Chambana Sun

City of Hoopeston City Council met July 20.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

I. Call to order by Mayor Crusinberry

II. Roll Call Taken: All eight council members were present.

III. Amend/ Approve Agenda: Eyrich made the motion to accept the agenda seconded by Richards. Approved 8-0.

IV. Approval of Minutes: Florek moved to approve minutes with one clarification. The defibrillator for use at the pool was requested by Kristi Hudson, but not required. Lawson seconded the motion. Minutes approved as corrected 8-0.

V. Payment of Bills: Florek moved to approve payment of bills seconded by Lawson. Roll call vote and bills were approved 8-0.

VI. No Presentations

VII. No Petitions to council

VIII. Reports of Officers:

A) Eyrich reported that the cemetery department has purchased two new John Deere rear discharge riding mowers. The department will be looking at replacing the other two Grasshopper mowers.

B) Ferrell had nothing to report.

C) Florek reported three aerators at the lagoon have been replaced and this has greatly reduced the odor from the lagoons. A water line has been installed for the new EMA building. The state has approved the infrastructure for the Caseys building. Stairs for the pool have been ordered.

D) Garrett announced the name of three new Auxiliary officers and one new Police officer. Auxiliary officers are Zane Witvoet, Roy Beard and Alfred Hartman, Jr. The new Police Officer is Andrew Xiong who has completed Police Training Institute. This saves the city about $5000.

E) Lawson had nothing to report.

F) Porth reported that garbage rates will be going up 40 cents a month per the contract with Republic Services. This is the city’s rate as per contract

G) Richards had nothing to report.

H) Wise had nothing to report.

IX. Communications: A letter from the JC’s has requested use of McFerren Park Wednesday Sept. 1 thru Monday Sept. 6 for the Sweet Corn Festival. The request has been approved by the Mayor.

X. No Unfinished Business.

XI. New Business: Florek has been asked by a few residents about spraying for mosquitoes. The JC’s did the spraying several years ago but licensing for application and operating are required and the city has no one licensed at this time.

XII. Mayor Comments and Updates: Two properties have been added to the list for demolition by CILB. The properties are 908 W. Washington and 406 E. Thompson. Garrett moved to approve the demos with a second by Porth. Roll call vote 8-0 approved the demos.

The collapsed building on Market Street that was owned by the now deceased Brian Suiter has been sitting for a couple years. Mayor has tried to contact and sent certified notices to the heirs with no responses to do anything about the situation. Notices have been sent and published as required by state statute allowing the city to clean up. Two bids were received for the clean-up. Silver Brothers bid was $13,890 and the other bid was $68,000 from S. Shafer Excavating. Neither bid will include Landfill fees. Florek moved to accept the bid from Silver Brothers with a second by Ferrell. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Eyrich, Ferrell, Florek, Lawson, Porth, Richards and Wise voted aye with Alderman Garrett abstaining. The vote was approved to hire Silver Brothers for the clean-up.

The mayor explained the policy he has used regarding requests for gaming parlors. The establishment must have a “license to pour” alcohol. He asked council if it would want to see any changes in the policies he has been using. There were no objections heard.

Public Comment: Jerry Hopkins again reported to council that nothing has been done about the neglected property at 863 E. Young which is next to his property.

Emory Zimmerman had a list of questions and observations that he read to council, including what he sees as the lack of enforcement of city laws.

XIV. Executive Session: Lawson moved to go into Executive Session to discuss land acquisition and litigation. Ferrell seconded the motion. Council went into Executive Session at 7:41 p.m.

Wise moved to come out of Executive Session seconded by Florek. Council came out of Executive Session at 8:18 p.m.

Florek made a motion to adjourn seconded by Wise. Council adjourned at 8:19 p.m.

https://cityofhoopeston.com/city-council-minutes-7-20-2021/