Macon Reporter

City of Clinton City Council met Sept. 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Clinton, Illinois in session in the Council Chambers of City Hall and electronically at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Roger Cyrulik, presiding. On roll call, Commissioners Buchanan, Wise, Ballenger, and Edmunds were present.

Written motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Wise that the minutes of the regular meeting of August 16, 2022 be approved as submitted. On roll call vote, Commissioners Wise, Ballenger, Edmunds, Buchanan, and Mayor Cyrulik voted “Yes.”

The bills and payroll were read.

Written motion was made by Commissioner Edmunds and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan that the bills and payroll be allowed as read and the Clerk be instructed to issue warrants on the Treasurer for the several amounts. On roll call vote, Commissioners Ballenger, Edmunds, Buchanan, Wise, and Mayor Cyrulik voted “Yes.”

PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 

Seth Redington addressed the Council stating at the last Council meeting he made the statement where it was stated the Fire Dept. was exempt. Commissioner Ballenger stated he never made that statement. He listened to the audio on June 7, 2022 where it was stated by Commissioner Ballenger the Fire Dept. does not have to follow Ordinances. He has asked questions until he was blue in the face. Each Commissioner has a responsibility to answer questions from the citizens. Commissioner Edmunds stated that the past City Administrator responded to all his FOIA requests and that was a lot of work for the City. Mr. Redington stated that Commissioner Edmunds stated having a burn facility where it is is fine but the Ordinance states there won’t be any loud noise or smoke created. There is only supposed to be three levels and there are five levels at the Fire Training Facility. Mr. Redington stated the next Council meeting he will bring questions and wants everything answered. Commissioner Edmunds asked why we have to keep listening to the same thing over and over? Mr. Redington stated on October 17, 2021 why was it stated that when Commissioner Ballenger put gas in his personal vehicle that the records show it was a firetruck? Commissioner Edmunds said that has already been taken care of. Commissioner Ballenger knows it was wrong and he should have filled his personal vehicle with gas and give the receipt to the City Clerk to be reimbursed. He stated the next time he comes he will bring questions and he wants answers to all of them.

Ed Cicenas, owner of EMC Photography in the 100 Block W. Main St. passed around pictures to the Council showing the sidewalk that leads to his business that is in desperate need of repair. The Mayor stated he has noticed it and the Council will discuss what can be done. Commissioner Buchanan stated this is his department and when he came in office, he was told the business owners were responsible, so he needs to check into that.

Mr. Cicenas stated in his last location on the Square he was told the City is responsible for the sidewalks. The Mayor stated it would be under discussion.

Robert Kreitler addressed the Council and thanked the City Clerk for all her help getting everything they needed to show a movie on the Square. He passed out pictures to the Council. He stated he received a warning ticket on Friday for removal of brush and only had seven days to get it done or tickets would be issued at $100 a day. He has tried to call the Code Enforcement Officer to talk to him and Chief Lowers stated the City is very lenient on the warnings and we have a part-time Code Enforcement Officer who works Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and rather than writing tickets we leave courtesy warnings. We could write a ticket the first time, but we don’t. The warning says seven days before you get a ticket, but we have never issued a ticket. We always work with the citizens. He will have the Code Enforcement Officer call you tomorrow. He then passed out pictures of the buildings at the Hospital that are running drop cords for electricity. The Mayor will discuss it with the Hospital.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS 

Mayor Cyrulik had no report.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF STREETS & PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS 

Commissioner Buchanan reported the City received one Bid for the Summer Maintenance and it was a little higher than was estimated and it shows what streets will be done and it will be voted on under New Business.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC PROPERTY 

Commissioner Wise reported the lime lagoons will be cleaned out before winter and they have done an excellent job in the past. The new equipment is in the Water Plant and set up just waiting on the computer guy to come and get everything going.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY 

Commissioner Ballenger reported it is time to turn the water off at the Spray Park and there has been a lot of garbage at Downey Park and asking citizens to please clean up after themselves and throw the garbage away.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTS & FINANCES 

Commissioner Edmunds reported the City Treasurer passed out the monthly reports and it is later than normal because the actuarial report for the Police and Fire Pension Funds was late getting to him and it seems they are getting later and later, nothing we can do about that, but that means our monthly reports will be getting to us later.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS 

Written motion was made by Commissioner Edmunds and seconded by Commissioner Ballenger to approve the following applications for exemption to the Peddlers, Itinerant Merchants, and Solicitors Ordinance for the Apple-n-Pork Festival: Clinton Antique Mall, Clinton Area Farmers & Artisans Market, Clinton Presbyterian Church, Country Junction, DeWitt County Museum, and Vespasian Warner Public Library District. On roll call vote, Commissioners Edmunds, Buchanan, Wise, Ballenger, and Mayor Cyrulik voted “Yes.”

NEW BUSINESS 

Written motion was made by Commissioner Buchanan and seconded by Commissioner Edmunds to approve the Bid from Illiana Construction Company for the 2022 MFT Summer Maintenance in the amount of $116,235.00. On roll call vote, Commissioners Buchanan, Wise, Ballenger, Edmunds, and Mayor Cyrulik voted “Yes.”

On File – Contractual Purchase Agreement for Building Lot #3 - $25,000.00

Written motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan to hold a closed session for Approval of Closed Session Minutes and Employment of Employee. On roll call vote, Commissioners Wise, Ballenger, Edmunds, Buchanan, and Mayor Cyrulik voted “Yes.”

ADJOURNMENT 

With no further business to come before the Council, a motion was made by Commissioner Wise and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan to adjourn the meeting. On roll call vote, Commissioners Buchanan, Wise, Ballenger, Edmunds, and Mayor Cyrulik voted “Yes.”

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