Chambana Sun

City of Hoopeston City Council met Nov. 19

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 alderpersons were present: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Lawson, McElhaney, Porth, Scharlach. Alderman Garrett was absent. Mayor Wise and Clerk Hardcastle were also present. Eric Eves from Attorney Miller’s office was on Zoom.

III. AMENDMENT OR APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – Alderwoman K. Ferrell moved to approve the agenda. Alderman McElhaney seconded the motion. Motion was carried 7- 0.

IV. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETING – Alderman M. Ferrell moved to approve the minutes of the previous city council meeting. Alderwoman Lawson seconded the motion. Motion was carried 7-0.

V. APPROVAL OF THE PAYMENT OF THE BILLS – Alderman Porth asked what the payment of $170,900 to Schomberg & Schomberg for the IEPA loan was for. Alderman Eyrich did not know and would speak with the contractor about it. Alderwoman Lawson made a motion to approve payment of the city’s bills, with the exception of the Schomberg & Schomberg bill. Alderman McElhaney seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Lawson, McElhaney, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Absent: Garrett – Abstentions: None) and the bills were approved 7-0.

VI. PRESENTATIONS – Roy Mulcahey from Grand Solar and Environmental gave a presentation on soliciting residents for solar panels.

VII. PETITIONS TO THE COUNCIL – None.

VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT – None.

IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION – None.

X. REPORT OF OFFICERS

a. EYRICH 

i. RESOLUTION 2025-19 – AGREEMENT WITH ERH FOR OPERATION OF THE LAGOONS – Alderman Eyrich advised this resolution would authorize ERH to operate the pre-treatment lagoons for $8344 per month. This amount of money would be reimbursed by Teasdale Foods since they are looking to expand their production by 50%. Alderman Eyrich moved to approve the resolution. Alderwoman K. Ferrell seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Lawson, McElhaney, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Absent: Garrett – Abstentions: None) and the resolution was approved 7-0.

ii. RESOLUTION 2025-20 – AWARDING THE BID FOR THE 1992 TRAILER – Alderman Eyrich advised that the only bid received for the trailer was $200 by Chris Kelnhofer. 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, Lawson, McElhaney, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Absent: Garrett – Abstentions: None) and the resolution was approved 7-0.

iii. WATER TREATMENT PLANT – The upgrades are in progress and temporary machinery has been brought in. The project is slated to be completed sometime in 2025.

iv. WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT – The water department employees recently replaced a 4” water main on McCracken near Anthem Chevrolet. The owner of Anthem is requesting the road to be re-black topped. The committee will discuss this at a later date.

v. CARLE PARKING LOT – Hot mix paving was recently placed in the Carle Hospital parking lot where it had to be dug up for a water issue. The cost of that repair was nearly $3000 and was repairing private property, which the city does not normally do. The repair job is now holding water and the maintenance department at the hospital is upset. Alderman Eyrich gave the maintenance director the number to the paving contractor.

b. K. FERRELL

i. SHOUT OUT – Alderwoman K. Ferrell gave a shout out to all of the building owners who were doing work on their buildings.

ii. FAÇADE GRANT – Alderwoman K. Ferrell announced that there is still a façade grant still available and that anyone interested should contact city hall.

c. M. FERRELL 

i. Nothing to report.

d. GARRETT

i. Absent.

e. LAWSON

i. NOW HIRING – Alderwoman Lawson stated that the police department is taking applications for dispatcher. The city is also taking applications for part-time animal control.

f. MCELHANEY

i. NEW HIRE – Alderman McElhaney announced that Carson Garrison was hired as a full-time employee.

g. PORTH

i. FINANCE COMMITTEE – The finance committee met last night. They will have the tax levy ready for the next council meeting. The committee is still waiting for a second bid for insurance.

ii. BUDGET UPDATE – Started with a surplus this year but now the surplus is gone.

h. SCHARLACH

i. RESOLUTION 2025-21 SURPLUS FIRE DEPARTMENT LADDER TRUCK – Alderman Scharlach stated that the ladder truck has been replaced and they are needing to dispose of the old one. This resolution would allow the city to take the truck to auction. Alderman Scharlach moved to approve the resolution. Alderman M. Ferrell seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Lawson, McElhaney, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Absent: Garrett – Abstentions: None) and the resolution was approved 7-0.

ii. AMBULANCE CONTRACT – Alderman Scharlach is working with Eric Eves from Attorney Miller’s office on the ambulance contract.

XI. COMMUNICATIONS TO THE COUNCIL – None

XII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – None

XIII. NEW BUSINESS – None.

XIV. MAYOR COMMENTS

a. ORDINANCE 2025-10 310 E MAIN ST – Mayor Wise reported that the basement wall needs reinforced. Silver Brother’s put a bid in for $5000. After work has been completed, the city would deed over 3ft of property so that the west wall would become Gail Lane’s property. This agreement hinges on Gail accepting the agreement. Alderman Eyrich moved to approve the ordinance. Alderwoman Lawson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Lawson, McElhaney, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Absent: Garrett – Abstentions: None) and the ordinance was approved 7-0.

b. ORDINANCE 2025-11 ZONING CHANGE REQUEST FOR 215 E PENN ST – Alderwoman Lawson moved to approve the Zoning Board of Appeals recommendation that the zoning for this property be changed to residential from commercial. Alderwoman K. Ferrell seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Lawson, McElhaney, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Absent: Garrett – Abstentions: None) and the ordinance was approved 7-0.

c. HOTEL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT – Mayor Wise reported that this project is still in limbo and no documentation has been signed. The Vermilion County Board approved $600,000 to the city for the project. The county has requested this money be sent back by December if an agreement has been reached. Alderman Porth made a motion to draft a resolution that if the investment group cannot provide a signed document regarding the location and forward movement of project by 8:00 am on December 2, then the money will returned to the county, the city’s ARPA money would be reallocated, and the TIF money would be returned to the TIF fund. Alderman Eyrich seconded the motion. Alderwoman K. Ferrell listed several transgressions that she had with the different locations being proposed and the agreement that was made with the county. Alderman Porth clarified that if the location changes, they would not get the money. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Lawson, McElhaney, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Absent: Garrett – Abstentions: None) and Resolution 2025-22 was approved 7-0.

d. CITY OWNED LOTS – The city will be putting up for bids several city owned lots. Alderman Scharlach asked how many lots would be put up? Mayor Wise said that he is currently compiling a list and that $750 would be the minimum bid.

e. BULK GARBAGE DROP OFF – Some people have been confused about where to go for the bulk garbage drop off. Mayor Wise advised that signs have been put up directing people where to go when they get to the landfill. In the winter months, they do not get many drop offs. Mayor Wise would like to go to 1 day for drop offs in January, February, and March. Alderman M. Ferrell stated that if it is below zero  outside, our employees should not be out collecting bulk garbage. Mayor Wise advised the council to think it over.

XV. ATTORNEY COMMENTS

a. 819 S FIFTH ST – 2 of the 3 heirs have signed. The 3rd heir is in the wind and no one has an address for them. Eric Eves advised there are a couple of options for the city to move forward.

b. ESSEX PROPERTY – Mr. Acton has until the end of the month to file a response to the city’s complaint in court.

c. HENNING’S PROPERTY – There is a hearing in December to determine the next steps on this property.

d. TEASDALE AGREEMENT – Eric advised Mayor Wise to reach out with specifics so he can draw up the Teasdale agreement.

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 was carried 7-0.

https://cityofhoopeston.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/11-19-24-Meeting-Minutes.pdf