Chambana Sun

City of Hoopeston City Council met Oct. 6.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

I. Call to order: Mayor Crusinberry

II. Roll Call: Seven Aldermen present: Ankenbrand, Florek, Goodwine, Lawson, McElhaney, Wise and Yaden.

III. Agenda Approval: Yaden requested moving Litigation from Executive Session to Unfinished Business. Lawson moved to approve the change seconded by Florek, Amended agenda was approved 7-0, 

IV. Minutes from prior meeting: Motion to approve by Florek, seconded by Lawson and was approved 7-0.

V. Payment of Bills: Motion to approve by Ankenbrand, seconded by Yaden. Roll call vote 7-0 approved payment of bills. 

VI. Presentations: None

VII. Petitions to Council: None 

VIII. Report of Officers:

a) Ankenbrand: Announced Trick-or-Treat to be October 31 from 5 - 7p.m. 

b) Florek: Disc Aeration System Grant possibility; Florek had a meeting with Mayor Crusinberry and John McBride, owner of ERH Enterprises to discuss possible grants the City could apply for to help pay for needed repairs and replacement of the aerator system. Costs could be $400,000 to $450,00. 

c) Goodwine: City Hall Maintenance: Alderman Goodwine proposed spending budgeted dollars on lighting on the outside of City Hall, replacing doors at the police station, and painting of light poles and guard rail by city employees. The estimated costs would be around $6000. $8000 had been budgeted. There were no objections. 

d) Wise: Alley clean-up begins October 19, weather permitting.

e) Yaden: Perpetual Care Bids: Bid openings will be October 20, 10:00 a.m.

f) Lawson: Nuisance Ordinance: Lawson will postpone taking action on the ordinance until she clears some of the wording with the attomey. 

g) McElhaney: Landscape and curbing on Bank Street is completed. 

IX. Communications to Council; None 

X. Mayor's Comments: Appointments to Historical Commission: Brad Hardcastle, Marta Pierce, Jeanette Andre, Debbie Benjamin, Kristi Kelnhofer, Valerie Hinkle and Ellen Scharlach. Lawson moved to approve the appointments seconded by Florek. Appointments were approved 7-0.

Grants for rehab and demo of properties is available through the Strong Communities Program under the Illinois Housing Development Authority. The city could be eligible for a grant of up to $250,000 by matching funds of $50,000 from the city and $100,000 provided by Hoopeston Retirement Village foundation.

Property Updates: There are 26 houses that have been empty for three years or more.

Bzzz's Bar awning is pulling away from the building an may be taking the brick wall with it if it falls. The owner has a court date this month.

No information is available on the burned-out house at 403 Maple St. 

The lot at 601 S. First Avenue has been cleaned up and filled in. 

No response has been received from owner of Countryside Mall. 

No response has been received from the heirs of the Suter properties.

Vermilion Iron property has been cleaned up by Hoopeston Retirement Village Foundation. The city is cleaning out trees along Honeywell Street.

Other Information: Silgan Containers has offered to pay for new basketball goals at McFerren Park. The donation will be enough to cover more than the cost of one goal. Silver Brothers will install bases for the goals at no charge.

Mayor reminds residents to be sure to be counted for the census. The city receives revenue based on the number of residents. New deadline is October 31. 

XI. Unfinished Business: Alderman Yaden would like to renegotiate the Essex project with the owner, Justin Acton,

Yaden questioned whether or not the city has filed a lien for the costs on the Maple Street house. The city is waiting for bills to come in.

Yaden suggested the city might take over the Thomas property on E. Main Street and suggested making it into a parking lot.

The title search has been done on the Lester's Drug Store building and there are no mortgages or liens on it. Yaden would like the city to start some action against the property. Citations for grass, weeds and junk cars are being done by the police department.

Mayor Crusinberry has access to a couple of licensed building inspectors and structural engineers who could be used on a case by case basis.

The mayor reported that the electricity has been repaired at the IC Shelter. 

XII. Additional business: Brad Hardcastle announced Spooktacular will be held October 26 from 5:30 to 7:00p.m. 

The new laptops have been distributed and put into service. 

The new EMA building is progressing. Waiting for concrete and plumbing to be completed.

Mayor is accepting letters of interest for Ward 3 alderman to fill vacancy.

Election Packets are available at City Hall 

XIII. Public Comment: Brenda Adams with Keep Vermilion County Beautiful announced a Great American Clean Up event Saturday Oct. 10. 

Only one electronics collection will be held on October 17 at DACC9-11. Bryants and Mervis do take electronics 6 days a week.

Donations are due for KVB. 

XIV. No Executive Session

X. Adjourn Ankenbrand moved to adjourn seconded by Yaden, Council adjourned at 8:13 p.m.

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