Macon Reporter

City of Clinton City Council met May 2.

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, May 2, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Roger Cyrulik, presiding. On roll call, Commissioners Buchanan, Wise, Ballenger, and Edmunds were present.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Glenna Rogers addressed the Council regarding Dollar General. I know you have approved it. I think this was done deceitfully. Things were decided last year, and residents were never notified. I am worried about flooding, loss of property value, the bright lights, traffic, disruption in the neighborhood. We just want you to know it is not acceptable. The Mayor stated he did get his real estate license and a grocery store is not going to devalue your property. The water issues are on your own property it is not coming off of that field. You were notified when the variance for the parking spaces was applied for that is all that was required for that. Dollar General did move the entrance off of North St. to the highway. We are trying to address everything as it comes up and we have done everything that we have been obligated to do as a City. Commissioner Wise stated we have not approved the building permit. We approved the Annexation and the Minor Subdivision. The Planning Commission will approve the building permit. I am tired of this Council being accused of doing things behind the citizens backs. We have done everything by the book for the Annexation and the Minor Subdivision. There was a Public Hearing for the Annexation and not one person was at the meeting. The City shows sites that are available to build on, but we don’t decide where they are going to build. That is the site they chose. John Hoblit, City Attorney stated when the property was annexed in it was not rezoned it was already zoned for the area.

Kendra Hunt addressed the Council regarding Dollar General. I had my house appraised twice and I will lose $40,000 when Dollar General is built. The Mayor asked if she had that in writing. She stated she could get it for him. They are building it one hundred feet from my home. That is my concern. She stated at the last meeting the Council stated seventeen ordinances that Dollar General had met, and she read seventeen reasons of the most common problems that Dollar General creates. When you stated that they moved the entrance off of North St. I read in the code that states that a business should not be on a residential street so it should have never been planned that way. Moving the entrance to the highway is not a favor to us. Everything that I have reviewed states you cannot do spot zoning. I am glad the Council is answering questions, but I still don’t want it there. The Mayor asked if she had a business in her home. She stated she did not. The Mayor asked if she made baked goods in her home and sell out of the home. She stated for family and friends, and she asks for donations. She stated she has already stopped her business.

Seth Redington addressed the Council regarding being at the last meeting and asking about Jemima St. I am getting the run around. The City Attorney is working on it. John Hoblit, City Attorney stated the road was never established so it needs to be vacated. Seth stated he has two letters that I obtained from people who lived on those properties. When you vacate a property, you have to advertise and have a public hearing for people to have public comment. Commissioner Wise stated that that was never a street and your grandpa put gravel in there to get back to the house. Seth commented that he has had more answers tonight than he has in three years. What is the problem in getting answers? Another item I asked when you build a commercial structure next to your property don’t I have to be notified? The City Attorney will check into it.

Jeff Bowling addressed the Council regarding being present at many Council meetings and discussing the way Seth Redington has treated the Council. The election showed the outcome. It is time for the Council to stand up for yourselves. You work hard and do the best you can.

Written motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan that the minutes of the Budget Hearing and minutes of the regular meeting of April 18, 2023 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 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 Ballenger, Edmunds, Buchanan, Wise, and Mayor Cyrulik voted “Yes.”

PETITIONS

None

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Written motion was made by Commissioner Edmunds and seconded by Commissioner Ballenger to reappoint John Hoblit, City Attorney for a period of one year. On roll call vote, Commissioners Edmunds, Buchanan, Wise, Ballenger, and Mayor Cyrulik voted “Yes.”

Written motion was made by Commissioner Edmunds and seconded by Commissioner Wise to reappoint Cheryl Van Valey, City Clerk for a period of one year. On roll call vote, Commissioners Buchanan, Wise, Ballenger, Edmunds, and Mayor Cyrulik voted “Yes.”

Written motion was made by Commissioner Edmunds and seconded by Commissioner Wise to reappoint Clint Lichtenwalter, City Treasurer for a period of one year. On roll call vote, Commissioners Wise, Ballenger, Edmunds, Buchanan, and Mayor Cyrulik voted “Yes.”

Written motion was made by Commissioner Buchanan and seconded by Commissioner Wise to reappoint Tom Edmunds, Budget Officer for a period of one year. On roll call vote, Commissioners Ballenger, Edmunds, Buchanan, Wise, and Mayor Cyrulik voted “Yes.”

Written motion was made by Commissioner Buchanan and seconded by Commissioner Wise to reappoint Steve Lobb, Public Works Director for a period of one year. On roll call vote, Commissioners Edmunds, Buchanan, Wise, Ballenger, and Mayor Cyrulik voted “Yes.”

Written motion was made by Commissioner Wise and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan to reappoint Lloyd Francis, Assistant Public Works Director for a period of one year. On roll call vote, Commissioners Buchanan, Wise, Ballenger, Edmunds, and Mayor Cyrulik voted “Yes.”

Written motion was made by Mayor Cyrulik and seconded by Commissioner Ballenger to appoint Jim Brady to the Clinton Planning Commission – said term to expire May 1, 2025. On roll call vote, Commissioners Wise, Ballenger, Edmunds, Buchanan, and Mayor Cyrulik voted “Yes.”

Written motion was made by Mayor Cyrulik and seconded by Commissioner Wise to appoint Kris Speildenner to the Clinton Planning Commission – said term to expire May 1, 2026. On roll call vote, Commissioners Ballenger, Edmunds, Buchanan, Wise, and Mayor Cyrulik voted “Yes.”

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF STREETS & PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS

Commissioner Buchanan reported the City-wide Clean-up has been scheduled for June and July. A voucher (1 per household) can be picked up at City Hall if you live in the City Limits and show a valid driver’s license for proof of residence. During the City wide Clean-up, the Landfill hours are Monday – Friday 6:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and one Saturday: July 8th 6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC PROPERTY

Commissioner Wise reported the company that is digging in the right-of-way and installing the fiber optic are calling in a lot of JULIE locates, and the department just can’t keep up. We need to work with the City Attorney to get some kind of contract for all these companies wanting to come in and set some rules. The same with cutting into the streets. We just can’t keep up and we need something that protects the City. He also

stated that the Air BnB’s were brought up in the past and we need to look into that further and move forward with what we are going to do. He commented to Seth Redington that he helped the water dept. on a leak, and I would never hurt the employees and take money out of their pocket. I have never taken a penny out of the employee’s pockets. I enjoy helping out. Seth commented that he stated regarding the trench boxes and Commissioner Wise said they use it if it is over five feet deep. We have training in place for the employees to take.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY

Commissioner Ballenger reported the gas leak that happened because of the digging and placing fiber optic in the ground we got all the costs together and mailed a bill to Ameren for reimbursement.

Written motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Edmunds to reappoint Stephen Page, Fire Chief for a period of one year. On roll call vote, Commissioners Edmunds, Buchanan, Wise, Ballenger, and Mayor Cyrulik voted “Yes.”

Written motion was made by Commissioner Wise and seconded by Commissioner Edmunds to reappoint Danny Ballenger, Jr., Assistant Fire Chief for a period of one year. On roll call vote, Commissioners Buchanan, Wise, Edmunds, and Mayor Cyrulik voted “Yes.” Commissioner Ballenger abstained.

Written motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Wise to reappoint Kamren Wilford, Sexton of the Cemetery for a period of one year. On roll call vote, Commissioners Wise, Ballenger, Edmunds, Buchanan, and Mayor Cyrulik voted “Yes.”

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTS & FINANCES Commissioner Edmunds had no report.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

On File – Police Contract

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

ADJOURNMENT

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

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