Chambana Sun

City of Hoopeston City Council met June 18

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 5 alderpersons were present: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Porth, and Scharlach. Alderpersons Garrett, Lawson, and Van Hyfte were absent. Mayor Wise, Clerk Hardcastle, and Attorney Miller were also present.  

III. AMENDMENT OF APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – Alderwoman K. Ferrell moved to approve the agenda as presented. Alderman M. Ferrell seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.  

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETING – Alderman Porth made the motion to accept the minutes as presented. Alderman Eyrich seconded the  motion. Motion carried 5-0. 

V. APPROVAL OF PAYMENT OF THE BILLS – Alderwoman K. Ferrell moved to approve the  payment of the city’s bills. Alderman Scharlach seconded the motion. A roll call vote  was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: none – Absent:  Garrett, Lawson, Van Hyfte) and the bills were approved 5-0.  

VI. PRESENTATIONS TO THE COUNCIL – None 

VII. PETITIONS TO THE COUNCIL – None 

VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT 

a. Josh Clifton addressed the council regarding his previous complaint about the police department’s response time to an incident at his address. He felt at the last meeting that he was told what could not be done instead of what could be done. Mr. Clifton requested a tent ordinance be adopted by the city. Mr. Clifton then went on to comment regarding how his 911 call was routed to the Vermilion County 9-1-1 center and how they do not know our area and how calls are prioritized. Mr. Clifton requested city officials to walk around the city and see the troubles. Mr. Clifton then said that he was going to get an attorney tomorrow.  

IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION – None

X. REPORT OF OFFICERS  

a. EYRICH 

i. Ordinance 2025-2 – Amending Ordinance 13.04.040 – This proposed ordinance would adjust the costs incurred by the city when connecting to  the city’s service. The ordinance also amends paragraph E, changing  

language to outside of business hours. Alderman Eyrich moved to approve. Alderwoman K. Ferrell seconded the motion. Alderman Scharlach asked if this was for new construction and Alderman Eyrich answered yes if it is a new connection. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: none – Absent: Garrett, Lawson, Van Hyfte) and ordinance 2025-2 was approved 5-0.  

ii. Resolution 2025 – 3 – Accepting the Bid for the 2005 Chevrolet Pickup Truck – Leonard Compton presented the highest bid for the water department’s out of service pickup truck. Alderman Eyrich made a motion to accept Mr.  Compton’s bid. Alderman Scharlach seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: none  – Absent: Garrett, Lawson, Van Hyfte) and Resolution 2025-3 was approved  5-0.

iii. RV Waste Dump Station – The Water Department is looking at installing an RV dump station to allow residents to dump the tanks of their RVs. This location will be away from the residential areas and there will be a yearly fee  associated with the ability to dump. The committee is looking at around $20 for the fee and it would be based on the honor system. Any individual caught removing a manhole to dump their tank will be susceptible to fines based on city ordinances.  

b. K. FERRELL  

i. Nothing to report. 

c. GARRETT 

i. Absent.  

d. M. FERRELL  

i. Nothing to report.  

e. LAWSON

i. Alderwoman Lawson was absent, but Mayor Wise spoke on her behalf.  

ii. Golfcart Ordinance Change – First reading – The changes outline allow the revocation of a golfcart permit if the permit holder gets 2 tickets in the permit year. It also adds language that the golf cart can be seized under the public nuisance tow ordinance.  

iii. Public Nuisance Tow Ordinance Change – Adds golfcarts to the list of vehicles that can be seized under this ordinance.  

iv. Electric Bicycle/Scooter Ordinance – First reading – This ordinance would govern electric bicycles, low speed gas powered bicycles, and powered scooters. The cost of the permit would be $15. This also gives the city the ability to impound and potentially seize the vehicle. Alderman M. Ferrell stated that he witnessed a female on a scooter while holding 2 babies.

Alderman Scharlach asked if we could specifically require child restraints. Mayor Wise said that he would look into it.  

v. Police Committee Meeting – The police committee held a meeting last week and discussed the purchase of body cameras for the police department. The body cameras will be required by state law on January 1, 2025.  

f. PORTH 

i. Nothing to report.  

g. SCHARLACH  

i. Nothing to report.  

h. VAN HYFTE 

i. Absent.  

XI. COMMUNICATIONS TO THE COUNCIL – None 

XII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – None 

XIII. NEW BUSINESS – None 

XIV. MAYOR COMMENTS:  

a. Skate Jam – The annual skate jam will be held on October 19, 2024, from 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm at McFerren Park. 

b. Resolution 2025-4 Land Acquisition from the Lorraine Foundation – The Lorraine Foundation agreed to sign over buildings, at no cost to the city, that the city already  tore down. These buildings were 211 and 213 S. Market St. Alderman M. Ferrell moved to approve the resolution. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: none – Absent: Garrett, Lawson,Van Hyfte) and Resolution 2025-4 was approved 5-0.  

c. Resolution 2025-5 Land Acquisition from Vermilion County – This is for the lot  immediately west of the former Hoopeston Food Locker that the city already tore down. This property was going back on the tax sale and the city had the property pulled from the sale so it could be purchased by the city. The cost of the purchase is $800, and this property would go with the old Food Locker property if someone was interested in purchasing it. Alderwoman K. Ferrell moved to accept the resolution. Alderman Scharlach seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: none – Absent: Garrett, Lawson, Van  Hyfte) and Resolution 2025-5 was approved 5-0. 

d. Siding for Exposed Wall Agreement – In order for the city to demolish the old Chronicle building, Gail Lane’s building needs to be made structurally sound. A bid was obtained by Mayor Wise from Silver Brothers for $18,000 to do the work. Since  the bid was under the $20,000 threshold requiring competitive bids, we do not have to waive bids. The city is covering 100% of the cost. Alderman Eyrich moved to approve the bid. Alderwoman K. Ferrell seconded the motion. A roll call vote was  taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: none – Absent:  Garrett, Lawson, Van Hyfte) and the bid was approved 5-0. The property owner to  the east of the old Lester’s property that the city tore down is requesting the city pay for the siding of their building, because they could not afford it. Mayor Wise restated the city stance that the city would pay for 50% of the siding, but not 100%. The council was in agreement with keeping to that policy.  

e. Resolution 2025-6 Planning and Zoning Commission Appointees – Mayor Wise announced the appointments of Bill McGee, Gerald Miller, Suzanne Lambert, Rita Carter, and Jammie Wilson to the Planning and Zoning Commission. This brings the commission up to full strength. Bill McGee and Jammie Wilson will be stepping down from the Citizens Advisory Committee. Alderman M. Ferrell moved to approve  the resolution. Alderwoman K. Ferrell seconded the motion. A roll call vote was  taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: none – Absent:  Garrett, Lawson, Van Hyfte) and Resolution 2025-6 was approved 5-0.  

f. Animal Control – Alderwoman Lawson and Mayor Wise are still working with  Vermilion County Animal Control on a few details. Mayor Wise will request a meeting with the Vermilion County Board Committee with jurisdiction over animal  control. 

XV. COMMENTS BY THE ATTORNEY 

a. Doyle/Raver Building – The deeds have been received for this property.  

b. Essex Building – There has been some work done on this, Attorney Miller will need to  meet with the mayor about some things.  

c. Hotel Development Contract – Mayor Wise has been meeting with Eric over this  issue.  

d. Solar Ordinance – Met with Attorney Keyt about the changes to the ordinance.  

XVI. ADJOURNMENT – There being no further action to come before the council, Alderwoman K. Ferrell moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman M. Ferrell seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. 

https://cityofhoopeston.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/6-18-24-Meeting-Minutes.pdf