Chambana Sun

City of Hoopeston City Council met July 1

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 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.

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

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

Alderman M. Ferrell seconded the motion. Motion carried 8-0.

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, 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 – None

VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT

a. Doug Wagoner addressed the council regarding the burned-out house at 313 W. Maple St. Alderwoman K. Ferrell answered that she is working on it but there are 20 other houses ahead of it.

IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION – None

X. REPORT OF OFFICERS

a. EYRICH

i. MARKET ST WATER MAIN UPDATE – This project is 95% complete. There are a couple meter pits that still need replaced. With regards on how the street looks, Alderman Eyrich stated that this is a water department project, not a street and alley project. The contractor only repaired what they tore up. He added that it would have cost around $500,000 to have the entire street repaved.

b. K. FERRELL

i. SPECIAL EVENTS – Alderwoman K. Ferrell advised residents that if they are having a special event at a park where money is being transferred, they need to get a hold of city hall so that the proper paperwork can be filed and they need to have insurance.

ii. APPLIANCE RECYCLING – The appliance recycling event is on August 8, 2025. Residents need to call into city hall by August 1 so that they can be added to the list. Appliances must be at the curb the night before to be picked up.

iii. ELECTRONIC RECYCLING – The electronics recycling event will take place on September 6, 2025, from 10 am to 2 pm. All electronics are accepted, however there is a charge for televisions.

iv. CIVIC COMMITTEE MEETING – The civic committee met on June 23. They voted down waiving the fee for business owners in town who have food trucks. They tabled action on the Vermilion County dilapidated properties program ran through Vermilion Advantage. The program would reimburse the city for some expenses with demolishing buildings. The committee also voted not to accept a chair membership on the Central Illinois Landbank. This membership would cost the city $10,000.

c. M. FERRELL

i. WRONG WAY DRIVERS – Alderman M. Ferrell reminded residents that McFerren Park is one way and to not drive the wrong way through the park.

d. GARRETT –

i. STORM THANK YOU – Alderman Garrett thanked all the city departments who helped out with the storm damage cleanup.

e. LAWSON –

i. STORM THANK YOU – Alderman Garrett thanked all the city departments who helped out with the storm damage cleanup.

f. MCELHANEY

i. STORM THANK YOU – Alderman Garrett thanked all the city departments who helped out with the storm damage cleanup.

g. PORTH

i. APPROPRIATIONS ORDINANCE – This ordinance will be voted on at the next meeting.

ii. FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING – The finance committee will be meeting soon.

h. SCHARLACH

i. FIREWORKS ORDINANCE – This ordinance is still being worked on.

XI. COMMUNICATIONS TO THE COUNCIL - None

XII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None

XIII. NEW BUSINESS

a. Alderwoman K. Ferrell noted that Hoopeston native, Ezra Elliott, is making an impact in the MMA arena.

XIV. MAYOR COMMENTS

a. RESOLUTION 2026-6 APPROVING THE BID FOR SIDING ON 310 E MAIN ST – Alderman Eyrich made a motion to approve the bid. Alderwoman K. Ferrell seconded the motion. Alderman Eyrich asked about the 50% portion. Clerk Hardcastle answered that the city and the land owner already agreed to the 50/50 split for the cost, this is simply approving the bid. Alderman Scharlach asked how many bids were received. Alderwoman K. Ferrell answered that Silver Brother’s was the only bid that was submitted. 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. MUNICIPAL POWER AGGREGATION – Mayor Carter advised that he met with Good Energy and a new agreement will go into effect in the next few weeks.

XV. COMMENTS FROM THE ATTORNEY

a. ESSEX BUILDING LITIGATION – The defendant did not file a motion for reconsideration on their earlier motion to dismiss, so the complaint is still working its way through the court system.

b. ZARATE RENTALS (FOOD LOCKER) – There was an issue with the county buying the property before getting the city’s request for deed in lieu of foreclosure and now Vermilion Advantage controls the property. They will be deeding it over to the city.

c. 819 S FIFTH ST – Alderman Eyrich asked Attorney Miller for any updates about this property. Attorney Miller did not have an update on that property at this time.

d. DEED FOR 310/314 E MAIN – Gail Lane asked for an update on the deed for this property. Attorney Miller advised that he will follow up on it.

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 7:20 pm.

https://cityofhoopeston.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/7-1-25-Meeting-Minutes.pdf