South Central Reporter

City of Litchfield City Council met Dec. 21,

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Steven Dougherty called Public Hearing to order at 6: 00 p.m. He announced that the purpose of the Public Hearing was to review performance and obtain citizens' views regarding the recent Housing Rehabilitation Grant, Project No. 20- 243006 funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Grant Administrator Tammy Campbell gave a brief overview of the grant and answered questions. Mayor Dougherty adjourned the Public Hearing at 6: 11 p.m.

Mayor Steven Dougherty called Public Hearing to order at 6: 15 p.m. He announced that the purpose of the Public Hearing was to provide interested parties an opportunity to express their views on the proposed federally funded Community Development Block Grant( CDBG) project. Ms. Campbell was available for questions and comments. Having none, the Mayor adjourned the Public Hearing at 6: 17 p.m.

Regular Meeting Minutes

Mayor Dougherty called the Regular Meeting to order at 6: 30 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Present on roll call were Alderpersons Dwayne Gerl, Dan Newkirk, Sara Zumwalt, Joshua Hughes, Kassidy Paine, Jacob Fleming, and Ray Kellenberger. Absent: Marilyn Sisson. The Mayor declared that a quorum was present.

Mayor' s Report:

Mayor Dougherty commended the Street Department for their hard work on the difficult water break repair at the lake.

Appointments

Fire Chief Adam Pennock introduced Derek Beckman as the newest member of the fire department. Derek was then sworn in by City Clerk Carol Burke.

Public Participation:

Scott Haenel addressed the Council regarding the handling of his off-duty injury and request for accommodations.

Dave Hollo spoke regarding a proposed Ordinance creating a minimum footprint size for dwellings and requested that the Council oppose the Ordinance.

Other Business:

Alderperson Gerl made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Paine to accept the minutes from the December 7, 2023 meeting.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

Aye: Gerl, Newkirk, Zumwalt, Hughes, Paine, Fleming, Kellenberger.

Nay: None.

Absent: Sisson.

Motion carried.

Alderperson Fleming made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Kellenberger to direct the City Clerk to transfer funds from the city sales tax to the City' s general fund to issue checks and authorize to pay the bills and process payroll.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

Aye: Gerl, Newkirk, Zumwalt, Hughes, Paine, Fleming, Kellenberger.

Nay: None.

Absent: Sisson.

Motion carried.

Old Business:

Building/Planning/Zoning:

Alderperson Kellenberger made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Fleming to approve an Ordinance amending Appendix " A" of the Municipal Code to Create minimum footprint sizes for dwellings. Brief discussion followed.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

Aye: None.

Nay: Gerl, Newkirk, Zumwalt, Hughes, Paine, Fleming, Kellenberger.

Absent: Sisson

Motion failed.

New Business:

Liquor Control Commissioner:

Mayor Dougherty stated that with several prospective businesses opening in Litchfield, that there is a need for increasing the number of liquor licenses for Class B ( stores) from 12 licenses to 13 licenses and Class E ( restaurants) from 11 licenses to 12 licenses. There was some discussion, and the Mayor indicated that this would be brought back for the Council' s consideration at a later date.

Administration:

Alderperson Newkirk made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Fleming to approve an ordinance ascertaining the total amount budgeted for all corporate purposes legally made and to be collected from the tax levy of this fiscal year, beginning on the first day of May, 2023, ending on the 30th day of April, 2024, and levying a tax for the same on all property subject to taxation within the City of Litchfield, Montgomery County, Illinois, as the same is assessed and equalized for state and county purposes for the current year. Budget Officer Jeremy Zook of Kerber, Eck and Braeckel gave a brief overview of the tax levy and answered questions. The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

Aye: Gerl, Newkirk, Zumwalt, Hughes, Paine, Fleming, Kellenberger.

Nay: None.

Absent: Sisson.

Motion carried.

Lake:

Alderperson Newkirk made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Paine to approve final Pay Request# 5 from Blankenship Construction Co. for work done on the Lake Lou Yaeger 16th Ave. Sediment Dam for an amount not to exceed $ 55, 393. 67.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

Aye: Gerl, Newkirk, Zumwalt, Hughes, Paine, Fleming, Kellenberger.

Nay: None.

Absent: Sisson.

Motion carried.

Alderperson Newkirk made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Zumwalt to authorize HMG Engineers to perform required dam inspections at Lake Lou Yaeger, Litchfield Lake, Five Mile Lake, and Walton Lake for an amount not to exceed $ 15, 000.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

Aye: Gerl, Newkirk, Zumwalt, Hughes, Paine, Fleming, Kellenberger.

Nay: None.

Absent: Sisson.

Motion carried.

Fire/ Ambulance:

Alderperson Hughes made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Gerl to approve a resolution authorizing the purchase of a Whelen R4 Vortex Series Siren, Vortex pole top bracket, Siren/ Radio VHF 2- way controller, Batteries, and a Class 2 60ft wooden pole from Global Technical Systems for a cost not to exceed $ 37,260.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

Aye: Gerl, Newkirk, Zumwalt, Hughes, Paine, Fleming, Kellenberger.

Nay: None.

Absent: Sisson.

Motion carried.

Alderperson Hughes made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Fleming to approve an ordinance authorizing surplus and sale and/ or disposal of a GenPro 4000 Watt generator, a Roto- Jet hose washer, a Hatz Diesel 1840 Power Washer, and 2 folding attic ladders.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

Aye: Gerl, Newkirk, Zumwalt, Hughes, Paine, Fleming, Kellenberger.

Nay: None.

Absent: Sisson.

Motion carried.

Streets:

Alderperson Gerl made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Kellenberger to approve Pay Request# 3 from Kamadulski Excavating Co. for work done on Sargent Street for an amount not to exceed $ 155, 740. 61.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

Aye: Gerl, Newkirk, Zumwalt, Hughes, Paine, Fleming, Kellenberger.

Nay: None.

Absent: Sisson.

Motion carried.

Alderperson Gerl made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Newkirk to approve a Resolution for Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code to utilize 2024 Motor Fuel Tax funds for the purpose of maintaining streets for an amount not to exceed $439,677.25.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

Aye: Gerl, Newkirk, Zumwalt, Hughes, Paine, Fleming, Kellenberger.

Nay: None.

Absent: Sisson.

Motion carried.

Executive Session:

Alderperson Hughes made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Kellenberger to Enter into Executive Session, as allowed under the Illinois Open Meetings Act, as found in Chapter 5 of the Illinois Compiled Statutes, Section 120, to address these certain and restricted items:

1. Discussion of minutes of meeting lawfully closed under this Act, whether for purposes of approval by the body of the minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes as mandated by Section 2. 06." ( 5ILCS 120/ 2( 2)( C)( 21)

2. The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body..." ( 5ILCS 120/ 2( 2)( C)( 1).

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

Aye: Gerl, Newkirk, Zumwalt, Hughes, Paine, Fleming, Kellenberger.

Nay: None.

Absent: Sisson.

Motion carried.

The Council entered Executive Session at 7: 08 p.m.

The Council returned to Open Session at 7: 41 p.m.

New Business:

Alderperson Fleming made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Gerl to approve the Executive Session minutes from the November 16, 2023 meeting.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

Aye: Gerl, Newkirk, Zumwalt, Hughes, Paine, Fleming, Kellenberger.

Nay: None.

Absent: Sisson.

Motion carried.

Alderperson Newkirk made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Fleming to dismiss Terry Hancock as the Lake Superintendent.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

Aye: Gerl, Newkirk, Hughes, Paine, Fleming, Kellenberger.

Nay: Zumwalt.

Absent: Sisson.

Motion carried.

Alderperson Zumwalt made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Paine to authorize the creation of a department head position of Finance Director.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

Aye: Gerl, Newkirk, Zumwalt, Hughes, Paine, Fleming, Kellenberger.

Nay: None.

Absent: Sisson.

Motion carried.

Having no further business, Alderperson Kellenberger made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Gerl to adjourn the regular meeting of the Litchfield City Council. The Mayor called for a voice vote, motion carried, and the regular meeting adjourned at 7: 43 p.m.