Chambana Sun

City of Hoopeston City Council met June 17

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Carter 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, Garrett, Lawson, McElhaney, and Porth. Alderman Scharlach was absent. Mayor Carter and Clerk Hardcastle were also in attendance. Attorney Miller was absent.

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

IV. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETING – Alderman Eyrich moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Alderman Garrett seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.

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

VI. PRESENTATIONS TO THE COUNCIL – None

VII. PETITIONS TO THE COUNCIL – None

VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT

a. Gabby Crose addressed the council regarding mobile food trucks of existing Hoopeston businesses should not have to pay a separate food truck permit fee. Alderwoman K. Ferrell answered that the civic committee would be meeting next week to discuss that issue.

IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION – None

X. REPORT OF OFFICERS

a. EYRICH

i. MARKET ST WATER MAIN PROJECT – Alderman Eyrich gave an update on this project. A small leak was discovered on Sunday afternoon, as the contractor dug it up, the leak got worse. The issue has since been resolved and service connections have been made to the new line. The old water main is ready to be retired. The last part of the project is to re-pave Market St.

ii. RESOLUTION 2026-5 IEPA LOAN DOCUMENTS – Alderman Eyrich reviewed this resolution that authorizes the mayor to sign the documents related to the IEPA loan. 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, Garrett, Lawson, McElhaney, Porth – Nays: None – Abstentions: None – Absent: Scharlach) and the resolution was approved 7-0.

b. K. FERRELL

i. HOOPESTON SQUARE PROPOSAL – Alderwoman K. Ferrell advised that the civic committee met and decided not to forward the Hoopeston Square project to the full council for consideration.

ii. APPLIANCE COLLECTION – There will be an appliance collection event on August 8, 2025. Residents need to call city hall by August 1 to get added to the pickup list. Appliances must be at the curb the night before.

iii. ELECTRONICS COLLECTION – There will be an electronics collection on September 6, 2025, from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm at McFerren Park. More information can be obtained at city hall.

iv. CIVIC COMMITTEE MEETING – The civic committee will be meeting again on Monday, June 23, 2025 at 6:00 pm.

c. M. FERRELL

i. LAND USE AGREEMENTS – Alderman M. Ferrell advised that the city needs to come up with a land use agreement with persons or organizations wanting to use city property for events.

ii. FIREWORKS STORAGE – Alderman M. Ferrell asked if there was any update on the storage situation with the fireworks business? Alderwoman Lawson answered for the absent Alderman Scharlach that the business is in the process of moving their stock to where they should be properly stored.

d. GARRETT – Nothing to report.

e. LAWSON –

i. FIREWORKS ORDINANCE – Alderwoman Lawson reported for Alderman Scharlach that they would be amending the existing fireworks ordinance to add regulations on distribution and warehousing. Alderman M. Ferrell asked since the county’s limits are 250 ft and the city’s limits are 150 ft, if we would be using the county’s limits? Alderwoman Lawson answered that we are following the fire marshal’s guidelines at 150 ft.

ii. FIRE COMMITTEE MEETING – Alderwoman Lawson stated that the fire committee would be meeting in the near future.

f. MCELHANEY – Nothing to report.

g. PORTH

i. APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE – Alderman Porth and Clerk Hardcastle are currently working on the appropriations ordinance, and it will be presented that the next meeting.

ii. FINANCE COMMITTEE – The finance committee will be meeting in the near future.

h. SCHARLACH – Absent.

XI. COMMUNICATIONS TO THE COUNCIL - None

XII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

a. LAND VALUATIONS – Alderman Garrett asked if there was any updates on getting the valuations on city lots. Mayor Carter advised that he is working with a company out of Danville to get the valuations done. Alderwoman K. Ferrell asked if we need to get them done on each city lot? Mayor Carter answered that the appraiser will be valuating all city owned lots.

XIII. NEW BUSINESS –

a. LAND USE AGREEMENTS – Alderman M. Ferrell brough up creating a land use agreement for city property, specifically if the city wants to provide power to the downtown city lots. Alderman McElhaney advised that if the downtown organization keeps using the lots like they have been, they will need permanent power. Alderman Garrett advised to leave them as they are now. Alderwoman Lawson advised that she still has people that want to build downtown and are ready to move forward.

Alderman M. Ferrell asked what the city needs to do to rent out the grass lots?

Alderman Garrett advised that they need to have a liability waiver and proof of insurance. Alderman Porth advised that groups wanting to use city property already have to show proof of insurance. Alderman Eyrich asked if the pavilions at the park are tracked? Yes, they are. Alderman M. Ferrell asked if people could rent sections of the downtown lots? The majority of the council advised that it is not necessary to break down the lots individually. Alderman M. Ferrell asked what committee would have jurisdiction over the lots. The finance committee would be over the downtown lots.

b. LEIGH/ACTON MEETING – Alderwoman K. Ferrell asked if there was an update on the Russ Leigh/Justin Acton meeting. She also asked if there was any update on using county funds for building demolition.

XIV. MAYOR COMMENTS

a. RUSS LEIGH/ACTON MEETING – Mayor Carter advised that Russ Leigh is interested in purchasing the Essex property from Justin Acton. Alderman Garrett asked about the money that the city has already spent in litigation for the building. Alderman Porth advised that the city needs to have a lien on the property. Mayor Carter advised that he will work with Attorney Miller on the issue.

XV. COMMENTS FROM THE ATTORNEY - None

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

Motion was carried 7-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:27 pm.

https://cityofhoopeston.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/6-17-25-Meeting-Minutes.pdf