McLean County Times

City of Le Roy City Council met May 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Steve Dean at 7:00 PM at Le Roy City Hall, 207 S East Street, Le Roy. Council members present were Dawn Hanafin, Matt Steffen, Ron Legner, Justin Morfey, Kyle Merkle, Patti Welander and Sarah Welte.

Staff members present were Jason Williamson, Dan Lush, Perry Mayer, Brad Frankovich, Dave Jenkins, and Anita Corso.

Public Comments – None.

Included on the consent agenda were Regular Meeting Minutes 4/15/2024, Special Projects Committee meeting minutes 4/15/2024, Public Hearing for Budget minutes 4/1/2024, invoices from 5/6/2024 totaling $ 566,713.41, payroll for the period of 4/19/2024 in the amount of $57,468.18 and payroll for the period of 5/3/2024 in the amount of $ 49,560.60.

The items of the consent agenda were voted on separately.

Motion was made by Matt and seconded by Sarah for approval of the Meeting Minutes. Roll call: Dawn Hanafin-yes, Matt Steffen-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Kyle Merkle- yes, Justin Morfey-yes, Patti Welander-yes, Sarah Welte-yes. Motion carried 7 yeas, 0 nays.

Motion was made by Kyle and seconded by Matt for approval of the invoices and payroll. Roll call: Dawn Hanafin-yes, Matt Steffen-yes, Ron Legner-abstain, Kyle Merkle- yes, Justin Morfey yes, Patti Welander-yes, Sarah Welte-yes. Motion carried 6 yeas, 0 nays, 1 abstain.

Staff Reports began with Perry reporting the Elm St water line was repaired today. It was a copper line. Lead line replacement at 110 N Lynn will begin Tues 5/7. There are three more scheduled and the homeowners have all been notified of the schedule and that it’s weather dependent.

Kelly Lay was seated at 7:09 p.m.

Dave reported on the vandalism cleanup at Bowman Park and around the city. The cameras should arrive next week. A preliminary report from Jacobs engineering was given to each alderman to show cost estimates. Copies for the public were on the front table. The final report will be on the website when complete.

Mayor Dean presented a proposal with two-point mission statement for a Public Works Community Outreach and Funding Subcommittee. The committee will be chaired by the Public Works Committee Chair and be made up of two additional aldermen, representatives from local organizations and one resident-at-large. Invitation letters will be sent to local organizations. Interested parties should contact the Mayor directly. He asked for approval of the mission statement so the subcommittee could be finalized and approved at the June meeting. Council consensus by roll call unanimously approved the mission statement.

Motion by Sarah was seconded by Matt to approve the Mayoral appointments for fiscal year 2024 / 2025. Roll call: Dawn Hanafin-yes, Matt Steffen-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Kyle Merkle- yes, Justin Morfey-yes, Patti Welander-yes, Sarah Welte-yes. Motion carried 8 yeas, 0 nays.

Brandon Webner from Troop 2018 presented his Eagle Scout project proposal to construct a 12’x12’ pavilion to provide shade for visitors at the Brickyard Fields Dog Park. Mayor Dean pledged $300 from the Mayor’s Fund and asked council to consider funding the entire project. Discussion included accessibility, funds available and usefulness in general. Consensus (by roll call) was to fund entire project up to a maximum of $2200.00. A motion will be on the next agenda.

Motion by Sarah was seconded by Kelly for approval of the CMA (Christian Motorcycle Association) Le Roy Hotel/Motel Application funding request totaling $6,325.00. Discussion covered how many people attend and how it has been growing each year. Roll call: Dawn Hanafin-yes, Matt Steffen-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Kyle Merkle- yes, Justin Morfey yes, Patti Welander-yes, Sarah Welte-yes. Motion carried 8 yeas, 0 nays.

Motion by Kyle was seconded by Sarah for approval of the Fall Festival Committee Le Roy Hotel/Motel Application funding request totaling $5,000.00. Discussion included use of funds and amount. Roll call: Dawn Hanafin-yes, Matt Steffen-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Kyle Merkle- yes, Justin Morfey-yes, Patti Welander-yes, Sarah Welte-yes. Motion carried 8 yeas, 0 nays.

Motion was made by Justin, seconded by Matt, for approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Le Roy and the Village of Downs for equipment rental. Discussion included which equipment and possible employees. Concern over liability if employees were part of the agreement was discussed. Justin and Matt agreed to amend the motion to table discussion until the agreement could be amended to address the liability question. Roll call: Dawn Hanafin-yes, Matt Steffen-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Kyle Merkle- yes, Justin Morfey-yes, Patti Welander-yes, Sarah Welte-yes. Motion tabled 8 yeas, 0 nays.

In Old and New Business Kelly discussed a complaint about a sump pump emptying into a neighbor’s ditch. She will get names and address to Dan and Dave for further consideration.

Patti discussed a post from a watchdog group about Christmas gift cards for public employees being illegal. Dave had talked to the attorney and was told it was legal since council controls employee wages and council approved the purchase of gift cards.

Dawn asked about cleaning schedule for the clear-well and the day tank. Perry reviewed all detention tanks cleaning schedules.

Sarah asked if there was more information / progress on a new business at 200 E Center. No one had information to share.

Dawn asked about mowing the Chestnut St. right-of-way. Dave to review the contract and talk to the contractors.

Justin said there would be a Community and Economic Development Committee meeting before the next council meeting. Meeting will be held at 6:00 pm Monday 5/20/24.

Mayor Dean reminded everyone the 200 block of E Center St will be closed Saturday 5/11/24 for Spring Fling.

The Mayor also announced the executive session on the agenda will not be necessary and would entertain a motion to adjourn.

Motion by Kyle was seconded by Kelly to adjourn the regular council meeting. Roll call: Dawn Hanafin-yes, Matt Steffen-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Kyle Merkle- yes, Justin Morfey yes, Patti Welander-yes, Sarah Welte-yes. Motion carried 8 yeas, 0 nays.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:05 PM.

https://www.leroy.org/file/2662/2024%20reg%20mtg%20May%206.pdf