West Central Reporter

City of Bushnell Council met August 6.

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 - P Ald. Jim Miller - P Mayor Robin Wilt - P Public Works Director Justin Griffith – A Ald. Chuck Howell – P Ald. Christina Steelman - P City Clerk Tashina Bradford - P Police Chief Joe Fosdyck – P Ald. Mike Howell – P Ald. Bruce Lorton – P Treasurer Dan Cortelyou - P Street Superintendent David Raymond – P Ald. David Norton –A Ald. Brent Glisan – P City Attorney Nicole Humbert - P

Ald. M. Howell made a motion to approve the consent agenda, which include the following items;

1. Approval of July 16, 2018 Minutes

2. Approval of June 2018 Financial Report

3. Accept and 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 “aye” Ald. Steelman “aye “

Ald. M. Howell “aye” Ald. Lorton “aye”

Ald. Norton Absent Ald. Glisan “aye”

Where upon Mayor Wilt declared the motion carried.

Ald. Norton arrived at 5:35pm

Treasurers Report

1. Treasurer Cortelyou advised that the auditor will tentatively be here the week of August 13th

2. Treasurer Cortelyou advised that the Amended Budget notice will be put in the paper for 30 days prior to approval by council. Attorney Humbert advised she will get the notice written and it will be put in the paper next week.

3. Cortelyou asked for the council’s permission for WIRC to write 2 grants. The grants are for Economic Development and for infrastructure. Cortelyou believes the cost would be between $1500 and $3000. Council agreed to allow Cortelyou to work with WIRC to get the 2 grants written.

Recognition of Guest

1. Mayor Wilt recognized guests and asked if anyone would like to speak, Joyce Coons spoke up and addressed the council regarding the properties located near hers. Coons advised that the properties of 145 and 185 N. Rile have been in disrepair for a long time and feels that the property owners have not been held accountable to the ordinances. Mayor Wilt recognized the issues and advised Ms. Coons that the Police Department will look into those properties as suggested.

Ad Hoc (Mayor’s Report)

1. Mayor Wilt expressed her gratitude to the entire city crew that worked on the oil and chipping of our city streets. Wilt advised there were 53 blocks that were oiled and chipped. The streets look amazing and smooth.

2. The last couple of weeks Mayor Wilt has been meeting with Dasco employees that are looking to possibly transfer and move to Bushnell. The first meeting included Treasurer Cortelyou and Representative Norine Hammond and all 5 employees are looking to move into town! There was another crew of employees that came down this past week and another crew coming this week. Mayor Wilt is excited to welcome new members into our community and is asking for everyone to inform her of any rentals that are available to share with those potential new community members.

3. Mayor Wilt attended a meeting at the high school today concerning the CEO Program that the city is a part of. This program is an amazing program that will allow students to build and create their own business based on their ideas and work ethic. Mayor Wilt will show a short Youtube video at our next council meeting regarding the program. The CEO program is still looking for those wanting to invest in the program. You can find more information online about this exciting program.

4. Mayor Wilt met with Matthew Rauschert about holding the Bushnell Area Music Festival in 2019. Although he graduated this past year and is attending Kansas State University, he is still looking into bringing the festival to our community.

5. Mayor Wilt advised there are 7 organizations that will be set up on Thursday of the Fall Festival at the Depot after the parade. The organizations are looking to educate members of the community on what they stand for and are inviting people to become involved in their organizations.

6. Mayor Wilt advised the Fall Festival line up for entertainment is Mad Hoss Jackson on Thursday night, Wade Hayes on Friday night, Troublesome Ridge Bluegrass on Saturday night. There is also the Fireman’s water fight on Saturday, August 25 th. Clerk Bradford is also attempting to put together a Mud Volleyball tournament to raise money for our Hometown Christmas, more information on that at a later date.

7. Mayor Wilt reminded council members that all meetings are open for anyone to attend, however if you are not on a particular committee and you attend the meeting, you are not being paid for attending that meeting.

8. Mayor Wilt addressed the council concerning some of the boards that she sits on. Mayor Wilt advised that she has sat on the Art of a Social Nature board since before becoming Mayor and will continue to abstain voting when it comes to business that concerns Art of a Social Nature in the city. Mayor Wilt also advised that she has been sitting on the YMCA board but had resigned from that seat effective today, as they hold meetings the same night as our Board of Education and Mayor Wilt would like to be more involved in matters that are closer to home. Mayor Wilt expressed that she and her husband, Mark, are both on the board for an organization by the name of BIG (Bushnell Investment Group, LLC) Mayor Wilt advised that she and her husband had invested money into the organization that essentially flips dilapidated properties and utilizes the profits for the next project. Mayor Wilt advised that if any money was made that she and her husband would only use that money to put back into the next property. Mayor Wilt also advised that she would abstain voting in matters that concern the city. Mayor Wilt is making sure she is completely transparent.

9. Mayor Wilt pointed out that we as a city are working closely with Vaughan and Bushnell on a few different projects and that it is easy to turn to our 3 Alderpersons that work for Vaughan and Bushnell for answers. Mayor Wilt pointed out that asking the Alderpersons for information concerning the projects is not fair and going forward if anyone has questions concerning a project with Vaughan and Bushnell to call Vaughan instead of asking our councilman that work there.

Personnel/Finance/Budget

Public Works – Street/Sewer/Alley

1. Ald. Miller advised that the city is working with Vaughan and Bushnell on an easement for N. Dean St. Vaughan is looking to bore under the street to allow for air lines to be ran from Vaughan to Dasco (old Norforge) building. Justin Griffith advised he will check the depths, but believes the lines can be bored shallow and there shouldn’t be any issues.

Ald. Miller made a motion to approve the easement for Vaughan and Bushnell on N. Dean St. to the Dasco (old Norforge) building. It was seconded by Ald. Norton. A roll call vote was taken and the results of that vote are as follows:

Ald. Coates “aye” Ald. Miller “aye”

Ald. C. Howell Abstain Ald. Steelman “aye “

Ald. M. Howell Abstain Ald. Lorton “aye”

Ald. Norton “aye” Ald. Glisan Abstain

Where upon Mayor Wilt declared the motion carried.

Police/Liquor/ESDA

1. Ald. Lorton advised next Police/Liquor meeting will be August 13 th at 4:00pm

2. Ald. Lorton asked for consensus regarding the proposed route for the Fireman’s 5k. The Fireman’s 5k will be on September 8 th and all proceeds go towards the purchase of a flood light trailer. The council all agreed to the proposed 5k route.

3. Ald. Lorton advised that the Fall Festival committee is looking for approval to have a beer garden on the northwest corner of Crafford St. where it meets Hail St. The garden would be from Thursday night through Saturday night. Ald. Norton pointed out that they were asking for the street to be sure they were not encroaching upon the Newt Howard Car Show on Saturday night. The street would need to be closed or a one way and the Fall Festival would be ok with either choice.

Ald. Coates made a motion to approve the Fall Festival to have a beer garden in the northwest corner of Crafford and Hail St. from Thursday August 23 rd through Saturday August 25 th. It was seconded by Ald. Steelman. A roll call vote was taken and the results of that vote are as follows:

Ald. Coates “aye” Ald. Miller “aye”

Ald. C. Howell “aye” Ald. Steelman “aye “

Ald. M. Howell “nay” Ald. Lorton “aye”

Ald. Norton Abstain Ald. Glisan “aye”

Where upon Mayor Wilt declared the motion carried.

4. ESDA Director Rench advised that McDonough County Power has approved the grant for our Medication Drop Box and the box should be installed next month.

5. Next ESDA meeting August 13 th at 3:30 at Police Complex.

Parks/Recreation

1. Ald. Glisan advised the next Parks/Recreation meeting will be August 14 th at 3:30pm at City Hall. He advised that the topics of discussion will be moving the Santa house and the light parade as well as reduced rental rates for the recreation center. Mayor Wilt advised Ald. Glisan that David Batson would like to help with the Santa house.

Real Estate

1. Ald. Coates advised in their committee meeting held July 23 rd , sidewalk replacement was discussed in detail. They discussed that the split should be 75/25 with the city paying 75% of the replacement. Coates also advised that she reached out to the McDonough County Sheriff’s Department concerning their inmate program for community service. Coates would like for the inmates to help with removal of concrete. Ald. Glisan questioned if there was a checklist for those needing sidewalk repair to see if one should be replaced before another. At this time the sidewalk replacement is a first come/first serve basis as funds allow. The committee will look into a checklist for future requests. Coates advised that the particular area that they are working on has been requested for many years. Ald. Coates requested approval from the council to advertise for bids to replace the sidewalk in front of the 200 block of E. Hail St.

Ald. Steelman made a motion to approve the advertisement of sidewalk bids to replace the sidewalk in front of the 200 block of E. Hail St. It was seconded by Ald. Norton. A roll call vote was taken and the results of that vote are as follows:

Ald. Coates “aye” Ald. Miller “aye”

Ald. C. Howell “aye” Ald. Steelman “aye “

Ald. M. Howell “aye” Ald. Lorton “aye”

Ald. Norton “aye” Ald. Glisan “aye”

Where upon Mayor Wilt declared the motion carried.

2. Ald. Coates also advised the committee is working to get landlords and property owners to take better care of their properties. Ald. C. Howell advised he has been looking at the City of Macomb’s ordinances and is trying to model an ordinance that fits our needs. The council discussed having a building/residence inspector in place once the ordinance has been constructed.

Economic Development

1. Ald. Steelman advised next meeting will be August 30 th at 2 pm here at City Hall. The meeting will be about “Becoming A Better Community” with a webinar.

2. Ald. Steelman advised that Art of a Social Nature is holding a reception at the Farmers and Merchants State Bank on Thursday at 5pm for an Art Exhibit. The reception will be have wine and beer and will the exhibit will give you the chance to not only see the art, but the option to purchase a replica for your very own piece.

3. Ald. Norton advised that the Economic Development meeting held July 30 th discussed the Development Grant Application from Vaughan & Bushnell. Vaughan and Bushnell is looking into expanding their workforce and has submitted an application for a grant to add 60 new jobs at their facility. Treasurer Cortelyou advised we could possibly utilize money from the Revolving Loan Fund. He also advised that he has sent a request to the State of Illinois and WIRC for grant writing.

MAEDCO

1. Next meeting 9/11/18

Engineering Report

Attorney’s Report

1. Attorney Humbert presented Ordinance 2018-7 Patio Ordinance for approval.

Ald. Lorton made a motion to approve Ordinance 2018-7 Patio Ordinance. It was seconded by Ald. C.

Howell. A roll call vote was taken and the results of that vote are as follows:

Ald. Coates “aye” Ald. Miller “aye”

Ald. C. Howell “aye” Ald. Steelman “aye “

Ald. M. Howell “nay” Ald. Lorton “aye”

Ald. Norton “aye” Ald. Glisan “nay”

Where upon Mayor Wilt declared the motion carried.

Ald. Miller made motion to adjourn.

Ald. Steelman seconded motion.

Meeting was adjourned

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