Chambana Sun

City of Hoopeston City Council met July 15

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 5 alderpersons were present: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Porth, and Scharlach. Alderpersons Garrett, Lawson, and McElhaney were absent.

Mayor Carter, Clerk Hardcastle and Attorney Miller were also present.

III. AMENDMENT OR APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – Alderwoman K. Ferrell moved to approve the agenda as presented. Alderman M. Ferrell seconded the motion. The motion was carried 5-0.

IV. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETING – Alderwoman K. Ferrell moved to approve the minutes of the previous council meeting. Alderman Eyrich seconded the motion. The motion was carried 5-0.

V. APPROVAL OF THE PAYMENT OF THE BILLS – Alderwoman K. Ferrell moved to approve the payment of the city’s bills. Alderman Scharlach seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Abstentions: None – Absent: Garrett, Lawson, McElhaney) and the bills were approved 5-0.

VI. PRESENTATIONS TO THE COUNCIL – None

VII. PETITIONS TO THE COUNCIL – None

VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT – None

IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION – None

X. REPORT OF OFFICERS

a. EYRICH

i. ORDINANCE 2026-5 ALLOWING THE BORROWING OF FUNDS FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT – Alderman Eyrich presented this ordinance for approval. Attorney Miller noted that there was a question on what newspaper that it needs to be published in. His office indicated that it would be published in the Commercial News. Clerk Hardcastle advised that  the city typically publishes all public notices in the News-Gazette. There was also a question on the number of registered voters within the city. The county clerk’s office gave us conflicting numbers. Attorney Miller recommended that we should put in the ordinance that it will be published in the Commercial News or the News-Gazette. Also, we should use the smaller number of registered voters that we received from the clerk’s office.

Alderman Eyrich advised that this borrowing authority is for $32 million but the current estimate is that the project will cost around $24 million.

Alderman Eyrich made a motion to approve the ordinance with the abovementioned edits. Alderwoman K. Ferrell seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Abstentions: None – Absent: Garrett, Lawson, McElhaney) and the ordinance was approved 5-0.

ii. MARKET STREET WATER MAIN PROJECT – This project has been completed, and the street will continue to look like it does now.

b. K. FERRELL

i. LARGE APPLIANCE COLLECTION EVENT – Alderwoman K. Ferrell reported that this had to be rescheduled to September 6 to coincide with the electronic recycling event. Once again, residents will need to call city hall to be placed on a list for pickup. Appliances need to be at the curb the night before.

ii. SPECIAL EVENTS ON CITY PROPERTY – Alderwoman K. Ferrell reminded residents that advertised events on city property need to have the city listed as additionally insured and that residents need to call city hall and let them know.

c. M. FERRELL – Nothing to report.

d. GARRETT – Absent.

e. LAWSON – Absent.

f. MCELHANEY

i. RESOLUTION 2026-7 – APPROVING MOTOR FUEL TAX PROJECT BIDS – Mayor Carter reported for the absent Alderman McElhaney on this resolution. The projects are divided into 2 separate bids: one for tar and chip and one for concrete repairs. Alderman Eyrich made a motion to accept the lowest bids for both projects. Alderman Porth seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Abstentions: None – Absent: Garrett, Lawson, McElhaney) and  the resolution was approved 5-0.

g. PORTH

i. ORDINANCE 2026-6 – APPROPRIATIONS ORDINANCE – Alderman Porth presented the FY2026 appropriations ordinance and made a motion to approve the ordinance. Alderman Scharlach seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Abstentions: None – Absent: Garrett, Lawson, McElhaney) and the ordinance was approved 5-0.

ii. FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING – The finance committee will be meeting on July 22 at 5:00 pm.

h. SCHARLACH

i. FIRE COMMITTEE MEETING – The fire committee will be meeting on July 16 at 6:00 pm to go over some fire ordinances.

XI. COMMUNICATIONS TO THE COUNCIL - None

XII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None

XIII. NEW BUSINESS

a. ORDINANCE BOOK REVIEW – Alderman M. Ferrell asked if we were going to continue to go through the ordinance book prior to council meetings? Mayor Carter stated that we would start that back up at the August meeting.

XIV. MAYOR COMMENTS

a. ORDINANCE 2026-7 – APPROVING A ZONING VARIANCE FOR 122 E SEMINARY – Mayor Carter presented this ordinance and advised that the Planning and Zoning Commission already approved the variance. Alderman M. Ferrell moved to approve the ordinance. Alderman Eyrich seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Abstentions: None – Absent: Garrett, Lawson, McElhaney) and the ordinance was approved 5-0.

XV. COMMENTS FROM THE ATTORNEY

a. 408 S SECOND AVE – Alderwoman K. Ferrell asked Attorney Miller if there was any updates on the status of this home. Attorney Miller answered that it was recently brought up in municipal court and that the resident needs to be issued a new  ordinance violation since they moved the garbage from the front of the house to the back of the house.

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 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:26 pm.

https://cityofhoopeston.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/7-15-25-Meeting-Minutes.pdf