McLean County Times

City of Lexington City Council met June 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The regular meeting of the Lexington City Council was called to order at 7:00 P. M. by Mayor Spencer Johansen in the City Council Chambers at City Hall.

Mayor Johansen led the council in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll call was taken to find the following physically present: Mayor Johansen, Clerk Roberds, Alderman Franklin, Alderman Stover, Alderwoman Shubert, Alderwoman Wilson. Absent were Alderman Richard and Alderman Mattingly.

Members of public present: Peg Reynolds, Christina Clark, Ryan Clark, Michael Grimsley, Chief Tim Edmaiston.

I. Consideration/Vote to approve the minutes of the May 12, 2025 closed session. Motion to approve the minutes of the May 12, 2025 closed session was made by Alderwoman Wilson and seconded by Alderman Franklin. Motion passed unanimously.

II. Consideration/Vote to approve the minutes of the May 27, 2025 regular meeting. Motion to approve the minutes of the May 27, 2025 regular meeting was made by Alderwoman Wilson and seconded by Alderwoman Shubert. Motion passed unanimously.

III. Consideration/Vote to approve the paying of bills/Treasurer’s Report. Motion was made by Alderman Stover to approve the paying of bills in the amount of $119, 800.47. Seconded by Alderman Franklin. Motion passed unanimously.

IV. Public Input: None

V. Old Business: None

VI. New Business:

A. Consideration/Vote to approve recommendation from Zoning Board of Appeals

Recommendation by the Zoning Board of Appeals, which met just prior to this meeting, is to approve the request submitted by Ryan and Christina Clark to build an 8ft high fence on their property at 403 S Cedar Street. Motion to approve the recommendation from the Zoning Board of Appeals was made by Alderwoman Wilson and seconded by Alderman Franklin. Motion passed unanimously.

Mayor Johansen commented that we need to look at that ordinance. He doesn’t think people should have to come to the Zoning Board of Appeals for an 8-foot fence. People ought to have their privacy. Mike Grimsley spoke up and said the exception would be if it impacted safety. As long as it’s within the set-back there should be no issue.

B. Discussion/Vote on sewer connection fee

Mayor Johansen mentioned it was discussed last year that the sewer connection fee will be paid off by all the residents at the end of September. Recommendation is to end the sewer connection fee eff October 1st, 2025. Motion to end the sewer connection fee effective October 1st made by Alderman Franklin. Seconded by Alderman Stover. Motion passed unanimously.

C. Discussion/Vote on TIF request – RTPF Investments

Mayor Johansen: Building where Christian Farmers is, at 219 W Main St, there is work to be done in the basement. Walls and support beams in the basement are deteriorating due to lack of water drainage. There is a vacant store front on one side and the basement issues may be holding up getting a tenant in there. Alderman Stover: The request is for $2000 to repair basement walls. Motion to approve made by Alderman Stover. Seconded by Alderwoman Shubert. Motion passed unanimously.

D. Discussion/Vote on TIF request – Cheryl Jolly

Mayor Johansen: This is for the building at 221 W Main St, right next to Christian Farmers. Request is to reclaim/repair the failing façade on the front of the building with the goal of adding more classic and timeless curb appeal to the building. Alderman Stover: Total bids for work are $14,400. If we stick to our typical 50%, TIF amount would be $7200. Request is for $7500. Alderwoman Wilson asked if we need to put a condition on the approval, such as we release funds once the building is occupied. We’ve been trying for 10 years to get owner to improve that building. Mayor Johansen: Bottom line is if the owner improves the front of the building, it will improve main street as a whole, regardless who is in there. Alderman Stover made the motion to approve $7200. Motion seconded by Alderman Franklin. Motion passed unanimously.

E. Discussion/Vote on TIF request – Uncle Vaits

Mayor Johansen: Request is for TIF funds to repair the front patio area where part of the roof has fallen. Leake Construction has been looking at it. Repairs include tearing off the remaining old ceiling. Also replace the old fence around the patio area. Goal is to improve curb appeal, especially since this is right on Route 66 and is the first building people see when they come into town. Alderman Stover: Work estimate total is $15,575 ($4000 for demo and $11,575 for restoration). Alderman Stover made the motion to approve grant up to $7800. Motion was seconded by Alderman Shubert. Motion passed unanimously.

F. Discussion/Vote on budget for 2025-2026

Mayor Johansen: Tonight we will discuss only. Not yet ready for vote. Will have discussion then ask for motion to table the vote. Alderman Stover: Still have some journal entries and adjustments to make, waiting on sewer upgrade costs. No bid yet for that. Current fund balances are all good. Timeline looks good for loan payoffs for water and sewer plant. Decided to eliminate the Wirtz Way extension from this year’s budget. It’s not off the table, just unlikely that it will be necessary before next April. Sewer and water upgrades and discharge project are necessary but no problem there. Will have some additional expense in sewer funds but can offset by moving sewer funds portion of their loan payment over to TIF for one year. One big cost is going to be regarding the potential new city shed. One time cost would come out of general funds. Right now there at $250,000, plus demolition, plus some sewer expense if we decide to put a bathroom in there. The shed is the only thing that would cause us to drag our fund down. Currently carrying +$100,000 so not make or break. But if we did draw that fund down we’d have to replace that over the coming years. Putting $200k back shouldn’t be a problem based on revenue. Should be able to approve a budget soon. Mayor Johansen: The engineer for the sewer and water plant upgrades is coming next Tuesday. Kaden is out this week and part of next and he needs to provide some information as well. Could possibly table the shed for another year if necessary, depending on what’s coming out of Washington and the State of IL. Should have everything ready by next meeting to approve a budget. Asked for a motion to table the vote on the budget. Motion made by Alderman Stover. Seconded by Alderman Franklin. Motion passed unanimously.

Committee Reports

A. Mayor’s Report Johansen

Local business looking to expand. Will know more as it goes along. Met with IL Commerce & owner. Waiting for paperwork to be submitted and approved by IL Commerce.

Working with another company to try to bring in a hardware store.

Lex night at Cornbelters June 20th. Spencer managing game, Billy is going to be Mayor during the game.

Next Tues, June 17th some of the mayors are meeting with the county to discuss the lack of animal control. Several towns are running into a brick wall with calling and getting response from county.

B. Police Richard

Since Alderman Richard was absent, Mayor Johansen asked Chief Edmaiston if he had anything. Chief: Typically has a police report to us by 1st mtg of month. The majority of the info comes from Metcomm. Discovered some of our data is

missing. Doesn’t want to give us wrong info. Working through it with Metcomm. As soon as resolved, will give us May report then move forward.

Applied for body worn camera grant. Asked for $13,000. Received $1800. Trying to apply for as many grants as possible.

C. Building/Insurance Wilson

Having transition meeting June 23rd at 6:30pm

D. Finance/TIF Stover

Nothing new

E. Public Works Richard

Alderman Richard is absent. Mayor Johansen said he thinks everything’s going well. The guys are getting caught up on the mowing.

II. Adjourn

Motion made by Alderman Franklin to adjourn meeting. Mayor Johansen called for a voice vote. Ayes were unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 7:40pm.

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