McLean County Times

City of Le Roy City Council met Dec. 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

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

Staff members present were Scott Bryant, Dan Lush, Jason Williamson, Dave Jenkins, and Anita Corso. There were no public comments.

Included on the consent agenda were Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes from 12/2/2024, approval of Invoices from 12/16/2024 totaling $ 150,401.28, and payroll for the period of 12/13/24 in the amount of $ 54,465.28. The items of the consent agenda were voted on separately.

Motion was made by Matt and seconded by Justin for approval of the Meeting Minutes. Roll call: Justin Morfey yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Sarah Welte-abstain, Matt Steffen-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Patti Welander-yes, Kyle Merkle- yes, and Dawn Hanafin-yes. Motion carried 7 yeas, 0 nays, 1 abstain.

Motion was made by Kelly and seconded by Justin for approval of the invoices and payroll. Roll call: Justin Morfey-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Sarah Welte-yes, Matt Steffen-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Patti Welander-yes, Kyle Merkle yes, and Dawn Hanafin-abstain. Motion carried 7 yeas, 0 nays, 1 abstain.

In Staff Reports, Scott reviewed the plant kickoff meeting in Champaign and stated there would be another in January in Le Roy. He requested two hours be set aside for the meeting. Scott also reported an aerator is being sent for rebuilding and will cost approximately $4,200.

ORD No. 24-12-03-10 AN ORDINANCE IMPOSING A LOCAL NON-HOME RULE MUNICIPAL RETAILERS OCCUPATION TAX AND NON-HOME RULE MUNICIPAL SERVICE OCCUPATION TAX OF 1%. Motion to approve by Justin was seconded by Matt. Discussion explained the amount would be used for infrastructure across all departments and would replace the current .5% local tax. Roll call: Justin Morfey-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Sarah Welte-yes, Matt Steffen yes, Ron Legner-yes, Patti Welander-yes, Kyle Merkle- yes, and Dawn Hanafin-yes. Motion carried 8 yeas, 0 nays.

ORD No. 24-12-04-10 AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 07-05-02-10. Motion to approve by Matt was seconded by Kelly. Roll call: Justin Morfey-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Sarah Welte-yes, Matt Steffen-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Patti Welander-yes, Kyle Merkle- yes, and Dawn Hanafin-yes. Motion carried 8 yeas, 0 nays.

RES NO. 24-12-5-10 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LE ROY, MCLEAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS, AUTHORIZING THE REIMBURSEMENT OF BUSINESS DISTRICT PROJECT COST. Motion to approve by Matt was seconded by Sarah. Discussion reviewed the scope of the project, the percentage of the project cost covered as well as how much the developer has already invested in Le Roy. Roll call: Justin Morfey-abstain, Kelly Lay-yes, Matt Steffen-yes, Sarah Welte-yes, Ron Legner-no, Patti Welander-yes, Kyle Merkle- no, and Dawn Hanafin-yes. Motion carried 5 yeas, 2 nays, 1 abstain.

Motion by Justin was seconded by Kyle for approval of the Gilmore Avenue Drainage Improvements project low bid quote from Stark Excavating, Inc. totaling $99,420.00. Roll call: Justin Morfey-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Sarah Welte yes, Matt Steffen-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Patti Welander-yes, Kyle Merkle- yes, and Dawn Hanafin-yes. Motion carried 8 yeas, 0 nays.

Discussion regarding the signs to help direct travelers to the downtown area reviewed the design by Prairie Signs, Inc. the placement of the signs along Chestnut, and the panel updates including price was followed by a motion by Kelly, seconded by Sarah for approval of the quote from Prairie Signs, Inc. for two downtown post & panel signs; Structure One: (16 Tenants) 36” wide x 48”H @ $3,198.00 and Structure Two: (30 Tenants) 36” W x 60”H @ $3,798.00. Roll call: Justin Morfey-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Sarah Welte-yes, Matt Steffen-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Patti Welander-yes, Kyle Merkle- yes, and Dawn Hanafin-yes. Motion carried 8 yeas, 0 nays.

Motion by Matt was seconded by Kyle for approval to allocate a not-to-exceed amount of $900 from the General Fund to purchase Christmas gifts for city employees and Zoning Board members. Discussion included gift options other than gift cards. Roll call: Justin Morfey-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Sarah Welte-yes, Matt Steffen-yes, Ron Legner yes, Patti Welander-yes, Kyle Merkle- yes, and Dawn Hanafin-yes. Motion carried 8 yeas, 0 nays.

In old and new business:

▪ There has been interest in the old Dollar General Store but nothing final.

▪ New furniture store coming soon to 120 E Center

▪ No news about a coffee shop

▪ All ARPA funds have been obligated as required

▪ The Downtown Stroll had a good crowd despite the cold.

The executive session not being necessary, the mayor called for a motion to adjourn.

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

The meeting was adjourned at 7:56 PM.

https://www.leroy.org/file/2787/2024%20reg%20mtg%20Dec%2016.pdf