City of Bushnell Council met December 3

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Dec 16, 2018

City of Bushnell Council met Dec. 3.

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. Miller made a motion to approve the consent agenda, which include the following items;

1. Approval of November 19, 2018 Minutes

2. Approval of November 2018 Financial Report

3. Pay Bills

It was seconded by Ald. Lorton. 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” VACANT

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

Ald. Norton Absent Ald. Glisan “aye”

Where upon Mayor Wilt declared the motion carried.

Treasurers Report

1. Treasurer Cortelyou advised he will be meeting with the Utility Board to discuss reserves and projects. Cortelyou explained that we need a plan in place in case of damage, such as insurance replacements.

Free Little Pantry tabled until Attorney Humbert has answer from IML

Ward 4 Alderperson Appointee – Mayor Wilt has someone that is considering the position, will follow up the next meeting.

Dave Norton arrived @ 5:33pm

Ad Hoc (Mayor’s Report)

1. Mayor Wilt advised the Dan Roberts with TEST is retiring. Roberts will complete 2018 reports for TEST and his last day will be January 4th, 2019. We wish Dan all the best. He will truly be missed not only in our community, but in all communities he has served.

2. Mayor Wilt expressed that the Light Parade was a success despite tornadoes, train being on the tracks, and hot chocolate leaving and then coming back. Mayor Wilt expressed her gratitude to Brent Glisan and Mike Baker for planning and executing the parade, Justin Griffith and the crew for getting the Santa House ready, Mary Brown and Tashina Bradford for getting the Santa House ready for Santa, Damon Wright for helping with Santa, the B-PC Jr. High Band for playing music in the elements, and Checkrow Church for coming through with Hot Chocolate and Coffee.

3. Mayor Wilt gave Kudos to the city crews for clean-up with Blizzard Bruce as they did a fantastic job getting our streets cleaned, the power back on, the Recreation and Cultural Center open for stranded motorists.

4. Mayor Wilt thanked Alderperson Bruce Lorton for filling in as Mayor Pro Tem while she was absent.

5. Mayor Wilt announced that this weekend is Mitch William’s Benefit and she hoped that everyone will make time to attend, as Mitch has been a loyal employee to the city as well as huge supporter of many benefits and causes over the years.

6. Mayor Wilt also announced that she, along with Mary Brown and Clerk Bradford, will be doing crafts with children in the downtown area. There will be the 2nd Annual Candy Cane Hunt at the VFW Park starting at 10, followed by the Christmas Crafts and Activities throughout the downtown area. The Library will be reading stories as well. The Christmas activities are from 10-2 and we invite everyone to attend!

Personnel/Finance/Budget

1. Alderperson Glisan pointed out that the Ham and Turkey count is needed to approve the money for them. Clerk Bradford will get the quote for next meeting.

Public Works – Street/Sewer/Alley

1. Public Director Griffith advised that the West Davis St. gas main replacement has been completed. The Street Department is working to fill and cover the holes.

2. Alderperson Glisan suggested that we put snow removal ordinance information on our Code Red System.

Police/Liquor/ESDA

1. Police Activity Report was submitted for November.

2. Next Meeting will be held 12/10/18.

3. Mayor Wilt asked about the food that was given to those that were stranded at the Recreation and Cultural Center from Blizzard Bruce. Chief Fosdyck advised that they got food from Ludlum’s, Casey’s Pizza. There were 18 people at the center, mainly students from WIU trying to get back to school.

4. ESDA Director Rench advised there were some issues with the storm siren, so that will be addressed.

Real Estate

1. Alderperson Coates asked every alderperson to get her all of the abandoned houses in their wards so they can get started on a grant to get the properties cleaned up. The list needs to be submitted to WIRC by 12/20/2018.

MAEDCO

1. MAEDCO Executive Director, Kim Pierce, gave an update on the CEO Program. Pierce advised that the student recruitment started last week and as of Friday there have been 19 applications between West Prairie, Macomb and Bushnell school districts. Applications will need to be submitted before Christmas break and the students will be chosen in January 2019. The number of applications is encouraging to the project, especially since this will be the first year for the CEO Program in these 3 districts.

2. Executive Director Pierce also expressed how big of an asset we have in Teller’s. She believes that we are lucky to be able to utilize Tellers as an event center. She was able to attend Teller’s after the light parade and reported that there were quite a few people there and many were from out of town, which is what we would like to see.

3. Next MAEDCO meeting 12/11/2018

Attorney’s Report

1. Treasurer Cortelyou stepped up in the absence of attorney Humbert to present the Tax Levy Ordinance 2018-7. Cortelyou explained that the Tax Levy will have a 2.8% increase over last year.

Ald. Lorton made a motion to waive the second reading of Ordinance 2018-8 Tax Levy Ordinance. Ald. Miller seconded the motion and a roll call vote was as follows:

Ald. Coates “aye” Ald. Miller“aye”

Ald. C. Howell “aye” VACANT

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

Ald. Norton Absent Ald. Glisan “aye”

Whereas Mayor Wilt declared the motion approved.

Ald. Lorton made a motion to approve Ordinance 2018-8 Tax Levy Ordinance. Ald. Miller seconded the motion and a roll call vote was as follows:

Ald. Coates “aye” Ald. Miller“aye”

Ald. C. Howell “aye” VACANT

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

Ald. Norton Absent Ald. Glisan “aye”

Whereas Mayor Wilt declared the motion approved.

Ald. Miller made motion to adjourn.