Chambana Sun

City of Hoopeston City Council met Nov. 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Wise called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm following the pledge of allegiance.  

II. ROLL CALL – The following 7 aldermen were present: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Highfill, Lawson, Porth, Scharlach. Garrett was absent. Mayor Wise and Attorney Miller were present. Clerk Lane was absent, and Brad Hardcastle was filling in as clerk. 

III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – K. Ferrell advised she wanted to clarify item 5 under her report. It read as 219 S. Market – Pull from Tax Auction. Ferrell stated that it should read 215/219 S. Market – Pull from Tax Auction. This is due to Grant Township having it listed as 219 S. Market, but the county tax auction has it listed as 215 S. Market. Alderman Eyrich moved to approve the corrected agenda. Alderman M. Ferrell seconded. Amended agenda was approved 7-0. 

IV. MINUTES FROM PRIOR COUNCIL MEETING & SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING – Alderman Porth moved to approve the minutes form the prior council meeting & the special council meeting as presented. Alderwoman Highfill seconded. The minutes were approved 7-0.  

V. PAYMENT OF BILLS – Alderwoman Lawson moved to approve the payment of bills as presented. Alderwoman K. Ferrell seconded. Roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Highfill, Lawson, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Absent: Garrett) and payment of the bills was passed 7-0. 

VI. NO PRESENTATIONS  

VII. NO PETITIONS TO THE COUNCIL 

VIII. NO PUBLIC COMMENT 

IX. NO EXECUTIVE SESSION 

X. REPORT OF OFFICERS:  

a. EYRICH:

i. WATER TREATMENT PLANT BID ACCEPTANCE:  Alderman Eyrich moved to accept the lone complete bid from Schomburg & Schomburg Construction of Danville, IL of $2,388,980 for refurbishment of the water treatment plant. Alderman Porth seconded the motion. Alderman Eyrich stated that the city is possibly getting close to 50% principal loan forgiveness form the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency so the cost could be lower. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Highfill, Lawson, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Absent: Garrett) and the bid acceptance passed 7-0.  

ii. REJECTION OF BIDS FOR MARKET STREET WATER MAIN: Alderman Eyrich moved to reject all bids for the Market Street Water Main Replacement Project. Alderwoman K. Ferrell seconded. Alderman Eyrich explained that Cross Construction had the lowest bid of $476,694. However, with the increased cost of the water treatment plant refurbishment, the capital projects were overbudget and there was not enough money to do both projects this year. The Market Street water main is slated to be replaced next fiscal year. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Highfill, Lawson, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Absent: Garrett) and the bids were rejected 7-0.

b. K. FERRELL:   

i. REPEAL OF ORDINANCE 2020-5: Alderwoman K. Ferrell moved to approve Ordinance 2024-10 to repeal Ordinance 2020-5 Cannabis Business Establishments Prohibited. Alderman Eyrich seconded. Alderman Porth asked what controls the city would have regarding cannabis businesses. Mayor Wise stated that the regulation of the businesses would be similar to how liquor establishments are regulated. Attorney Miller stated that it was ok to pass the repeal first and then pass regulations at a later date. There are also state statutes that the businesses would have to follow in addition to any that the city imposes. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Highfill, Lawson, Porth – Nays: Scharlach – Absent: Garrett) and Ordinance 2024-5 was passed 6-1. 

ii. BUILDING CODE COMPLIANCE INSPRECTOR AGREEMENT: Alderwoman K. Ferrell moved to approve the independent contractor agreement with Stephen Chrisman for Building Code Compliance Inspector. Alderwoman Lawson seconded. Alderwoman K. Ferrell explained that Mr. Chrisman is retiring from a similar position with the City of Danville and would be contracting his services out. Alderwoman Lawson asked if this would be on an as-needed basis and Alderwoman K. Ferrell indicated that was correct. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Highfill, Lawson, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Absent: Garrett) and the agreement was passed 7-0.  

iii. DOWNTOWN DEMOLITION BID ACCEPTANCE (215-229 E MAIN, 209-213 S. MARKET, 308 E MAIN, 210 E PENN): Alderwoman K. Ferrell moved to approve the low bid from Ken Lee Farms/Silver Brothers Construction of $423,900 for demolition of the buildings. Alderwoman K. Ferrell clarified that she is only putting forth the base demolition bid and not the alternate bids at this time. Alderman Scharlach seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Highfill, Lawson, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Absent: Garrett) and the bid was accepted 7-0.  

iv. 220 E MAIN ST BID ACCEPTANCE: Alderwoman K. Ferrell moved to accept the low bid of $48,500 from Ken Lee Farms/Silver Brothers Construction for the demolition of 220 E Main St. Alderman Scharlach seconded the motion. Alderwoman K. Ferrell indicated that this is the old Lester’s Building, and that the demolition was court ordered. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Highfill, Lawson, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Absent: Garrett) and the bid was accepted 7-0. 

v. 215/219 S. MARKET ST – PULL FROM TAX AUCTION: Alderwoman K. Ferrell moved to approve the city to pull the 215/219 S. Market St lot with the parcel number of 03-12-112-063 and legal description of CITY OF HOOPESTON 60’N END L145 & 146 from the Vermilion County Tax Sale. Alderman Eyrich seconded. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Highfill, Lawson, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Absent: Garrett) and the motion was approved 7-0. 

vi. Alderwoman K. Ferrell reported that they collected nearly 400 tires at the tire collection. She thanked Bradley Kinney, Don Stebbins, and the Parks Department worked who all helped at the tire collection. She stated that several people had trailers full of tires to bring. 

vii. Alderwoman K. Ferrell also reported that the Christmas decorations were going up downtown with new lights and banners.  

c. M FERRELL 

i. Alderman M. Ferrell reported that alley cleanup is complete, and the Street & Alley department would be moving on to leaf pickup. He reminded residents to rake the leaves to the edge of their property and not into the roadway as the leaves will clog the storm sewers.   

d. GARRETT 

i. Absent  

e. HIGHFILL 

i. No report 

f. Lawson 

i. No report 

g. Porth 

i. No report 

h. Scharlach 

i. No report 

XI. NO COMMUNICATIONS TO COUNCIL

XII. NO UNFINISHED BUSINESS 

XIII. NO NEW BUSINESS 

XIV. COMMENTS BY MAYOR:  

a. Thanked Brad Hardcastle for filling in for Clerk Lane and Deputy Clerk Layden.  

b. Announced that he was proud of the council’s work on getting the downtown buildings demolished and that this was a long time coming.  

XV. COMMENTS BY ATTORNEY:  

a. Attorney Miller indicated that he has been involved in local government for 50 years and he complimented the council for doing things properly.  

b. The Chronicle building contract with the owner is complete and the city should have deed to the property shortly.  

c. Bzzz Bar – The $1000 check has been delivered to Attorney Barney a week ago and the city should have deed to the property shortly. Also, Attorney Miller contacted county Treasurer Duncan to have the property taken off the tax sale.  

d. Presented an agreement to Mayor Wise with Andrew Kite. This agreement would be to craft an ordinance regarding placement of solar farms within the 1.5 mile zoning area of the city. Attorney Miller indicated that Mr. Kite is the premiere authority in wind and solar ordinances and that Vermilion County has recently contracted with him to write their ordinance. Mr. Kite is also the attorney handling the Rt. 1 properties belonging to Mr. Acton. Attorney Miller also informed Mr. Kite that some action is needed in regards to Mr. Acton’s property.

e. Alderman Porth asked Attorney Miller if he has had a chance to go over the TIF Ordinance. Attorney Miller said he has not gotten to it yet.  

XVI. ADJORURN  

a. Alderwoman Lawson announced that there is a book signing scheduled for November 15 at 6:00pm at Boxcar Books & Vinyl. She is proud that events like this are happening in Hoopeston.  

b. There being no further action to come before the council, Alderwoman K. Ferrell moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman M. Ferrell seconded. Motion carried 7-0. Council meeting adjourned.

https://cityofhoopeston.com/city-council-minutes-11-07-2023/