West Central Reporter

City of Macomb Committee of the Whole met Jan. 29.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The Committee of the Whole, of the Macomb City Council, met in the City Council Chambers on Monday, January 29, 2024 at 5:15 p.m. located in City Hall at 232 East Jackson Street, Macomb, IL.

Pro-Tem John Vigezzi called the meeting to order and roll call was taken, Deputy City Clerk Jennifer Cerven called the roll and the following were present: Aldermen John Vigezzi, Byron Shabazz, Dave Dorsett, Ashley Katz, Don Wynn, and Dennis Moon. Mayor Inman, City Administrator Scott Coker, and Alderman Justin Schuch were absent.

Also, in attendance were, City Attorney Lisa Scalf, CDC John Bannon, Public Works Director Alice Ohrtmann, Business Director Melissa Worley, Chief of Police Jeff Hamer, and Shane Hampton a representative from Main Street America.

Public Comment. None

The first item on the agenda for discussion was on authorizing Committee of the Whole Power to Act on a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Macomb and Fraternal Order of Police. Council granted Committee of the Whole Power to Act at their January 16th meeting.

Alderman Dorsett moved, seconded by Alderman Moon to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Macomb and Fraternal Order of Police, on question being put, Aldermen Vigezzi, Shabazz, Dorsett, Katz, Wynn, and Moon being all Aldermen voting “Aye” on roll call and no “Nay” votes on roll call, Mayor Pro-Tem Vigezzi declared the motion carried.

The seconded item on the agenda for discussion was on authorizing Committee of the Whole Power to Act on awarding the bid for the Johnson Street Project to Gunther Construction, a Division of UCM, Inc. in the amount of $6,189,408.27. Council granted Committee of the Whole Power to Act at their January 16th meeting.

Alderman Moon moved, seconded by Alderman Wynn to award the bid for the Johnson Street Project to Gunther Construction, a Division of UCM, Inc. in the amount of $6,189,408.27, on question being put, Aldermen Shabazz, Dorsett, Katz, Wynn, Moon, and Vigezzi being all Aldermen voting “Aye” by roll call and no “Nay” votes on roll call, Mayor Pro-Tem Vigezzi declared the motion carried.

The third item on the agenda for discussion was on authorizing Committee of the Whole Power to Act on awarding the bid for the Adams Street Project to Laverdiere Construction, Inc. in the amount of $1,378,046.00. Council granted Committee of the Whole Power to Act at their January 16th meeting.

Alderman Dorsett moved, seconded by Alderman Moon to award the bid for the Adam Street Project to Laverdiere Construction, Inc. in the amount of $1,378,046.00, on question being put, Aldermen Dorsett, Katz, Wynn, Moon, Vigezzi, and Shabazz being all Aldermen voting “Aye” on roll call and no “Nay” votes on roll call, Mayor Pro-Tem Vigezzi declared the motion carried.

Item number four on the agenda was removed by Amended Agenda

The fifth item on the agenda for discussion was on the WasteWater Treatment Plant Upgrades Phase 2.

There was no discussion and Mayor Pro-Tem Vigezzi stated the item would be placed on the agenda for final action at next Monday night council.

The sixth item on the agenda was on Bike and Pedestrian needs through Thriving Communities Program.

CDC Bannon stated the context is to have a Multiuse Path Plan Committee in the city. They have applied for and have received technical assistance funding though the Thriving Communities Program. There is a large amount of funding available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act. We want to make sure we are in a competitive position as much as we can be, to realize the planning and funding.

CDC Bannon stated he would like to have feedback from council and the public on the status of bike and pedestrian safety accessibility, and other associated things in general within the city.

Mr. Hampton stated Main Streets America focus; on downtown core commercial district revitalization. This was something new, and seen as opportunity from the U.S. Department of Transportation to provide technical assistance communities all across the country.

Mr. Hampton stated CDC Bannon and his colleagues put an application together and submitted to TCP on the behalf of the City of Macomb, Main Street America also put together an application on the other side to help provide technical services. Main Street America put together a team due to various types of needs for transportation. The team includes 6 partner entities, one of those being the Rural Communities Assistance Partnership.

Mr. Hampton stated there are 64 communities across the country that won assistance through the Thriving Communities Program, they are broken down into 4 groups; theirs being the Main Street Co-Hort that includes 20 different communities in 20 states.

Mr. Hampton stated the purpose for their assessment visit was; to learn as much as they could about the Macomb Community to collect additional context and data. During their visit, they met with the Macomb Park District, Multimodal Steering Committee, and two groups of stake holders from different institutions, both private and nonprofit.

Mr. Hampton asked the council, what were some accomplishments in the last couple of years, they were proud of. Alderman Vigezzi stated Downtown Development.

Alderman Dorsett stated he would recognize the Community Development Office for their efforts in taking care of dilapidated properties through out the community.

Alderman Vigezzi asked if they have other towns similar in size to ours with colleges, and a need for this type of program.

Mr. Hampton stated yes; the University location and population is key to justifying why the community wants to pursue a bicycle infrastructure.

There being no further business to come before the Council, Alderman Moon moved, seconded by Alderman Dorsett to adjourn the meeting, all Aldermen voting “Aye” by voice vote, and no “Nay” votes, Pro-Tem Vigezzi declared the motion carried and they adjourned the meeting at 5:31 p.m.

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