McLean County Times

City of Pontiac City Council met Oct. 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The regular meeting of the Pontiac City Council was held on October 7, 2024. Mayor Alvey called to order the meeting of the City Council at 7:00 P.M.

The City Clerk was directed to call roll, and the following members of the Council were present: Giovanini, Barr, Kallas, Eckhoff, Causer, Lee, Cranford, and Wille.

Absent: Bradshaw and Howard

MEETING OF THE PONTIAC CIVIC CENTER AUTHORITY

Mayor Alvey asked that the record show the same Aldermen present for this meeting as are present for the regular Council meeting: Giovanini, Barr, Kallas, Eckhoff, Causer, Lee, Cranford, and Wille.

Mayor Alvey asked if there was any business to come before the Civic Center Board this evening. Hearing none, he declared the meeting closed.

CONSENT AGENDA

Mayor Alvey stated that there were (5) items on the consent agenda. He asked if any needed to be removed for later discussion. Hearing none, motion made by Barr and second by Eckhoff that the items on the consent agenda be approved as presented.

A. Motion by Barr, second by Eckhoff to approve the minutes of the September 16, 2024 City Council meeting. On a roll call vote motion carried 8-0. Aye votes recorded: Giovanini, Barr, Eckhoff, Kallas, Lee, Causer, Cranford, and Wille.

B. Motion by Barr, second by Eckhoff to approve payment of bills totaling $1,354,485.46 from all funds. On a roll call vote motion carried 8-0. Aye votes recorded: Giovanini, Barr, Eckhoff, Kallas, Lee, Causer, Cranford, and Wille.

C Motion by Barr, second by Eckhoff to approve Parade Permit for Charity Stumble- Bob & Ringo's on September 24, 3034. On a roll call vote motion carried 8-0. Aye votes recorded: Giovanini, Barr, Eckhoff, Kallas, Lee, Causer, Cranford, and Wille.

D. Motion by Barr, second by Eckhoff to approve a parade permit for the Christmas Light up Parade on November 29, 2024. On a roll call vote motion carried 8-0. Aye votes recorded: Giovanini, Barr, Eckhoff, Kallas, Lee, Causer, Cranford, and Wille.

E. Motion by Barr, second by Eckhoff to approve a parade permit for a Jingle Jog 5k on December 21, 2024. On a roll call vote motion carried 8-0. Aye votes recorded: Giovanini, Barr, Eckhoff, Kallas, Lee, Causer, Cranford, and Wille.

REGULAR AGENDA

A. Resolution 2024-R-008

Motion by Eckhoff, second by Causer to approve Resolution 2024-R-008, establishing a Time and Place for a Public Hearing for the TIF 4 Redevelopment Project Area. On a roll call vote motion carried 8-0. Aye votes recorded: Giovanini, Barr, Eckhoff, Kallas, Lee, Causer, Cranford, and Wille.

B. Ordinance 2024-0-029

Motion by Eckhoff, second by Barr to approve Ordinance 2024-0-028, an Ordinance authorizing the Establishment of a TIF, interested parties registry, as written.

On a roll call vote motion carried 8-0. Aye votes recorded: Giovanini, Barr, Eckhoff, Kallas, Lee, Causer, Cranford, and Wille.

C. Bid Award - Generator

Motion by Causer, second by Cranford to approve the purchase of a Caterpillar generator from Durham Electric for the Rec Center at a price of $101,466.00 as bid. On a roll call vote motion carried 8-0. Aye votes recorded: Giovanini, Barr, Eckhoff, Kallas, Lee, Causer, Cranford, and Wille.

D. Participation in Illinois Debt Recovery Program

Motion by Eckhoff, second by Kallas to approve the participation in the Illinois Debt Recovery Program, to collect outstanding debts for the city when all other means have been tried, at no cost to the City to participate. On a roll call vote motion carried 8-0. Aye votes recorded: Giovanini, Barr, Eckhoff, Kallas, Lee, Causer, Cranford, and Wille.

E. Ordinance 2024-0-028

Motion by Barr, second by Eckhoff to approve the grant easement for ComEd for the Airport Solar Farm 2A. On a roll call vote motion carried 8-0. Aye votes recorded: Giovanini, Barr, Eckhoff, Kallas, Lee, Causer, Cranford, and Wille.

F. Special Housing Study Committee Report

Alderman Cranford presented to Council the committee report for the Special Housing Study. IHDA member, Amy Bashiti introduced herself to committee members and explained what the Illinois Housing Development Authority does and how they can work with the City to increase housing. Volunteers would be needed for the next step of the study. The next meeting is scheduled fo November 9th at 5:30 PM.

G. Council Report on IML Conference

Alderwoman Eckhoff and Alderman Barr talked about their attendance at the IML Conference in Chicago and the presentations they attended, such as different communication tools with your residents, IDOT sessions, grant applications, budgeting and downtown streetscapes and many more informative sessions. Eckhoff, Barr, Causer and Howard all attended and thought it was a very informational conference.

H. Presentation - Motorized Bikes

Police Chief Davis went over the rules that the motorized bikes used in the City need to follow. They are required to follow bicycle rules of the road and certain motorized bikes has different classifications and have some additional rules to follow. There have been numerous complaints regarding the motorized bicyclists in the City.

Mayor Comments

Mayor Alvey commented on the upcoming Fall Festivals and that the Christmas Tree Decorating in the downtown areas has almost 1⁄2 of trees committed.

Administrator Comments

Introduced Mr. Ron Steed who is part of the company that now owns Redwood Manor and their plans to want to annex the area to the City and the improvements for the court.

Council Comments

Alderwomen Eckhoff attended an Illinois Mainstreet Program that gave much information including how to transform the upper levels of the downtown building into living quarters.

Alderman Wille asked if the planned public hearing for the possible new TIF district will have problems parking for the hearing due to the resurfacing of the City Lot. City Administrator said there shouldn't be any problems.

Public Comments

Pontiac resident, Tom Hale asked some questions regarding the new generator that is being purchased for the Rec Center.

Executive Session

Motion by Causer, second by Lee to adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of discussing personnel matters as authorized under Section 2(c)2 of the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

On a roll call vote motion carried 8-0. Aye votes recorded: Giovanini, Barr, Eckhoff, Kallas, Lee, Causer, Cranford, and Wille

Return from Executive Session

Adjournment

On motion duly made and seconded, the regular meeting of the City Council is adjourned.

https://www.pontiac.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10072024-1084