Chambana Sun

City of Hoopeston City Council met May 2.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. CALL TO ORDER by Mayor Wise following the Pledge of Allegiance.

INSTALLING NEWLY ELECTED OFFICERS- Clerk Lane swore in Mayor Wise, followed by council members Eyrich, Michael Ferrell, Joe Garrett and Robin Lawson. Jesse Gonzalez was not present.

II. ROLL CALL- Aldermen Michael Ferrell, Eyrich, Kelly Ferrell, Garrett, Lawson and Porth were present. Gonzalez was absent and there is one vacancy.

III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA- K. Ferrell moved to approve the agenda seconded by Lawson. The agenda was approved 6-0.

IV. MINUTES OF PRIOR MEETING- Eyrich moved to approve minutes of the prior meeting seconded by K. Ferrell. The minutes were approved 6-0.

V. PAYMENT OF BILLS- K. Ferrell moved to approve payment of bills seconded by Eyrich. Roll call vote was taken. Eyrich, K. Ferrell, Garrett, Lawson, and Porth voted aye. M. Ferrel abstained. Bills were approved 5 to 0 with one abstain.

VI. PRESENATIONS- April Jones requested that the city consider a dog park. Her presentation included the benefits and pros to the community of having a dog park. If anyone is interested contact her at her email: April.hoopestondogpark@gmail.com

VII. NO PETITIONS TO COUNCIL

VIII. NO PUBLIC COMMENT

IX. NO EXECUTIVE SESSION

X. REPORT OF OFFICERS

a) Eyrich reported that a new meter between the lagoons and Waste Water Treatment plant to be installed by city employees, saving the city around $4,000.

b) K. Ferrell made a motion to allow the Poppy Day Street corner collection. The donations go for veterans’ use only. The collection will be on May 20 from 8 am to noon. Lawson seconded the motion. Roll call vote six to zero approved the motion. Saturday May 13 from 10 am to 1 pm there will be an electronics collection held at the park annex. Please look over the proposed ordinances for yard sales and Food Truck ordinances.

c) Garrett reported that someone has been seen on camera stealing water from the cemetery. Also, the city received a glowing review of record-keeping from the Cemetery Inspector.

d) Gonzalez was absent.

e) Lawson reported that Officer Kruse has been promoted to Sergeant of Third Shift and a new officer, Luke Hickman has been hired. Recognition awards were presented to Officer Andrew Xoing for his intervention of a suicide attempt that occurred on December 26, 2022, and to dispatcher Teresa Hayes for the handling of the two fires that occurred simultaneously on December 22, 2022. Lawson referred to the emergency sirens stating that an estimate to repair one is about $5,400. An option to repairing would be to update the Nextel System. A surplus ambulance will be put out for bids.

f) Michael Ferrell- will be Chairman of the Fire and Ambulance committee.

g) Porth made the motion to approve the Wage and Salary Ordinance numbered 2024-1. Garrett Second the motion. Roll call vote was taken and the motion was approved six to zero. In reviewing accounts with Carol Hodge of Iroquois Federal, it was recommended to move money from the Landfill Account to a CD account that will earn 4.25 %. Porth made the motion to move two million dollars from the Landfill Account to an 11-month CD. Garrett seconded the motion. Roll call vote six to zero approved the motion.

h) Richards has resigned and will be replaced in Ward 1.

XI. COMMUNICATIONS-Caseys will be auctioning off the building on E Orange St.

XII. NO UNFINISHED BUSINESS

XIII. NO NEW BUSINESS

XIV. MAYOR COMMENTS-

INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT REGARDING LOAN OF HOOPESTON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT NO 11’S AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR (AED) TO THE CITY OF HOOPESTON. Garrett moved to approve the agreement seconded by K. Ferrell. Roll call vote was taken and the motion was approved 6-0.

The city will be selling the property at 1009 W main Street. K. Ferrell made a motion to accept bids for the property with the minimum bid being $750 plus costs. Lawson seconded the motion. Roll call vote was taken. The motion was approved six yes and zero nos. Other properties owned by the city may soon be up for sale.

The Citizens Advisory Committee will consist of 12 members. One individual from their corresponding ward will be chosen by each alderman totaling 8 and four at large to be named.

Mayor will try to have bid specs for the downtown demolitions ready for the next meeting. The specs will include demo of the Chronicle building, Countryside Mall, Crunches back to the alley as well as the Hoopeston Food Locker. Remediation including siding will be replaced on the adjacent standing buildings that includes 310 E. Main St. (AKA the Darb) and the Time to Travel Building.

As per a previous agreement, the City will reimburse Donna Huber the $591.87 of City Tax that was charged on her property tax bill.

XV. ATTORNEY COMMENTS

The attorney has been working on FOIA requests and Bzzs Bar. The Chronicle building will be purchased for $500.

Progress is being made on the Coss Property and 511 W. Main.

XVI. ADJOURNMENT

K. Ferrell moved to adjourn seconded by Lawson. Council adjourned at 7:56 pm.

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