McLean County Times

City of Chenoa City Council met Oct. 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Chenoa City Council met in Regular Session at City Hall on October 14, 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, Lopeman, Hernandez, Shipley and Bell. The following members of staff were present: Chief Cornwall, Attorney Mann Treasurer Rowold and City Clerk Rhoades.

Mayor Shane led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Consent Agenda

Motion by Bell, second by Shipley to Approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 23, 2025 and the Minutes of the Special Meeting of September 29, 2025; that the bills and payroll be allowed, and orders on the Treasurer be drawn in payment of the same. #5852 Motion carried by unanimously affirmative vote.

Fire Chief Troy Aldrich asked the Council permission for a liquor license for the Fire Department’s Cash Bash on November 1. Motion by Shipley, second by Bell to Approve to Issue a One Day Special Use Liquor License for the Chenoa Fire Department for the Annual Cash Bash Event. #5853 Motion carried by affirmative vote with Commissioner Lopeman abstaining.

With no discussion, Motion by Bell, second by Shipley to Approve to Authorize the Mayor as a Representative of the City of Chenoa to Sign Loan Documents for IEPA Loan for Water Improvement Project. #5854 Motion carried by unanimously affirmative vote.

Kevin Hannel from Farnsworth Group said he has been talking with Mayor Shane on putting an intersection on Route 24 at the end of the off ramp of I55 to connect to Hoselton Drive. They would need approval from IDOT to do this. They did identify an ITA grant that would pay for the planning process of this. They found it too late to do this year but are able to apply next year. It would cost about $10,000 for Farnsworth to put together the grant then there is no guarantee of getting the grant. Kevin said they could do a traffic impact study to use to work with IDOT to see if they would be willing to allow a stop light at that intersection. If IDOT would not approve it then there would be no reason to go after the grant. Kevin gave an update on the water main project. He said they are wrapping up the design and are submitting for construction permits. The loan application is being worked on. The goal is to have everything submitted and reviewed in the next couple of months. If everything goes through and the City scores high enough they could be starting construction next summer.

Chief Cornwall said this was put in the budget for the 5 year rotation. This would be a 26 Explorer that would replace a 21 Charger that is in the shop constantly. Treasurer Rowold said there is plenty of police restricted money for this. Motion by Bell, second by Shipley to Approve to Order for Purchase of a 2026 Ford Explorer for a Police Squad from K&S Ford in the Amount of $52,383.00. #5855 Motion carried by unanimously affirmative vote.

Treasurer Rowold said the City has kept track for many years on money that the TIF Funds could have paid back to other Funds. The CIty used other Funds when setting up the TIF with the concept of eventually paying those other Funds back from TIF money. Now the TIF has plenty of money. The Water and Sewer is running out of money. He proposes the TIF repays some of the Funds starting with some to Water and Sewer due to that fund not having enough money. If they don’t do this the Water and Sewer would either need to borrow more money from the General Fund or borrow money from that loan they have talked about over the last couple years. Motion by Hernandez, second by Lopeman to Approve Transfer of $150,000 of Funds from TIF 1 and 2 to the City Water and Sewer Fund. #5856 Motion carried by unanimously affirmative vote.

Motion by Bell, second by Shipley to Approve an Ordinance Abating the Tax Heretofore Levied for the Year 2025 to Pay Debt Service on the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2024, of the City of Chenoa, McLean County, Illinois. Ordinance #891. #5857 Motion carried by unanimously affirmative vote.

Commissioner Lopeman said they previously approved the original bid for $85,000. At that meeting the Council discussed getting costs for having more repairs down out there. He has worked with Joe since then to get updated numbers for what it would cost. It is not for every joint but it is for the majority of them and include any that have cracks or broke in any way. This would increase the cost by $28,000 bringing the total to $114,000 plus a 4 percent engineering fee. MFT has approved $64,000 which would ask for TIF to pay $49,000. Motion by Bell, second by Shipley to Approve Revised Bid for Operation #6 of the 2025 MFT Program for Concrete Pavement Patching of Enterprise Drive between Rt. 24 and Hoselton Drive. #5858 Motion carried by unanimously affirmative vote.

Comments

Public: Melissa Cooper asked when the bumps on Maple Street will be fixed. Commissioner Lopeman said the contractor that was supposed to come do that last year never showed up. He is working with a new one to have that done. She confirmed with Commissioner Lopeman that there will still be access for traffic on Enterprise Drive when the work begins. She asked if C.A.R.E Charity could collect donations at the 4-way intersection again on November 2, which the Council did not have any issues with. Sally Decker asked for an update on the pile of bricks on the North end of town. Attorney Mann said he is waiting for a report back from Zoning.

Attorney: Attorney Mann said he has had some inquiries from Insurance Adjusters wanting the City to send a letter regarding sheeting replacement is necessary for the City. The Council and Attorney Mann agreed that is a private matter for the City to not be involved with. Attorney Mann did suggest the Council to ask the Zoning Board to start updating the Building Code as most of it is from the 1920’s. The Council agreed to get the Code updated.

Treasurer: Treasurer Rowold gave an update on the surplus and deficits of the Funds. All together the City has a deficit of about $43,000 for the year so far. The City has already earned $22,000 of interest since May by moving the money to Vanguard.

Commissioner: Commissioner Bell said the EDC is doing a survey online for the comprehensive plan and it is very important that residents take part in the survey. Commissioner Lopeman said the guys almost have all the signs up. They are going to fix the signs at Division and Fuller and will be looking into getting the rest on Division Street fixed. They have done dumpsters, helped at the dog park and filled pot holes. The 3-ton and plows were taken for repairs. They attended a JULIE class with the required changes coming up. The tile at Morehead and Scott was also worked on. He asked the Council if they should replace the red flashing light at Division and Fuller which will cost about $2,700. The Council agreed not to replace it and leave the working one there. The railroad is not expecting movement on the repair work on Division and Second Streets due to the Federal Government being shut down. They are looking at the week of October 27 or the week of November 17 to do stumps and is asking for help from the other departments. The City needs to get a boundary survey for an easement of York Street in order to get an address for a resident’s property for Ameren. After a small discussion the Council agreed to share the cost of the Survey with the resident and not pave that section as it is for one property and does not benefit the town. Commissioner Hernandez said he met with Melissa Chrisman who is going to help with the distressed community status. She is also working on getting a grant for art work on a building downtown. He is getting new signs for the Route 66 corner to replace what was taken down. More trees will be planted on November 7.

Motion by Shipley, second by Bell 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. #5859 Motion carried by affirmative vote with Commissioner Lopeman abstaining.

Motion by Bell, second by Shipley to Approve to Return to Open Session. #5860 Motion carried by unanimously affirmative vote.

Motion by Shipley, second by Bell that the council do now adjourn. #5861 Motion carried by unanimously affirmative vote.

https://www.chenoail.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif6431/f/minutes/10_14_25.pdf