Chambana Sun

City of Hoopeston City Council met Aug. 4.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

I. Mayor Crusinberry called council meeting to order following the Pledge of Allegiance.

II. Clerk Lane conducted roll call. Council members present were Ankenbrand, Florek, Goodwine, Houmes, Lawson, McElhaney and Wise with Yaden present by remote. Attorney Wessner was not present.

III. Houmes moved to approve the agenda seconded by Lawson. Agenda approved 8-0.

IV. Minutes of Prior Meeting

Houmes moved to approve minutes of the prior meeting seconded by Florek. Minutes approved 8-0.

V. Payment of Bills

Houmes moved to approve payment of bills seconded by Lawson. Bills approved for payment by roll call vote 8-0.

VI. No Presentations

VII. No petitions to council.

VIII. Report of Officers

a) Ankenbrand: Brad Hardcastle, EMA director presented plans for a new building for an office and operations center for EMA and Auxiliary Police. Currently, the space being used behind the fire station floods and is too small for storage and operations. The building used during the Sweet Corn festival at McFerran Park does not have adequate space for offices and storage. Three possible sites were presented. Discussion among council members for and against the proposals were heard as well as input from the audience. Don Kaeb presented a petition to council with comments and suggestions by residents. The proposal that the Parks Committee had approved was to replace the building on the current site in McFerran Park with a larger building on the same site next to the JC’s building. Ankenbrand made the motion to approve the EMA/Auxiliary building on the current site in McFerren Park at a cost of no more than $35,000. Goodwine seconded the motion. Roll call vote was taken with Ankenbrand, Florek, Goodwine and McElhaney voting yes and Houmes, Lawson, Wise and Yaden voting no resulting in a tie vote. Mayor Crusinberry cast a tie-breaking vote in favor of the motion so the motion was approved 5-4.

Ankenbrand reported that Bob Brown of Bricks and Ivy will be holding an event on Labor Day weekend and has requested that Bank Street be blocked off for the event. There were no objections from council so the Mayor will authorize the request made. Ankenbrand also reported that he is getting back to the lawyer regarding chickens.

b) Florek had nothing to report.

c) Goodwine had nothing to report.

d) Wise reported that road work is being done.

e) Yaden had nothing to report.

f) Houmes presented an agreement with “On the Gas Promotions” to be approved by council for a Demo Derby to be September 6 at McFerran Park Annex. The motion was made by Houmes and seconded by Lawson. Roll call vote was taken and Florek, Goodwine, Houmes, Lawson, Wise, Yaden and McElhaney, and Yaden voted yes with Ankenbrand voting no. The agreement was approved 7-1.

g) McElhaney reported that the civic committee met and discussed new curbing on the South end of Bank Street. Businesses are moving into the bank building and it would improve the aesthetics and safety of the area. He made the motion to approve the proposal from Silver Brothers in the amount of $4450 for the new curbing. Houmes seconded the motion. Roll call vote and council approved the motion 8-0. TIF funds will be used for this project.

IX. No Communications to council.

X. No unfinished Business.

XI. No New Business.

XII. Mayor Comments and Reports

The sidewalk in front of the Moose building has been repaired.

The Hoopeston Plumbing and Heating building has fallen into the alley. EPA has been contacted and the city has been advised not to clean up until receiving further guidelines. The status of the burned-out house on first avenue has not changed. 

Mayor Crusinberry has been meeting and in contact with Mike Davis, Executive Land Bank Director regarding funding for demo of blighted properties. The proposed agreement between the City and the Central Illinois Land Bank Authority was made into a motion by Lawson. The city would match up to $50,000 for demos. Wise seconded the motion. Roll call vote 8-0 approved the agreement.

The Hoopeston Retirement Village Foundation had the Vermilion Iron building removed and cleaned up the property.

XIII. Public Comment

Steve Dazey asked what the plan is regarding the Moose building.

EMA director Brad Hardcastle reported on Covid expenses.

Sue Comstock asked what is being planned if another collapse happens. Her comment was that the city should be applying for grants and” looking forward”.

XIV. No Executive Session

XV. Ankenbrand moved to adjourn seconded by Florek. Council adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

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