Macon Reporter

City of Clinton City Council met May 7.

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 7, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. Acting Mayor Thomas Edmunds, presiding. On roll call, Commissioners Ballenger and Buchanan were present. Commissioner Wise was absent.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Seth Redington came before the council. He said he has asked the question for a long time, how is a Commissioner on the Fire Department. Upon multiple FOIA requests, the city has a set of bylaws for that department. You must apply, even if you are a returning fireman and must be voted on the department. Those FOIA requests show that none of that had been done. There has been a history of certain things in that department, certain individuals, that have turned in time and been overpaid and they’ve paid it back. Redington said he think the city needs to audit the hours because, he FOIA requested them and received them. He did ask about on call pay. The attorney stated there is no on call pay. With that being said, the Apple and Pork festival they’re paid by the hour when calls go out, they turn in time, that would be on call pay. With a Commissioner inserting himself on the department, he thinks is wrong. With the past practice of having to pay it back, he feels that he should have to pay that back to the community, to the City because it’s tax money. The other thing he wanted to say, at any point in time, the Council members, when they make ordinances, change policies they should not directly benefit from those, until the next election. State statute clearly outlines that there there’s multiple statutes out there. He can produce those for you, if need be. The city pays an attorney a pretty good chunk of money every year to represent you guys. So any ordinances, statutes, bylaws that are changed to directly affect one of you guys, think real hard about. He doesn’t see how Commissioner Ballenger is receiving pay as a fireman when it clearly shows he’s not. Redington thanked the council for his time. Acting Mayor Edmunds thanked Redington.

Adam Lagemann came before council. He’s been on the Fire Department for about three years, was prior service before that. He knows what drama looks like and he’s seen different things over the years, that being said. There’s a lot of things that need to come to a stop. Whatever is going on between these two gentleman, it affects the firefighters. Whether its doing their job or outside of the firehouse. He doesn’t know what needs to be done, but it needs to stop. Words have been said, he was speaking on his behalf not anyone else’s, but something needs to be done about it because it does affect us one way or the other. Lagemann said he joined the fire department to serve the community, just like he did when he served his country. That being said, there was some questions voting wise was on attendance, that he’d like to make that very clear. Voting when it came to attendance we kind of made it a point that there had to be certain percentage that was made at that point in time. Some people were cut and some people had ill feelings about that. He was the one that pushed that forward, because his prior service you have to set a standard. We as firefighters have to have that standard to do their jobs. That being said, he's letting it be known he’s making the statement they are here to a job, they can’t do it with the drama and fighting, it’s got to stop – it’s affecting all of them not just two people. Acting Mayor Edmunds thanks Lagemann for coming.

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 16, 2024 be approved as submitted. On roll call vote, Commissioners Buchanan, Ballenger and Acting Mayor Edmunds voted “Yes.”

The bills and payroll were read.

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

PETITIONS

None

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

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

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

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

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

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

Written motion was made by Commissioner Buchanan and seconded by Commissioner Ballenger to reappoint Lloyd Francis, Assistant Public Works Director for a period of one

year. On roll call vote, Commissioners Buchanan, Ballenger and Acting Mayor Edmunds voted “Yes.”

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF STREETS & PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS

Commissioner Buchanan reported there has been a lot of rain for the last month or so, with flooding that has put them behind on some of the other work. They will be out doing tree trimming and cutting. Hopefully the alleys will get dried out to be taken care of.

Commissioner Buchanan also reported that City Wide Cleanup has been set for July 1st through August 16th. Vouchers are available at City Hall. Mayor Edmunds noted with the elevator being broke down, residents can call and staff can make arrangements.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC PROPERTY

Commissioner Wise was absent and left no report.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY

Commissioner Ballenger reported some changes that have happened in the Fire Department effective May 1st, this fiscal year. He has worked with the City Administrator, City Attorney and another attorney to get these in place and took a lot of time to fine tune. White Hat, Commissioner of Public Health and Safety continue to serve as Chief, when responding to any fire call above department Chief in his status as Commissioner Public Health and Safety. He will direct the scene in overall charge of responding firefighters and officers. However, he wanted to clear this up, by Illinois State Statute by City Code the Commissioner is entitled to pay. Therefore, he will not be paid. Commissioner Ballenger has chosen to take no pay for his volunteer service. He will not be paid as other ‘volunteers’ in that he is serving in his elected capacity of Commissioner of Public Health and Safety. He will remain on the volunteer roster as a member of the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department. Should he no longer serve on the City Council he will remain as a regular ‘volunteer’ of the Department.

Commissioner Ballenger also stated volunteers are not ‘part time employees’ anymore. Members shall be considered volunteers and not part time employees of the Clinton Fire Department. They shall be paid per call and not an hourly wage rate. Commissioner Ballenger added that regarding state filing, the volunteer organization shall immediately file necessary papers with the State as not for profit as they were doing in the past. Regarding the bylaws, the volunteer bylaws and appropriate sections of the City Code will be updated to provide for the above so there is a clear and unambiguous documentation regarding this matter and the status of the volunteer Fire Department. Commissioner Ballenger has instructed the City Attorney to get this done in approximately 30 days. Furthermore, the following items were discussed for further considerations. Make appropriate revisions to the City Code relating to the appointment of the Chief and/or Assistant Chief. While serving in his official Commissioner of Public Safety he enjoys liability protection under the Governmental Tort Immunity Act.

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

Written motion was made by Commissioner Buchanan and seconded by Acting Mayor Edmunds to reappoint Danny Ballenger, Jr., Assistant Fire Chief for a period of one year. On roll call vote, Commissioners Ballenger abstained. Commissioner Buchanan and Acting Mayor voted “Yes.” Acting Mayor stated a vote needed to take place at the next meeting as a quorum wasn’t met.

Written motion was made by Commissioner Buchanan and seconded by Commissioner Ballenger to reappoint Taylor Baxter, Public Health Officer for a period of one year. On roll call vote, Commissioners Buchanan, Ballenger and Acting Mayor Edmunds voted “Yes.”

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

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTS & FINANCES

Commissioner Edmunds had no report, he asked for a brief update on the elevator from Baxter. Baxter stated that the company states parts are unavailable, we are looking at other options and Mr. Hoblit is looking at the contract. There are proposals to get it replaced. Edmunds thanks Baxter.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

A motion was made by Commissioner Buchanan and seconded by Commissioner Ballenger to approve downtown sidewalk project bids with JG Stewart Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $270,211.42. On roll call vote, Commissioners Buchanan, Ballenger and Acting Mayor Edmunds voted “Yes.”

A motion was made by Acting Mayor Edmunds and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan to approve the Park Lane West Subdivision 23 building lots total sale price of $612,500.00 On roll call vote, Commissioners Ballenger, Buchanan Acting Mayor Edmunds voted “Yes.”

A motion was made by Commissioner Buchanan and seconded by Commissioner Ballenger to approve the Cyber Hygiene Agreement with CISA and the Cyber Hygiene Data Sharing Authorization. On roll call vote, Commissioners Buchanan, Ballenger and Acting Mayor Edmunds voted “Yes.”

A motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan to approve resolution 2024-6 authorizing authority, CISA agreement. On roll call vote, Commissioners Ballenger, Buchanan and Acting Mayor Edmunds voted “Yes.”

A motion was made by Commissioner Buchanan and seconded by Commissioner Ballenger to approve the contract for City Administrator Service. On roll call vote, Commissioners Buchanan, Ballenger and Acting Mayor Edmunds voted “Yes.”

NEW BUSINESS

On File – Ordinance Amending Liquor Regulations 3-3-15

On File – Clean Burn Oil Furnace – Maintenance Facility/Street Department – DSI Recycling Systems- $13,325.00

On File – CGI Communications, Inc. Agreement

On File – Replacement Tires Tanker #7 /Fire Department – Walker Tire $3,184.00

On File – Resolution Granting Authority to Sell Surplus Real Estate (Park Lane West Subdivision)

On File -Resolution Approving the Content of Certain Executive Session Meeting Minutes of the City council of the City of Clinton

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 Ballenger, Buchanan and Acting Mayor Edmunds voted “Yes.”

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