McLean County Times

City of Chenoa City Council met April 22.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:'

The Chenoa City Council met in Regular Session at City Hall on April 22, 2025 called to order by Mayor Shane at 6:30 p.m..

The City Clerk was directed to call roll. The following council members were present: Shane, Shipley, Hernandez and Lopeman. Commissioner Picket was absent. The following members of staff were present: Chief Cornwall and Clerk Rhoades. Attorney Mann and Treasurer Rowold were absent.

Mayor Shane led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Consent Agenda

Motion by Shipley, second by Hernandez to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 25, 2025 and the minutes of the Executive Session of April 8, 2025, that the bills and payrolls be allowed, and orders on the Treasurer be drawn in payment of the same. #5781 Motion carried by unanimously affirmative vote.

Motion by Shipley, second by Lopeman to Approve the 2023-2024 Audit. #5782 Motion carried by unanimously affirmative vote.

After a small discussion regarding how this would not be spot zoning, Motion by Lopeman, second by Hernandez to Approve an Ordinance Rezoning Certain Real estate in Scott, Humphrey & Pickett’s Subdivision in the City of Chenoa, McLean County, Illinois. Ordinance # 880. #5783 Motion carried by unanimously affirmative vote.

Motion by Hernandez, second by Lopeman to Approve to Use up to $17,500 of Silliman Trust Funds Towards the Friends of the Trail 66 Project. #5784 Motion carried by unanimously affirmative vote.

Sarah Michaels represented the Chenoa Economic Commission. She said the Commission recommended to approve Ashley Butler’s request for the TIF Facade Program and they recommend up to $10,000. They also recommended to approve Andy Jolly’s request for the TIF Facade Program. She said Seth Campbell, the owner of the Dairy Queen that is going in, presented and the EDC assigned Stacy Eilts to be the point of contact with him and Gwen Crawford for the TIF application process.

Nancy Todd presented the Parks Master Plan Draft that was put together by Farnsworth Group and a small committee. The plan for the Main City Park showed placing three pickle ball courts into the old tennis court and relocating the batting cage to the west side of the fence, adding some tables or seating, and replacing the two to five year old playground. The bigger changes were suggested for Redbird Park outside of the swim pool area. The plan suggests moving the current playground, adding signage, adding a multiuse basketball court and tennis court, parking and walking paths. Main City Park cost is estimated at around $320,000 and Redbird park is around $750,000. They would be applying for an OSLAD grant. After discussion regarding the necessary repairs to the pool and the cost of that, the council agreed they needed more time to review this.

Motion by Lopeman, second by Hernandez to Approve the Repairs for the Backhoe in the Amount of $41,167.54 to be conducted by Martin in Goodfield, IL. #5785 Motion carried by unanimously affirmative vote.

Comments

Public: Sarah Michaels said the Red Carpet Corridor is coming up the weekend of May 3. She requested the Park be mowed May 2 and confirmed that the bathrooms at the pool will be able to be used. Barry Martin thanked Commissioner Hernandez for coming to look at the tree and have it taken care of right away. He asked Mayor Shane and Commissioner Lopeman why it took so long to have something done.

Stephanie Smithson asked what the process is to get rock in an alley. Commissioner Lopeman said he will add it to the list.

Cheryl Stevens asked why the council does not focus on cleaning the town up. She has a trailer down the road that keeps adding more junk to their yard. Mayor Shane said they have started issuing ordinance violations for it.

Attorney: None

Treasurer: Treasurer Rowold gave an overview of the accounts and they are all a surplus. He provided a budget worksheet for the council to begin working on next year's budget.

Commissioner: Commissioner Lopeman said they have been finishing up the salt shed and cleaning up curbs. He asked about permits that are required for fiber companies which they will look into. They are currently looking for part-time help in the streets. He has a proposed MFT budget for next year for the council to review before the next council meeting. He gave an update on the tree Barry Martin was talking about. He said he gave him permission to have the tree trimmed, the Mayor then told Barry he could not have it done. Commissioner Lopeman said he drove by but needed to see the tree start budding. The last meeting he said he would bring a profession in to determine what needed to be done. He had an arborist come and it was reported that nothing was wrong with the tree. It was determined the whole thing could have been avoided if the hoe owner was allowed to have it trimmed like what was said in a previous meeting.

Motion by Lopeman, second by Hernandez 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. #5786 Motion carried by unanimously affirmative vote.

Motion by Lopeman, second by Hernandez to Approve to Return to Open Session. #5787 Motion carried by unanimously affirmative vote.

Motion by Lopeman second by Hernandez that the council do now adjourn. #5788 Motion carried by unanimously affirmative vote.

https://www.chenoail.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif6431/f/minutes/4_22_25.pdf