City of Rushville City Council met Jan. 20.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
1. ROLL CALL & CALL TO ORDER
The Rushville City Council met in the meeting room of the City Hall building. Upon convening, Mayor Jeff Ervin directed City Clerk, Stacey Briney to call the roll. Upon ROLL CALL, the following answered present: Council Members: Susan Acker, Mike Carey, Mike Farniok, Bob Fishel, Bryan Matteson, Mike Ryan, & Paul Trimble. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. Council Member, Terry Dodds was absent.
Others present included: Stacey Briney, City Clerk; Erin Wilson-Laegeler, City Attorney; Drew Ralston, Superintendent of Operations; and Jamie Headen of Benton Engineering.
2. OPENING PRAYER
The Opening Prayer was led by Mayor Jeff Ervin.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Ervin.
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jamie Headen of Benton Engineering presented a document regarding the phase 1 water improvement project. Said document is attached and a part of these minutes. Headen noted the contractor will begin cleaning up in the spring so there might be one (1) more payment.
Headen reported there are sixty-six (66) lead or galvanized lines that need replaced and there is EPA money available. Headen said the EPA loan is fifty percent (50%) forgiveness with zero percent (0%) interest. Headen stated the city might not get funding this year, but maybe next year. Headen noted that the city needs to pass the debt ordinance, items #7 & #8. Headen stated once this ordinance is passed, there will be a thirty (30) day comment window for the voters to comment before the ordinance can be submitted. Headen said the city should know something by late May or early June. Mayor Ervin reported there are forty-eight (48) lead lines on the customer’s side. Mayor Ervin said the city has to replace the line up to the first valve inside the home, so maybe the grant money could be used to hire a licensed plumber to do this.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
All items on the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine in nature and will be enacted in one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Council Member so requests, in which event, the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered as the first item after approval of the Consent Agenda.
a) Approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held January 5, 2026
b) Approve the Minutes of the Police Committee Meeting held January 5, 2026; Sidewalk & Lighting Committee Meeting held January 8, 2026; Fire & Water Committee Meeting held January 14, 2026; & Economic Development Committee Meeting held January 15, 2026
c) Approve “Claims for Council Approval Dated 01/20/26” & Accept Monthly Reports
d) Approve Reserving Central Park on Saturday, August 15th, for Night Market
e) Approve Loan Reimbursements
f) Approve Change Order #6 with Leander Construction
g) Approve Additional Cost of $1,100 for Insulating at City Shed
h) Approve Renewing Agreement with Lawn Pro in Central Park and Paying Annually
i) Pass & Adopt Resolution No. 1170, Resolution Supporting W. LaFayette Street Improvements & Funds
j) Approve Phase 3 Construction Engineering Agreement for W. LaFayette Street Project
k) Approve Agreement for Engineering Services with Benton Engineering for Lead Service Replacement
l) Approve Amendment No. 2 to Agreement for Engineering Services
m) Approve Engagement Letter with Hart, Southworth, & Witsman for IEPA Loan Financing
Acker REQUESTED TO HAVE ITEM “5B” REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.
Fishel MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEM “5B”. Ryan SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 7 YEAS – Acker, Carey, Farniok, Fishel, Matteson, Ryan, & Trimble; 0 NAYS; 1 ABSENT – Dodds.
6. ITEMS TO BE REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA – IF APPLICABLE
Item “5B”: Economic Development Committee Chair, Susan Acker requested the following changes to the January 15, 2026, minutes: Paragraph 3, Line 3, from “Acker said Lazzell Insulating has purchased…” to “Lazzell Insulating is wanting to purchase…”. City Clerk, Stacey Briney noted said changes.
Acker MOVED TO APPROVE ITEM “5B”, APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE POLICE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD JANUARY 5, 2026; SIDEWALK & LIGHTING COMMITTEE MEETING HELD JANUARY 8, 2026; FIRE & WATER COMMITTEE MEETING HELD JANUARY 14, 2026, & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING HELD JANUARY 15, 2026. Farniok SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 7 YEAS – Carey, Farniok, Fishel, Matteson, Ryan, Trimble, & Acker; 0 NAYS; 1 ABSENT – Dodds.
7. DISCUSS & CONSIDER SUSPENDING THE RULES RE: ORDINANCE NO. 1408, ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RUSHVILLE, SCHUYLER COUNTY, ILLINOIS, PROPOSING THE INCURRING OF A LOAN & ISSUANCE OF WATERWORKS & SEWERAGE REVENUE BONDS OF THE CITY IN AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,200,000 FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEFRAYING THE COST OF ACQUIRING AND CONSTRUCTING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE WATERWORKS & SEWERAGE SYSTEM OF THE CITY
Matteson MOVED TO APPROVE SUSPENDING THE RULES RE: ORDINANCE NO. 1408, ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RUSHVILLE, SCHUYLER COUNTY, ILLINOIS, PROPOSING THE INCURRING OF A LOAN & ISSUANCE OF WATERWORKS & SEWERAGE REVENUE BONDS OF THE CITY IN AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,200,000 FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEFRAYING THE COST OF ACQUIRING AND CONSTRUCTING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE WATERWORKS & SEWERAGE SYSTEM OF THE CITY. Trimble SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 7 YEAS – Farniok, Fishel, Matteson, Ryan, Trimble, Acker, & Carey; 0 NAYS; 1 ABSENT – Dodds.
8. PASS & ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 1408, ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RUSHVILLE, SCHUYLER COUNTY, ILLINOIS, PROPOSING THE INCURRING OF A LOAN & ISSUANCE OF WATERWORKS & SEWERAGE REVENUE BONDS OF THE CITY IN AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,200,000 FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEFRAYING THE COST OF ACQUIRING AND CONSTRUCTING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE WATERWORKS & SEWERAGE SYSTEM OF THE CITY
Matteson MOVED TO PASS & ADOPT ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RUSHVILLE, SCHUYLER COUNTY, ILLINOIS, PROPOSING THE INCURRING OF A LOAN & ISSUANCE OF WATERWORKS & SEWERAGE REVENUE BONDS OF THE CITY IN AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,200,000 FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEFRAYING THE COST OF ACQUIRING AND CONSTRUCTING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE WATERWORKS & SEWERAGE SYSTEM OF THE CITY. Carey SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 7 YEAS – Fishel, Matteson, Ryan, Trimble, Acker, Carey, & Farniok; 0 NAYS; 1 ABSENT – Dodds.
Jamie Headen left the meeting at 7:10 p.m.
9. DISCUSS & CONSIDER INSULATING THE CEILING IN THE FIREHOUSE
Fire & Water Committee Chairman, Bryan Matteson reported they had a committee meeting last week and looked at a couple bids, one from Prairie State of Ottawa in the amount of Five Thousand Seven Hundred Eighty Five Dollars ($5,785), and one from Midwest Spray Foam out of Mt. Sterling in the amount of Five Thousand Seven Hundred Dollars ($5,700). The committee recommended to insulate the ceiling and side wall in hopes to save money in the future.
RUSHVILLE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES, CONT. January 20, 2026
Matteson MOVED TO APPROVE MIDWEST SPRAY FOAM TO INSULATE THE CEILING IN THE FIREHOUSE AT A COST OF FIVE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS ($5,700). Trimble SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 7 YEAS – Matteson, Ryan, Trimble, Acker, Carey, Farniok, & Fishel; 0 NAYS; 1 ABSENT – Dodds.
10. DISCUSS WELL #8
Water Committee Chairman, Matteson reported he has spoke with Bryan Cannon of Benton Engineering and Dana Heck of Brotcke Well & Pump regarding well #8. Matteson reminded the council that we all voted a few months back to retire well #8 but he would like to pump the brakes on that for now. Matteson stated Heck says well #8 is fine but needs some pump care and then acidization. Matteson said Cannon is going to look into getting wells #10 & #11 to where they can work at the same time. Matteson noted well #8’s location might be a good spot for a new well.
11. DISCUSS & CONSIDER 2ND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1407, ORDINANCE REGULATING INSTALLATION OF SOLAR PANELS
City Attorney, Erin Wilson-Laegeler reported she included the grandfathering clause and a daily fine which is consistent with the city’s fines. Attorney Wilson-Laegeler stated she would like to look at the county’s ordinance, especially regarding the decommissioning so the city can stay in line with them. Attorney Wilson-Laegeler said the council will need to amend the building code permit fees to set the fees for solar panel projects, and she will also check on the county’s fees as well.
Matteson asked if this ordinance was just for ground mounts or roof mounts, and Ordinance Review Committee Chairman, Mike Farniok stated the ordinance covers both. Matteson noted the ordinance talks about side yards and he feels there are a lot of people that only have side yards. Mayor Ervin said a homeowner can always apply for a variance. A lengthy discussion followed.
Farniok MOVED TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 1407, ORDINANCE REGULATING INSTALLATION OF SOLAR PANELS TO THE THIRD (3RD) READING. Ryan SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH A ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 6 YEAS – Ryan, Trimble, Acker, Carey, Farniok, & Fishel; 1 NAYS – Matteson; 0 ABSENT.
12. DISCUSS & CONSIDER APPROVING RED GRANT APPLICATION(S)
Economic Development Committee Chair, Acker reported the committee met last week and reviewed two (2) RED Grant applications. Acker noted Baker Street Sweets have applied for a Five Thousand Dollar ($5,000) grant to purchase a new merchandise cooler that will allow them to sell cash and carry products on a daily basis and Lazzell Insulating applied for a Five Thousand Dollar ($5,000) grant to purchase a new spray foam hose.
Acker MOVED TO APPROVE A FIVE THOUSAND DOLLAR ($5,000) RED GRANT TO BAKER STREET SWEETS AND A FIVE THOUSAND DOLLAR ($5,000) RED GRANT TO LAZZELL INSULATING. Matteson SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 7 YEAS – Trimble, Acker, Carey, Farniok, Fishel, Matteson, & Ryan; 0 NAYS; 0 ABSENT – Dodds.
13. COUNCIL MEMBER & OFFICIALS’ REPORTS
Industrial Park Committee Chair, Susan Acker asked Attorney, Wilson-Laegeler if she had any updates on the south one-third (1/3) of Lot 10, and Attorney Wilson-Laegeler stated she received an e-mail from Attorney, Charlie Burton with proposed alternate language regarding the reverter clause. Attorney Wilson-Laegeler said the proposed landowners are concerned about the reversion after the start of construction in case financing is not available after construction starts. Attorney Wilson-Laegeler recommended the city omit the construction requirement clause date because if construction is not finished, it would go against the covenants anyway. Farniok asked how many other people in the Industrial Park has had trouble with financing, and Attorney Wilson-Laegeler noted this clause is new to the purchase agreements. Mayor Ervin stressed that if this is a deal breaker, he would like to remove the clause and get the deal done. Consensus of the council agreed.
Water Committee Chairman, Bryan Matteson reported the water salesman is operational and right now you can get about one hundred fifteen (115) gallons for One Dollar ($1), but Superintendent of Operations, Drew Ralston might be able to get that down. Matteson noted Nayax Company will be handling the credit/debit card information.
Cemetery Committee Chairman, Bryan Matteson reported there will be a committee meeting tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m. to meet with Jude Eveland to look at his proposed street names and talk about his fundraising for his Eagle Scout project.
Parks & Recreation Committee Co-Chairman, Mike Farniok reported the new mower for Scripps Park will be delivered any time and they are excited. Farniok said the golf course is not trading in the old mower and will keep it for parts.
Farniok stated the board also discussed the Virginia’s water bill at the last meeting. Mayor Ervin noted he had Ralston go check the meter again and it was not moving. Mayor Ervin said once better weather is here, the city crew is going to replace the line from the maintenance shop to the two (2) houses. Farniok said he appreciates the hard work the city crew has put into this.
Mayor, Jeff Ervin told everyone that he appreciates all their work and feels everyone works very well together.
14. ADJOURN
Acker MOVED TO ADJOURN. Matteson SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 7 YEAS – Acker, Carey, Farniok, Fishel, Matteson, Ryan, & Trimble; 0 NAYS; 0 ABSENT. THE MEETING STOOD ADJOURNED ACCORDINGLY AT 7:35 P.M.
https://rushvilleillinois.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/26-01-20.pdf
