South Central Reporter

City of Litchfield City Council met July 1.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Jacob Fleming called the Regular Session of City Council Meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Present on roll call were Alderperson Marilyn Sisson, Sara Zumwalt, Dwayne Gerl, Robbin Huffman, Josh Hughes, Robert Garcia, Bert Holloway, and Ray Kellenberger. The Mayor declared a quorum present.

Mayor's Report:

Mayor Jacob Fleming announced that on July 4th City Hall will be closed so employees may be home to celebrate their independence with family. He reminded everyone that Lake Lou Yaeger will be having the annual fireworks show from 5:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. He specified that beginning at 5 P.M. there will be food trucks out at the lake, then at 7:00 P.M. they'll have live music and of course the grand finale will be fireworks. Mayor Fleming stressed to everyone to, "Go out there, take your family for food, live music, and of course, the grand finale, fireworks".

Appointments: There were no new appointments.

Other Business:

Alderperson Gerl made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Sisson to approve the June 19, 2025, special and regular meeting minutes as written.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

Aye: Gerl, Holloway, Zumwalt, Hughes, Garcia, Huffman, Kellenberger and Sisson.

Nay: None.

Absent: None.

Motion carried.

Alderperson Huffman made a motion seconded by Alderperson Hughes to approve the expenditure report and payroll report for the current period.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

Aye: Gerl, Holloway, Zumwalt, Hughes, Garcia, Huffman, Kellenberger and Sisson.

Nay: None.

Absent: None.

Motion carried.

Old Business: None

New Business:

Building and Zoning:

Alderperson Zumwalt made a motion seconded by Alderperson Kellenberger to approve asbestos remediation from three residential structures by Midwest Service Group for an amount not to exceed $18,100.00.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

Aye: Gerl, Holloway, Zumwalt, Hughes, Garcia, Huffman, Kellenberger and Sisson.

Nay: None.

Absent: None.

Motion carried.

Fire Department:

Alderperson Sisson made a motion seconded by Alderperson Garcia to award a bid for the installation of a concrete driveway and sidewalk in front of the main fire station to KRB Excavating for an amount not to exceed $76, 245.00.

Discussion: Alderperson Zumwalt asked if the City had ever had work done by KRB, Fire Chief Adam Pennock answered by stating, "Bill Grider took care of the bidding. He reached out to reputable companies for proposals," Chief Pennock continued, "It was decided to go ahead and redo the curb and gutter as well, so since it is overbudget we are moving some money from our station rehab to cover it because we feel like this is the place the money needs to go. Chief Pennock continued, "There are big holes and safety concerns for our people, the public, as well as vehicles."

City Administrator Breann Vazquez added that she is not certain whether KRB has done any work for the city, but they were required to submit references for two similar jobs they had done along with a bond to ensure they are qualified.

There being no further discussion the Mayor directed a roll call vote.

Aye: Gerl, Holloway, Zumwalt, Hughes, Garcia, Huffman, Kellenberger and Sisson.

Nay: None.

Absent: None.

Motion carried,

Administration:

Alderperson Hughes made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Holloway to award a bid for the installation of a concrete area with fence for two pickleball courts at Madison Park to KRB Excavating for an amount not to exceed $103,333.

Discussion: Mayor Fleming explained to Council that the project is funded with grant money, 100% from private funds. He added that several people had asked him what colors would be used. City Administrator Vazquez answered that they will be using the tradional pickle ball court color scheme. It was acknowledged that KRB Excavating was being awarded this bid as well, with brief discussion if the City had ever used them for previous projects. City Administrator Vazquez said she doesn't know if the City has ever used them in the past, but she was familiar with the name of the company.

There being no further discussion the Mayor directed a roll call vote.

Aye: Gerl, Holloway, Zumwalt, Hughes, Garcia, Huffman, Kellenberger and Sisson.

Nay: None.

Absent: None.

Motion carried.

Streets:

Alderperson Gerl made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Sisson to approve an Ordinance amending Chapter 154 of the Municipal Code to require a maintenance bond for major subdivisions.

Discussion: Mayor Fleming stated that he looked at this as a further way to protect the City.

There being no further discussion the Mayor directed a roll call vote.

Aye: Gerl, Holloway, Zumwalt, Hughes, Garcia, Huffman, Kellenberger and Sisson.

Nay: None.

Absent: None.

Motion carried.

Executive Session

Alderperson Garcia 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:

1. "The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees...." (5 ILCS 120/2(2)(c)(1)

2. "Discussion of minutes of meeting lawfully close 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.” (5ILCS 120/2(2)(c)(21)

The Mayor directed a roll call vote to enter Executive Session at 6:55 p.m. Aye: Holloway, Gerl, Sisson, Zumwalt, Garcia, Kellenberger, Huffman, Hughes Absent: None.

Motion carried.

Regular Session resumed at 7:12 P.M.

New Business:

Alderperson Zumwalt made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Kellenberger to approve Executive Session Minutes as written.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote.

Aye: Gerl, Holloway, Zumwalt, Hughes, Garcia, Huffman, Kellenberger and Sisson.

Nay: None.

Absent: None.

Motion carried.

There being no further business, Alderperson Gerl made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Kellenberger to adjourn the July 1, 2025, Regular Council meeting.

https://www.cityoflitchfieldil.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07012025-411