Macon Reporter

City of Clinton City Council met Nov. 1.

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 Ballenger, Edmunds, Buchanan, and Wise were present.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 

Alia Burton addressed the Council regarding the noise coming from the building next to their house at 1311 State Route 54 East, which is owned by Steve Coppenbarger. He started a bit coin mining computer system in the building. It has a cooling mechanism which is an exhaust fan, which they can hear inside their house. They can’t open their windows, can’t sleep and it is causing mental health issues because she works from home. She has called the City but they don’t have a Zoning officer at this time to talk to. She has tried to contact Mr. Coppenbarger with no luck. She even asked his mother-in law to have him call her but nothing. They are never there so they don’t have to listen to the noise. She is just asking the City for some help. Commissioner Buchanan stated it is very loud. Police Chief Lowers talked to Mr. Coppenbarger back in May. He had Sessions Electric come and they slowed the fan down to see if that would help, but it hasn’t. Commissioner Ballenger stated he would contact Mr. Coppenbarger and talk to him, and Fire Chief Page will check the building to see if this is a fire hazard as they are making bit coins and that gets really hot with the computers running then they will get back with Mrs. Burton as to what can be done to rectify the problem.

Kenneth Atchison addressed the Council regarding stop signs and parking. He stated some intersections have no stop signs and he is afraid there will be a wreck and his granddaughter will get hurt. Mr. Atchison also stated that where he lives on E. Johnson St. the City made everyone start parking parallel to the road and now, he has to park in the street and if the neighbor across the street does the same thing there are huge trucks that go down that road and they may not be able to get through. Why do the people on the Square get to park perpendicular and I can’t? Police Chief Lowers stated the parking on the street is different than the parking on the Square as is stated in the City Code Book, which you can find on the City’s website. Commissioner Buchanan asked Public Works Director, Steve Lobb to comment which he stated the City can’t just put up stop signs all over town that is regulated by The Federal Highway Manual on all stop signs but for us to go out and just install stop signs they have to meet the criteria and a lot of that has to do with the amount of traffic per day.

Seth Redington addressed the Council regarding that the last time he spoke in front of the Council he asked on September 12th what time the boat got picked up. He doesn’t know why he can’t get an answer on that question. The other thing is about a Commissioner being on the Fire Dept. Commissioner Edmunds stated that other Commissioners have done it in the past, so you have had a couple of weeks to look into that and I was just curious to see what the outcome of that was. It was stated in this meeting that the City and its departments don’t have to follow any Ordinances. I have lived in my house for many years, and I don’t burn but right next to me they burn. The City used to burn before that Ordinance was in effect then they quit. Those are the questions I have does anybody have any answers? He asked Commissioner Ballenger what time of day he picked up the boat on September 12th because the documents showed you went on 5 fire calls that day so how could you have picked up that boat when you were on all those fire calls? Did someone sign your name for the fire calls? He asked Commissioner Edmunds if he had any comments. Commissioner Edmunds wanted to know why we have to keep going over the same questions all the time? Commissioner Wise stated the Fire Training Facility does not come under the City Ordinance. It is by the State Fire Marshal that they are a training facility to be able to burn. It doesn’t have anything to do with the City Ordinance. Mr. Redington made the statement he doesn’t know how the City can burn in the City limits and nobody else can. I brought pictures and gave them to the City Attorney showing black smoke. There was a pile of furniture and mattress and chair that laid at the facility for 3 years. Fire Chief Page stated they put on a demo for the Boy Scouts and burned a couch and the EPA and State Fire Marshal gives permission to burn. Mr. Redington asked Commissioner Ballenger what about September 12th when you supposedly picked up the boat all the time that was turned in? In 2019 did you drive the tram for the Apple-n-Pork Festival because you signed up for one day at the Fire department. You might want to look into that too.

Written motion was made by Commissioner Buchanan and seconded by Commissioner Ballenger that the minutes of the regular meeting of October 18, 2022 be approved as submitted. On roll call vote, Commissioners Edmunds, Buchanan, Wise, Ballenger and Mayor Cyrulik voted “Yes.”

The bills and payroll were read.

Written motion was made by Commissioner Edmunds and seconded by Commissioner Wise 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 Buchanan, Wise, Ballenger, Edmunds, and Mayor Cyrulik voted “Yes.”

PETITIONS 

None

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS 

Mayor Cyrulik reported the demolition contractor is in town and has the Maple St. house torn down and will start on the Quincy St. house.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF STREETS & PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS 

Commissioner Buchanan reported that the leaf pick-up has started, and the part-time help will start November 7th but still need to hire another person. The brush pick-up the week of November 21st will be the last one until March unless there is a storm. He just wanted to remind the citizens not to mix brush with the leaves because we can’t pick them up.

He stated he has learned that the City is responsible for the sidewalks in the business district but the business owner is responsible for ADA to get into their business. The TIF money can be used so he asked the Council what they wanted to do. The City Treasurer, Clint Lichtenwalter stated there is not a whole lot of money in that TIF because it is new. Public Works Director, Steve Lobb stated there is a need. We need to lay out the projects and see how much money is available and which area is the most pressing at this time. Commissioner Ballenger stated to do the urgent areas at this time. Commissioner Edmunds stated to see what is necessary at this point in time and do it first.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC PROPERTY 

Commissioner Wise reported the mixer had to be worked on in the lime silo and also a heater and the department is working as normal.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY Commissioner Ballenger had no report.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTS & FINANCES 

Commissioner Edmunds had no report.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS 

Written motion was made by Commissioner Edmunds and seconded by Commissioner Wise to approve the 2023 IML Risk Management Association Annual Contribution in the amount of $250,430.73. On roll call vote, Commissioners Wise, Ballenger, Edmunds, Buchanan, and Mayor Cyrulik voted “Yes.”

Written motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan to approve the Purchase of Hose for the Fire Dept. from Mac’s Fire & Safety, Inc. in the amount of $3,020.00 and Dinges Fire Company in the amount of $2,000.00 for a total amount of $5,020.00. On roll call vote, Commissioners Ballenger, Edmunds, Buchanan, Wise, and Mayor Cyrulik voted “Yes.”

Written motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Wise to approve the Purchase of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus for the Fire Dept. from Air One Equipment, Inc. in the amount of $22,475.00. On roll call vote, Commissioners Edmunds, Buchanan, Wise, Ballenger, and Mayor Cyrulik voted “Yes.”

NEW BUSINESS 

On File – Annual Levy – Levy Hearing will be December 6th at 6:45 p.m.

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

ADJOURNMENT 

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

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