Chambana Sun

City of Hoopeston City Council met Sept. 2

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 Scharlach. Mayor Carter and Clerk Hardcastle were also present.

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

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

V. APPROVAL OF THE PAYMENT OF THE BILLS – Alderman Eyrich 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, Scharlach – Nays: None – Abstentions: None – Absent: Porth) and the bills were approved 7-0.

VI. PRESENTATIONS TO THE COUNCIL – None

VII. PETITIONS TO THE COUNCIL – None

VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT

a. Gerald Miller addressed the council regarding the property on south Fifth street. Mr. Miller also addressed the council regarding the windfarm issuing grants and that the city needs to invest in an improved audio system for the city council meeting room.

b. “Rex Murphy” on the Zoom chat asked Mayor Carter when he was going to start up the Saturday meetings at the library. Mayor Carter answered that he will be starting those up soon.

IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION – None

X. REPORT OF OFFICERS

a. EYRICH

i. FIRST READING – Alderman Eyrich brought up the first reading on a proposed change to section 13.44.040 – Disconncetion for Continuing Violation. The proposed change is to add “and/or the water system” at the end of the section.

b. K. FERRELL

i. RECYCLING EVENT – Alderwoman K. Ferrell reminded residents about the recycling event going on September 9, 2025 at McFerren Park.

c. M. FERRELL

i. THANK YOU – Alderman M. Ferrell thanked all the city workers and the Hoopeston Jaycees for a successful National Sweetcorn Festival.

d. GARRETT – Nothing to report.

e. LAWSON –

i. POLICE COMMITTEE MEETING – Alderwoman Lawson reported on the Police Committee meeting held on August 26. The committee looked into getting a K9 for the police department. At this time, the funds are not in the budget but they will look into it further.

ii. AUXILIARY POLICE HOURS – Alderwoman Lawson also announced that the auxiliary police worked 322 combined hours at the Sweetcorn Festival.

f. MCELHANEY

i. CITY SLAB – Alderman McElhaney reminded residents that the city slab is for yard waste only, no construction materials. Cameras have been ordered and will be up soon.

g. PORTH – Absent

h. SCHARLACH

i. FIRE STATION HVAC – The bids for the fire station HVAC system are in. We will be voting on it at the next meeting. 

XI. COMMUNICATIONS TO THE COUNCIL – None

XII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

a. KEY FOB SYSTEM – Alderman Garrett asked about the key fob issues. It was reported that the system is as is for now.

b. LANGUAGE FOR NOTICES – Alderman Garrett asked if the lawyer got the language for the 15 day notice for dilapidated houses? Alderwoman K. Ferrell stated that she and Mayor Carter received the language.

c. 5th STREET PROPERTY – Alderman Scharlach asked if city workers could demolish the remnants of the building on south 5th street. Alderwoman K. Ferrell stated that we did not have the manpower for that. Alderwoman Lawson asked about the adjoining property owner acquiring the property and demolishing it themselves. Mayor Carter answered that the court ordered the City to demolish the building, so the city has to do it. Alderman Garrett stated that he could not understand why the city workers cannot demolish it. Alderman McElhaney advised that he would check with Don about it.

XIII. NEW BUSINESS – None

XIV. MAYOR COMMENTS

a. EMPTY LOTS – Mayor Carter stated that the empty lots that have been appraised will be put up for bid. Minimum bid will be $850.

b. RAILROAD RIGHT OF WAY – Several property owners along the old railroad right of way along Cunningham Ave. would like to acquire the property. Attorney Miller is supposed to look into it.

c. SKATE JAM – Nikki Wilson contacted Mayor Carter about getting porta-potties for the Skate Jam. Alderwoman K. Ferrell will look and see what they did last year.

XV. COMMENTS FROM THE ATTORNEY – None

XVI. ADJOURNMENT – There being no further action to come before the council Alderwoman K. Ferrell moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Garrett seconded the motion. Motion was carried 7-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:24 pm. 

https://cityofhoopeston.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/9-2-25-Meeting-Minutes.pdf