need $4,000 with $2,000 up front. The median amount for that grant is $1.5 million. The Economic Development Administration Grant he would need $4,800 broken into payments. The potential funds are $5 million. Those two grants you can be repeat customers for. The Hud Congressional Grant is really based on our State Representatives. Those potential funds are $1.5 million. The contract is the same with 50% down before he does his work. The council can decide what one they want him to go after. He can do just one, two or all three. Commissioner Myers said they need to find a way to get him paid right away electronically as he was contracted that way. Commissioner Lopeman and Attorney Mann were concerned with not seeing a contract and how he would like to be paid as municipalities pay bills all the same. Commissioner Lopeman said they only voted on paying $3,500 for him to look at grants. They also did not vote on entering into a contract with him. Commissioner Myers said they agreed to $3,500 down then $3,500 at the end. Commissioner Lopeman found the minutes from July 11 and read where they voted to use blue Force Consulting for grant writing research for up to $3,500 from. He also says he can not find in there that it states anything about being paid electronically within 7 days. Mayor Shane agreed that he remembers approving the first $3,500 but nothing further. Mayor Shane said they will look at the contract and discuss it at the next meeting.

Title 2, Chapters 1, 2, and 3 of the City Code Regarding Boards and Commissions Mayor Shane said they were talking about paying EDC $10 a meeting. They also were looking at making the boards all the same for guidelines. Commissioner Lopeman and Mayor Shane clarified that the zoning board is currently getting paid once per year for the meetings they attend that year. Commissioner Lopeman asked if they want to wrap in the FOIA training for the boards into this. The council agreed to add that in as well.

Ordinance Levying a Tax for Corporate Purposes Upon All the Property Subject to taxation Within the City of Chenoa, for the Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2024

Attorney Mann said the school crossing guard has been removed as they have not had one in 3 or 4 years. He relocated that amongst the corporate tax levy. Commissioner Lopmean confirmed that this is the set amount of taxes that they will allocate to those funds listed. The council had no further questions or concerns.

Comments from the Floor

Jacqueline Moore said she has spoken with several neighbors and they are concerned about not receiving their water deposit back. She said she moved here in March of 2022 and paid a $100 deposit. She was told that after a year of her water bill being paid on time she would have her deposit refunded. She had asked about it and had a man call her and told her that they are waiting on the interest. She has not heard anything since then. She said her granddaughter had to pay a $75 permit fee when she moved in but she herself did not have to pay. She does not understand how you can charge $75 when the water is already one. Mayor Shane explained that there are 3 ordinances regarding the deposit. He said the accounts from the first two ordinances have been credited to their account. The interest will be figured and credited to the accounts at that time. She had a list of names of people that were charged differently for the deposit and permit fees. Mayor Shane asked for the list and said he would look into it.

Sally Decker asked when Division Street will be finished. Mayor Shane said they were waiting for the railroad. He was told in the next couple of weeks but he was told that 2 weeks ago. Commissioner Lopeman said he was told in the next couple of weeks as well. Sally also asked about the survey presentation as they were told at the last meeting it would be done at this meeting. Commissioner Myers said she could not find where the surveys were sent to him. He said they can FOIA the results if they would like to see them. Sally asked if the people that were on the ballots at the last election were offered the seat on the council. Mayor Shane said just because they run doesn't make them the person for the job. He has asked a lot of people but he has heard that people are not willing to step into the water position due to how much bad publicity. He is trying to find the right person that is willing to do the job.

Larry Leggett asked if there is a timeframe to fill the seat. Mayor Shane said it is 30 days. Larry asked what happens since it is past the 30 days. Attorney Mann said he is looking into that.

Liz Easley said the park looks beautiful thanks to Aaron. She asked if there is a way to get the softball back to using the field. Commissioner Hernandez said they would like to get teams back to using the field. She also said she wrote grants before and it is a lot of work and not easy.

Attorney's Comments

None

Treasurer’s Comments

None

Commissioner’s Comments

Commissioner Lopeman asked at the beginning of the meeting for Treasurer Rowold to be added as in attendance at the last meeting on the minutes before they are approved. He asked about the bills still being paid to CIRBN and Frontier for internet but the City should be getting free internet per the agreement with CCG. He asked if anyone has reached out to get a timeframe on that. Mayor Shane said we are not hooked up yet but he is talking with them on it. He said the guys have been working on some tile on Second Street and cleaning out the tile under the tracks behind Union Roofing. They are working with the railroad on the broken tile that is there. They have helped with dumpsters, winterizing the pool, cleaned up the shop, and cleaned up some of the stump grindings. He asked if they got the water distribution survey yet. Mayor Shane said Kevin told him he will have it to him before the next meeting. He also asked if they had gotten anything back on the 2 block run between Crittenden and Owsley. Mayor Shane said he has tabled it for this year due to financing. He asked for an update on the Code Red. City Clerk Rhoades said there is a meeting next week. The company is dragging it out over 2 months.

Commissioner Myers said he will be going back out to look at ordinance violations. Mayor Shane said this is Commissioner Hernandez department but would like the two of them to work together on it. She would like to see the Chenoa sign moved up to be able to be seen more. He would really like to see the City get these grants.

Commissioner Hernandez said Aaron has been keeping up with the parks. Bathrooms have been winterized. The benches have been redone at the pond. The pier should be being worked on soon.

Mayor Shane said the suggested Halloween hours are 5 to 8. He will be attending a meeting with Representative Jason Bunting regarding challenges in a small community.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

https://www.chenoail.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif6431/f/minutes/10_24_23.pdf