South Central Reporter

City of Litchfield City Council met March 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

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

Public Participation:

Mayor Dougherty directed City Clerk Carol Burke to read three letters that had been submitted regarding the soccer park project. Letters in favor were received from Mark Bloome and Lonnie Bathurst. The letter submitted by Billy Savage opposed the project.

The following individuals addressed the Council expressing their support of the soccer park project: Mike Fleming, Ed Wernsing, Mike Strubhart, Julie Abel, Mike James, Scott Hartel.

Cathy Fenton indicated she was in favor of the project but had several questions about operations and maintenance that she felt should be addressed. She said she would vote against the project as it stands currently.

LHS Soccer Coach Chris Bates is in support of the project but mentioned that the school district is considering developing a practice field to the east of their building.

On a separate matter, Campground Manager Wes Hicks encouraged the Council to consider the impact of the soccer park vote on the expansion of the Bicentennial Campground. Wes said there is a waiting list for annual campsites and that the addition of 40 new spots would bring additional revenue to the City.

Caitlin Magnusson spoke regarding the divisiveness in the community and encouraged all in attendance to put their differences aside and do what is best for Litchfield.

Other Business:

Alderperson Fleming made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Newkirk to accept the minutes from the February 15, 2024 meeting.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Motion carried.

Alderperson Zumwalt 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: Sisson, Gerl, Newkirk, Zumwalt, Hughes, Paine, Fleming, Kellenberger.

Nay: None.

Motion carried.

Old Business:

No Old Business.

New Business:

Economic Development:

Alderperson Kellenberger made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Paine to approve an Ordinance authorizing the purchase of approximately 27. 7 acres from UCB Bank with 19. 4 acres being used for the soccer park included in the OSLAD/ LWCF grant for an amount not to exceed

692, 500 and authorize the Mayor to sign the grant documents and closing documents. The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

Aye: Newkirk, Paine, Kellenberger.

Nay: Gerl, Sisson, Zumwalt, Hughes.

Abstention: Fleming.

Motion failed.

Alderperson Kellenberger made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Newkirk to award a bid for the RTE 66 Crossing Sports Complex to Stutz Excavating for an amount not to exceed 2, 752, 677 for site work base bid, concession building, contingency, and alternates 2, 4, 7, 9, and 11.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

Aye: None.

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

Abstention: Fleming.

Motion failed.

Alderman Kellenberger made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Zumwalt to approve and ordinance approving and authorizing the Mayor to execute a Redevelopment Agreement with EJNK Holdings, LLC (Family Eye Care) for the property located at 510 W Union Ave (parcel 10- 32-478- 015) located within TIF 1 District.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Abstention: Fleming.

Motion carried.

Streets:

Alderperson Gerl made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Fleming to approve a resolution approving and authorizing the execution of a professional services agreement with Milano & Grunloh Engineering for engineering services for the Skyview Drive , Route 66 Industrial Park Project for an amount not to exceed $341, 600 and to authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement. The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Motion carried.

Alderperson Gerl made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Sisson to approve emergency repairs on a 2011 Genie S- 65 manlift.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Motion carried.

Police:

Alderperson Sisson made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Kellenberger to approve the installation of stop signs at the intersection of Edwards Street and Chestnut Street, stopping traffic traveling east or west on Edwards Street.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Motion carried.

Streets:

Alderperson Gerl made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Fleming to approve the emergency purchase and installation of a replacement pump for the North Franklin Street lift station for an amount not to exceed $ 12, 547. 40 plus freight.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Motion carried.

Administration:

Pulled from agenda: A motion to approve the renewal of health insurance for the City employees effective May 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025, with Blue Cross/Blue Shield through Dimond Brothers Insurance.

Alderperson Newkirk made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Gerl to approve a Resolution adopting the 2024 Montgomery County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan. The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Motion carried.

Executive Session:

Alderperson Fleming made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Zumwalt to enter into Executive Session 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, specific individuals...( 5 ILCS 120/ 2( 2)( c)( 1)

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Motion carried.

The Council entered Executive Session at 7:25 p.m.

Return to open session at 7: 45 p.m.

New Business:

Alderperson Gerl made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Kellenberger to approve the Executive Session minutes from the February 15, 2024 meeting.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Motion carried.

Alderperson Newkirk made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Gerl to appoint Heather Bell as the Lake Superintendent as discussed in Executive Session.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Motion carried.

Having no further business, Alderperson Kellenberger made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Zumwalt to adjourn the regular meeting of the Litchfield City Council. The Mayor called for a voice vote, motion carried, and the special meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.

https://www.cityoflitchfieldil.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03072024-294