Chambana Sun

City of Hoopeston City Council met May 6

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. CALL TO ORDER – Clerk Hardcastle called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

II. SWEARING IN OF NEW MEMBERS – Clerk Hardcastle then administered the oath of office to Mayor Carter, Treasurer Woods, and Alderpersons McElhaney, K. Ferrell, Scharlach, and Porth.

III. ROLL CALL – The following 8 alderpersons were present: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Garrett, Lawson, McElhaney, Porth, and Scharlach. Mayor Carter, Clerk Hardcastle, and Attorney Miller were also present.

IV. AMENDMENT OR APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – Alderwoman Lawson moved to approve the agenda as presented. Alderman Porth seconded the motion. Motion was carried 8-0.

V. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETING – Alderman Eyrich moved to approve the minutes from the previous council meeting. Alderman McElhaney seconded the motion. Motion was carried 8-0.

VI. APPROVAL OF THE PAYMENT OF THE BILLS – Alderman McElhaney 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, Garrett, Lawson, McElhaney, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Abstentions: None – Absent: None) and the bills were approved 8-0.

VII. PRESENTATIONS TO THE COUNCIL –

a. VERMILION COUNTY BICENTENNIAL COMMITTEE – Todd Lee from the Vermilion County Bicentennial Committee gave a presentation regarding the events surrounding the 200th birthday of Vermilion County.

VIII. PETITIONS TO THE COUNCIL – None

IX. PUBLIC COMMENT

a. Yolanda Pemberton addressed the council regarding animal control. Alderwoman Lawson advised that there is a contract with Vermilion County for animal control issues. She is still waiting to hear back from the county about a dedicated animal  control officer for our area.

b. Gerald Miller addressed Mayor Carter and asked if he was going to continue the City Chat at the library on the first Saturday of every month. Mayor Carter advised that he was looking into continuing it.

X. EXECUTIVE SESSION – None

XI. REPORT OF OFFICERS

a. EYRICH

i. GROUND STORAGE TANK – The cleaning of the ground storage tank has been completed. This should solve a lot of the rusty water issues the city has been having.

ii. WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT UPGRADE – The city has received a 50% design deliverable. Aldermen Eyrich and Porth have met with the engineer to go over that 50%.

iii. MARKET ST WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT – This project is underway and is still slated for June 1 completion.

b. K. FERRELL

i. RESOLUTION 2026-1 APPROVING A STREET CORNER COLLECTION – The Hoopeston American Legion Auxiliary would like to do a street corner collection for their annual poppy day. Alderwoman K. Ferrell moved to approve the resolution. Alderman Garrett seconded the motion. 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 resolution was approved 8-0.

ii. STRUCTURES NEEDING REPAIR – Alderwoman K. Ferrell announced that she has been driving up and down the streets and alleys looking for structures that are in need of repair. Vermilion Advantage is launching a project to help homeowners repair their buildings. If anyone sees Alderwoman K. Ferrell in a gray car going down their alley, that is what she is doing.

c. M. FERRELL

i. NOW HIRING – The Parks Department is looking for a new employee. The job notice will be posted shortly.

d. GARRETT –

i. JOEL BIRD – Alderman Garrett thanked retired fire chief Joel Bird for his 23 years of service to the department.

e. LAWSON –

i. ORDINANCE 2026-1 – APPROVING A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE – Alderwoman Lawson presented the changes to the FOP contract and moved to approve the agreement. Alderman Porth seconded the motion. 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 ordinance was approved 8-0.

ii. STAFFING UPDATE – Alderwoman Lawson reported that the police department is now fully staffed.

iii. JOEL BIRD – Alderwoman Lawson thanked retired chief Joel Bird for his 23 years of service to the department.

f. MCELHANEY – Nothing to report.

g. PORTH – Nothing to report.

h. SCHARLACH

i. FIREMAN’S BALL – Alderman Scharlach reported that the annual Fireman’s Ball was a success.

ii. JOEL BIRD – Alderman Scharlach thanked retired chief Joel Bird for his 23 years of service to the department.

XII. COMMUNICATIONS TO THE COUNCIL - None

XIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None

XIV. NEW BUSINESS

a. CITY STORAGE – Alderman M. Ferrell advised that the city has a lot of property that is stored at various locations, some even stored in private property. He suggests  that the city needs to inventory where the property and equipment is being stored and put it into a central location. He also suggested that departments need to write their various processes down.

XV. MAYOR COMMENTS

a. RESOLUTION 2026-2 – APPOINTING CITY OFFICERS – Mayor Carter presented the annual list of city officers for reappointment. Alderman Garrett moved to approve the resolution. Alderwoman Lawson seconded the motion. 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 resolution was approved 8-0.

b. RESOLUTION 2026-3 – APPOINTING PERSONS TO VARIOUS CITY BOARD AND COMMISSIONS – Mayor Carter presented the list of appointees to various city boards and commissions. Alderman Garrett moved to approve the resolution.

Alderwoman Lawson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, M. Ferrell, Garrett, Lawson, McElhaney, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: K. Ferrell – Abstentions: None – Absent: None) and the resolution was approved 7-1.

c. RESOLUTION 2026-4 – EXTENDING GAIL LANE’S DEADLINE – Mayor Carter presented this resolution which would extend the deadline that Gail Lane had to decide if she wanted to side her building with the city paying for half. The previous deadline was May 1, 2025, and the new deadline would be July 1, 2025. Alderman Eyrich moved to approve the resolution. Alderwoman K. Ferrell seconded the motion. Alderman Garrett asked why she needs more time. Alderman Eyrich answered that Brian Silver has not completed the work on the basement wall yet.

Alderman Porth stated that we do not have bids out yet for the siding. Gail Lane advised that Silver just fixed the foundation part last week and there are still holes in the wall that she needs to get quotes on before deciding on siding. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Garrett, Lawson, McElhaney, Porth Nays: None – Abstentions: None – Present: Scharlach – Absent: None) and the resolution was approved 7-0-1.

d. BRICKS AND IVY SPORTS LAND – Mayor Carter advised that this has to be tabled for now. Attorney Miller reviewed the process on how the city can sell the land.

Alderwoman K. Ferrell asked if the city could dictate how the land would be used.

Attorney Miller answered that we can. Alderman McElhaney asked why we cannot just give the land to Bricks and Ivy like we did Gail Lane. Clerk Hardcastle reviewed an email with Eric Eves about the land given to Lane was to avert a risk to the city.

e. HOOPESTON SQUARE PUBLIC HEARING – Mayor Carter advised that there would be a public hearing about the Hoopeston Square proposal on May 13 at 6:00 pm.

XVI. COMMENTS FROM THE ATTORNEY

a. ESSEX BUILDING – There is a hearing set for this case on May 16. Attorney Beckett will be representing the city. Alderman Garrett asked if the owner has responded to our complaint? Attorney Miller advised that we have made a motion in response to their answer, but they have not answered yet.

b. GARRISON CASE – The time on this case has passed and we will be pursuing collection on it.

c. 5th STREET PROPERTY – There is no update on this.

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

Motion was carried 8-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:38 pm. 

https://cityofhoopeston.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/5-6-25-Meeting-Minutes.pdf