Macon Reporter

City of Clinton City Council met May 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Minutes of the Public Hearing for the Vacation of an alley between the 1600 block of E. North Street and 1600 block of E. Washington Street between Fuller Street and Route 54 East of the City council of the City of Clinton, Illinois in session in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Tuesday May 21, 2024 at 6:45 p.m. Acting Mayor Edmunds, presiding. On roll call Commissioners Ballenger, Buchanan and Wise were present.

Acting Mayor Edmunds opened the Public Hearing and turned the hearing over to John Hoblit, City Attorney. He stated the purpose of this hearing is for the public to make comments. The adjacent property owners will each receive half of the property and the utility easements will remain.

Derek Benson addressed the council asking how the property would be split as he has property interest as well as concern over this water shut off. Hoblit advised that the easements would remain and the property be split between the owners.

Acting Mayor Edmunds asked for any comments by the Council or by those attending the hearing. Hearing none, the meeting was adjourned.

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 21, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. Acting Mayor Thomas Edmunds, presiding. On roll call, Commissioners Buchanan, Wise and Ballenger were present.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Seth Redington addressed council. He attended the last council meeting, which where Mr. Ballenger read a policy that was active May 1, 2024. On the policy that he FOIA requested there were no signatures nor did it come before council that’s where policy and procedures are set. He doesn’t understand how an elected official, can ultimately insert himself on the fire department, any department that he’s over and draw a wage. The state statute says, that a current fire or police employee can stay on the department, the city has the letters he received from Attorney General found it a conflict of interest, for a fireman to stay Commissioner of said department. This policy is enacted, it goes with eh cities, codes and policies for the department. In his history of agencies, he has never seen somebody’s name and self benefit. It is a total use of misconduct of their position. The other thing he stated last meeting, with all the FOIA requests, it shows when Commissioner Ballenger was elected he was not a fireman. In the bylaws for the department. Acting Mayor Edmunds intervened stating Redington was being redundant. Redington states he should have to pay back all of the money he was not entitled to. Edmunds asked if Redington read the City Code. Redington states, this could be possibly, fraud, theft of wages, misconduct. Redington said one of the fireman spoke last meeting stating the attendance policy had been changed. He FOIA requested and there have been no changes for attendance for that department. He’s asking that his City Council, look in to this and send it to the state. Just like when this department turned in 66 hours in a three hour period. The Commissioner should not have that authority in that department. Redington thanked the council for his time. Acting Mayor Edmunds thanked Redington.

Written motion was made by Commissioner Wise and seconded by Commissioner Ballenger that the minutes of the regular meeting of May 7, 2024 and Special Meeting of May 13, 2024 be approved as submitted. On roll call vote, Commissioners Wise, Ballenger, Buchanan and Acting Mayor 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 Ballenger, Buchanan, Wise and Acting Mayor Edmunds voted “Yes.”

PETITIONS

None

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Acting Mayor Edmunds wanted to remind everyone Monday the 27th there will be a Memorial Day service at the Woodlawn Cemetery.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF STREETS & PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS

Commissioner Buchanan reported this is brush pick up week. Remind people it can be a pick up size load, loose grass has to be in bags. He asked everyone to no blow the grass in the road. Vouchers are available at City Hall for clean up for drop off. Monday through Friday 6 a.m.-3 p.m. and Saturday July 6 from 6 a.m.-2 p.m.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC PROPERTY

Commissioner Wise reported he wanted to thank the Chamber of Commerce for hosting May Days as well as the police department for their coverage. Wise stated the crews putting in the fiber are winding down and his department is being freed up for their work. He asked Steve Lobb for an update. Lobb said Metro is finishing up tonight. Madison & Van Buren will be done overnight, for safety. CCG is a couple of weeks out. Wise stated the water department is moving along. Lloyd Francis is on track to retire, looking to fill his role and transition. He thanked Lloyd for his time in service.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY

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

Commissioner Ballenger reported Taylor has been working with the high school and the Skills USA team and they would like use our pickleball court June 15 to help pay costs to compete in the national conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Ballenger also reported Mr. McMath took his class out to the Cemetery to clean stones.

Commissioner Ballenger wanted to clarify recent statements and discussion. After further discussion with council and city officials, some topics warrant discussion and further review. Ballenger will continue along with City officials and leadership of the Fire Department to update, review and amend the Fire Departments administrative policies and operating procedures. Members of the Clinton Fire Department, while historically and commonly referred to as quote “volunteers” of Clinton Volunteer Fire Department, will continue to serve and be paid as hourly part time employees of the City

of Clinton, as opposed to the previously discussed volunteers, that would otherwise be paid on per call basis. What will change and be effective immediately, is he will no longer serve int eh capacity of a volunteer or part time firefighter, nor be paid accordingly. He will continue to serve in the capacity of Commissioner of Public Health and Safety to continue to serve the citizens of Clinton who elected him and both the Clinton Police Department and Fire Departments, among his other responsibilities according to Clinton City Code.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTS & FINANCES

Commissioner Edmunds asked Administrator Baxter to speak upon the elevator at City Hall. Baxter stated we are at the point of not getting the service we need with the current elevator company. There have since been conversations with another company, Kone. Proposals have been provided, site unseen. Kone will be coming on site to give a look at what we have with a proposal for replacement of the elevator. Design and installation will take some time, they can get us up and operational in the meantime. Attorney Hoblit is looking over contract language with the current company. Acting Mayor thanks Baxter for the update.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Written motion was made by Acting Mayor Edmunds and seconded by Commissioner Ballenger to adopt Ordinance 1598. An Ordinance Amending Liquor Regulations 3-3- 15. On roll call vote, Commissioners Wise, Ballenger, Buchanan and Acting Mayor Edmunds voted “Yes.”

Written motion was made by Commissioner Buchanan and seconded by Commissioner Wise to approve the purchase of a Clean Burn Oil Furnace for the Maintenance Facility/ Street Department from DSI Recycling Systems in the amount of $13,325.00 On roll call vote, Commissioners Ballenger, Buchanan, Wise and Acting Mayor Edmunds voted “Yes.”

Written motion was made by Commissioner Wise and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan to approve the CGI Communications Agreement. On roll call vote, Commissioners Buchanan, Wise, Ballenger and Acting Mayor Edmunds voted “Yes.”

Written motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Wise to approve the purchase of replacement tires for Tanker #7 for the Fire Department from Walker Tire in the amount of #3,184.00. On roll call vote, Commissioners Wise, Ballenger, Buchanan and Acting Mayor Edmunds voted “Yes.”

Written motion was made by Commissioner Buchanan and seconded by Commissioner Ballenger to approve Resolution 20204-7, a Resolution Granting Authority to Sell

Surplus Real Estate (Park Lane West Subdivision). On roll call vote, Commissioner Ballenger, Buchanan, Wise and Acting Mayor Edmunds voted “Yes.”

Written motion was made by Commissioner Wise and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan to approve Resolution 2024-8 a Resolution Approving the Content of Certain Executive Session Meeting Minutes of the City Council of the City of Clinton. On roll call vote, Commissioner Ballenger, Buchanan, Wise and Acting Mayor Edmunds voted “Yes.”

NEW BUSINESS

On File – MFT Summer Maintenance Bids – Illiana Construction Company $108,948.00

On File – Groves PPE Extractor/Fire Department – AEC $4,495.00

On File – Celebrate Clinton/Fireworks - $10,000.00

On File – iWorq Public Works Management Software Service Agreement - $ 13,000.00

On File – Ordinance Authorizing Vacation of an Alley between the 1600 block of E. North Street and 1600 block of E. Washington Street between Fuller Street and Route 54 East

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 Acting Mayor Edmunds voted “Yes.”

https://www.clintonillinois.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Minutes-2024-05-21.pdf