South Central Reporter

City of Greenville City Council met Sept. 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Regular Council meeting was called to order on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 6:30 AM by Mayor George Barber.

1. PUBLIC MEETING FOR OSLAD GRANT APPLICATION 

1.1. Open the public meeting concerning the OSLAD Grant for the Plaza on Second.

City Manager Hollenkamp opened the public hearing at 6:30 PM for public comment.

•  Mark Sargis asked for explanation/breakdown of original $1.9M grant. Hollenkamp explained that the public hearing is in regards to a new OSLAD grant for a playground and picnic area. Sargis concluded that he would like a breakdown of the funds already spent on the plaza in spreadsheet form and would like it made public on the city website.

•  Kenny Hampton inquired if the City is obligated to complete the playground and picnic area if the grant is received. Hollenkamp responded that the city is only obligated to fulfill the intent of the grant but not the exact specifics.

•  Jerry Sauerwein asked if the Plaza committee gave their approval to apply for for the grant. Hollenkamp responded that the committee is in agreement that it is a good idea to apply for the grant. Sauerwein also commented that the playground design shown in the exhibit will not fit in the allowed space. He was unaware that the location of the playground was moved to the east side of the plaza where there will be ample space. Sauerwein also encourages the city and council to apply for the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD).

1.2. •  Close the public meeting concerning the OSLAD Grant for the Plaza on Second.

City Manager Hollenkamp closed the public hearing at 6:53 PM

2. PUBLIC MEETING FOR SAFE ROUTE TO SCHOOLS PHASE 3 

2.1. Open the meeting for Safe Route to Schools Phase 3.

City Manager Hollenkamp opened the public hearing at 6:54 PM

•  Littlefield asked how many homes would be impacted. Sidewalk will still be back of the curb so should be little impact. The estimated cost of project is $279,000 with the grant covering $250,000. The city would be responsible for paying the difference.

•  Joellen Vohlken inquired about phase 4 of the SRTS project. She stated Hollenkamp had already explained the process of having to complete the project by starting closest to the school and working out from there but still wanted to voice her concern regarding safety along Dewey St. Vohlken also mentioned that the city has a sidewalk program in place. Hollenkamp responded that the City's GIS Analyst, Brad Iberg is working on a map that will show where new sidewalks are needed and existing sidewalks that are in need of repair or are adequate but will still need repairs in the near future. The map will be available on the city website when completed.

2.2. Close the meeting for Safe Route to Schools Phase 3

City Manager Hollenkamp closed the public hearing at 7:02 PM.

3. CITY COUNCIL MEETING 

4. ROLL CALL 

Council Present: Mayor George Barber, Council Member Ivan Estevez, Council Member Kyle Littlefield, and Council Member Blake Knox

Council Absent: Council Member Lisa Stephens

Staff Present: City Clerk Faye Hessenauer, Economic Development Director Elaine McNamara, City Manager JoAnn Hollenkamp, Finance Director Michelle Liggett, and City Attorney Patrick Schaufelberger Chief Waugh, Officer Kleinik

Public Present: Joellen Vohlken, Richard Ridings, Kenny Hampton, Peyton Childress, Kathy Johnson, Cheryl Marchello, Jo Vonderhaar, Peggy Maupin, Tim Johnson, John Tedrick, Jerry Sauerwein, Austin Sander, Aimee Newberry, Joe Pell, Jen Baird, Carol Robertson, Barb Schaufelberger, Caleb Boulware, Mark Sargis, Andrew Weber, Whitney Gruen, Michelle & Ben Wayman, Jeff Graham, and John Smith

5. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

6. COMMENTS BY IVAN ESTEVEZ' 

Councilman Estevez made an apology to both the residents of Greenville and members of the Council for his behavior at the August Council meeting.

7. CITIZEN INPUT / COMMENTS ON ANY AGENDA ITEM OR OTHERWISE Carol Robertson-Apologized to Councilman Estevez for her comments towards him at the August council meeting. She feels that her comments helped escalate the situation and also apologized to the council for interrupting that meeting.

Craig Boyd-Thanked the city and council for taking care of installing the stop sign at Vine & Charles. He also thanked the council for the work on the plaza and appreciates their integrity and how things are being handled as a whole. Boyd also talked about last months council meeting in regards to the pride event. He is concerned about the comments on social media. Most comments about him are false accusations but could be damaging to him as a college professor. Boyd thinks it is important to there be some kind of policy regarding social media.

7.1. Daughters of the Revolution (DAR) Constitution Proclamation

7.2. Update by Andrew Weber on BOW Renewables solar project.

7. Update from CTI: CTI, Central Illinois’ first 100% fiber-optic Internet, TV, and Phone provider, announced today that construction of its state-of-the-art fiber network in Greenville, Illinois, has been completed. Service activations began this week and will continue over the next six weeks, with new neighborhoods being lit daily.

Residents are encouraged to visit ctitech.com to check availability at their address and sign up for service.

“We are excited to reach the finish line and bring our award-winning fiber-optic services to Greenville,” said Matthew VanHoesen, CEO of CTI. “Home to the rich history of Greenville University, this community deserves the fastest and most reliable internet service available. Just as Greenville has long been a hub of innovation and small-town pride, we are proud to invest here and look forward to helping families, students, and businesses thrive with the power of fiber.” 

With this expansion, Greenville residents will now have access to CTI’s full suite of services, including 2 gigabit-speed Internet, crystal-clear streaming TV, and reliable phone service— all powered by CTI’s 100% fiber network.

An update presentation by CEO Matthew Van Hoesen, Austin Souder, Joe Pell and Aimee Newberry of CTI:

1. Status of the cable installation

2. Map of completed areas

3. Timeline for the remaining placement

4. Any concerns that citizens have raised regarding our construction to date

5. Distribution of literature so residents know how to sign up for installation as we are actively building

Current status map:

Here is an updated map of Greenville. We currently have 60.5% of Greenville Lit. Total Areas 85

Not Built 9

Areas Complete 46

Areas Remaining 30

Green – Serviceable

Yellow – Splicing/Testing

Blue – CP

Gray – Not Built

CTI Update Link 

7.4. Chief Bryan Waugh to explain city procedures when a vehicle is towed by the city.

Mayor Barber inquired about the variation in prices of towing as he has received some complaints. Chief Waugh stated there is a revolving list of tow companies that are used and each company sets their own fees.

8. COUNCIL OR MAYOR COMMENTS 

No comments

9. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS 

9.1. SOLICITORS: A municipality in Illinois generally cannot completely ban solicitors, as door-to-door solicitation is a constitutionally protected activity, but they can regulate it through permits, background checks, and time/place/manner restrictions. However, residents can prohibit solicitors from visiting their homes by posting "No Soliciting" signs or being placed on a municipal "Do Not Contact" list, a policy that is generally upheld by local ordinances.

Littlefield asked what the protocol is for unregistered solicitors. Citizens should contact the police department to report.

10. ENGINEERING REPORT 

10.1. Milano & Grunloh Report:

•  SRTS (Phase 2) The City was successful on this application receiving $250,000. A public meeting was held on July 2nd. The plans have been submitted to IDOT for final review. The bid letting was held on April 26th. The low bidder was Keller Construction @ $449,636.70. Construction is substantially complete. There are some minor issues with utility adjustments.

•  The IEPA has funded the water plant project in the amount of $21,404,770.96 at an interest rate of 0.93% with $1,250,000.00 in loan forgiveness. Construction began the last week of September 2023. Start up of all process equipment almost complete. The IEPA funding section made a site visit on June 6th. The plant should be put in operation in the next 60 days.

•  Attached is the Elm Street water main project exhibit and budget. The project was funded at $1.5 million. The low bidder was Haier Plumbing & Heating. A pre-construction meeting was held on December 9th at 1:00 at City Hall. The contractor began construction on April 2nd on the south end of the job. Meter material was delivered and the contractor is onsite and installing meters.

•  ITEP -- Preliminary Engineering for the sidewalk highway corridor project has started. The NOFO is out with applications due September 30th. A public meeting was held. The application has been submitted. Announcements were made and Greenville was not successful. See the attached map for reference. This was submitted for the IDOT local roads grant.

•  OSLAD (Open Space Land Acquisition and Development) The City of Greenville received a $600,000 grant. See the attachments. Plans are complete and the bid opening was held. The Electrical with Ameren is finalized. The bid opening was held on August 6th with Stutz Excavating being the low bidder with a bid of $648,857.00. The bid is a little over budget. With some minor modifications, the project will be adjusted to be in grant budget.

•  Downtown Grant – The City received $1.9 million for these improvements. Milano & Grunloh will assist with Administration. Plans are complete by Studio ARQ with a bid opening on August 15th at City Hall. The City has received reimbursements for $167,635 for Design/Engineering and $25,318.75 in contingencies. Construction is progressing with pay estimates 1 – 5 approved. The disbursements are in progress.

•  There are items at the Waste Water Treatment Plant that will need addressed in the next five years. These are being evaluated to develop a plan for a timeline and budget. One clarifier was taken offline and inspected. It was in good shape but will need work completed or deterioration will escalate. A funding application to the IEPA for a $3 million project was submitted. Preliminary, the City is eligible for 45% principal forgiveness. See the attached exhibit and plan. Milano & Grunloh has submitted the paperwork to the IEPA. Construction for this Phase I project should be in 2025. The project plan has been approved. All materials were resubmitted to the IEPA for funding in 2025. Then draft intended use plan was released for 2025. Greenville is on the funded list, but past funds available. Phase 2 is being planned to improve the intake and other items.

•  Bond Madison Interconnect – An interconnection with Bond/Madison has been completed and is operational.

•  Box Culvert – There is an existing box culvert on Main Street that has failed. The plan is to proceed with an arch type of box. The City held the bid opening on August 6th with Slatton Outdoor Services being the apparent low bidder. Attached is the Notice of Award.

•  Energy Transition Grant – The grant is $97,890.11 and we have received a grant agreement for structural steel for the plaza. The next NOFO is out and has been submitted with approval past Phase 1.

•  The sludge permit for the water treatment plant has been renewed.

•  Regional Site Readiness – This is a new grant program the City is evaluating to apply for infrastructure improvements to Kelsey Industrial Park. It was submitted on October 21st. See attached exhibit. This was funded!! Paperwork is being processed to work towards a grant agreement.

•  Dewey Street – This is a new potential multi-family development. This would require street, sewer and water improvements. See attached exhibit. The City is working with the developer and will evaluate whether to proceed with a staged installation.

•  2025 DCEO Grant Application –The DCEO applications will be up to $1 million. We have discussed a potential new project area with Jim as shown on the attachment. DCEO requires all entities that plan to submit an application to participate in a WebEx in June to be eligible to submit an application in December. The preliminary map and estimate are attached. The Notice of Funding has not been released, and federal funding is in question.

•  Completed Projects: 

•  Hena Street

•  Dollar General and Fusion Dance

•  Water Treatment Plant Sludge Permit

•  DG Market Water Main Extension

•  Energy Efficiency Grant

•  Sunset Point

•  Traffic Study

•  Anthony Supply Storm Sewer

•  Elm Street Overlay

•  Source Water Protection Plan

•  Idler Lane Water Main Replacement

•  Buzzard Bay Sidewalk

•  Survey on Spring Street

•  Easements for Lights on College Avenue

•  Survey on Pecan Street

•  Patio at 102 N Second Street

•  School Streets

•  Chemical Feed Modifications

•  SRTS Phase 1

11. CONSENT AGENDA 

11.1 Minutes of previous meeting

11.2 Financial Statements for the Month

11.3. Approval of Unpaid Bills

11.4. Administrative Reports

A) Police Department

B) Public Works Department

C) Sewer Department

D) Water Department

E) Building Permits

F) Building Inspector / Code Enforcement Officer

G) Fleet Report

11.5. Other Items:

A) Ratification of change order #7 for the Plaza on Second project payable to Johannes Construction in the amount of $36,163.70, for SharkBite additive to prevent people slipping, additional curbing and drain tile, additional foundation wall with soap stone, gas station sidewalk and demo of old footing for columns (part of agreement for them to accept the building), and rock in lieu of mulch in landscape beds.

B) Ratification of Pay Request #6 for the Plaza on Second payable to Johannes Construction in the amount of $454,118.40

C) Ratification of Ordinance #3372 for a Conditional Use Permit for Donato Solar-Bowman LLC for property located at 1701 E. Bowman Drive, Greenville to operate a solar energy facility.

D) Ratification of Intergovernmental Agreement with the county to allow camera system for the Plaza on Second to be mounted on the roof of the courthouse.

E) Ratification of Class D liquor license being issued to Breck Nelson for Grouchy's Public House. An ordinance is not necessary because city code allows for five (5) such licenses and only two (2) have currently been issued. And this was previously approved as part of his TIF agreement.

F) Ratification of Class G liquor (special event) license being issued to Kendall Mesnard who is in charge of the 2015 GHS 10 year reunion of Greenville High School. An ordinance is not necessary because our code allows for 3 special event liquor licenses in addition to the 3 annual licenses and we have only issued 1. This event will be held at the Smart Center, but because they are selling alcohol versus just serving alcohol a liquor license is required.

G) Ratification of Resolution 2025-09 for City support concerning Plaza on Second OSLAD grant application.

H) Ratification of Resolution 2025-10 for the phase 3 SRTS grant application. 

I) Ratification of Tourism Grant request for the Hill's Fort Rendezvous in the amount of $1,000 for their event held at the American Farm Heritage Museum on September 19, 20, and 21 of 2025.

J) Ratification of Change Order #1 in the amount of <$115,764> for the Buzzard Bay improvements via the OSLAD grant. This is a deduction in order to keep the project total under the grant amount of $600K.

11.6 Approval of consent items

Approval of consent agenda items (<--this text will not show on output document; motion/recommendation will show)

Mayor Barber asked Jerry Sauerwein to recap what he had said during public comment. Jerry stated that KPD just handles public meetings differently. They hold more meetings just for public comment not public hearings. Sauerwein again suggests that city joins Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) for information on special grants for park districts.

Mayor Barber asked Sauerwein if he has any concern regarding resolutions 2025-09 and 2025-10. Sauerwein responsed that he is not here to tell the city what to do and KPD is not applying for any of the same grants this year.

Motion by Kyle Littlefield, seconded by Ivan Estevez, Motion to approve 

Consent Items 11.1 - 11.5. 

RESULT: Carried MOVER: Kyle Littlefield SECONDER: Ivan Estevez AYES: George Barber, Ivan Estevez, Kyle Littlefield, and Blake Knox ABSENT: Lisa Stephens

12. MATTERS OF COUNCIL CONSIDERATION 

12.1. Consideration of Business District Application for the Bond County Memorial VFW 1377 for parking lot restoration and security system update.

Elaine McNamara recommended to proceed with the amount of $27,000 for the parking lot, but staff is not recommending funds for security system based on previous projects that have been funded. Littlefield asked McNamara her opinion "if the original ask was for 100% would the VFW still move forward with only 1/3 of the request for funding". The answer was "yes".

Motion by Blake Knox, seconded by Kyle Littlefield, Motion to authorize the City Manager to proceed with a Business District Agreement with the Bond County Memorial VFW 1377 parking lot repair/restoration in the amount of $27,000. 

RESULT: Carried MOVER: Blake Knox SECONDER: Kyle Littlefield AYES: George Barber, Ivan Estevez, Kyle Littlefield, and Blake Knox ABSENT: Lisa Stephens

12.2. Consideration of TIF/Business District agreement with JAB Ruralworks LLC (Bill Utz) in the amount of $751,850 plus for the city to install the infrastructure and Dewey Street extension.

•  Bill Utz reviewed his presentation on the TIF application for Oak Grove Residences. Littlefield asked for a description of a villa. Bill Utz responded that in short a villa is a single story, ground level entry, with 2-3 bedrooms vs. a townhouse which is a 2 story structure. The full project could accommodate 98-122 families. The city will be applying for a grant to assist with the cost of the Dewey St extension. Units will be full retail housing, no low income housing.

•  Jerry Sauerwein is not against TIF but he believes it does affect park districts in a negative manner and is counter productive.

•  Elaine McNamara gave recommendation to approve the TIF agreement.

Motion by Kyle Littlefield, seconded by Blake Knox, Motion to authorize the City Manager to proceed with a TIF/Business District Agreement with JAB Ruralworks LLC. in the amount of $751,850 plus for the city to install the infrastructure and Dewey Street extension. 

RESULT: Carried MOVER: Kyle Littlefield SECONDER: Blake Knox AYES: George Barber, Ivan Estevez, Kyle Littlefield, and Blake Knox  ABSENT: Lisa Stephens

12.3. Move into executive session for Personnel 5ILCS 2(c)(1) and Pending Litigation 5ILCS 2(c)(11).

Motion by Kyle Littlefield, seconded by Ivan Estevez, Motion to move into executive session for Personnel 5ILCS 2(c)(1) and Pending Litigation 5ILCS 2(c)(11). 

RESULT: Carried MOVER: Kyle Littlefield SECONDER: Ivan Estevez ABSENT: Lisa Stephens

13. EXECUTIVE SESSION 

13.1. Personnel

13.2. Pending Litigation

13.3. Adjourn from Executive Session. There will not be any further business. Motion by George Barber, seconded by Ivan Estevez, Motion to Adjourn the City Council meeting at 9:44 pm.

RESULT: Carried MOVER: George Barber SECONDER: Ivan Estevez ABSENT: Lisa Stephens

https://greenvilleillinois.civicweb.net/document/86640/