Chambana Sun

City of Hoopeston City Council met Sept. 17

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 6 alderpersons were present: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Lawson, Porth, and Scharlach. Alderman Garrett was absent. Mayor Wise, Clerk Hardcastle, and Attorney Miller were also present.

III. AMENDMENT OR APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – Mayor Wise added Dick Doyle under presentations. Alderwoman K. Ferrell moved to approve the agenda. Alderman Scharlach seconded the motion. Motion was carried 6-0.

IV. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETING – Alderman M. Ferrell moved to approve the minutes from the previous council meeting. Alderman Eyrich seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.

V. APPROVAL OF THE PAYMENT OF THE BILLS – Alderwoman Lawson moved to approve the payment of the city’s bills. Alderman Porth seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Lawson, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Absent: Garrett) and the bills were approved 6-0.

VI. PRESENTASTIONS – Dick Doyle gave a presentation on his Hoopeston Square proposal for downtown.

VII. PETITIONS TO THE COUNCIL – None

VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT

a. Josh Clifton addressed the council about the police department and their handling of the call that he has been coming to the council about.

b. Emily Brown from Visit Downtown Hoopeston Inc. thanked Dick Doyle for his presentation and advised that the group is on board with his idea.

IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION – None

X. REPORT OF OFFICERS

a. EYRICH

i. ORDINANCE 2025-7 AUTHORIZING PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY LOAN AGREEMENT – Alderman Eyrich presented the ordinance which would fund the replacement of the water main from the Post Office to the fire station along Market St. This water main was originally placed in service in the 1880’s and is in dire need of replacement. This loan will be a $1,000,000 loan with $850,000 of forgiveness through the Illinois EPA. Alderman Scharlach asked if the main was under the roadway. Alderman Eyrich answered that it was, and asphalt repair was part of the project. Alderman Eyrich also announced that this project also includes a loop to feed houses along Front St. These houses are currently serviced by a 1” main, the new main will be 2”. Alderman Eyrich moved to approve this ordinance. Alderwoman K. Ferrell seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Lawson, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Absent: Garrett) and the ordinance was passed 6-0.

ii. RESOLUTION 2025-14 – DECLARING SURPLUS PROPERTY AND AWARDING A BID – The water department no longer needs their trench box and mobile vac unit. Steiner Farm Drainage was the only bidder for both pieces of equipment for the amount of $2325. Alderman Eyrich moved to approve this resolution and Alderwoman K. Ferrell seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Lawson, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Absent: Garrett) and the resolution was passed 6-0.

b. K FERRELL

i. AUTUMN FEST – Visit Downtown Hoopeston Inc. is having an event downtown on October 12 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.

ii. TIRE & ELECTRONICS COLLECTION – This event will be held on October 12 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. There is a limit of 6 tires per truck. If a resident has more, they are asked to contact City Hall to make other arrangements. All electronics are accepted but there is a cost for televisions.

iii. SKATE JAM – The annual skate jam will be held on October 19 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Open skate will be from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm will be the main event.

c. M FERRELL

i. IDOT SIDEWALK GRANT RESOLUTION – The city was presented with a grant opportunity for a sidewalk along IL Rte. 9 between Marathon and McDonald’s. This is a 80/20 split for the engineering and a 50/50 split for the construction. Mayor Wise advised that the main concern is if the hotel development moves forward, then the new sidewalk would be torn up during the construction. Also, the matching funds are not currently in the budget. After a lengthy discussion it was agreed not to move forward with the grant but to possibly apply for it in the future.

d. GARRETT

i. Absent.

e. LAWSON

i. BULK GARBAGE LOCATION – The parking lot of city hall will be getting redone soon. Republic Services has offered to have the bulk garbage drop off at the landfill. The city workers would still check licenses and process the garbage.

ii. RESOLUTION 2025-15 PURCHASING 2 SQUAD CARS AND UPFITTING 1 – Alderwoman Lawson presented the resolution outlining purchasing 2 squad cars and upfitting them both. Alderman Porth advised that there is money to purchase the cars in the police department’s accrual fund but there is not enough money to upfit them both. Alderman Eyrich asked if there is any resale value in the units that they are replacing. Alderwoman Lawson answered that there is a little bit of value in them. After a lengthy discussion Alderwoman Lawson made the motion to purchase both vehicles but only upfit 1 unit until money could be found to do the other. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Lawson, Porth – Nays: Scharlach – Absent: Garrett) and the resolution was passed 5-1.

f. PORTH

i. Nothing to report.

g. SCHARLACH

i. Nothing to report.

XI. COMMUNICATIONS TO THE COUNCIL – Clerk Hardcastle reminded everyone that elections packets are still available for the 2025 Consolidated Election.

XII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – None

XIII. NEW BUSINESS – None

XIV. MAYOR COMMENTS – None

XV. ATTORNEY COMMENTS

a. LINE OF CREDIT – Attorney Miller has sent a letter to Iroquois Federal for the line of credit.

b. 5TH STREET PROPERTY – The deed has been sent but not signed yet.

XVI. ADJOURNMENT – There being no further action to come before the council, Alderwoman K. Ferrell made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Alderman M. Ferrell seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.

https://cityofhoopeston.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/9-17-24-Meeting-Minutes.pdf