South Central Reporter

City of Litchfield City Council met Sept. 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Mayor called the Public Hearing to order at 6: 00 p.m. Jared Kanallakan opened the meeting with an introduction to the proposed business district. Mr. Kanallakan explained that the business tax is like TIF in that it is a tool to help businesses located in the redevelopment project area. Revenue is generated through a maximum 1% sales tax, and an estimated$ 100, 000 per month could be collected. Kanallakan noted that groceries, medicine and medical appliances are not subject to the tax, and that ifthe Council chose to proceed, the tax would be effective January 1, 2025.

City Administrator Vazquez stated that, in astudy of debit and credit card purchases, 48% of sales tax was generated from non-residents. This study did not include any cash payments. She explained that after projects have been presented to administration, they will be taken to the EDC for review, then taken to the Council for a decision. Vazquez reported that with the TIF ending in 9 years, this would provide an additional tool to encourage business development.

There were several questions from the Council and the public. Alderman Kellenberger expressed a concern about an additional tax on the community in light ofthe poverty rate in Litchfield. He said he thinks it is a good plan, but that it is a bad time to institute an additional tax. There were other questions regarding other possible dates to institute the tax and ifthe EDC recommended the additional tax. Vazquez stated that the start date would be either January 1 or April 1, although a delay from the January 1 start date could change the boundary and that there is a risk of the eligibility study becoming outdated. She said that the EDC is recommending this additional tax. When asked about how much of the funding would be used for infrastructure and how much for business development, Vazquez said that would be up to the Council.

When there appeared to be no further questions or comments, the Mayor closed the hearing at 6: 30 p.m.

Regular Meeting Minutes

The Mayor called the regular meeting ofthe City Council 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, Robbin Huffman, Josh Hughes, Kassidy Paine, Jake Fleming, and Ray Kellenberger. The Mayor declared that a quorum was present.-

Recognition of Special Guests:

Fire Chief Adam Pennock introduced incoming fire fighters Joey Quinn and Evan Kershaw, remarking that Joey has been a long time member ofthe volunteers, and that Evan is the brother of a current fire fighter for the City. City Clerk Carol Burke then swore in Joey and Evan.

Mayor' s Report:

Mayor Dougherty did not have anything to report, but congratulated City Clerk Carol Burke on her semi-retirement and thanked her for being willing to help in the transition.

Public Participation:

Zach Resmann of Resolute Energy addressed the Council regarding a community solar program, remarking that it would not cost the City anything and provides a guaranteed percent discount off the City' s electric bills.

Appointment:

Alderperson Zumwalt made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Hughes to appoint Nicole Zeisler as interim Treasurer.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Motion carried.

Other Business:

Alderperson Gerl made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Huffman to accept the minutes from the August 15, 2024 meeting.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

Aye: Sisson, Gerl, Zumwalt, Huffman, 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, Huff-man, Hughes, Paine, Fleming, Kellenberger.

Nay: None.

Motion carried.

Old Business:

None

New Business:

Administration:

Alderperson Kellenberger made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Sisson to accept a proposal from Mike Klaves for fall and holiday beautification for an amount not to exceed$ 13, 790.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

Aye: Sisson, Gerl, Zumwalt, Huffman, Hughes, Paine, Fleming, Kellenberger. Nay: None.

Motion carried.

Lake:

Pulled from the agenda: A motion to approve an Ordinance to allow for a controlled youth hunting season in addition to the adult hunting season within specified portions of the Lake Lou Yaeger Recreation Area for the purpose of maintaining healthy wildlife populations.

Alderperson Huffman made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Sisson to approve the purchase of a 40' open side steel shipping storage container and a 20' open side steel shipping storage container from AMW Container Rental & Sales for an amount not to exceed$ 15, 000. Lake

Superintendent Heather Bell explained that renting these units would cost$ 30,000 for two years and that these units can be moved from location to location as needed. Alderperson Zumwalt asked ifthe current ordinance would allow for these containers to be placed at the lake. Building Inspector Gary Baker said currently they are only allowed in parcels zoned industrial, so a variance would be necessary.

Alderperson Huffman amended the motion, seconded by Alderperson Paine to approve the purchase contingent upon the Zoning Board granting a variance.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote on amending the motion.

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

Nay: Zumwalt.

Motion carried.

The Mayor then directed a roll call vote on the amended motion.

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

Nay: Zumwalt.

Motion carried.

Fire:

Alderperson Hughes made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Sisson to approve the payment of a bill from the City ofPeoria Fire Academy for an amount not to exceed $ 14, 625.00. The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Motion carried.

Streets:

Alderperson Gerl made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Zumwalt to approve a Resolution Establishing a Class II Truck Route along Airport Trail from Old Route 66 ( four lane) to Historic Old Route 66, Historic Old Route 66 from Airport Trail to the south intersection of Skyview Drive, and all of Skyview Drive.

The Mayor then directed a roll call vote on the motion as amended.

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

Nay: None.

Motion carried.

Building& Grounds:

Alderperson Zumwalt made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Huffman to approve a resolution authorizing a change order from Mahoney Asphalt for parking lot work for an amount not to exceed$ 12, 600.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Motion carried.

Economic Development:

Alderperson Kellenberger made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Gerlto approve an Ordinance approving and authorizing the Mayor to execute a development agreement for a project in TIF # 1 with Bradley & Danell Fogle for 216 N. State Street, and other actions related thereto.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Motion carried.

Finance:

Alderperson Paine made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Fleming to approve a Resolution for an agreement with MGT Impact Solutions, LLC for interim financial services. Alderperson

Paine requested that this action be tabled until after the opportunity to discuss in Executive Session. Alderperson Zumwalt made that motion, seconded by Alderperson Fleming. The Mayor directed a roll call vote on tabling the motion.

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

Nay: None.

Motion carried.

Executive Session

Alderperson Hughes made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Gerl to enter 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. " The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body..." ( 51LCS 120/ 2( 2)( C)( 1).

2. " The selection of a person to fill a public office, as defined in this Act, including a vacancy in a public office, when the public body is given power to appoint under law or ordinance, or the discipline, performance or removal ofthe occupant of a public office, when the public body is given power to remove the occupant under law or ordinance." ( 5 ILCS 120/ 2( 2)( C)( 3).

3. " Meetings between internal or external auditors and governmental audit committees, finance committees, and their equivalents..." ( 5ILCS120/ 2( 2)( C)( 29).

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Motion carried.

Executive Session was entered at 7: 00 p.m.

Return to Regular Session at 8: 17 p.m.

New Business:

Alderperson Paine made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Zumwalt to approve a Resolution for an agreement with MGT Impact Solutions, LLC for interim financial services. The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

Aye: Sisson, Gerl, Zumwalt, Huffinan, 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 regular meeting adjourned at 8: 19 p.m.

https://www.cityoflitchfieldil.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09052024-335