McLean County Times

City of Chenoa City Council met Feb. 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Chenoa City Council met in regular session on February 27, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Mayor Shane, Commissioners Pickett, Myers, Lopeman, Hernandez, and City Clerk Rhoades were in attendance.

#5643 Commissioners Lopeman and Hernandez moved and seconded the Motion that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 13, 2024. That the bills and payrolls be allowed, and orders on the Treasurer be drawn in payment of same. The roll call vote was affirmative.

#5644 Commissioners Myers and Pickett moved and seconded the Motion to Approve to Appoint Caleb Painter to the Chenoa Zoning Board. The roll call vote was affirmative.

#5645 Commissioners Pickett and Myers moved and seconded the Motion that the council do now adjourn. The roll call vote was affirmative.

IN OTHER BUSINESS BEFORE THE COUNCIL:

Presentation from Farnsworth Regarding Water System Improvements

Kevin Hannel and his associate gave a summary of the report they prepared for the City. They recommended removing and replacing lead service lines, undersized water mains, old cast iron water mains, and interconnect dead end mains. They have set these improvements up into two phases. They passed out maps to council and residents to go over what sections they have down to be done. These were determined after speaking with city employees regarding the issues like lead service lines, cast iron, undersized, and dead ends. The estimated cost is $4,145,680 with phase one costing about $2,034,749 and phase 2 costing about $2,004,771. They are going to apply for an EPA forgiveness loan. They could get up to 50% forgiveness but not guaranteed. They have to go through the whole process before they could find out any information on the loan, the interest rate, or how much can be forgiven. The roughly guessed water rates being increased by $12 each month for phase 1 and 2. It was discussed and not determined how they would go about the rate increase. They want to think about the people that are on fixed income and not charging them the same as someone that uses way more water. The reason to raise the rates is for the worst case scenario. If the City does not get any forgiveness or not much forgiveness this will be enough to pay back all of the loan. If there is any forgiveness given the money that is forgiven can go towards phase two and or future water projects.

4th of July Association Regarding Upcoming Events

Zack Lopmen requested a liquor license for the Cash Bash on Saturday April 6 and one for the Street Dance on July 3. The council had no issues or concerns with either of these. They were asked by some businesses if they could leave some room for access to their buildings during the Community Sale on April 13. They are not sure how they are going to set up but they will be somehow shifting it. He asked for some of the downtown and some of Owsley to be closed off for it. He also asked for shutting down town for the Street Dance on July 3. They do not know how they will set up yet as they will need to move away from that building across the street that is blocked off. He said they will not be using that grass lot for the food stand. The council had no issues with closing down the streets for the events. Zack also said they would like more power at the park for their vendor fair on July 3 along with the Shop-N-Go would like more. He said while working with Ameren for the lights on 66 he has found out how they can get 400 amp service. It would be 2 200 amp panels. They would put it on the festival rate which can be turned on and off and used up to 6 weeks out of the year. That would leave it without a bill all year long. He does have someone willing to donate labor to get the wiring done. They are just asking for the materials which would be around $3,500. The tourism fund can be used for this. They would also like more power by the scoreboard. He might have someone to donate for the boring of that. If not he will have to talk to the rest of the committee to see if they want to cover that cost. The council had no issues with using the tourism money to move forward with this. He also asked permission for the fireworks on the 4th of July which the council also agreed to.

Discuss and Vote on Filling Vacant Zoning Board Seat

The council had no questions or concerns regarding appointing Caleb Painter.

Discuss Chenoa’s VFW Proposed Flag Pole Location

No plans have been submitted for the council to review yet.

Comments from the Floor

Sally Decker asked where they are at with the grants they approved to pursue. Commissioner Myers said it is very difficult and he is working with the grant writer on getting him everything he needs. They need the comprehensive plan done.

Doug Barrett asked if we still own a billboard. Mayor Shane said yes we do and he is looking into it. The City does not use it and it is in a bad location. He is looking into if it is better to keep or sell.

Attorney's Comments

None

Treasurer’s Comments

None

Commissioner’s Comments

Commissioner Myers

None

Commissioner Pickett

None

Commissioner Hernandez

None

Commissioner Lopeman asked if everyone has their FOIA and OMA act training done yet. They guys had a training session with JULIE today which allowed them to ask some questions on what they should be doing. They focused on the weaknesses from which the fiber companies were in town. He wants to start working on some guidelines on documenting and storing the information. They did find out that they could do a training on how to use your own locator. He has reached back out to Ameren after the last meeting. IDOT could not remove any facilities but they could require them to be moved that are in the right-of-way for road widening, which would not be on the City. They can put a 100 amp box out there for no additional cost other than the monthly fee for that meter. He will be moving forward with Ameren on the street lights

Mayor Shane said he was at the school for the meeting on the facilities. He said it was interesting with several options. He said the next meeting is March 11 and as many people need to show up as possible. He said his meeting with Jason Bunting was interesting. Some larger towns have had to hire more employees just to handle their FOIA requests. People have been asking for the same thing in different months trying to catch them doing something wrong. Chenoa does not have that problem right now and currently all FOIA requests run through the Attorney’s office.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

https://www.chenoail.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif6431/f/minutes/2_27_24.pdf