West Central Reporter

City of Bushnell City Council met Jan. 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Special Council Meeting

The Special Council meeting was called to order on January 16, 2024 at 7:00 PM by Mayor George Barber.

1. ROLL CALL

Council Present: Mayor George Barber, Council Member Ivan Estevez, Council Member Kyle Littlefield, and Council Member Blake Knox

Council Absent: Council Member Lisa Stephens

Staff Present: City Manager Jo Hollenkamp, City Clerk Jody Weiss, Code Enforcement Officer Jeff Ketten

Public Present: Breck & Janie Nelson, Chris Woods, Mark Sargis, Matt Obermark, Gary Schneider

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

3. CITIZEN INPUT / COMMENTS ON ANY AGENDA ITEM OR OTHERWISE

Mark Sargis feels there is no transparency for the public to this project. There was nothing in the Advocate or on WGEL, and asked why.

He also would like to see the City more open about these meetings and show the meetings being scheduled on our website's front page.

Sargis asked if there was a traffic study done on the 2nd Street closing, as well as the 1st Street closing.

Continuing, he asked if there are any alternatives to create a through way but still have part of the plaza.

Chris Woods was in attendance to see how the stage will accommodate the Greenville Municipal Band.

4. CITY COUNCIL OR MAYOR COMMENTS

No Council comments.

City Manager Hollenkamp said that all legal notifications have been posted as required. She added that the City does not control the Advocate or WGEL. They are private businesses.

Post Meeting Note: The Greenville Advocate did in fact have a mention of this meeting on the front page of the January 16, 2024 edition of the paper with the heading, " City Council awards demolition contract to Schafer Excavating".

5. PRESENTATION BY STUDIO ARQ

Cesar Santoy of Studio ARQ introduced himself and his team, Managing Director Sebastian Larrea and Project Manager Ayid Shittagh.

Larrea stated the goal is to bring people to downtown area. One of the focal points is the stage area, along with playground equipment and a water feature. There will be no stairs so the plaza is accessible to all. At this time, the playground is not budgeted and wont be in the plaza until later. Studio ARQ will bring a new version of drawings in a couple of weeks.

Gary Schneider asked if there would be a dance area in front of the stage? He said it would be beneficial, as people will go to events where there is an actual dance floor and not rocks. Larrea said there will be a hard surface, not rough like a side walk. Schneider asked if there could be portable floors. Larrea stated the stage will be 36x40. Hollenkamp said if necessary, we could potentially block a street to encourage dancing.

Matt Obermark is concerned about the dumpsters in the alley and how the large trash tracks will pick them up. He is also concerned about the playground being so close to the alley. Larrea said there will be landscaping bordering the alley to ensure safety.

Obermark is also worried about the 2nd Street closure since 1st Street is already closed. Traffic will increase in the one way alley causing a safety issue with children coming out of the dance center.

Hours for the park will be reviewed. Larrea suggested having a self locking/timed restroom door so the building doesnt have to be locked every night. They anticipate the park to have WIFI and music playing.

Hollenkamp said there may be a small detention pond for run off water near the current FP Joy site or there may be a large drain pipe under the plaza that feeds into a smaller pipe. The water would be held in the large pipe until it could make its way through the small pipe. It was suggested to put that under the stage, but maintenance could be an issue.

Sargis asked if this was the preliminary drawings and how far along is this project? Larrea stated they are making more changes after a committee meeting today. Hollenkamp added this has been a very long process that started long before she arrived at the City.

Sargis asked if the project will be more permeable or impermeable, and Larrea said with the demolition of the buildings, it will be more permeable than before.

Councilman Knox liked the concept of reconnecting everyone to the square. He asked if it would be more traditional or more modern. Larrea said the archways will be a combination of both, but bringing lots of interest to the project so that people will want to come see it.

6. ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Blake Knox, seconded by Kyle Littlefield, to adjourn the Special Council Meeting at 8:10 PM.

RESULT: Carried

MOVER: Blake Knox

SECONDER: Kyle Littlefield

AYES: George Barber, Ivan Estevez, Kyle Littlefield, and Blake Knox

ABSENT: Lisa Stephens

https://greenvilleillinois.civicweb.net/document/72981/