McLean County Times

City of Lexington City Council met May 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the council

The regular meeting of the Lexington City Council was called to order at 7:00 P. M. by Mayor Spencer Johansen in the City Council Chambers at City Hall.

Mayor Johansen led the council in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll call was taken to find the following physically present: Mayor Johansen, Alderman Mattingly, Alderwoman Wilson, Alderman Stover, Alderman Richard and Alderman Franklin with Alderman Little being absent. Members of the staff and public present were: Peg Reynolds with the Lexingtonian, Scott Alexander, Deb Alexander, James Dudgeon, Rev. Jan Proeber, David Proeber, Kenneth Sours, Candace Corkery, Kim Rohlwing, Phillip Rohlwing and Justin Morris

It was moved by Alderwoman Wilson and seconded by Alderman Mattingly to approve the minutes of the April 8, 2024 regular session City Council meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

It was moved by Alderman Stover and seconded by Alderman Franklin to approve the Treasurer’s Report and paying of the bills in the amount of $73,785.39. Motion carried unanimously.

Public Input: Jan Proeber spoke on behalf of the COCU Church. She knew it was coming up for a vote tonight and just wanted to remind the council that they had owned the piece of property for a number of years. When it was given to them they did not check to see the parameters of the land and did not realize they did not own all of the lot in the back and they have been taking care of it all this time. The church has been committed to a generous outreach to the community for many years and she is asking that the City Council gift or sell the lot to them for a reasonable price.

Kim Rohlwing, her husband and two children live on Delane Drive. They had an officer come by their house to say that someone had complained about the keeping of chickens on their property and there is an ordinance against having chickens within city limits. They have had chickens for a year and no one has complained before.

In reading the ordinance it states that chickens cannot run at large nor kept in unsanitary conditions. They change out and clean their houses. Their neighbors are here to attest to the fact that they are not a nuisance. We keep fresh water and our shelter is covered on all four sides. We provide shade for them. She asked why there was a reference as to how to maintain chickens if they are not allowed to have them? She found that confusing.

She requests that the City Council draft an ordinance to allow chickens and that they be allowed to continue to keep their chickens. The complaint was that we have chickens, but our neighbors and family enjoy talking to the chickens. We do our best to provide them with care and food.

Candace Corkery lives less than 50 feet from them and did not know that there were chickens there. They are part of their family. She feels the City Council should address this ordinance and address the people that are grandfathered into this old law are allowed to keep their chickens and review the ordinance and allow them to keep their chickens.

Alderman Richard stated that we do not allow chickens in town but he will review the ordinance.

Alderwoman Wilson says we have no one to monitor the ordinance but there is one on the books.

The question was asked if there was a formal way to request a review?

Mayor Johansen knows we voted on this in 2019 but will need to review the ordnance and he will get back to the Rohlwings. He does know that we need to clean up some of the ordinances.

Old Business:

Discussion/Vote COCU/Blacksmith Proposal

Alderman Richard had talked to the city employees concerning the parking of the trailers, the hardware store coming in, the school buses being parked there and the water issues. With the addition of more concrete the water runoff is going to get worse. He doesn't think that we can do it at this time.

Alderman Mattingly is getting the same input from them. All the water and the parking, plus they want a local spot to keep their gravel.

Mayor Johansen stated that when we originally got the Brandt property we were going to put a storage bin for the rock there rather than go out to the North plant to get it. If we decide to sell parcels that belong to the city we are required to put it out for bids.

Alderman Franklin wondered if there was anything that we could do to the plan that you want to do? It was a pretty significant plan. You are wanting to beautify the area. Can we make it look nicer and still use it for what we need as well?

Motion was made by Alderman Richard and seconded by Alderman Mattingly to not sell or lease the property at this time and to revisit it in the future. Motion carried unanimously.

Discussion Only Budget

Alderman Stover led this discussion. He is coming along with the budget and everything looks fine. He is making headway on the Sewer, Water and General Funds. We have had a couple of hits that have allowed us to work with the subdivision that have not yet been included in our revenue. We are in good shape. He is still addressing some issues in our accounting software and things are in the correct accounts. His goal is to have it go out for review for the next meeting.

Alderman Stover had also passed out the Ameren Savings Contract for review. That decision needs to be made in June. He asked if anyone has had any experience with them?

New Business: None

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Mayor’s Report: Mayor Johansen reported on the following:

He thanked everyone who helped with the Red Carpet Corridor. There were four blocks of vintage cars. They had over 300 attend the picnic. The weather held out and it was a beautiful day. Everyone worked hard to make it happen and helped with the clean up.

They are waiting on the attorney for final paper work on the hardware store and hope to close by next week and then they can start construction on that.

If the weather cooperates we will finish putting in the water mains, then putting the curbs and gutters in for the streets at the subdivision.

Police: Alderman Richard reported they are working on a grant for the Police Department.

Building/Insurance Alderman Franklin reported that they are working on an insurance claim for the lightning strike that hit the City Hall.

Finance /TIF Alderman Stover continued to work on the budget and passed out a contract with Ameren for everyone to look at.

Water/Sewer/Sanitation Alderwoman Wilson reported that Kaden Tolan had passed his test.

Street/Alley None

There being no further business, a motion was made by Alderman Franklin to adjourn at 7:26 P.M. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

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