Chambana Sun

City of Hoopeston City Council met Oct. 15

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 4 alderpersons were present: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, and Lawson. Aldermen Garrett, Porth, and Scharlach were absent. Mayor Wise and Clerk Hardcastle were present. Attorney Miller was present on Zoom.

III. WARD I ALDERMAN APPOINTMENT – Mayor Wise presented Toby McElhaney to fill the remaining term in Ward I. Alderman Eyrich moved to approve the appointment.

Alderman M. Ferrell seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Lawson, Mayor Wise – Nays: None – Absent: Garrett, Porth, Scharlach) and the appointment was approved 5-0. Clerk Hardcastle administered the oath of office and McElhaney was seated.

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

V. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETING AND SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING – Alderman M. Ferrell made a motion to approve the minutes from the special council meeting and the previous council meeting. Alderwoman K. Ferrell seconded the motion. Motion was carried 5-0.

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

VII. PRESENTATIONS – None

VIII. PETITIONS TO THE COUNCIL – None

IX. PUBLIC COMMENT

a. Yolanda Pemberton addressed the council regarding animal control. Alderwoman Lawson advised that she had just heard from the county that an intergovernmental agreement for services to Hoopeston will be brought before their committee for approval. The agreement would then need to come before the city council for  approval prior to the service starting.

X. EXECUTIVE SESSION – None

XI. REPORT OF OFFICERS

a. EYRICH

i. ORDINANCE 2025-8 – AMENDING ORDINANCE 13.04.040 – This ordinance was passed in June of 2024 but had a duplicate ordinance number assigned to it. Attorney Miller advised that this just needed to be passed again with the correct ordinance number. Alderman Eyrich moved to approve this ordinance. Alderwoman Lawson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Lawson, McElhaney – Nays: None – Absent: Garrett, Porth, Scharlach)

ii. RV DUMPSTATION – The new RV dump station is now in place. It is located on Seminary St about half a block west of the fire station.

b. K. FERRELL

i. SKATE JAM – The Skate Jam will be on October 19, 2024, from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.

ii. TIRE/ELECTRONICS RECYCLING EVENT – The events had a good turnout. The electronic recycling vendor had a completely full trailer.

c. M. FERRELL

i. Nothing to report.

d. GARRETT

i. DOGS IN THE CEMETERY – In Alderman Garrett’s absence, Mayor Wise reminded residents that dogs are not allowed in the cemetery.

e. LAWSON

i. Nothing to report.

f. PORTH

i. Absent. 

g. SCHARLACH

i. Absent.

h. MCELHANEY

i. Nothing to report.

XII. COMMUNICATIONS TO THE COUNCIL

a. Clerk Hardcastle announced that the Hoopeston Jaycees would be having a demolition derby in the McFerren Park Annex on Saturday, October 19 at 4:00 pm. Also announced that the annual downtown Spooktacular will be held on Monday, October 28, 2024, starting at 5:30 pm.

XIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – None

XIV. NEW BUSINESS – None

XV. MAYOR COMMENTS

a. RESOLUTION 2025-19 CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS – Mayor Wise presented Nikki Wilson and Sumer Horton to be appointed to the Citizens Advisory Committee. Alderman M. Ferrell moved to approve the appointments.

Alderwoman Lawson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Lawson, McElhaney – Nays: None – Absent: Garrett, Porth, Scharlach) and the appointments were approved 5-0.

b. RESOLUTION 2025-20 ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS APPOINTMENTS – Mayor Wise presented April Jones, Derek Highfill, Chris Inman, Rachelle Miller, Heather Moore, Jeannette Andre, and Sumer Horton as appointments to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Alderman Eyrich moved to approve the appointments. Alderwoman K. Ferrell seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Lawson, McElhaney – Nays: None – Absent: Garrett, Porth, Scharlach) and the appointments were approved 5-0.

c. ZONING APPEAL – The Zoning Board of Appeals, once organized, will hold a meeting regarding an appeal.

d. ORDINANCE BOOK – Mayor Wise would like to start going through the ordinance book again. The council will meet as a committee of the whole prior to regular council meetings. This would be from 6:00 pm – 6:45 pm prior to regular meetings. This will begin in November. 

e. DOWNTOWN PROJECT – The Citizens Advisory Committee will meet on October 21, 2024, to meet with Dick Doyle regarding his downtown proposal. After that meeting, the city council needs to start discussing if this is something they would like the city to take on. There are 3 businesses that are interested in some of the lots downtown. A clear path needs to be in place.

XVI. ATTORNEY COMMENTS

a. ESSEX BUILDING – The complaint is ready for the mayor’s review, and it meets his approval it will then be filed with the circuit court.

b. 819 S. FIFTH ST – A packet has been sent to city hall outlining who needs to sign the documents.

c. GARRISON/HERMAN SUIT – Materials have been requested about the unpaid fees for these suits. Once received it will be filed with the circuit court.

d. WATER SERVICE – Attorney Miller met with Operations Manager Stebbins about the current language that allows the city to refuse water and sewer service. This language needs strengthened.

XVII. ADJOURNMENT – There being no further information to come before the council, Alderwoman K. Ferrell moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman M. Ferrell seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0 and the council adjourned the meeting at 7:34 pm. 

https://cityofhoopeston.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/10-15-24-Meeting-Minutes.pdf