South Central Reporter

City of Litchfield City Council met Sept. 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Mayor called the regular meeting of the 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 Huffinan, Josh Hughes, Kassidy Paine and Ray Kellenberger. Absent: Jake Fleming. The Mayor declared that a quorum was present.

Public Participation:

Ed Wernsing ofWernsing Appliances expressed his concerns about the proposed business district and tax increase, noting that it will have an impact on his business. He suggested a . 25% or 50% increase instead.

Lonnie Bathurst, representing the EDC, read a letter of support for the proposed business district and tax increase.

Appointment:

Alderperson Hughes made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Huffman to appoint Stacie Peecher as interim Treasurer.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: Fleming.

Motion carried.

Other Business:

Alderperson Gerl made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Zumwalt to accept the minutes from the September 5, 2024 meeting.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: Fleming.

Motion carried.

Alderperson Kellenberger made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Huffmann to direct the transfer of 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, Huffman, Hughes, Paine, Kellenberger.

Nay: None.

Absent: Fleming.

Motion carried.

Old Business:

None.

New Business:

Economic Development:

Lee Beckman of Milano & Grunloh Engineers provided an update on the City' s grants.

Alderperson Kellenberger made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Zumwalt to approve an Ordinance establishing the Litchfield Business District; approving a Business District Plan; authorizing the imposition and collection of a sales tax within such Business District; and approving certain actions in connection with the establishment of such Business District. The Mayor directed a roll call vote. Alderperson Kellenberger stated that after having some conversations and learning that the EDC is in favor of the district, he has changed his mind. Alderperson Paine asked for clarification regarding the study that was conduction. She wanted to know if the 48% of sales tax reported as generated from non-residents reflected that neighboring communities purchase their groceries in Litchfield, noting that groceries would not be taxable. City Administrator Vazquez stated that she believed it had.

Aye: Sisson, Gerl, Zumwalt, Huffman, Kellenberger.

Nay: Hughes, Paine.

Absent: Fleming.

Motion carried.

Building/ Zoning:

Alderperson Kellenberger made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Zumwalt to approve a Resolution approving the Final Plat for the Litchfield I-55 Commerce Center Subdivision.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: Fleming.

Motion carried.

Fire Department:

Alderperson Hughes made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Kellenberger to approve an Ordinance declaring personal property ofthe City of Litchfield surplus and authorizing its sale and/ or disposal, including personal property of the Fire Department.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: Fleming.

Motion carried.

Alderperson Hughes made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Huffman to approve a Resolution approving and authorizing the execution of a cooperative positions agreement with the Board of Education of Litchfield Community Unit School District No. 12 as Administrative Agent for the Career and Technical Education Joint Consortium.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: Fleming.

Motion carried.

Lake:

Alderperson Huffman made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Sisson to approve an Ordinance declaring personal property ofthe City of Litchfield surplus and authorizing its sale and/ or disposal, including personal properly of the Lake Department.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: Fleming.

Motion carried.

Alderperson Huffman made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Hughes to approve an Ordinance to allow for a controlled adult hunting season and controlled youth hunting season within specified portions of the LLYRA for the purpose of maintaining healthy wildlife populations.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: Fleming.

Motion carried.

Streets:

Alderperson Gerl made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Kellenberger to approve a Resolution authorizing a change order to increase the scope of a contract with Rooters Asphalt for road work on Jackson Street to replace all curb and driveway aprons for an amount not to exceed$ 179, 000.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: Fleming.

Motion carried.

Building/Grounds:

Alderperson Zumwalt made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Gerl to award bids for Carnegie Building Renovations to the following:

Mechanical Systems to Neuhaus Heating & AC, Inc. for$ 277, 660

Plumbing to Bruce Utterbrink Construction for$ 16, 694

Wiring/ Electrical to Bruce Utterbrink Construction for$ 71, 441

Equipment/ Material to Bruce Utterbrink Construction for$ 26,073

Masonry to Bruce Utterbrink Construction for$ 14, 484

Material/ Labor to Hancock Construction for$ 79, 655

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: Fleming.

Motion carried.

Police:

Alderperson Sisson made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Zumwalt to approve an Ordinance amending Chapter 76, Schedule I of the Municipal Code to add stop signage on State Street at Sargent Street for north and southbound traffic to assist traffic control at a designated crosswalk

area and to remove stop signage for north and southbound State Street Traffic at South Street. There was brief discussion regarding the location of the stop signs and a concern that they will continue to be ignored. Alderperson Sisson raised the question of having crossing guards at the intersection. Chief Ryker said that the stop signs could have flashing lights and that a temporary patrol car could also be present to alert vehicles.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: Fleming.

Motion carried.

City Council Request:

Alderperson Zumwalt made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Huffman to approve an Ordinance amending the City Clerk' s pay to $ 7, 800 annually, effective at the beginning of the next City Clerk term. Alderperson Kellenberger asked the City Clerk Burke to explain what duties were now being performed by the office staff as stated in the Ordinance. The Clerk went over the duties of the City Clerk and said that there were no duties now being handled by the office staff. The Mayor expressed concern over the salary and what that would mean for securing a qualified City Clerk in the future.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

Aye: Huffman.

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

Absent: Fleming.

Motion failed.

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: 12 p.m.

https://www.cityoflitchfieldil.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09192024-340