Chambana Sun

City of Monticello City Council met Oct. 14

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 Woodham, seconded by Alderwoman Burris, to appoint Alderman Reed as Mayor pro tem. Motion carried. Roll call was taken by the City Clerk.

Roll Call:

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

Absent: MAYOR STONER

Also Present: Terry Summers, City Administrator; Jim Grabarczyk, Planning & Development Director; Callie McFarland, Director of Community Development; Maura Metcalf, Finance/HR; Nancy Frazee, Utility Billing Clerk; Chief Rob Bross, MPD; John Rupkey, Fire Chief

Public Participation:

No in-person or remote participation.

Consent Agenda - Approval of Documents and Action Items as Listed:

Claims Report (Claims dated September 23, 2025 through October 14, 2025)

Meeting Minutes – City Council Meeting Minutes September 8, 2025; City Council Meeting

Minutes September 22, 2025; Planning and Zoning Board Meeting Minutes August 18, 2025;

Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes April 1, 2025 2024 Annual Hotel/Motel Report

Permit Report – September 2025

Police Report – September 2025

Fire Report – September 2025

A motion was made by Alderman Koon, seconded by Alderman Broadrick, to approve the Consent Agenda items. The motion passed 8-0.

Mayor’s Report:

None

Old Business:

None

New Business:

Mayoral Appointments

Monticello Fire and Rescue Department, Fire Fighters – David Alder and Andrew Feeler

A motion was made by Alderman Woodham, seconded by Alderman Broadrick, to approve the mayoral appointments. The motion passed 8-0.

Resolution 2025-68: A Resolution for a Change Order to Pave and Construct Other Infrastructure Improvements in Municipal Parking lot “D” (Subway parking Lot) in the City of Monticello, Piatt County, IL.

Jim Grabarczyk presented the following:

The attached resolution in its presented form requests accepting a change order from A & R Services for $204,000.00 to furnish and install materials for our subway parking lot pavement and other infrastructure improvements.

We planned on doing this work this year, and have the ability to simply issue a change order to accomplish as part of an existing contract for this type of work with A and R Services.

The work being proposed is also TIF eligible for which the Council budgeted $1,055,714.00 for the 2025 budget year.

It is recommended that the City Council discuss and approve Resolution 2025-68 for a Change Order to pave and construct other infrastructure improvements in Municipal parking lot “D” (Subway parking Lot) in the City of Monticello, Piatt County, IL at today's meeting October 14, 2025.

There was discussion about the reasoning behind the change order and it was stated due to time restraints along with saving money, that this would be the best avenue. Then it was asked if this would add more parking spaces to the parking lot, it was stated it would free up only two parking spaces due to constructing a very nice infrastructure for the dumpsters. The parking lot is also having ground work in place in order to have an EV vehicle charging station in the future.

A motion was made by Alderman Burris, seconded by Alderman Broadrick, to approve Resolution 2025-68. The motion passed 8-0.

Ordinance 2025-69: An Ordinance Amending Title VII, Chapter 72 of the City of Monticello Code of Ordinances Concerning Parking Violation Appeals Process.

Chief Rob Bross presented the following:

The Monticello Police Department is tasked with enforcing parking ordinances and it is important to periodically review and update them.

City’s counsel advised we needed to have an administrative process in place to contest parking citations. They have provided the attached ordinance.

It is recommended that the City Council discuss and approve Ordinance 2025-69 amending Chapter 72 of the City of Monticello Code of Ordinances.

A motion was made by Alderman Burris, seconded by Alderman Koon, to approve Ordinance 2025-69. The motion passed 8-0.

Ordinance 2025-70: An Ordinance Adopting Supplement 27 to the Code of Ordinances for the City of Monticello, Illinois.

Callie McFarland presented the following:

This Ordinance adopts Supplement 27, which formally incorporates the changes made from previously adopted ordinances approved from July, 2024 through June, 2025, and identified in Exhibit A of the Ordinance, into the municipal code. It is recommended that the City Council approve this Ordinance.

A motion was made by Alderwoman Yoon, seconded by Alderman Broadrick, to approve Ordinance 2025-70. The motion passed 8-0.

Ordinance 2025-71: An Ordinance Amending Title XI, Chapter 111 of the Monticello City Code of Ordinances Concerning Liquor Licenses, 102 E. Lafayette St.

Callie McFarland presented the following:

Aundie Owens is the owner of KayBee Community Café, LLC, located at 102 E. Lafayette Street, the former Steeple Coffee House. Since opening the café in July, she has received several requests for private rentals that would like to have alcohol served.

Ms. Owens is requesting a Class B liquor license to allow consumption on-site with no plans for gaming. There are currently 9 Class B Liquor licenses. Approval of this ordinance would create an additional license for Ms. Owens’ purposes. It is recommended that the City Council discuss and vote on Ordinance 2025-71.

There was discussion that this would be just for events and it was also stated she would have the ability to have a wine bar or something like that, however but at this point her request is just centered around events.

A motion was made by Alderman Broadrick, seconded by Alderman Cary, to approve Ordinance 2025- 71. The motion passed 7-1.

Aldermen Reports

Alderman Woodham stated the progress on Oberheim Park is coming along quite nicely. Alderwoman Lively stated that she has been approached about the golf carts on Bridge Street and the speed limit signs passed the middle school, which she mentioned two weeks ago. Alderman Burris stated he was wrong when he mentioned last meeting that there was a 40-mph speed limit sign in between the 55-mph speed limit sign and the 30-mph speed limit sign by the Middle School. Then it was asked if there was going to be a 40-mph speed limit sign put up? Chief Bross stated that part of the roadway is in the county therefor it is up to the county to determine. There then was further discussion about golf carts being able to be on Bridge Street due to the change of speed limit and the no golfcart sign being moved closer to the highway. The following concerns were discussed; the speed that the golfcarts were able to go, lack of safety measures associated with golfcarts, lack of space on Bridge Street to allow the golf cart to drive on the side of the road, and not realizing when changing the speed limit golf carts would be driving over the bridge. Terry Summers stated the city passed an ordinance allowing slow-moving vehicles to travel on roads posted 35 miles an hour or less except for state route 105, which is not our jurisdiction. The consensus from the last meeting when we discussed the speed limit change was that slow moving vehicles would be allowed on Bridge Street, and we would revisit it if that were to become an issue. The speed limit adjustment was made for both lanes of traffic to be going the same speed and therefor making the intersections affected by the change safer. It was then stated if the council wants to change it, two aldermen can request it and vote on it to put it on the agenda. There was further discussion that there is a misconception by community that the speed limit was lowered in order for the golf carts to travel on Bridge Street. The speed limit was changed to address traffic concerns at County Farm Rd, Fisler, and at the Foothill’s Subdivision. There was also no language to limit golf carts only to allow them. You are able to pass the golf carts safely but are limits when it comes to passing farm equipment on Bridge Street. Another concern was the hard curb coming into town that causes the road to narrow pushing golf carts out into the road, maybe we could slope that curb. It was stated that the slopes of the ditches and pushing them back would make them much steeper.

Police Chief’s Report

Chief Bross stated on September 15th we did a presentation for the Faith Christian school classes; September 19th we did a relocation drill to the high school and homecoming went well. Sages Strut was a success with Deputy Bross and I attending. October 15th is the relocation drill for the middle school and we look forward to helping with that. On October 28th both city offices and a few businesses in town will have the third-grade classes, visit them to learn how municipality works. Also, if you have any questions or concerns about the golf carts, please give me call.

Fire Chief’s Report

Chief Rupkey reviewed his monthly report and made note of the 46 calls the department received in September. We had a garage and shed fire on September 1st and had assistance from several other fire departments. Training last month we did alternative fires training, which would be more like car fires, stoves, appliance fires, things like that, medical training, vehicle maintenance and hose advancement.

We attended football games to help with medical issues along with the bonfire. Our open house was a success, which was held during fire prevention week.

City Administrator’s Report

Terry Summers stated with FY 2026 budget Maura and I have started meeting with department heads.

Mayor Stoner directed him not to have the two-person individual committees. We'll just do one or more study sessions at a non-City Council meeting and discuss the FY 2026 budget. So, the study session for that would be tentatively scheduled for Monday November 3rd at 6 p.m. You will be able to ask questions to the department heads at that time and we can schedule additional study sessions if needed. Looking at approving the FY26 budget at the end of November or the first meeting in December.

City Council Meeting Adjournment

A motion was made by Alderman Woodham, and seconded by Alderman Broadrick, to adjourn the meeting at 7:31pm.

https://www.cityofmonticello.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/8352?fileID=8308