South Central Reporter

City of Litchfield City Council met March 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

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

Mayor Report:

Mayor Dougherty stated that the city- wide cleanup had been set for the week of April 15 and that brush pickup would be the week of April 29. He reported that Ward 2 Alderman Newkirk had resigned and that a recommendation for a replacement would be forthcoming. The Mayor also shared that$ 408, 000 in ARPA funds had been awarded which would be used for infrastructure at the west side industrial park.

Public Participation:

Mayor Dougherty directed City Clerk Carol Burke to read a letter from the MAPPING program director Gisele Hamm and an email from Russ Beason. Both expressed their support of ED Director Tonya Flannery and her dedication to the City.

Hillsboro Mayor Donnie Downs read his letter which recognized the value that Ms. Flannery brings to the City and region.

Kent Redfern spoke on behalf of the Economic Development Commission in support of Ms. Flannery and her work for the City.

Other Business:

Alderperson Gerl made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Kellenberger to accept the minutes from the February 29, 2024 special meeting and the March 7, 2024 regular meeting.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Motion carried.

Alderperson Fleming made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Gerl 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, Zumwalt, Hughes, Paine, Fleming, Kellenberger.

Nay: None.

Motion carried.

Old Business:

No Old Business.

New Business:

Lake:

Alderperson Zumwalt made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Sisson to approve a resolution authorizing a lease agreement for the house and garage located at 4311 and 4313 Beach House Trail, PIN# 10- 26- 226- 002, with the lake superintendent.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Motion carried.

Wastewater Treatment:

Alderperson Fleming made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Paine to approve invoices for work completed in relation to the Wastewater facility influent building flood of January 22, 2024 at cost not to exceed $48,414.45 and additional pending invoices.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Motion carried.

Administration:

Alderperson Hughes made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Kellenberger to approve a resolution authorizing an agreement with New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC for the installation and maintenance of a new tower at the Blake Lowry Campground.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Motion carried.

Streets:

Alderperson Gerl made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Fleming to approve a Resolution of Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code to use city funds for our portion of the cost of road improvements and resurfacing on Skyview Drive for an amount not to exceed$ 1, 023, 230.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Motion carried.

Alderperson Gerl made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Zumwalt to approve a Request for Expenditure/ Authorization of Motor Fuel Tax Funds road improvements and resurfacing on Skyview Drive.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Motion carried.

Alderperson Gerl made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Sisson to approve a Joint Funding Agreement for Federally Funded Construction for road improvements and resurfacing on Skyview Drive.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Motion carried.

Alderperson Gerl made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Fleming to approve a TARP fund Resolution for road improvements and resurfacing on Historic Route 66 completed in 2022 for an amount of$ 76, 500. 00.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Motion carried.

Economic Development:

Alderperson Kellenberger made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Paine to approve a resolution approving agreements with Ameren Illinois, including agreement for study services and agreement to clear vegetation, as part of the City of Litchfield Industrial Park gas line construction contingent upon removing the clerical error "( 12)" in the Study Services Agreement, Appendix A, section titled " Schedule".

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Motion carried.

Pulled from the agenda: A motion to approve an ordinance approving and authorizing the Mayor to execute a development agreement for a project in TIF# 1 with Caleb and Rachel Osborne for 219 North State Street, and other actions related thereto.

Finance:

Jereme Zook of Kerber, Eck and Braeckel presented the proposed 2024- 2025 and 2025- 2026 City of Litchfield budget.

Executive Session:

Alderperson Fleming made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Kellenberger 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. ( 51LCS 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, Zumwalt, Hughes, Paine, Fleming, Kellenberger.

Nay: None.

Motion carried.

The Council entered Executive Session at 7: 58 p.m.

Return to open session at 8: 10 p.m.

New Business:

Alderperson Zumwalt made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Gerl to approve the Executive Session minutes from the February 29, 2024 special meeting and March 7, 2024 meeting.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

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 special meeting adjourned at 8: 11 p.m.

https://www.cityoflitchfieldil.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03212024-297