South Central Reporter

City of Litchfield City Council met March 20.

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 announced that there is a potential client for the new Industrial Park that would create one hundred and fifty or more jobs.  There will be more information to come.  He also stated that the new AT&T tower at the lake is scheduled to begin construction on May 19th.

Public Participation: 

Kory Brink told the Mayor and the Council that he has opened a restaurant in Donnelson, Illinois.  He described how he initially thought of opening this business in Litchfield but because he was unhappy with the cost of a food truck license, he decided to open the restaurant in Donnelson instead. Mayor Dougherty congratulated Mr. Brink on his business and explained that restaurant owners in Litchfield are the very reason for the rise in food truck licenses, because food trucks sitting in front of brick-and-mortar buildings were taking away from local restaurants’ business. Mayor Dougherty wished Mr. Brink success in his business venture.

Appointments:  

None.

Other Business:

Alderperson Gerl made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Huffman, to accept the minutes from the March 6, 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 Huffman made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Fleming 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:  

Council Request

State’s Attorney Andrew Affrunti and Montgomery County Board member Jeremy Jones answered questions regarding the tabled Montgomery County Animal Control contract and Resolution. The plan is for the city to take calls through dispatch with after hour calls going through Chief Ryker. Jones said that Animal Control will be able to supply owner information so that the City can try to recoup some of the fees through ordinance violations.

Alderperson Hughes made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Fleming to approve a Resolution authorizing a contract with Montgomery County Animal Control for animal control services.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote. 

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

Nay:  None.

Absent:  None.

Motion carried.

New Business:

Discussion: 

There was a discussion on re-opening E. Park Place as a public roadway in front of the former Madison Park Elementary School located at 800 N. Chestnut.  After discussion, the Council determined that it would be safer to leave the road closed as it is adjacent to the park and various ball courts. It was mentioned that the area belongs to the City and is not part of the private property of the owners of the former school building. No action was needed with the road remaining closed.

Fire:

Alderperson Hughes made a motion seconded by Alderperson Zumwalt to approve a resolution authorizing a Service Level Agreement with Brycer LLC for the Compliance Engine tracking of annual fire system and extinguisher inspections. 

The Mayor directed a roll call vote. 

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

Nay:  None.

Absent:  None.

Motion carried.

Building and Zoning:

Alderperson Kellenberger made a motion seconded by Alderperson Sisson to approve a resolution accepting a Preliminary Plan for Wildflower Subdivision, including a variance to Section 150: Appendix A of the Municipal Code to allow for a 20’ rear yard setback for lots 34-45.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote. 

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

Nay:  None.

Absent:  None.

Motion carried.

Tourism:

Alderperson Paine made a motion seconded by Alderperson Kellenberger to approve the Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center’s request for hotel-motel tax funds in the amount of $10,000 on May 1, 2025, for marketing and advertising.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote. 

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

Nay:  None.

Absent:  None.

Motion carried. 

Tourism:

Alderperson Paine made a motion seconded by Alderperson Gerl to award a bid for a three -year contract for fireworks to Spectrum Pyrotechnic for an amount not to exceed $24,200 per year.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote. 

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

Nay:  None.

Absent:  None.

Motion carried.

Building and Grounds:

Alderperson Zumwalt made a motion seconded by Alderperson Huffman to award a bid for a three-year contract for mowing services to Precision Mowing for an amount not to exceed $172,000 per year for select City property and $40 per lot per cut for select City-owned vacant residential lots.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote. 

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

Nay:  None.

Absent:  None.

Motion carried. 

Lake:

Alderperson Huffman made a motion seconded by Alderperson Paine to reject all bids for signage at the Lake Lou Yaeger Recreational Area.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote. 

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

Nay:  None.

Absent:  None.

Motion carried.

Lake:

Alderperson Huffman made a motion seconded by Alderperson Gerl to waive bids and accept a proposal form Warning Lites for signage at the Lake Lou Yaeger Recreation Area for an amount not to exceed $12,980.82.

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 Gerl 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: 

• “The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees…” (5 ILCS 120/2(2)(c)(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:  Zumwalt, Huffman, Fleming, Paine, Hughes, Gerl, Sisson, Kellenberger.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  None.

Motion carried.

Executive Session was entered into at 7:21 p.m.

Alderperson Zumwalt made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Gerl to return to the open session at 7:30 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 Fleming to approve the Executive Session minutes from the March 6, 2025, 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 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 7:32 p.m.

https://www.cityoflitchfieldil.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03202025-384