Chambana Sun

City of Hoopeston City Council met April 1

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, McElhaney, and Porth. Mayor Wise and Clerk Hardcastle were also present.

Eric Eves was present on Zoom.

III. AMENDMENT OR APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – Alderwoman K. Ferrell moved to approve the agenda as presented. Alderman McElhaney seconded the motion. Motion was carried 6-0.

IV. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETING – Alderman Eyrich made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous council meeting.

Alderman M. Ferrell seconded the motion. Motion was carried 6-0.

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

VI. PRESENTATIONS TO THE COUNCIL – None

VII. PETITIONS TO THE COUNCIL – None

VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT

a. Yolanda Pemberton addressed the council about animal control services for the city. Alderwoman Lawson answered that she was still waiting on Vermilion County. We do have service in the city but no dedicated person.

b. Mike McGuinness asked what the protocol was for sounding the outdoor emergency sirens. EMA Director Hardcastle gave the parameters for when the sirens are sounded.

IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION – None

X. REPORT OF OFFICERS

a. EYRICH

i. MARKET ST WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT – A pre-construction meeting was held on Thursday for this project. This will replace the water main from the Post Office to Honeywell St. Iroquois Paving is the contractor and they intend to start on April 14. Completion date is May 22, 2025, weather depending. Market Street will be down to 1 lane.

b. K. FERRELL

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

ii. PARK CLEAN UP – Alderwoman K. Ferrell thanked Don Stebbins for going out to the park after the storm on Sunday to clean things up.

c. M. FERRELL

i. CIVIC CENTER REMODEL – This project is still moving forward. We will be having a Parks Committee soon to look at the different options for layouts.

ii. TREE REPLACEMENT – Currently working with an arborist’s association on the replacement of trees that have been taken down.

iii. VFW MEMORIAL – Alderman Eyrich gave an update on the VFW Memorial at the Civic Center. Mayor Wise also advised that the memorial stone has been moved to the veteran’s memorial at McFerren Park.

d. GARRETT – Absent.

e. LAWSON – Nothing to report.

f. MCELHANEY

i. RESOLUTION 2025-31 – SALT PURCHASE – Alderman McElhaney moved to enter into an agreement with the State of Illinois for the purchase of 176 tons of salt. Alderman M. Ferrell seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Lawson, McElhaney, Porth – Nays: None – Abstentions: None – Absent: Garrett, Scharlach) and the resolution was approved 6-0.

ii. RESOLUTION 2025-32 – MOTOR FUEL TAX – Alderman McElhaney moved to approve the resolution appropriating the motor fuel tax funds. Alderman M.  Ferrell seconded the motion. Alderman M. Ferrell asked if the projects had been chosen yet? Mayor Wise stated that this is just allocating the funds, the projects will come to the council next. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Lawson, McElhaney, Porth – Nays: None – Abstentions: None – Absent: Garrett, Scharlach) and the resolution was approved 6-0.

g. PORTH

i. BUDGET – Alderman Porth passed around the draft of the 2025-2026 city budget. One of the big questions still lingering is where the city’s health insurance premiums will be. The city is having to switch insurance companies and we have not received the new bids yet. Alderman Porth thanked all of the alderpersons for their work on crafting the budget. This will be brought up for a vote at the next meeting, along with a public hearing prior to the meeting.

h. SCHARLACH

i. AMBULANCE CONTRACT RESOLUTION – In Alderman Scharlach’s absence, Mayor Wise tabled the ambulance contract. Alderman Garrett had some changes that he wanted to make but he was not at the meeting.

ii. RESOLUTION 2025-33 – AUTHORIZING FIRE STATION REPAIRS WITHOUT BIDS – Mayor Wise reviewed the resolution to repair the fire station.

Alderman McElhaney asked why it did not go out for bid? Mayor Wise said that it should have went out for bids. Alderman M. Ferrell asked if we have a procedure on how to handle emergency procurement for these kinds of situations. Alderman Porth answered that we already have the procedure but it was not followed. Alderman Eyrich moved to approve the resolution.

Alderwoman Lawson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, M. Ferrell, Lawson, McElhaney, Porth – Nays: K. Ferrell – Abstentions: None – Absent: Garrett, Scharlach) and the resolution was approved 5-1.

XI. COMMUNICATIONS TO THE COUNCIL

a. STATEMENT OF ECONOMIC INTERESTS – Clerk Hardcastle reminded everyone to get their Statement of Economic Interests into the County Clerk’s office by May 1, 2025 or else face a fine.

XII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – None 

XIII. NEW BUSINESS – None

XIV. MAYOR COMMENTS

a. ORDINANCE 2025-18 CREATING PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT - Mayor Wise presented this ordinance for approval. Alderman McElhaney asked if language could be added that effected employees will not have their wages lowered.

Alderman McElhaney made a motion with that change. Alderwoman K. Ferrell seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Lawson, McElhaney, Porth – Nays: None – Abstentions: None – Absent: Garrett, Scharlach) and the ordinance was approved 6-0.

b. RESOLUTION 2025-34 – APPOINTING PUBLIC WORKS MANAGER – Mayor Wise presented this resolution appointing Don Stebbins as the Public Works manager with an effective date of May 1, 2025. Alderwoman Lawson moved to approve the resolution. Alderman Porth seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Lawson, McElhaney, Porth – Nays: None – Abstentions: None – Absent: Garrett, Scharlach) and the resolution was approved 6-0.

c. ORDINANCE 2025-19 – CONSENT OF THE COUNCIL BEFORE PERSONNEL CHANGES – Mayor Wise reviewed this ordinance, which states that no employee may be demoted or terminated without the approval of the city council. Alderman McElhaney moved to approve the ordinance. Alderman Eyrich seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Lawson, McElhaney, Porth – Nays: None – Abstentions: None – Absent: Garrett, Scharlach) and the ordinance was approved 6-0.

XV. COMMENTS FROM THE ATTORNEY

a. FIFTH STREET PROPERTY – The judge has signed off on service by mail, we are currently waiting for the default hearing.

b. ESSEX BUILDING – The other side has filed an answer to the suit a couple of days before the deadline. There is a hearing set for May 16.

c. GARRISON CASE – A written order has been signed by the judge and it is moving to the collection phase.

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 6-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:41 pm. 

https://cityofhoopeston.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/4-1-25-Meeting-Minutes.pdf