South Central Reporter

City of Litchfield City Council met March 6.

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

Mayor’s Report:

Mayor Steve Dougherty thanked the aldermen who have complied with the political sign ordinance as he acknowledged that there has been a challenge to it this year. He explained the ordinance went into effect in 2019 when it was changed due to citizen complaints about the size of political signs.

Appointments:

Alderperson Sisson made a motion seconded by Alderperson Huffman to approve the appointment of Debbie Sneed to the Tourism Advisory Board to fill the unexpired term of Jacob Jones.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: None.

Motion carried.

Other Business:

Alderperson Gerl made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Zumwalt, to accept the minutes from the February 20, 2025, regular meeting.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: None.

Motion carried.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: None.

Motion carried.

Old Business: None

New Business:

Council Request:

Alderperson Hughes made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Gerl to approve a Resolution authorizing a contract with Montgomery County Animal Control for animal control services. Many questions were left unanswered including signing a contract at a time when there is not an animal control officer, having the public call in and contain the animal, stray cats, response hours, community and police involvement, billing and how to make pet owners responsible for the cost. Mayor Dougherty is cautious about signing an open-ended contract such as presented because of the potential cost to the city.

After much debate, Alderperson Zumwalt made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Gerl to table the discussion of the contract until the March 20, 2025, City Council Meeting with the agreement that City Administrator Breann Vazquez make contact to find out answers to some of the questions presented at the meeting.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: None.

Motion carried.

Lake:

The hourly rates presented comply with the State of Illinois and will help salaries remain competitive.

Alderperson Huffman made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Kellenberger to approve a Resolution setting hourly wages for seasonal staff at Lake Lou Yaeger.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: None.

Motion carried.

Motion carried.

Economic Development:

Eric and Abby Barcum requested business assistance to replace the roof, front windows, entry door, repair structural settling of concrete and repair all water damage to the building at 224 N. State Street d/b/a Happy Tails. The City will enter a TIF agreement to reimburse the developer

for 50% of TIF eligible expenses, up to a cap of $32,500, over a period of six years. Alderperson Kellenberger made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Fleming to approve an Ordinance approving the authorizing the Mayor to execute a development agreement for a project in TIF#1 with Eric and Abby Barcum for 224 N. State Street, and other actions related thereto.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: None.

Motion carried.

Administration:

Distribution comes from Ameren while the supplier Homefield Energy can reduce the electric rates. This is a three-year contract for continued business since 2018.

Alderperson Huffman made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Paine to approve a Resolution authorizing an Electric Service Agreement with Illinois Power Marketing LLC d/b/a Homefield Energy.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: None.

Motion carried.

Administration:

The new lessees of lot 49 Island View requested the language be clarified in the lease renewal. Alderperson Huffman made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Gerl to approve a Resolution to amend current lease of Lot 49 in the Island View subdivision to clarify language of renewal. The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: None.

Motion carried.

Water:

Using budgeted funds to replace the water main on State Street from Edwards to Weir. Total project cost, including engineering services is an estimated $794,525.00.

Alderperson Fleming made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Gerl to approve a professional services agreement with HMG Engineers for the design, bidding and construction staking a water main replacement on State Street.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: None.

Motion carried.

Water:

Funds budgeted in FY 2026 to replace the water main on Columbia Street and redo Columbia Street. Funds budgeted in FY 2027 to replace the water main on Jackson Street and redo Jackosn Street.

Alderperson Fleming made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Kellenberger to approve a professional services agreement with HMG Engineers for the design, bidding and construction staking a water main replacement on Jackson Street and Columbia Street. The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: None.

Motion carried.

Executive Session

Alderperson Zumwalt made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Kellenberger to enter into Executive Session, as allowed under the Illinois Open Meeting 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…” (5 ILCS 120/2(2)(c)(1)

2. “Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives…” (5 ILCS 120/2(2)(c)(1)

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: None.

Motion carried.

Executive Session was entered into at 7:27 p.m.

Regular Session resumed at 7:34 p.m.

Having no further business, Alderperson Gerl made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Zumwalt 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 7:35 p.m.

https://www.cityoflitchfieldil.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03062025-381