McLean County Times

City of Lexington City Council met June 24.

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, Alderman Franklin and Alderman Little. Members of the staff and public present were: Peg Reynolds with the Lexingtonian, Phillip Rohlwing, Kimberly Rohlwing, Kaden Tolan and Chief Edmiaston.

It was moved by Alderwoman Wilson and seconded by Alderman Mattingly to approve the minutes of the June 10, 2024 regular session and closed session City Council meeting and the May 28, 2024 closed session 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 $54,263.89. Motion carried unanimously.

Public Input: Both Kim and Phillip Rohlwing spoke in support of the new ordinance. They felt that the addition of the coop and run must be located at least 50 feet from a church, school or place of business was a good addition and not allowing them to run at large will keep them out of traffic and public places.

Old Business:

Discussion/Vote Ordinance 2024-5 Allowing Chickens

On the table are some responses that Star had received from residents in regards to the allowing of backyard chickens. There are both positive and negative comments. Mayor Johansen does not know if any aldermen talked to residents in their wards.

Alderman Wilson went through the ordinance with the attorney and changed the wording for chickens and ducks and tried to incorporate all changes requested.

Section 3 A2 referring to single family homes only is excluding condos and apartments. We are adding that if you are applying for a license and renting that you get permission from your landlord.

The question was asked about how many feet from the neighboring property line and a primary dwelling? Coops shall be a minimum of 50 feet from any neighboring dwelling, at least 15 feet from the primary dwelling, and at least 15 feet from any property line.

The coop and run must be located in a rear yard, not visibly seen from the side or front of the residence. There was some discussion on this as some side streets can be seen three blocks away. It was felt that as long as it was behind the house and garage would be sufficient. Alderman Richard felt it should not be seen from the front of the house. The ordinance needs to have the side of the residence taken out. Coops need to be in the backyard.

It was decided to change Section B, C-2. Enclosures to read The coop and run must be located in a rear yard, not visibly seen from the front of the residence.

Motion was made by Alderman Mattingly and seconded by Alderman Franklin to approve Ordinance 2024-5: Allowing chickens with the change to Section B, C-2. Motion carried with 5 yes and Alderwoman Wilson voting no.

Alderwoman Wilson will come up with a type of application form and they will be ready to go. New Business:

Discussion Storm Damage to Pivots at Sewer Plant

The tornado that went through last week tipped over the irrigation pivots. This is the third time this has happened and twice we have turned it into insurance. We have not filed a claim on this last time yet. Alderman Mattingly went out with the insurance adjuster today.

Alderman Mattingly had the insurance adjustment for the two pivots. They came to $94,757.69 each for the north and south pivots. Both were damaged in the storm.

There followed a discussion about removing them completely as this has happened twice in the last three years. Alderman Mattingly feels that we could take them off and get the area cleaned up for around $8,200. Sunrise Valley gave him an estimate of $30,000.

Mayor Johansen wanted Alderman Mattingly to clarify that he is suggesting that they take the pivots off completely and eliminate them? To which he replied yes.

Alderman Mattingly’s suggestion since this has happened three times in five years and we are looking at a $200,000 bill to put it back on and make it work. The end pieces are what keep getting blown over, why not just take them out? He thinks that will work just as well.

There followed some discussion about how those pivots worked and how it would work if they took them out.

Alderman Mattingly has found out that others have taken the corner pieces off and it has worked.

Alderman Franklin feels that from an insurance standpoint it will cause a lot of concern. We have already had some large claims. If we turn this into our insurance our premiums will go up or the insurance company will refuse to renew our policy.

According to Kaden the lagoon is filled with water and we need to get rid of some.

There was also some crop damage and who is going to pay for that? How are going to get to it without damaging more? There was little crop damage and it is right at the edge of the field.

Mayor Johansen says we are working with Zach and the EPA on getting a discharge permit to ease the burden of the irrigation. Kaden will be starting to bottle samples soon. He needs to perform eight different tests and after that tests will be done monthly. This will enable discharging right into the creeks.

We had Farnsworth out to see about the possibility of putting a detention basin out there to power the discharge. The EPA sets the amount of discharge we can do each year.

The larger portion of the cost for this will come out of next year’s budget. The irrigation phase this year is $11,000.

We will get with Zach, not turn anything into the insurance and figure out how to anchor those pivots.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

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

There was a lot of storm damage which the guys worked hard to get cleaned up by Friday of the following week. There is a tree down that is blocking Memory Lane.

This was a busy weekend. The Small Town Leaders Conference was a huge success. The Garden Walk was a huge success with attendance from Springfield and Champaign. Bloomington Gold Road Tour was back in Lexington for the first time in 20 years and Lexington turned out well to see the over 200 Corvettes in the parade.

He had a meeting with a party that owns some property on Main Street and wants to put some retail spaces in.

He has met with Erin Weber with the Park Board and suggested that we set up a joint meeting to talk about the problems they are having with the pool. It just opened after it had been closed for three weeks. It is a separate taxing body and we have no control over it.

July 5th is Lexington Night at the Cornbelter game. He is going to be the honorary manager for the night. Billy DuBois has gotten him a uniform and he is going to coach the game. Billy is going to be temporary mayor. The legion will be color guard.

He had a map of the new subdivision that showed the water main hook ups for houses and properties. They will be putting curbs and gutters in soon.

Police: Alderman Richard reported on the following: He is still working on the ordinance violations for Lexington residents.

Chief Edmiaston reported the IDOT grant is set to go from July 9th-the end of the month. It is a speed enforcement monitor paid for through the grant.

There was a question about McLean County patrols seen at Hilltop Trailer Court and were there issues out there or why were they in town a little more? No issues, they have also been in Gridley and ElPaso.

Building/Insurance Alderman Franklin reported that they will not proceed with the insurance claim.

He is having Dan Leake work on the dry storage building.

Finance /TIF Alderman Stover is finishing up the appropriation. Public Works None

Alderwoman Wilson would like to see the old park equipment taken to the valley so the kids at the trailer park had something to play on. It was noted that the city did not own all of that property and that a fence would need to be put up around the pump station.

There being no further business, a motion was made by Alderman Franklin to adjourn at 7:34 P.M. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

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