Chambana Sun

City of Monticello City Council met Aug. 25

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The meeting was called to order by City Clerk, Robin Throneburg and led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance. A motion was made by Alderman Burris, seconded by Alderwoman Yoon, to appoint Alderman Reed as Mayor pro tem. Motion carried. Roll call was taken by the City Clerk.

Roll Call:

Present: REED, CARY, LIVELY, KOON, YOON, BURRIS, BROADRICK

Absent: MAYOR STONER, WOODHAM

Also Present: Terry Summers, City Administrator; Jim Grabarczyk, Planning & Development Director; Maura Metcalf, Finance/HR; Chief Rob Bross, MPD

Public Participation:

No public or remote participation.

Consent Agenda:

Claims Report (Claims dated August 12, 2025 through August 25, 2025)

Meeting Minutes – City Council Meeting Minutes August 11, 2025; Closed Session Meeting Minutes

August 11, 2025; Planning and Zoning Board Meeting Minutes July 28, 2025

Budget Report – July 2025

A motion was made by Alderman Burris, seconded by Alderman Broadrick, to approve the Consent Agenda items. The motion passed 7-0.

Mayor’s Report:

Update from the Monticello Police, Fire & Administration Facilities Review Committee:

The committee has met 6 times between May and August to gather information and discuss the future operations of the Monticello administration, police and fire department facilities. To date, the following items were discussed: Current and future needs of all three departments, Evaluation of current space and limitations, Met with and received a conceptual design from Farnsworth for three options moving forward, as well as a study of fire response times based upon site location for the fire department, Reviewed, discussed and selected a best option out of those presented for the future of the three departments, Reviewed financing options for funding the project. The estimated cost opinion of the option selected is not something the committee is comfortable moving forward with as a recommendation to the City Council. Therefore, the committee is investigating further with alternative building options for a price that represents a more feasible option. A formal report and recommendation will be presented at the September 22nd, 2025 City Council meeting.

Old Business:

None

New Business:

Ordinance 2025-57: An Ordinance Approving a Variance Allowing a 6’ Fence to be Constructed in the Front Yard Setback on a Property Zoned RD – Urban Residential at 506 N Charter Monticello, Illinois

Jim Grabarczyk presented the following:

Applicant – Scott Smith (Owner) is seeking a Variance allowing a 6’ fence to be constructed in the front yard setback on a property zoned RD – Urban Residential at 506 N Charter Monticello, Illinois. The City of Monticello Code of Ordinances section §153.077 (A) allows a resident to request a variance for such a fence. Granting the Variance will not be detrimental to or endanger the public health, safety, morals, comfort or general welfare of the normal and orderly development and improvement of surrounding properties. A Public Hearing was held at the regularly scheduled meeting of the City of Monticello Planning & Zoning Board on Monday August 18th, 2025 at 7:00pm. The board reviewed the documents associated with the project, the testimony of the public and unanimously recommended approving the variance. Attached is a copy of the PZB Motion, Vicinity map & Project exhibit, and Ordinance 2025-57.

A motion was made by Alderman Broadrick, seconded by Alderman Koon, to approve Ordinance 2025-57. The motion passed 7-0.

Resolution 2025-58: A Resolution Granting a Conditional Use Permit to Allow a Single-Family Dwelling on a Property Zoned B - Business at 117 N Independence, City of Monticello, Piatt County, Illinois

Jim Grabarczyk presented the following:

Applicant – Samantha & Mike Koon (Owners) are seeking a Conditional Use Permit to allow a singlefamily dwelling on a property on a property zoned B - Business the property commonly known as 117 N Independence Monticello, IL. The City of Monticello Code of Ordinances section §153.017 (B)(2) allows such a structure once a conditional use permit is issued. Granting the Conditional Use Permit will not be detrimental to or endanger the public health, safety, morals, comfort or general welfare of the normal and orderly development and improvement of surrounding properties. The existing building has been in this location for many years. A Public Hearing was held at the regularly scheduled meeting of the City of Monticello Planning & Zoning Board on Monday August 18th, 2025 at 7:00pm. Attached is a copy of the PZB Motion, Vicinity map & Project exhibit, and Resolution 2025-58.

A motion was made by Alderman Cary, seconded by Alderman Burris, to approve Resolution 2025-58.

The motion passed 6-0 with Alderman Koon abstaining from the vote.

Resolution 2025-59: A Resolution Approving the City of Monticello’s Return to Work Policy Maura Metcalf presented the following:

This resolution creates a return-to-work policy for all City of Monticello employees, as required by Illinois Municipal League Risk Management.

A motion was made by Alderman Broadrick, seconded by Alderwoman Yoon, to approve Resolution 2025-59. The motion passed 7-0.

Ordinance 2025-60: An Ordinance Approving a Jurisdictional Transfer Agreement of Monticello Road – East Washington Monticello, Illinois

Jim Grabarczyk presented the following:

During times of City Expansion, it is necessary to annex territories / properties to provide City services.

In this case the jurisdictional transfer agreement (JTA) involving a local highway (Piatt County) authority requires documentation by a written jurisdictional transfer agreement.

Jurisdiction is the authority and obligation to administer, control, construct, maintain, and operate a highway subject to the provisions of the Illinois Highway Code. A highway is defined as any public way for vehicular travel which has been established by statute, dedication, or prescription. In this case, the jurisdictional transfer is due to the annexed territory that included a township/district road within the annexed territory (Pre-Game), which is adjacent to the County Road that is being addressed. The State mandates the annexing authority to assume jurisdiction of the road within the annexed area (65 ILCS 5/7-1-1 et seq and 605 ILCS 5/6-203). Therefor the jurisdictional transfer agreement occurs because of the logical need to transfer authority to another highway system.

There was discussion about this ordinance being associated with reducing the speed limit and the response was that it was not a part of that. There was further discussion about what the possible speed limit would be as well as the jurisdiction between Piatt County and the City of Monticello along this road.

A motion was made by Alderman Burris, seconded by Alderman Broadrick, to approve Resolution 2025-60. The motion passed 7-0.

Aldermen Reports

Alderman Burris stated he like the new art work around town and wish it would stay longer than two weeks.

Alderwoman Yoon stated she received a compliment about the flowers around town.

Alderman Cary stated he received a compliment about the Main Street upgrades.

Police Chief’s Report

Chief Bross stated Officer Dalton graduate on Thursday along with passing his state exam and is currently on day two of his field training. This will bring us to full staff after he finishes his field training. We had a meeting with Carle Staff going over when to call law enforcement and when to involve their own security staff. School started August 13th with no major incidents. We helped with the fire drill for Washington School as well as helping with the relocation drill for both Washington and White Heath Schools on September 3rd. Other events we will be attending will be Little Sages, a reunification meeting with the regional office education with in the next couple of days and football games with the help of Piatt County Sheriff’s Dept. resource officer.

City Administrator’s Report

Terry Summers talked about presenting an ordinance in the near future, which has to submitted by October 1, 2025 to the State of Illinois to adopt a 1% grocery tax, the State of Illinois has eliminated the 1% grocery tax effective January 1, 2026. We are guessing the grocery tax impact could be about $200,000 out of our revenue and many neighboring communities have already adopted the 1% grocery tax.

City Council Meeting Adjournment

A motion was made by Alderwoman Yoon, and seconded by Alderman Burris, to adjourn the meeting at 7:19pm.

https://www.cityofmonticello.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/8271?fileID=8079