McLean County Times

City of Chenoa City Council met Aug. 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Chenoa City Council met in Regular Session on August 27, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Mayor Shane, Commissioners Pickett, Lopeman, Hernandez, Attorney Mann, Treasurer Rowold and City Clerk Rhoades were in attendance.

#5705 Commissioners Lopeman and Pickett moved and seconded the Motion that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of August 13, 2024 and the Minutes of the Executive Session of August 13, 2024 be approved. That the bills and payrolls be allowed, and orders on the Treasurer be drawn in payment of same. The roll call vote was affirmative.

#5706 Commissioners Lopeman and Hernandez moved and seconded the Motion to Approve to Appoint Commissioner Pickett as Finance and Insurance Commissioner from the Water and Sewer Commissioner Position. The roll call vote was affirmative with Commissioner Pickett abstaining.

#5707 Commissioner Hernandez and Mayor Shane moved and seconded the Motion to Approve an Ordinance Amending the Rate Ordinacne for the Use and Service of the Waterworks System of the City of Chenoa, McLean County, Illinois. Ordinance #872. The roll call vote was affirmative with Commissioner Lopeman abstaining.

#5708 Commissioner Hernandez and Mayor Shane moved and seconded the Motion to Approve an Ordinance Amending the Rate Ordinacne for the Use and Service of the Waterworks System of the City of Chenoa, McLean County, Illinois is passed subject to a Change of $0.0206 per gallon over 1,000 gallons (revision). Ordinance #872. The roll call vote was affirmative with Commissioner Lopeman abstaining.

#5709 Commissioners Pickett and Herndanez moved and seconded the Motion to Approve to Enter into Executive Session to Discuss the Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance or Dismissal of Specific Employees of the City of Chenoa - Section 2(c)(1) and Executive Session to Discuss Litigation – Section 2(c)(11) – Pending Probable or Imminent Litigation. The roll call vote was affirmative.

#5710 Commissioners Pickett and Lopeman moved and seconded the Motion Approve to Return to open Session. The roll call vote was affirmative.

#57011 Commissioners Herndanez and Pickett moved and seconded the Motion that the council do now adjourn. The roll call vote was affirmative.

IN OTHER BUSINESS BEFORE THE COUNCIL:

Discuss and Vote to Appoint Current Water & Sewer Commissioner Pickett as New Finance and Insurance Commissioner

Mayor Shane said he thinks this would be a good move as she deals with insurance everyday. There were no questions or concerns from the rest of the council.

Discuss and Vote on an Ordinance Amending the Rate Ordinacne for the Use and Service of the Waterworks System of the City of Chenoa, McLean County, Illinois

Mayor Shane said this would raise the base rate by $5.00 which is $20.60 for the first 1,000 gallons. It will be prorated after the 1,000 to $0.0206 per gallon. There will be a $25.00 flat fee for infrastructure. That will take the minimum bill from $45.47 to $75.47. The City needs the average bill to be about $88.00. The $25.00 will guarantee we can pay 100 percent of the first two phases and the $5.00 consumption increase will get the daily operations above water as it has been losing money each year. In order to apply and receive an EPA forgivable loan we have to prove that we can pay the total amount. He feels confident that we will get grants and 50 percent of the loan forgiven. The money that we do not use on the first two phases because of grants and forgivable loans will be used for the future phases of the infrastructure. There were some concerns on the math not adding up and not being enough. There were also concerns that the last meeting they discussed numbers from Farnsworth and they discussed compromising and raising the rates a total of $25.00 a month instead of $30.00 a month. Several residents had concerns with the increase with all of the other inflation especially for the ones on a fixed income. Mayor Shane has talked with Senator Bennet regarding some programs out there to help people who qualify with their utility bills. He does not see what else they can do other than raise the rates like this in order to get the necessary updates made. Commissioner Lopeman found a typo in the ordinance regarding the rate after the first 1,000 gallons. The council agreed to have that typo corrected by changing the $0.026 to $0.0206.

Discuss Amending Employee Manual

Mayor Shane said he would like to be able to have a better way to hold everyone accountable. The handbook has not been reviewed in awhile and it will take time to go through the entire handbook, so it was decided to schedule a special meeting for this within the next 30 days.

Discuss House City Owns Regarding Asbestos Abatement or Selling Property Mayor Shane said they have had someone willing to buy the property. The abatement quote is $6,900. Commissioner Lopmeman has not heard back yet for a quote for the demolition of the house. The council decided to wait for that quote before making a decision.

Comments from the Floor

Barry Martin said that Commissioner Hernandez has done an outstanding job in the parks department.

Melissa Cooper asked for an update on her request for the Silliman Funds for the CARE Charity storage container. Attorney Mann said an agreement will be drafted up before the next meeting.

Nancy Todd presented the council with the Parks Master Planning Project Agreement from Farnsworth. She asked for the council to have it on the next agenda so they can move forward with it. Mayor Shane said the Council and Attorney will review the agreement before the meeting.

Attorney's Comments

None

Treasurer’s Comments

None

Commissioner’s Comments

Commissioner Pickett

None

Commissioner Hernandez said they have sent several letters for cleaning up properties. They have had a couple that have been compliant, a couple that is working on it and a few more they are trying to find proper mailing addresses for. They will be sending a couple more this week.

Commissioner Lopeman said he had been working on the employee handbook with Attorney Mann. The guys have been working on some of the alleys, brush and some cold patch. He is working with the company to come in and spray patch and do some crack sealing on Lincoln Street.

Mayor Shane said he got a rate from Pavlov for their phone system as they are going to be the internet provider. The rate will be $137.70 a month which is a huge savings compared to our almost $900.00 a month.

https://www.chenoail.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif6431/f/minutes/8_27_24.pdf