Chambana Sun

City of Hoopeston City Council met Aug. 19

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 and Clerk Hardcastle were also present. Eric Eves from Attorney Miller’s office was present on Zoom.

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 8-0.

IV. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETING – Alderwoman Lawson moved to approve the minutes of the previous council meeting. Alderman Eyrich 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 M. Ferrell seconded the motion. Alderman Garrett questioned a fuel expense from the cemetery and thought that it should have been taken out of water/sewer. He will follow up with Trish about it. 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 –

a. SKATE JAM – Nikki Wilson presented on the 2025 Skate Jam to be held on October 18, 2025. She was seeking approval for payment of the liability insurance. There is $16,970.90 in the skate park fund.

b. WCIA – Carrie Randolph from WCIA-TV made a presentation regarding her company putting together marketing plans for the small communities in Vermilion and Iroquois counties.

VII. PETITIONS TO THE COUNCIL – None

VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT 

a. Karie Drollinger addressed the council regarding a notice that her son received regarding a dilapidated structure.

IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION –

a. ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION - Alderwoman K. Ferrell made a motion to go into executive session to discuss potential litigation. 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 council adjourned into executive session at 7:31 pm.

b. EXIT EXECUTIVE SESSION – Alderman Garrett moved to exit executive session. Alderman McElhaney 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 council exited executive session at 8:13 pm.

X. REPORT OF OFFICERS

a. EYRICH – Nothing to report.

b. K. FERRELL

i. NEW BUSINESS – Alderwoman K. Ferrell announced that a nail salon will be opening up at the former bakery location on Market St. Their grand opening will be on August 21, 2025.

ii. ELECTRONICS AND APPLIANCE RECYCLING EVENT – Alderwoman K. Ferrell reviewed the recycling event that will take place on September 6.

c. M. FERRELL – Nothing to report.

d. GARRETT –

i. TREE DAMAGE – Alderman Garrett reported that several trees at the cemetery were damaged in a recent storm. There were also some headstones that will need repaired.

e. LAWSON –

i. POPCORN – Alderwoman Lawson reported that the police department will be paying for popcorn for children at the Lorraine Theater this weekend.

ii. RESOLUTION 2026-9 – FAÇADE GRANT APPROVAL – Alderwoman Lawson presented this resolution for approval. Alderman Scharlach 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.

f. MCELHANEY – Nothing to report.

g. PORTH – Nothing to report.

h. SCHARLACH

i. FIRE STATION HVAC – Alderman Scharlach reported that the air conditioner went out at the fire station. They are working on getting bids to replace it. Jordan Crose came and looked at the system and recommended replacing the entire HVAC system.

XI. COMMUNICATIONS TO THE COUNCIL - None

XII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

a. CEMETERY BABY SECTION HEADSTONES – Alderman Porth asked if there were any updated on getting the headstones repaired at the baby sections of the cemetery. Alderman Garrett advised that about 40 of the 100 headstones have been repaired. He has spoken with Lee Cox about it but it has not been a priority of his to get it completed, nor have we been billed for the 40.

XIII. NEW BUSINESS – None.

XIV. MAYOR COMMENTS

a. CITY COURT – The Village of Rankin has contacted the mayor about the village joining our city court. Alderman Porth answered that we have done research into this in the past, but the other parties pulled out, he will check his records.

b. WIND FARM GRANTS – Mayor Carter read an email he received from Ty Bolling regarding grant opportunities for non-profits from the wind farm.

c. MAIN ST PROPERTY – A landowner has contacted Mayor Carter about purchasing a lot that is adjacent to her property so she can build a garage. Eric gave the process on how to transfer the property. Alderwoman Lawson advised that she was also contacted by a landowner who would like to purchase a piece of the old railroad property that now belongs to the city.

XV. COMMENTS FROM THE ATTORNEY

a. FIFTH ST PROPERTY – A judge has agreed to grant authorization of demolition and we have a signed order form the judge.

b. ESSEX BUILDING – The judge has given the other parties 21 days to file a response and then it will be argued in court.

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

Motion was carried 8-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:37 pm.

https://cityofhoopeston.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/8-19-25-Meeting-Minutes.pdf