City of Bushnell Council met June 4.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
Mayor Wilt called the meeting to order.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was given.
Roll Call:
Ald. Donna Coates - PAld. Jim Miller - PMayor Robin Wilt - PPublic Works Director Justin Griffith - P
Ald. Chuck Howell – A Ald. Christina Steelman - PCity Clerk Tashina Bradford - PPolice Chief Joe Fosdyck - P
Ald. Mike Howell – A Ald. Bruce Lorton – PTreasurer Dan Cortelyou - AStreet Superintendent David Raymond - P
Ald. David Norton –P Ald. Brent Glisan – PCity Attorney Elizabeth Duvall - P
Ald. Lorton made a motion to approve the consent agenda, which include the following items;
1. Approval of Minutes from May 21st, 2018
2. Approval of May 2018 Financial Report
3. Pay Bills
It was seconded by Ald. Miller. A roll call vote was taken and the results of that vote are as follows:
Ald. Coates “aye”Ald. Miller“aye”
Ald. C. Howell AbsentAld. Steelman“aye “
Ald. M. Howell AbsentAld. Lorton“aye”
Ald. Norton “aye”Ald. Glisan “aye”
Where upon Mayor Wilt declared the motion carried.
Recognition of Guest:
1. Susie Brown, Logan Brown and Jessie Havens were present and inquired about the progress on their neighbor’s property. Wilt advised them that a 2nd letter had been sent to the property owner.
Ad Hoc (Mayor’s Report):
1. Mayor Wilt apologized for failing to mention Vaughan and Bushnell’s acquisition of Dasco. This acquisition will create 40+ new jobs. She expressed that she is excited to see growth here in Bushnell.
2. Mayor Wilt advised the last number of registered Jeeps for Jeep Blitz was 417 Jeeps in our small community. This tripled last years registered number of Jeeps. Wilt stated that if every one of those Jeeps purchased just one tank of gas, imagine the positive effects on our local economy. Ald. Steelman shared a short story about one of the local bank tellers that was discussing that even our local banks were able to grow revenue from the use of ATM machines during the event.
3. Mayor Wilt advised that the Illinois State budget has passed today. The budget passed with a 5% reduction to income tax.
4. Mayor Wilt exclaimed that Bushnell gained 3 new residents this past weekend! Our community is growing.
5. Mayor Wilt pointed out that Art of a Social Nature’s Movie in the Park is this weekend, June 9th. The movie is Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Bring your blankets, lawn chairs and bug spray and enjoy the movie in the East Park.
6. Mayor Wilt has a Blog! You can read the mayor’s blog at https://Bushnellmayorblog.blogspot.com. This blog will have highlights from our community and will be similar to the Mayor’s Corner that is in the paper now.
7. Mayor Wilt is working on a few items such as a festival checklist and a calendar with community events from area churches and organizations on it.
Personnel/Finance/Budget:
1. Meeting was held 5/31 were budget discussions were started. They will work with Treasurer Cortelyou to see about areas that need to cut spending.
Public Works – Street/Sewer/Alley:
1. Justin Griffith discussed the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. This program is to work with young adults to help find jobs, receive training and the learn about the working world. The work experience program is to help these young adults get jobs with the City and the WIOA will pay their wages. The program will work with young adults in our area and help them to further their work experience through sending them to further training, such as welding school. This program pays the employee for 30 hours. The City will be able to interview the prospective candidate to be sure it is a fit, as well as can terminate the work experience at any time. The individuals may work between 10 and 30 hours per week. WIOA will routinely check-in with supervisors to ensure the work experience program is a good fit for both parties. Justin is asking the council to approve this program.
Ald. Miller made a motion to approve the WIOA Program. Ald. Coates seconded the motion and a roll call vote was as follows:
Ald. Coates “aye”Ald. Miller“aye”
Ald. C. Howell AbsentAld. Steelman“aye “
Ald. M. Howell AbsentAld. Lorton“aye”
Ald. Norton “aye”Ald. Glisan “aye”
Whereas Mayor Wilt declared the motion approved.
Police/Liquor/ESDA:
1. Police Activity Report was submitted for May.
2. Discussion was had concerning JoJo’s liquor license Class change at last committee, Ald. Lorton recommended that JoJo’s be allowed to change their liquor license class.
Ald. Lorton made a motion to approve JoJo’s liquor license class change from a class I license to a class A. Ald. Steelman seconded the motion and a roll call vote was as follows:
Ald. Coates “aye”Ald. Miller“aye”
Ald. C. Howell AbsentAld. Steelman“aye “
Ald. M. Howell AbsentAld. Lorton“aye”
Ald. Norton “aye”Ald. Glisan “aye”
Whereas Mayor Wilt declared the motion approved.
3. Next meeting to be held July 11th at 4pm at the Bushnell Police Complex
4. ESDA Director, Jeff Rench, advised he has met with the EPA in regards to the disposal cost of the medications that are from the dropbox. He will know the cost at a later date. Rench also advised that he is applying for the McDonough County Power grant to pay the remainder of the box. Rench has hopes the box will be in place by August or September.
Real Estate:
1. Coates stated that she is working on concrete removal and replacement projects. The committee discussed homeowner having to pay prevailing wage on sidewalk projects. Coates would like to have Justin Griffith call and get quotes for the removal and replacement. Coates advised that the committee discussed having a set amount for the homeowner to expect depending on size. The bids would allow the homeowner to get a better price understanding.
Ald. Coates made a motion to approve Justin Griffith to call and get quotes for concrete in set increments. Ald. Lorton seconded the motion and a roll call vote was as follows:
Ald. Coates “aye”Ald. Miller“aye”
Ald. C. Howell AbsentAld. Steelman“aye “
Ald. M. Howell AbsentAld. Lorton“aye”
Ald. Norton “aye”Ald. Glisan “aye”
Whereas Mayor Wilt declared the motion approved.
2. Coates also advised that the house at 225 Front St. will be torn down per the new owner.
Economic Development:
1. Ald. Steelman discussed the meeting held on May 31st here at City Hall. Steelman advised that the meeting was “Revitalizing Our Town” and the topic was activity. Guest speaker, Jock Hedblade, from the Macomb Area Convention and Visitors Bureau discussed tourism-based activities, such as the Jeep Blitz, that brings people into town from many areas. These people patronize area shops, services, restaurants, bars and more. The committee watched a brief video from http://betterblock.org/services/
2. Ald. Steelman is still working on the Bushnell Business Beat. If you have anything you would like to see covered, please just let Ald. Steelman know.
3. Ald. Steelman advised she has started a Facebook page for her Ward 4 constituents. This page will keep people in Ward 4 abreast topics within their ward.
3. Next Meeting will be August 30th, 2:00pm at City Hall. Topic: Becoming a Business-Friendly Community.
MAEDCO:
1. MAEDCO Executive Director Pierce, advised that the Vaughan and Bushnell acquisition of Dasco, also known as Project Dumbo, started approximately 6 years ago, with serious discussion 2 years ago. She explained that these projects do take time to get started rolling. She noted that Vaughan had the foresight to purchase the Norforge building to keep the building occupied and their business moving.
2. Pierce also advised that Project Bristol is still searching for location. Bushnell is still a possibility.
3. Next board meeting 6/12.
Attorney’s Report:
1. Attorney Duvall advised she is working with Justin Griffith tomorrow for projects to be presented at the next meeting.
Mayor Wilt acknowledged guest, Jon Barclay. Mr. Barclay advised he is a Class of ’79 BPC alumni and has been in town for the last week. He has been staying in town the last couple of days and noticed the Sheriff’s Association billboard concerning the Medical Marijuana use. Mr. Barclay advised that he wanted the council to truly do the research and make an educated decision regarding the use of marijuana. Barclay has been involved in drug prevention for the last 20 years. He advised that plants are now grown with as much as 20% THC now, instead of the 6% it used to be years ago. Barclay also advised that if the marijuana is broken down into oil form that the THC levels jump to 95% or more. He suggested doing all online research through sites that are.edu,.org,.gov or peer reviews. Barclay stated that the state of Maine has been having issues regulating marijuana use and would like our local officials to be well educated in making decisions involving the medical or recreational use of the drug.
Barclay then finished up with a Thank You. He says the VFW Park looks nice and the Library Park looks nice.
Ald. Miller made motion to adjourn.
Ald. Steelman seconded motion.
Meeting was adjourned
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1idlbyQzBB0pWW5K3w4dukybC-H7NZOVB
Alerts Sign-up