McLean County Times

City of Le Roy City Council met April 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Steve Dean at 7:02 PM at Le Roy City Hall, 207 S East Street, Le Roy. The council members present were Dawn Hanafin, Sarah Welte, Matt Steffen, Kelly Lay, Justin Morfey, Ron Legner, and Kyle Merkle. Patti Welander was absent.

Staff members present were Dan Lush, Perry Mayer, Scott Bryant, Dave Jenkins, and Anita Corso. During Public Comments Scott Erps discussed his $500 dumping fine.

Included on the consent agenda were Regular Meeting Minutes for 3/17/2025, Special Projects Committee Meeting Minutes for 3/17/25, invoices from 4/7/2025 totaling $251,819.43, payroll for the period of 3/21/25 in the amount of $ 49,847.67, and payroll for the period of 4/4/2025 in the amount of $50,388.72.

The items of the consent agenda were voted on separately.

Motion was made by Matt and seconded by Dawn for approval of the Regular Meeting Minutes and the Special Projects Committee Meeting Minutes. Roll call: Matt Steffen-yes, Dawn Hanafin -yes, Kyle Merkle- yes, Justin Morfey-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Sarah Welte-abstain. Motion carried 6 yeas, 0 nays, 1 abstain.

Motion was made by Sarah and seconded by Kyle for approval of the invoices and payroll. Roll call: Matt Steffen-yes, Dawn Hanafin -yes, Kyle Merkle- yes, Justin Morfey-yes, Sarah Welte-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Ron Legner abstain. Motion carried 6 yeas, 0 nays, 1 abstain.

In Staff Reports Perry reported on repairs to the south water tower, Frontier installation progress, lead line replacement for next fiscal year, employee possible retirement date, transformer problems over the weekend, and hydrant flushing to hopefully begin within the next 30 days.

Dan talked about reports of foxes in town.

Motion by Matt was seconded by Justin for Approval of the Resolution for Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code totaling $220,000.00 for the period May 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026. Roll call: Matt Steffen-yes, Dawn Hanafin -yes, Kyle Merkle- yes, Justin Morfey-yes, Sarah Welte-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Ron Legner-yes. Motion carried 7 yeas, 0 nays.

Motion by Kelly, seconded by Sarah, for approval of the quote from Striegel Knobloch & Co. for the not-to exceed cost of $21,500 to complete the audit for the FY ending on April 30, 2025. Discussion included rising costs and requirements may require a bid next year. Roll call: Matt Steffen-yes, Dawn Hanafin -yes, Kyle Merkle yes, Justin Morfey-yes, Sarah Welte-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Ron Legner-yes. Motion carried 7 yeas, 0 nays.

Motion by Justin was seconded by Kyle to approve David Malone’s request for a group of volunteers to have a clean-up day, minor tree limb trimming, install concrete tee pads at the Disc Golf Course, including a request for city assistance. Discussion included scope of work, what assistance might be available, and liability for volunteers doing the clean-up. Legal had been consulted and liability is not an issue. Roll call: Matt Steffen-yes, Dawn Hanafin -yes, Kyle Merkle- yes, Justin Morfey-yes, Sarah Welte-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Ron Legner-yes. Motion carried 7 yeas, 0 nays.

Motion by Sarah, seconded by Kelly, for approval of the City of Le Roy Regular Council Meeting Schedule for FY May 2025-April 2026. The mayor noted the cancelled meetings June -September. Roll call: Matt Steffen-yes, Dawn Hanafin -yes, Kyle Merkle- yes, Justin Morfey-yes, Sarah Welte-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Ron Legner-yes. Motion carried 7 yeas, 0 nays.

Motion by Justin, seconded by Matt, to reconsider tabled Ordinance 25-03-03-50. Roll call: Matt Steffen-yes, Dawn Hanafin -yes, Kyle Merkle- yes, Justin Morfey-yes, Sarah Welte-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Ron Legner-yes. Motion carried 7 yeas, 0 nays.

Justin asked about increased background checks. The mayor reported that since Le Roy is non-home rule the state liquor commission requirements apply and Le Roy’s cannot be more restrictive. Justin recommends monitoring the state regulations so ours stay in line.

Motion by Matt, seconded by Sarah to amend the heading of Ordinance from 25-03-03-50 to 25-04-01-50. Roll call: Matt Steffen-yes, Dawn Hanafin -yes, Kyle Merkle- yes, Justin Morfey-yes, Sarah Welte-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Ron Legner-yes. Motion carried 7 yeas, 0 nays.

ORD NO. 25-04-01-50 AN ORDINANCE REVISING CHAPTER 3-LIQUOR CODE.

Motion to approve by Kyle was seconded by Kelly. Roll call: Matt Steffen-yes, Dawn Hanafin -yes, Kyle Merkle- yes, Justin Morfey-yes, Sarah Welte-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Ron Legner-yes. Motion carried 7 yeas, 0 nays.

In Old & New Business Ron reported the new well is in development process, is 100 feet deep and is still looking functional. Expected gallons per day should be finalized soon.

Mayor Dean reported the sidewalk project is moving slowly but progressing daily.

The dumping issue was discussed. Dan commented that the main problem with refrigerators and freezers is the city has no means of disposing of the coolant.

Dave explained the budget is still not final. There will be another budget meeting at 6:00pm on Monday 4/21/25. Discussion included a burn box, leaf vacuum, upcoming ditch work, new flatbed truck, PD squad car rotation, bond payments to be covered by usage-based fees on utility bills and eliminating the fixed capital project fees.

Motion by Sarah was seconded by Kelly to adjourn the regular council meeting. Roll call: Matt Steffen-yes, Dawn Hanafin -yes, Kyle Merkle- yes, Justin Morfey-yes, Sarah Welte-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Ron Legner-yes. Motion carried 7 yeas, 0 nays.

Meeting adjourned at 8:07 PM.

https://www.leroy.org/file/2845/2025%20reg%20mtg%20APR%207.pdf