Chambana Sun

City of Hoopeston City Council met March 4 

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

III. AMENDMENT OR APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – Alderwoman K. Ferrell moved to approve the agenda as presented. Alderman M. Ferrell seconded the motion. Motion was carried 8-0.

IV. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETING – Alderwoman Lawson made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous council meeting. Alderwoman K. Ferrell seconded the motion. Motion was carried 8-0.

V. APPROVAL OF THE PAYMENT OF THE BILLS – Alderman Eyrich moved to approve the payment of the city’s bills. Alderman Scharlach seconded the motion. Alderman Porth questioned the check for Silver Brothers for the fire station repair since the insurance company from the involved party was supposed to pay for that. Alderman Garrett said that the city’s insurance was covering it since the person that hit the building was uninsured. Alderman Porth stated that this was the first he had heard of it as head of the finance committee. Alderman Garrett said that he believes a check was sent from the city’s insurance company to the city for repairs to the building. Mayor Wise said that we will hold the check for Silver Brothers until we could verify who was paying for it. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Garrett, Lawson, McElhaney, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Abstentions: None – Absent: None) and the bills were approved 8-0.

VI. PRESENTATIONS TO THE COUNCIL – None.

VII. PETITIONS TO THE COUNCIL – Clerk Hardcastle read a petition from area residents regarding burned-out structures and other dangerous buildings in the city.

VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT

a. Sue Comstock addressed the council regarding the petition on dangerous and burned-out buildings. She went on to thank city leaders for their service. She also  had issues with the amount of money that was being paid to the city attorney.

IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION – None

X. REPORT OF OFFICERS

a. EYRICH

i. LETTER – Alderman Eyrich went over the letter that was sent out to all water customers regarding the testing for lithium in the city’s water supply. There are no current standards for the amount of lithium allowed in drinking water.

The EPA is looking to see how much lithium is in the water supply as part of establishing standards. The city’s water supply is safe.

b. K. FERRELL

i. ELECTRONIC RECYCLING – The spring electronic recycling event will be held on April 5, 2025 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm on the east side of McFerren Park near the Lion’s Club shelter.

c. M. FERRELL

i. PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING – The Parks Committee met on February 25 and will be moving forward with the Civic Center rehab project.

d. GARRETT – Nothing to report.

e. LAWSON – Nothing to report.

f. MCELHANEY

i. NORTHSIDE PARK PARKING – Superintendent Gocking and Superintendent Stebbins went out and measured the space on the Thompson Avenue side of the park and there is enough space for street parking there. There is a concern that if the city cut out parking spaces on the McCracken Street side, neighborhood residents would use those parking spaces as extra driveways instead of the intended use by park patrons. Alderman McElhaney stated that they will check with the resident who parks right at the intersection to make sure they know the parking issue. Alderman Garrett stated that the main issue is with parking on the McCracken Street side, making it difficult to see to turn onto Market Street.

g. PORTH 

i. BUDGET – Alderman Porth hoped each alderperson sat down with their department heads to go over the upcoming budget. Mayor Wise told everyone to cut everything that they can.

h. SCHARLACH

i. AMBULANCE CONTRACT – The ambulance contract still has some issues to discuss. Mayor Wise asked everyone to look over the contract and we would vote on it at the next meeting. Alderman Garrett stated that he has an issue with the exclusivity language in the contract.

XI. COMMUNICATIONS TO THE COUNCIL

a. STATEMENT OF ECONOMIC INTEREST – Clerk Hardcastle announced that the county clerk’s office has sent out the annual statement of economic interests to effected persons. These are due back to the county clerk’s office by May 1, 2025.

XII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

a. DOWNTOWN DEMOLITIONS – Alderman Porth asked what the status was of the downtown building demolitions. Mayor Wise answered that he would double check, but he is pretty sure we are done with the project. Alderman Porth then asked about the re-seeding of the vacant lots. Mayor Wise said that he will check with Lee Farms on that. He also stated that the basement wall repair still has to be done to Gail Lane’s building.

XIII. NEW BUSINESS – None

XIV. MAYOR COMMENTS

a. POWERED BICYCLE & SCOOTER ORDINANCE – Mayor Wise announced that the State of Illinois has banned those on the roadway unless permitted by a municipality. The city council needs to decide if we are going to allow them or not. The current ordinance says that they must get a sticker from the city and have insurance. Mayor Wise contacted 4 different insurance companies, all 4 companies said that they will not insure scooters. 3 of the companies said that they would not insure powered bicycles and the 1 that would had several stipulations to coverage. The main concern is that the operators of these devices do not follow the rules of the road. Mayor Wise said that he would like to still require the sticker, require front and back lights, and have no insurance requirements. Alderman Scharlach stated that he is for banning them all together. Alderwoman Lawson said that for some people these are the only form of transportation that they have. Mayor Wise said that this would be brought up for a vote at the next meeting. 

XV. COMMENTS FROM THE ATTORNEY

a. FIFTH ST PROPERTY – Eric Eves reviewed the status of this property.

b. ESSEX BUILDING – Eric Eves has had a conversation with the attorney representing Mr. Acton and he will be meeting with his client on Thursday. He is hoping to have an agreement by Friday, or the city will file for judgement.

c. HERMAN UPDATE – Mr. Herman has paid the money owed to the city.

d. GARRISSON UPFDATE – Mr. Garrisson has not paid and the motion to default is on file.

XVI. ADJOURNMENT – There being no further action to come before the council Alderwoman K. Ferrell moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman McElhaney seconded the motion.

Motion was carried 8-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:43 pm. 

https://cityofhoopeston.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/3-18-25-Meeting-Packet.pdf