Steve Dougherty, Litchfield City Mayor | Facebook
Steve Dougherty, Litchfield City Mayor | Facebook
City of Litchfield City Council met Oct. 17.
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 Dwayne Gerl, Josh Hughes, Kassidy Paine, Jacob Fleming, Marilyn Sisson, Sara Zumwalt, Robbin Huffman, and Ray Kellenberger. The Mayor declared that a quorum was present.
Mayor’s Report:
The City Administrator shared information on the October 2024 Pickers Market stating it was the best attended since 2019. The October 2024 Pickers Market also saw the most vendors since 2019 as well as the most revenue. The engineer for the housing rehabilitation grants mailed acceptance letters to applicants approved for the program. If an applicant was not selected, they will stay on the list for future rounds unless they request to be removed.
Mayor Dougherty reminded everyone that the County has adopted Operation Green Light, in honor of Veterans, which will run from November 4ththrough the 11th. The Mayor would like to see Litchfield lit up greener than the rest of the county.
Other Business:
Alderperson Gerl made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Kellenberger, to accept the minutes from the October 3, 2024, meeting.
The Mayor directed a roll call vote.
Aye: Sisson, Zumwalt, Gerl, Huffman, Paine, Fleming, Hughes, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
Alderperson Fleming made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Gerl, to approve the expenditure report and payroll report for the current period.
The Mayor directed a roll call vote.
Aye: Sisson, Zumwalt, Gerl, Huffman, Paine, Fleming, Hughes, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
Old Business:
None
New Business:
Streets:
Alderperson Gerl made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Sisson, to approve a Resolution granting two perpetual easements to Ameren for the purpose of gas and electric installation at the West Side Industrial Park.
The Mayor directed a roll call vote.
Aye: Sisson, Zumwalt, Gerl, Huffman, Paine, Fleming, Hughes, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
Administration:
Alderperson Huffman made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Zumwalt, to approve an Ordinance amending Section 31.115 of the Municipal Code regarding the Appointment of a City Treasurer.
The Mayor directed a roll call vote.
Aye: Sisson, Zumwalt, Gerl, Huffman, Paine, Fleming, Hughes, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
Administration:
Alderperson Huffman made a motion seconded by Alderperson Hughes to approve an Ordinance amending Chapter 31 of the Municipal Code amending the City Clerk’s pay to $10,000 annually, effective at the beginning of the next City Clerk term.
The Mayor directed a roll call vote.
Aye: Sisson, Zumwalt, Gerl, Huffman, Paine, Fleming, Hughes, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
Administration:
Alderperson Huffman made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Fleming, to approve an Ordinance amending Section 31.102 of the Municipal Code amending the Deputy Clerk’s pay to $5000 annually, effective at the beginning of the next City Clerk term.
Alderperson Zumwalt expressed she felt the increase was too high, stating that the Deputy Clerk does not really have any assigned duties other than filling in for the City Clerk. Alderman Kellenberger agreed with Alderman Zumwalt stating he felt the amount was a humongous increase. Alderman Zumwalt said she would feel more comfortable with an increase of $2500 annually instead of $5000 annually.
Amending the original motion, Alderperson Zumwalt made a motion seconded by Alderperson Kellenberger to approve an Ordinance amending Section 31.102 of the Municipal Code amending the Deputy Clerk’s pay to $2,500 annually, effective at the beginning of the next City Clerk term.
The Mayor directed a roll call vote on amending the motion.
Aye: Sisson, Zumwalt, Gerl, Huffman, Paine, Fleming, Hughes, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
The Mayor directed a roll call vote on the amended motion.
Aye: Sisson, Zumwalt, Gerl, Huffman, Paine, Fleming, Hughes, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
Administration:
Alderperson Huffman made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Kellenberger, to approve an amendment to a Lake Lou Yaeger Lakeshore Lease for 277 Westlake Trail to extend the lease for 60 years.
The Mayor directed a roll call vote.
Aye: Sisson, Zumwalt, Gerl, Huffman, Paine, Fleming, Hughes, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
City Clerk:
Alderperson Paine made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Kellenberger, to approve a Resolution appointing Stacie Peecher as Local Election Official Designee for the City of Litchfield.
The Mayor directed a roll call vote.
Aye: Sisson, Zumwalt, Gerl, Huffman, Paine, Fleming, Hughes, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
Building & Zoning:
Alderperson Kellenberger made a motion seconded by Alderperson Zumwalt to approve an Ordinance authorizing the execution of a commercial real estate contract to sell 619 N. Madison Street, PIN# 10-33-318-009, to Malissa J. Talbert.
The Mayor directed a roll call vote.
Aye: Sisson, Zumwalt, Gerl, Huffman, Paine, Fleming, Hughes, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
Building & Zoning:
Alderperson Kellenberger made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Fleming, to approve an Ordinance amending the zoning classification for PIN# 10-33-227-001 from A-1 agricultural to M-F multifamily contingent upon Low Income Housing Tax Credit funding from the Illinois Housing Development Authority. Following discussion on the necessity of adding a 2-year contingency as recommended by the Plan Commission, the motion was amended.
Alderperson Kellenberger amended the motion, seconded by Alderperson Fleming, to approve an Ordinance amending the zoning classification for PIN# 10-33-227-001 from A-1 agricultural to M-F multifamily contingent upon Low Income Housing Tax Credit funding from the Illinois Housing Development Authority with a 2-year contingency.
The Mayor directed a roll call vote.
Aye: Sisson, Zumwalt, Gerl, Huffman, Paine, Fleming, Hughes, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
The Mayor directed a roll call vote on the amended motion.
Aye: Sisson, Zumwalt, Gerl, Huffman, Paine, Fleming, Hughes, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
Building & Zoning:
Alderperson Kellenberger made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Gerl, to approve an Ordinance amending the zoning classification for PIN# 10-33-203-004 from S-1 single family to M-F multifamily contingent upon Low Income Housing Tax Credit funding from the Illinois Housing Development Authority. Alderman Zumwalt asked if this Ordinance should also have a 2-year contingency. Alderperson Kellenberger confirmed that it should.
Alderperson Kellenberger made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Zumwalt, to approve an Ordinance amending the zoning classification for PIN# 10-33-203-004 from S-1 single family to M-F multifamily contingent upon Low Income Housing Tax Credit funding from the Illinois Housing Development Authority with a two-year contingency.
The Mayor directed a roll call vote.
Aye: Sisson, Zumwalt, Gerl, Huffman, Paine, Fleming, Hughes, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
Executive Session
Alderperson Huffman made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Fleming, 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:
- “Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting.” (5ILCS 120/2(2)(C)(11)
- “The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors in a park, recreation, or education setting, or specific volunteers of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee, a specific individual who serves as an independent contractor in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or a volunteer of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity. However, a meeting to consider an increase in compensation to a specific employee of a public body that is subject to the Local Government Wage Increase Transparency Act may not be closed and shall be open to the public and posted and held in accordance with the Act.” (5 ILCS 120/2(2) (C) (3)
- “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.” (5 ILCS 120/2(2) (C) (3)
- “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.” (5 ILCS 120/2(2) (C) (21)
Aye: Sisson, Zumwalt, Gerl, Huffman, Paine, Fleming, Hughes, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
Executive Session was entered into at 6:50 p.m.
Alderperson Fleming made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Huffman to return to open session at 7:45 p.m. The Mayor directed a roll call vote.
Aye: Sisson, Zumwalt, Gerl, Huffman, Paine, Fleming, Hughes, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried
Return to Regular Session at 7:45 p.m.
Alderperson Hughes made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Huffman, to
to accept the executive minutes from the October 3, 2024, meeting.
The Mayor directed a roll call vote.
Aye: Sisson, Zumwalt, Gerl, Huffman, Paine, Fleming, Hughes, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
Alderperson Zumwalt made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Huffman to approve a Resolution authorizing an employment agreement with Ryan Gorman and authorizing the Mayor to execute the contract.
The Mayor directed a roll call vote.
Aye: Sisson, Zumwalt, Gerl, Huffman, Paine, Fleming, Hughes, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Absent: 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 7:50 p.m.
https://www.cityoflitchfieldil.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10172024-345
Alerts Sign-up