McLean County Times

City of Pontiac City Council met Feb. 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The regular meeting of the Pontiac City Council was held on February 17, 2025. 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, Eckhoff, Causer, Lee, Bradshaw, Howard and Wille.

Absent: Barr, Kallas and Cranford

CONSENT AGENDA

Mayor Alvey stated that there were (3) items on the consent agenda. He asked if any needed to be removed for later discussion. Hearing none, motion made by Eckhoff and second by Howard that the items on the consent agenda be approved as presented.

A. Motion by Eckhoff, second by Howard to approve the minutes of the February 3, 2025 City Council meeting. On a roll call vote motion carried 7-0. Aye votes recorded: Giovanini, Eckhoff, Lee, Causer, Bradshaw, Howard and Wille.

B. Motion by Eckhoff, second by Howard to approve payment of bills totaling $166,804.91 from all funds. On a roll call vote motion carried 7-0. Aye votes recorded: Giovanini, Eckhoff, Lee, Causer, Bradshaw, Howard and Wille.

C. Motion by Eckhoff, second by Howard to approve the application for Peddler's License - AB Marketing. On a roll call vote motion carried 7-0. Aye votes recorded: Giovanini, Eckhoff, Lee, Causer, Bradshaw, Howard and Wille

It was also discussed that a Peddler's License Approval by Council, according to City Ordinance, needs to be 30-days in advance of the dates required. This will be noted to those that apply.

REGULAR AGENDA

A. Approval - MOU Livingston County Circuit Clerk E Citation Software

Motion by Lee, second by Causer to approve the Memo of Understanding with the Livingston County Offices, area Sheriff's, area Police Departments, and the Mayors of Pontiac, Dwight, Fairbury, Forrest and Chatsworth, to define and the use of the E-Citation Software, with the Livingston County Circuit Clerk paying the start up fees and fees for the next (6) years as written. On a roll call vote motion carried 7-0. Aye votes recorded: Giovanini, Eckhoff, Lee, Causer, Bradshaw, Howard and Wille

B. Approval - Professional Services Contract - Farnsworth Group - Pickle Ball Court

Motion by Eckhoff, second by Howard to approve the service contract for construction documents for the Pickle Ball Courts project in the amount fo $28,050.00 with the Farnsworth Group. On a roll call vote motion carried 6-1. Aye votes recorded: Eckhoff, Lee, Causer, Bradshaw, Howard and Wille. Nay vote recorded: Giovanini.

C. Approval - Appointment Joseph Hassinger - Vermillion Valley ETSB

Motion by Wille, second by Lee to approve the appointment of Joseph Hassinger to the Vermillion Valley Regional Emergency Communications Joint Authority. On a roll call vote motion carried 7-0. Aye votes recorded: Giovanini, Eckhoff, Lee, Causer, Bradshaw, Howard and Wille

D. Approval - 2025 Solid Waste User Fee

Motion by Eckhoff, second by Causer to approve the contractual rate with Republic Services for solid waste pick up in the amount of $23.08. On a roll call vote motion carried 6-1. Aye votes recorded: Giovanini, Eckhoff, Lee, Causer, Bradshaw and Wille. Nay vote recorded: Howard

E. Approval - Health Insurance Renewal

Motion by Eckhoff, second by Causer to approve the City's Health Insurance renewal with BlueCross BlueShield. On a roll call vote motion carried 7-0. Aye votes recorded: Giovanini, Eckhoff, Lee, Causer, Bradshaw, Howard and Wille

F. Approval - Request for Qualification - Airport Consultant - Runway Rehab Project

Motion by Eckhoff, second by Wille to approve authorization for Airport Consultant qualifications guidelines for Architectu4al and Engineering Services, including special services as written. On a roll call vote motion carried 7-0. Aye votes recorded: Giovanini, Eckhoff, Lee, Causer, Bradshaw, Howard and Wille

G. Committee Report - Housing Study

Alderwoman Eckhoff noted the Special Housing Committee met on February 4, 2025. There was discussion on prioritizing study outcome goals, finding grant information and what other communities have been through the same process.

Mayor Comments

Mayor Alvey mentioned the upcoming Library Exhibit, the Underground Railroad, and the Vermillion Players latest production, which had great reviews.

Administrator Comments

Jim Woollford announced that the City did not get the grant applied for the downtown streetscape project. Also, the fire department sub station is in the design stage.

There will be a public meeting for any new solar projects near the airport. Date and time will be announced.

Council Comments

Alderwoman Eckhoff asked about the possibility of the City having a Park Foundation. She had been asking for donations for the pickle ball court and some Entities can only donate to a park foundation. Would like the idea researched. Also, the snow removal on the downtown sidewalks. She knows there is no ordinance requiring merchants to do so, but wondered if the City's downtown merchant group could send letters asking, but she also noted that there are quite a few downtown stores that are empty, so not all sidewalks would get snow removal. The City normally does not do the sidewalks downtown. She asked when the ice rink would be closing, & informed mid-February.

Alderwoman Howard asked about the Rec Center being used for a warming center. Council was informed that it is open during hours to use as a warming center and if there is a need for after hours, there are contacts that can be made to help.

Public Comments

None

Executive Session

Motion by Wille, second by Lee to adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of discussing personnel matters and Collective Negotiations as authorized under Section 2(c)2 of the Illinois Open Meetings Act. On a roll call vote motion carried 7-0. Aye votes recorded: Giovanini, Eckhoff, Lee, Causer, Bradshaw, Howard 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/_02172025-1115