Macon Reporter

City of Farmer City Council met July 21.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Present: Councilmembers Shelley Friedrich, Willard McKinley, Ben Burden, Scott Kelley and Mayor Scott Testory.

Also, in attendance: City Manager Sue McLaughlin, City Clerk Angie Wanserski, City Attorney Joe Chamley.

Pledge of allegiance to the flag

Proclamations/presentations

Public Comment

SECTION I: CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval of the minutes of the July 06, 2020 council meeting

B. Fund Warrant List

MOTION by Kelley to approve consent agenda. Seconded by Burden. Voted unanimously. Motion carried.

SECTION II: UNFINISHED BUSINESS Ordinances or resolutions previously tabled

SECTION III: NEW BUSINESS - Ordinances and resolutions for initial consideration

I. Resolution 2020-50 Resolution for Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code

This is the yearly MFT budget that gets submitted to IDOT. There have been minor changes including increasing tree removal and paying to restripe downtown.

MOTION by McKinley to approve Resolution 2020-50 Resolution for Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code. Seconded by Burden. Voted unanimously. Motion carried.

2. Approval on License Agreement with Knights Baseball for use of South Park. There have been no changes to the contract since the last council meeting. The city will mow and remove garbage.

MOTION by McKinley to approve License Agreement with Knights Baseball for use of South Park. Seconded by Burden. Voted unanimously. Motion carried.

3. Resolution 2020-51 Resolution Authorizing the Refund of City of Farmer City Corporate and City of Farmer City Library Taxes to Jerry L. Wright and Betty L. Wright for Ten Years Beginning with Those Taxes Due and Payable June 2020.

This property is located on west Depot Road. The city entered into an agreement in 200 I in exchange for annexation of the property, it expired in 2011. The council agreed that we should extend the rebate of city and library taxes as long as the property remains agricultural and in the Wright family.

MOTION by McKinley to approve Resolution 2020-51 Resolution Authorizing the Refund of City of Farmer City Corporate and City of Farmer City Library Taxes to Jerry L. Wright and Betty L. Wright for Ten Years Beginning with Those Taxes Due and Payable June 2020. Seconded by Burden. Voted unanimously. Motion carried.

4. ORDINANCE l 052 An Ordinance Approving a Redevelopment Agreement by and Between the City of Farmer City, DeWitt County, Illinois and Richard Koch in Connection with the Redevelopment Project Area.

REMOVED FROM AGENDA

5. Discussion regarding Farmer City Haunted Forest.

Angela Testory was in attendance to discuss moving the Haunted Forest event to the city owned square and 2 vacant lots located across from city hall making it a drive-thru event. They are doing this due to COVID and don't want to skip a year and lose momentum. The Haunted Forest is a committee of the chamber so they would coordinate Trunk or Treat with them. Businesses and residents will be asked to participate.

SECTION IV: EXECUTIVE SESSION -

SECTION V: OTHER ITEMS

1. City manager report

City Manager McLaughlin states that the pool is scheduled to be substantially completed by the end of November. Walls will be poured in two weeks. McLaughlin has sent a letter to Area Disposal regarding poor service. Area is working on the situation and they promise service will improve. They ask for residents to please have their garbage and recycling out on curb by 6am. The trucks are now equipped with cameras to confirm/deny any further issues with service.

2. Non-agenda items and other business.

Councilman Ben Burden read his resignation letter to council effective immediately.

MOTION by McKinley to accept Ben Burden's resignation letter. Seconded by Kelley. Voted unanimously. Motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT: MOTION by McKinley to adjourn meeting. Seconded by Kelley. Voted unanimously. Motion carried.

https://www.cityoffarmercity.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/8-3-2020-Council-packet.pdf