South Central Reporter

City of Litchfield City Council met Jan. 2.

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 Josh Hughes, Jacob Fleming, Marilyn Sisson, Sara Zumwalt, Robbin Huffman, Dwayne Gerl, Kassidy Paine and Ray Kellenberger. The Mayor declared that a quorum was present.

Mayor Steve Dougherty announced as the first order of business was the swearing in of Broc Jennings as a Police Officer by Police Chief Kenny Ryker. The Mayor and Council members congratulated and welcomed Officer Jennings to the Litchfield Police Force.

Alderperson Fleming made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Kellenberger, to approve a 3- year term for committee appointments for Henry Eilers Shoal Creek Barrens Conservation Area by Andy Furman, Don Krefft and Helen Trost.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: None

Motion carried.

Other Business:

Alderperson Gerl made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Huffman, to accept the minutes from the December 19, 2024, regular meeting.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: None.

Motion carried.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: None.

Motion carried.

Old Business: None

January 2, 2024

New Business:

Discussion:

Andy Furman presented City Council with information on important tasks he assisted Henry Eilers with at the Henry Eilers Shoal Creek Barrens Conservation Area. He described the burnings, opening up of canopies, protecting endangered species and ridding the land of invasive species. Mr. Furman urged Council to continue preserving the land for future generations, for university and school trips, tourism and to honour the legacy of Henry Eilers. Henry Eilers passed away November 13, 2024.

Byron Paulson, IDNR representative met with Council via Zoom to present the three major programs the State of Illinois could offer for Henry Eilers Shoal Creek Barrens Conservation Area. Mr. Paulson discussed the pros and cons of each program, including the Nature Preserve System, Land and Water Reserve and the Heritage Landmark Program. The Mayor and Council thanked Mr. Paulson for his time and information.

Finance:

Alderperson Paine made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Kellenberger to accept the City of Litchfield Annual Audit for the year ending April 30, 2024.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: None.

Motion carried.

New Business:

Alderperson Zumwalt made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Gerl, 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:

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.” (5 ILCS 120/2(2) (C) (21)

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: None.

Motion carried.

Executive Session was entered into 7:04 p.m.

Alderperson Zumwalt made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Gerl to return to open session at 7:07 p.m.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: None.

Motion carried.

New Business:

Alderperson Zumwalt made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Gerl to approve the Executive Session minutes from the December 19, 2024, Executive Session, as written.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: None.

Motion carried.

Having no further business, Alderperson Gerl made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Kellenberger 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 7:08 p.m.

https://www.cityoflitchfieldil.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01022025-364