McLean County Times

City Of Leroy City Council met Oct. 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Steve Dean at 7:04 PM at Le Roy City Hall, 207 S East Street, Le Roy. The council members present were Matt Steffen, Ron Legner, Kyle Merkle, Kelly Lay, Sarah Welte, and Scott Tucker.

Staff members present were Dan Lush, Perry Mayer, Jason Williamson, Nathan Wilkins, Dave Jenkins, Sean Spencer, Brad Frankovich and Anita Corso.

Comments from the public included a request for a stop sign or yield sign at Pearl & Wayne. There’s lots of foot traffic from the school and no traffic control.

Included on the consent agenda were Special Projects Committee Minutes 9/15/2025 and Regular Council Meeting Minutes 9/15/2025, invoices from 10/6/2025 totaling $162,796.34, payroll for the period of 9/19/2025 in the amount of $56,682.13, and payroll for the period of 10/3/2025 in the amount of $53,419.59.

The items of the consent agenda were voted on separately.

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

Motion was made by Kyle and seconded by Matt for approval of the , invoices from 10/6/2025 totaling $162,796.34, payroll for the period of 9/19/2025 in the amount of $56,682.13, and payroll for the period of 10/3/2025 in the amount of $53,419.59. Roll call: Kyle Merkle-yes, Matt Steffen-yes, Scott Tucker-yes, Ron Legner-abstain, Kelly Lay-yes, Sarah Welte-yes. Motion carried 5 yeas, 0 nays, 1 abstain.

In Staff Reports Scott reported the IEPA permit has been approved to do the sewer plant upgrade, and the Gilmore lift station pump #2 has been having problems.

Scott was then excused from the rest of the meeting.

Perry reported that the hydrant flushing is going well and is approximately half-way done. Dan reported the last brush pickup of the year will be the week of Oct 27th.

Anita reminded everyone flu shots are available at Aanaya Rx for employees and council. Sean gave an update on yards needing cleaned up and an update on the downtown projects.

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING HELD OCTOBER 6, 2025 (cont)

Dave gave a recap of the IEPA zoom meeting regarding water testing. Perry explained the upcoming testing with Jacobs Engineering and the expectations. Equipment should arrive next week. Pilot tests will be in early November. The timeline for the final results will depend on the IEPA.

Dave reported the approval of a $150,000 grant for the city to do a feasibility study for a walking path over the interstate. He also explained a map of existing sidewalks would be helpful. The promotional videos are both complete and received at City Hall. They will be reviewed and posted.

The Mayor opened discussion of consideration of the proposal for a Secondary School Resource Officer position (Senior SRO) and related Senior Officer/Director of Safety & Security MOU (draft). Sgt. Nathan Wilkins gave an overview of the program including an officer at each school, provide self-defense training, driver safety training, and others. Other questions were answered by School Superintendent Jeff Baughman. School Board President Kevin Daugherty added the school board is willing to continue discussions. Council consensus was to continue discussions and move forward with the MOU.

Motion by Scott Tucker was seconded by Sarah for the review and approval of Alderman Justin Morfey letter of resignation as Ward 3 Alderman effective September 30, 2025. Roll call: Kyle Merkle-yes, Matt Steffen-yes, Scott Tucker-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Sarah Welte-yes. Motion carried 6 yeas, 0 nays. The mayor went on to explain the process for filling the vacant position.

Motion by Sarah was seconded by Kyle for approval of the low Bid from Otto Baum Company totaling $173,300.00 for the WWTP Bridge Improvements project. Roll call: Kyle Merkle-yes, Matt Steffen-yes, Scott Tucker-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Sarah Welte-yes. Motion carried 6 yeas, 0 nays.

Motion was made by Matt, seconded by Sarah, for approval of the low Bid from Stark Excavating, Inc. totaling $207,945.00 for the Mockingbird Lane Drainage Improvements project. Discussion reviewed the scope of the project and the possibility of it being completed this year. Roll call: Kyle Merkle-yes, Matt Steffen-yes, Scott Tucker-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Sarah Welte-yes. Motion carried 6 yeas, 0 nays.

RES 25-10-01-90 A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING FINANCIAL COMMITMENT IN THE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM. This resolution is required for the grant application as it is a reimbursement grant. Motion to approve by Kelly was seconded by Matt. Roll call: Kyle Merkle-yes, Matt Steffen-yes, Scott Tucker-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Kelly Lay- yes, Sarah Welte-yes. Motion carried 6 yeas, 0 nays.

ORD 25-10-02-42 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY LOAN AGREEMENT-NON HOME RULE CITY. Motion to approve by Kyle was seconded by Kelly. Discussion explained how the ordinance is required for the loan application. Roll call: Kyle Merkle-yes, Matt Steffen-yes, Scott Tucker yes, Ron Legner-yes, Kelly Lay- yes, Sarah Welte-yes. Motion carried 6 yeas, 0 nays.

In Old & New Business, tree log disposal was discussed including delivery, waiver of claims, written policy, quantities, liability forms, time limits for stacking & splitting.

The possibility of a commercial compost at the old landfill site included benefits, leaf disposal, odor maintenance. More details to follow and discussed.

The recent “Worship Without Walls” did a wonderful cleanup and Kiwanis Park and the cemetery.

Trick or Treat hours on Oct 31, 2025 will be 4:30pm to 7:30pm.

Gaultney Park discussion included increasing use of the park, slide replacement, and other updates. Options will be explored.

At 8:35 PM, a motion was made by Kelly and seconded by Scott Tucker to enter executive session (after a 10-minute break) pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(1) to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body. Specifically, to review the Chief of Police Compensation package. Roll call: Kyle Merkle-yes, Matt Steffen-yes, Scott Tucker-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Kelly Lay-yes, Sarah Welte-yes. Motion carried 6 yeas, 0 nays.

Motion was made by Sarah and seconded by Kelly to return to regular session at 10:20 PM. Roll call: Kyle Merkle-yes, Matt Steffen-yes, Scott Tucker-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Kelly Lay- yes, Sarah Welte-yes. Motion carried 6 yeas, 0 nays.

Motion by Kyle was seconded by Scott Tucker to adjourn the regular council meeting. Roll call: Kyle Merkle-yes, Matt Steffen-yes, Scott Tucker-yes, Ron Legner-yes, Kelly Lay- yes, Sarah Welte-yes. Motion carried 6 yeas, 0 nays.

Meeting adjourned at 10:24 PM.

https://www.leroy.org/file/2944/2025%20reg%20mtg%20Oct%206.pdf