Chambana Sun

City of Hoopeston City Council met Jan. 21

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, M. Ferrell, Garrett, Lawson, McElhaney, Porth, Scharlach. Alderwoman K. Ferrell 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 – Alderman Garrett moved to approve the agenda as presented. Alderman M. Ferrell 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 from the previous council meeting. Alderman McElhaney seconded the motion. Motion was carried 7-0.

V. APPROVAL OF THE PAYMENT OF THE BILLS – Alderman McElhaney moved to approve the payment of the city’s bills. Alderman Eyrich seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, M. Ferrell, Garrett, Lawson, McElhaney, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Abstentions: None – Absent: K. Ferrell) and the bills were approved 7-0.

VI. PRESENTATIONS – None

VII. PETITIONS TO THE COUNCIL – None

VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT

a. Joe Spurlock, owner of 221 S. Market St, advised that he is opening Joe’s Music Garage and will be giving lessons and selling music equipment. He asked about TIF money being available to repair a part of the building. Mayor Wise advised that there is a TIF money request form on the city’s website he would need to fill out.

IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION – None

X. REPORT OF OFFICERS

a. EYRICH

i. NEW EMPLOYEE – The Water Department hired a new full-time employee who starts January 29.

ii. VFW – The VFW has been closed, and the disposition of the building has been in limbo. The District Commander advised the building, and its contents will be auctioned off. Alderman Eyrich and his wife are hoping to save the murals in the building and possibly move them to the civic center.

b. K. FERRELL

i. Absent.

c. M. FERRELL

i. COMMITTEE MEETING – The Parks Committee will be having a meeting soon to go over the civic center remodel.

d. GARRETT

i. Nothing to report.

e. LAWSON

i. NEW OFFICER – Alderwoman Lawson reported the police department has hired a new officer, Elijah Nardoni.

f. MCELHANEY

i. Nothing to report.

g. PORTH

i. BUDGET – The December financials are out and alderpersons will need to start meeting with their department heads to work on the new budget.

Revenues are down and cuts will need to be made.

h. SCHARLACH

i. AMBULANCE CONTRACT – The new ambulance contract is currently with the city attorney.

XI. COMMUNICATIONS TO THE COUNCIL – None

XII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – None

XIII. NEW BUSINESS – None

XIV. MAYOR COMMENTS

a. LORRAINE THEATER – Mayor Wise congratulated the Lorraine Foundation on starting to show first run movies in February.

XV. COMMENTS FROM ATTORNEY

a. SMALL CLAIMS SUITS – Eric Eves reviewed the 2 small claims suits.

b. HENNING’S PROPERTY – The appropriate people have been served with this suit.

c. TEASDALE CONTRACT – The contract has been made, just need to fill in some small parts.

d. AMBULANCE CONTRACT – One small revision that Mayor Wise will send Eric.

e. POLICY & PROCEDURE HANDBOOK – Eric is reviewing the employee policy and procedure manual to see if anything needs to be revised.

f. MAPLE ST BURNED-OUT HOUSE – Alderman Garrett advised that the burned-out house on west Maple St had caught fire again. The resident was back living in the structure after the fire. Garrett asked how we could get him out of the house. Eric advised there were some options on getting him out.

g. FIFTH ST PROPERTY – Mayor Wise asked for an updated on the rubble of the burnedout building on Fifth St. Eric advised another letter was sent to the third heir, if there is no answer, paperwork will be filed.

XVI. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further action to come before the council, Alderman Garrett moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman McElhaney seconded the motion.

Motion carried 7-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:24 pm. 

https://cityofhoopeston.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/1-21-25-Meeting-Minutes.pdf