City of Hoopeston City Council met Oct. 1.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Crusinberry called to order the regular council meeting of the city of Hoopeston at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday October 1, 2019.
II. ROLL CALL
Clerk Lane conducted roll call. The seven council members present were: Ankenbrand, Florek, Goodwine, Houmes, Lawson, Wise and Yaden. McElhaney was absent. Mayor Crusinberry and Attorney Peek were also present.
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Florek moved to approve the agenda seconded by Ankenbrand. Agenda was approved 7-0.
IV. MINUTES OF PRIOR MEETING
Clerk Lane read minutes of the previous meeting. Houmes moved to approve seconded by Lawson. Minutes were approved as read 7-0.
V. PRESENTATIONS
Doug Wagoner addressed council members asking that they consider changing the ordinance for gaming machines to be in line with the state to allow up to six machines per establishment. He stated that adding more machines would add revenue to the city.
VI. PAYMENT OF BILLS
Houmes moved to approve payment of bills seconded by Lawson. Bills were approved for payment by roll call vote 7-0.
VII. REPORT OF OFFICERS
a) Ankenbrand had nothing to report.
b) Florek reported that no bids were received on the jet truck. A new hydrant was installed at 8th and Young.
An aerator is going bad, but it may be under warranty.
c) Goodwine had nothing to report.
d) Wise announced street and alley cleanup will begin October 21. The employees are still working on cutting down trees. Some professional crews will be hired to take down some of the more precarious trees. He also reported that the backhoe has broken down and repairs are estimated around $11,000. The department will be looking to replace it in the near future.
e) Yaden reported that Perpetual Care bids will be opened November 5.
f) Houmes made a motion to pay the Keep Vermilion County Beautiful dues of $150. Florek seconded the motion. Roll call vote was taken, and the motion passed 7-0. Next Houmes reported on the Pony League scoreboard that was damaged from a storm. He stated that the city could use $5400 of accrual funds and the $1608 of leftover insurance money to pay for the score board. Alderman Goodwine made the motion with a second from Lawson. Roll call vote was taken, and six council members voted aye with Houmes abstaining. The motion was approved 6-0.
g) Lawson had nothing to report.
VIII. PETITIONS TO COUNCIL
None
IX. COMMUNICATIONS TO COUNCIL
A thank you from one of the pageant judges was read by the mayor.
Saturday October 19 will be an electronics collection at DACC.
The JC’s have requested a street closing downtown for the Spooktacular event to be October 28 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
X. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Alderman Ankenbrand asked if the mayor had any information on how many of the residents at Prairie Meadows II were originally Hoopeston residents.
XI. NEW BUSINESS
None
XII. MAYOR COMMENTS
Mayor Crusinberry recommended the hiring of Joel Schuler for Code Enforcement Officer.
Ankenbrand made the motion with a seconded from Houmes to approve the hiring. Roll call vote was taken, and the motion was approved 7-0. The mayor plans to take a more direct approach to enforcing the codes. The owner of the downtown motel was sent a certified notice to appear in court and submit a plan for remediation.
Other Mayor Comments:
The West Elm Street project came $6000 under the MFT budget so the crew was able to do three catch basins as well as the street project.
Prairie Meadows now has a site manager. Also, work has been done to alleviate some of the drainage problems at Prairie Meadows II.
The Land Bank is now applying for grants.
He reported on what he learned at a presentation of the Cannabis laws. He would like a Public Hearing for input from the community on October 29.
Quotes on building security were handed out. The mayor named Aldermen Houmes, Goodwine and Yaden to a special committee.
He will try to get a representative for the Caseys project to be at the next council meeting to answer questions.
XIII. PUBLIC COMMENT
Comments regarding trash pick-up, tree removal and dilapidated properties were heard.
XIV. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Florek moved to go into Executive Session to discuss litigation with a second by Houmes.
Council went into Executive Session at 8:12 p.m.
Goodwine moved to come out of Executive Session seconded by Ankenbrand. Council came out of Executive Session at 8:44 p.m.
ADJOURN
Florek moved to adjourn seconded by Ankenbrand. Council adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
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