Macon Reporter

City of Clinton City Council met April 4.

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, Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. Acting Mayor Tom Edmunds, presiding. On roll call, Commissioners Ballenger, Edmunds, Buchanan, and Wise were present. Mayor Cyrulik was absent.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Glenna Rogers addressed the Council regarding Dollar General. I feel everything has been done backwards. When was it zoned and annexed? The residents were not told about that. I am concerned about flooding and devaluation of our property. We need consideration for the neighborhood. Will fencing be put up around the property and the retention ponds? I just feel like it is getting dropped on us without thought to the neighborhood. We did get a letter about the Zoning Board meeting, so we attended it and they said to go to the Planning Commission meeting with your questions, and we attended it and they said to go to the City Council meeting so that is what we have been doing. Commissioner Edmunds stated that all these questions need to be addressed at the Planning Commission meeting, which will be held on April 11th to discuss the Minor Subdivision.

Marc Rogers addressed the Council regarding Dollar General. I feel like we have been blind-sided from the Zoning Board when we received a letter regarding the changes in parking spaces. We had no idea what this letter was for. They said go to the Planning

Commission meeting and we talked to them and then they sent us to the City Council meeting. This whole thing has not been done right. Something needs to be done before our houses are flooded. We are pleading for the City to do something. Commissioner Edmunds stated that Planning Commission is who goes over all the building plans and permits. The City Council only approves the Minor Subdivision. Mr. Rogers apologized but he said they are going to every meeting they can.

Kendra Hunt addressed the Council regarding Dollar General. She stated she turned in a FOIA request and she hasn’t received it. I told her it was mailed the day before. She stated she hadn’t received it. She stated this goes against the Comprehensive Plan, which she read parts of it. She stated the land was rezoned but she was not notified. Will there be an Economic Study? A Traffic Study? An Environmental Study? Dollar General is going to hurt the neighborhood. No one on E. North St. wants this built. Will there be a fence around the retention pond? I am asking the City to stop the progress and allow us to get answers. Commissioner Edmunds stated the Planning Commission does the Minor Subdivision first then when the building permit comes it will also go to Planning Commission. Commissioner Wise stated the only part the City had part in was the Annexation. The City did stop work from being done until we get the building permit, and it all goes to the Planning Commission.

Seth Redington addressed the Council with a comment about zoning and building. The City gets the cart before the horse and when you do ask questions you get the run around and the people in this town are tired of it. He stated a building was taken down and put back up, but no one was notified. I bought two properties that have been in my family for many, many years. I don’t have a street in front of those two properties (Jemima St.) and I don’t have access. I have mowed that property for thirty some years. I asked Commissioner Buchanan about it at the August meeting, and he responded that the paperwork is in the City Attorney’s hands. So, I waited several months and then I asked Commissioner Buchanan again and he stated the City isn’t going to do anything with it. If I want to sell that property, there is no street access. I came up to City Hall and looked at the maps. That street has not been closed. I asked the City Clerk to give the information to the City Attorney. How long does it take to get anything done he asked City Attorney, John Hoblit. Was he aware of this and given the map? City Attorney, John Hoblit stated he was aware of the situation, and it needs to be vacated but it is not his decision. No citizen can get an honest answer about anything.

Written motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan that the minutes of the regular meeting of March 21, 2022 be approved as submitted. On roll call vote, Commissioners Edmunds, Buchanan, Wise, and Ballenger voted “Yes.”

The bills and payroll were read.

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

PETITIONS

None

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Mayor Cyrulik was absent.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF STREETS & PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS

Commissioner Buchanan reported the brush pick-up started back up on the third Monday of March. He has noticed there is a lot of brush setting out and leaves need to be in the brown paper yard waste bags to be picked up. The next brush pick-up will be April 17th.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC PROPERTY

Commissioner Wise reported there was a house fire in the area of his home. There were several firefighters that showed up from other fire stations. They did a good job and wanted to thank them. He stated the department is working on improvements at the Water Plant. The COVID money that was received will be used for infrastructure and work on the stretch of Quincy St. He also stated he helped with a water leak and enjoyed helping his department.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY

Commissioner Ballenger reported the fire department has been busy with fires. The fire Commissioner Wise commented on was an all-night affair and those firefighters left the fire at 5:00 a.m. and went to their regular jobs. He wanted to thank them. He stated the mowing has started in the Parks and Cemetery.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTS & FINANCES

Commissioner Edmunds reported the Budget went On File and will be voted on at the next Council meeting on April 18th.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Written motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Wise to approve Resolution 2023-3, A Resolution Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement for Participation in the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS Master Agreement 2022). On roll call vote, Commissioners Wise, Ballenger, Edmunds, and Buchanan voted “Yes.”

Written motion was made by Commissioner Buchanan and seconded by Commissioner Wise to approve Resolution 2023-4, Resolution for Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code (2023 MFT Summer Maintenance in the amount of $100,000.00). On roll call vote, Commissioners Ballenger, Edmunds, Buchanan, and Wise voted “Yes.”

Written motion was made by Commissioner Wise and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan to approve the 1-Year Contract between the City of Clinton and GFL Environmental for Garbage pick-up for all City Departments, Hospital, Fire Training Facility and Parks in the amount of $3,165.00. On roll call vote, Commissioners Edmunds, Buchanan, Wise, and Ballenger voted “Yes.”

NEW BUSINESS

On File –Fiscal Year 2024 Budget

On File - Proposal for Engineering Services for Water Treatment Plant Improvements – Mead & Hunt - $126,800.00

On File – Ordinance Amending Chapter 8 of Title 7 (Water Rates) & Chapter 9 of Title 7 (Sewer Rates)

On File – Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Agreement - $15,000.00

ADJOURNMENT

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

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