Macon Reporter

City of Clinton City Council met Sept. 5.

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, September 5, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. Vice President of the Council Thomas Edmunds, presiding. On roll call, Commissioners Ballenger, Buchanan, and Wise were present.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Tera Kapraun addressed the Council by reading a letter regarding city ordinance 5-1-9 Bee Keeping, which according to the City Code Book is not allowed. She sells honey at the Farmers Market on the Square. She is asking the Council to consider changing the code for this to be allowed. She feels the town could benefit along with the high school and FFA students. She left information for the Council to look at from three different towns who allow it.

Kendra Hunt addressed the Council regarding Dollar General with a list of concerns: garbage, flooding her yard when it rained, using truck headlights to work after sunset, not mowing, headlights shining in their houses, using the chipper and debris hit their houses, semis idling with headlights on all night, golf carts driving on the highway, Dollar General is running on a generator how can they be open to the public?

Tina Gregory addressed the Council regarding Dollar General and is asking for a fence to be put up around the garbage, so they don’t have to look at it and the City needs to stay on them about picking up the garbage every day. The delivery trucks, when they deliver the racks, they are not taking the empty ones with them. Dollar General needs to learn to clean up the area. She asked who is supposed to mow the ditch? The weeds are six feet tall. The retention pond is working but we are getting bugs, so it needs sprayed. The Council stated they will check into all of their concerns.

Police Chief Lowers read a statement regarding the incident that happened in Kenney, IL on Sunday (9/3) that lasted for over thirty hours. These men and women are dedicated to their job, and I am proud of them.

Written motion was made by Commissioner Wise and seconded by Commissioner Ballenger that the minutes of the regular meeting of August 15, 2023 be approved as submitted. On roll call vote, Commissioners Buchanan, Wise, Ballenger, and Vice President of the Council Edmunds voted “Yes.”

The bills and payroll were read.

Written motion was made by Commissioner Buchanan 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 Wise, Ballenger, Buchanan, and Vice President of the Council Edmunds voted “Yes.”

PETITIONS

None

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Vice President of the Council Edmunds had no report.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF STREETS & PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS

Commissioner Buchanan reported that the Madison St. Project has started, and the W. Washington St. Project will start soon.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC PROPERTY

Commissioner Wise reported the Water Plant is over twenty years old and everything has started to break down, but everything is back up and running. He appreciates all the employees for their hard work. He commented to the citizens regarding Dollar General that the City and the new City Administrator will check into everything and thanked the lady who talked about the Bee Keeping and we will look into that also. He wanted to thank all the First Responders for the incident in Kenney, IL and prayers go out to the family.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY

Commissioner Ballenger reported that he had the tall weeds taken down at Dollar General and we will hold them accountable now for the property. We will have the new City Administrator talk to them.

Written motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan to appoint Taylor Baxter as Public Health Officer for a period of eight months. On roll call vote, Commissioners Ballenger, Buchanan, Wise, and Vice President of the Council Edmunds voted “Yes.”

Police Chief Lowers introduced Gracie Edwards, the new police officer and the City Clerk swore her in.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTS & FINANCES

Commissioner Edmunds had no report.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Written motion was made by Commissioner Wise 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 Buchanan, Wise, Ballenger, and Vice President of the Council Edmunds voted “Yes.”

NEW BUSINESS

On File – Project Services Agreement – Park Lane West Subdivision – Farnsworth Group - $112,800.00

On File – 2023 Fire Prevention Material/Fire Dept. – Alert All - $3,588.00 and Positive Promotions - $2,796.14 for a total amount of $6,384.14

On File – Bid for the Purchase of 523 N. Maple St. - $5,500.00

On File – Ordinance Pertaining to Motion Picture Ticket Tax

On File – Redevelopment and Economic Incentive Agreement between City of Clinton and Eagle Theater Corp.

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, Buchanan, and Vice President of the Council Edmunds 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 Wise, Ballenger, Buchanan, and Vice President of the Council Edmunds voted “Yes.”

https://www.clintonillinois.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Minutes-2023-09-05.pdf