McLean County Times

City of Le Roy City Council met July 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

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

Staff members present were Dan Lush, Scott Bryant, Jason Williamson, Perry Mayer, Dave Jenkins, Brad Frankovich and Anita Corso.

There were no comments from the public.

Included on the consent agenda were Regular Council Meeting Minutes 6/16/, invoices from 7/7/2025 totaling $ 226,100.92, Invoices from 7/21/2025 totaling $ 136,889.03, payroll for the period of 6/27/2025 in the amount of $ 58,484.04, and payroll for the period of 7/11/2025 in the amount of $ 61,797.77.

The items of the consent agenda were voted on separately.

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

Kelly Lay was seated at 7:03 PM.

Motion was made by Matt and seconded by Sarah for approval of the invoices and payroll. Roll call: Kyle Merkle-yes, Justin Morfey-yes, Dawn Hanafin-abstain, Matt Steffen-yes, Scott Tucker-abstain, Sarah Welte-yes, Ron Legner-abstain, Kelly Lay-yes. Motion carried 5 yeas, 0 nays, 3 abstain.

In Staff Reports Scott Bryant reported the sewer plant project did not make the funding list and the engineers will apply again next year. There will be a plant project review meeting 7/31/25 at city hall. The exact time will be announced soon. The bridge project is due to be bid in August. The quote has been received from Nicor for extending a natural gas line to the plant generator.

Perry reported the last of the lead service lines scheduled for replacement have been completed. He explained the updates at the south water tower.

Mayor Dean opened the discussion about the two Business Development applications. Justin gave the recommendations from the Community & Economic Development Committee.

Scott Tucker, seconded by Kelly, made the motion to approve the Business Development application from LS & JH land Holdings for reimbursement of redevelopment project cost at 208, 210, 212 and 214 E. Center Street totaling $135,147.67. Discussion corrected the total amount to $135,104.67 and reviewed the scope of the project. Roll call: Kyle Merkle-yes, Justin Morfey-yes, Dawn Hanafin-yes, Matt Steffen-yes, Scott Tucker-yes, Sarah Welte-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Kelly Lay-yes. Motion carried 8 yeas, 0 nays.

Dawn recused herself regarding the application from Michael Hanafin.

Matt, seconded by Sarah, made the motion to approve the Business Development application from Michael Hanafin for reimbursement of redevelopment project cost at 400 S. Chestnut totaling $36,039.00. Discussion reviewed the Committee recommendation and the scope of the project. Roll call: Kyle Merkle-yes, Justin Morfey-yes, Matt Steffen-yes, Scott Tucker-yes, Sarah Welte-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Kelly Lay-yes. Motion carried 7 yeas, 0 nays.

Justin reported that the Community & Economic Development Committee reviewed two quotes for creating a promotional video. One from Matt Williamson for $750.00 and one from Tate Ruffner for $700. The committee recommended accepting both bids thereby getting multiple perspectives for a promotional video. Motion by Matt was seconded by Justin to approve the quote for creating a City of Le Roy Promotional Video from Matt Williamson at a total cost of $750.00 and a video from Tate

Ruffner at a total cost of $700.00. Roll call: Kyle Merkle-yes, Justin Morfey-yes, Dawn Hanafin-yes, Matt Steffen-yes, Scott Tucker-yes, Sarah Welte-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Kelly Lay-yes. Motion carried 8 yeas, 0 nays.

Mayor Dean opened the discussion about a sign board near the interstate to help draw business to downtown Le Roy. After a recommendation by the Community & Economic Development Committee, a motion was made by Scott Tucker and seconded by Kelly to approve the City of Le Roy 5’x 10’ Double-sided sign board proposal from HydraCore for materials cost of $27,350 plus installation cost of $18,500 for a not to exceed total of $45,850. Further discussion included multiple location options. Roll call: Kyle Merkle-yes, Justin Morfey-yes, Dawn Hanafin-yes, Matt Steffen-yes, Scott Tucker-yes, Sarah Welte-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Kelly Lay-yes. Motion carried 8 yeas, 0 nays.

Discussion of the proposal from Lehr Custom AV included camera locations and options. Jason summarized the general locations and issues with current cameras. Considering the cost of the project, the council requested the project be put out for bid to be ready for a vote next meeting.

ORD NO. 25-07-01-50 AMENDMENT OF SECTION 1-4-3 REGARDING FINES FOR SOLICITING WITHOUT A PERMIT. Discussion began by explaining the need for a set fine for soliciting without a permit as the current code is vague. Questions arose regarding the exact definition of solicitation and whether the fine is per person or group or is the company fined. Sarah, seconded by Scott, moved to table the ordinance until these questions could be answered. Roll call: Kyle Merkle-yes, Justin Morfey-yes, Dawn Hanafin-yes, Matt Steffen-yes, Scott Tucker-yes, Sarah Welte-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Kelly Lay yes. Motion tabled 8 yeas, 0 nays.

In Old & New Business Dawn said she was approached by Houdinis regarding a temporary beer garden. The Mayor said they need to contact the Liquor Commissioner ( Mayor ) and complete a formal application.

Mayor Dean lead discussion about a Beer Tent as a possibility at the Fall Festival. Also, the idea of creating a splash park in Le Roy.

Scott Tucker pointed out that Gaultney Park needs attention as landscaping timbers are disintegrating. Bowman Park also needs checked.

Kelly suggested possibly the amount spent on a splash park instead be used to fund Replex day passes for families.

Dave said the city is still waiting for a final report about the old Christian Church building. Discussion included grant funds still possible for next year. Also that creating a community center would not affect city utility billing since it would be a general fund project.

Motion by Kyle was seconded by Sarah to adjourn the regular council meeting. Roll call: Kyle Merkle yes, Justin Morfey-yes, Dawn Hanafin-yes, Matt Steffen-yes, Scott Tucker-yes, Sarah Welte-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Kelly Lay-yes. Motion carried 8 yeas, 0 nays.

Meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM.

https://www.leroy.org/file/2913/2025%20reg%20mtg%20JUL%2021.pdf