West Central Reporter

City of Macomb Committee of the Whole met April 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, April 29, 2024 at 5:15 p.m. located in City Hall at 232 East Jackson Street, Macomb, IL.

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

Also, in attendance were, City Administrator Scott Coker, City Attorney Lisa Scalf, Public Works Director Alice Ohrtmann, Transit Director Miranda Lambert, CDC John Bannon, Police Chief Jeff Hamer, and Nexamp Project Development Manager Erick Alves de Sa.

Public Comment: None

The first item on the agenda for discussion was on an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Certain Personal Property (Equipment and Vehicles) Owned by the City of Macomb. This ordinance had first read Monday, April 15, 2024. There was no discussion and Mayor Inman stated it would be placed on the agenda for second reading and final action at next Monday night’s council.

The second item on the agenda for discussion was on an Ordinance to Allow Large Scale Solar Energy for applicant Leatherneck Solar, LLC located at North 1150th Road. This ordinance had first read Monday, April 15, 2024. CDC Bannon stated the large-scale solar use applicants had met all of the requirements, and Planning Commission voted unanimously to bring before council.

Mr. Alves de Sa provided a power point highlighting the project benefits. He explained community solar is known as shared solar. The electricity benefits multiple parties; electricity interconnects to the distribution grid, staying local, residents and small business can subscribe for free, and community solar unlocks credits for subscribers cutting bills up to 15%.

Mayor Inman asked Mr. Alves de Sa to explain for the community, on how Community Solar Works.

Mr. Alves de Sa explained there are 3 different types/tiers for solar; Residential that is placed on a residence, or business rooftop that stays on site, Utility Scale Solar requires well over 100 acres, with multiple property parcel owners, and Community Scale Solar ties into a local community distribution gride.

The electricity produced by the Leathernecks Solar Project will be tied into the Ameren utility grid, in the City of Macomb. Residents who have Ameren, will be able to subscribe to Nexamp Community Solar Farm, and earn utility bill credits.

Alderman Dorsett asked how Nexamp is able to offer this for free.

Mr. Alves de Sa explained Nexamp finds someone to purchase the electricity, and it is sold back to the utility. Nexamp is making a profit margin on the sale of the electricity, which allows them to give back to subscribers.

He stated the last meeting with the Planning Commission on March 27, 2024 involved discussions concerning the landscape screening around the perimeter for the project. He believed they have made the necessary changes, and have discussed those changes with the local resident neighbor, and the city.

The project overview would include;

Enough clean electricity to power 500 plus homes

Single-axis tracker ground-mount system

75 acres or (2 parcels)

26 acres fenced

construction duration of 6 to 9 months

30 to 40 years of operating terms

decommissioning period of 6 months

No battery energy storage N

No future expansion

Height not to exceed 15ft (applicant request to be considered by City of Macomb)

Mayor Inman stated this project would not conflict with any future expansions on Bower Road.

There was no further discussion and Mayor Inman stated this item would be placed on the agenda for second reading and final action at next Monday night’s council.

The third item on the agenda for discussion was on Economic Development Agreement between the City of Macomb and MAEDCO. City Attorney Scalf explained this was an agreement that would provide for additional contributions to MAEDCO by the city, related to MAEDCO’S purchase of property that the city deems very likely for additional development, that would benefit the city.

She stated the additional contributions would be a minimum of $37,500.00 per year, for a period of 4 years.

There was no further discussion and Mayor Inman stated this item would be placed on the agenda for final action at next Monday night’s council.

The fourth item on the agenda for discussion was on Making Application to ILETSB for Recruitment and Retention Grant. Chief Hamer provided a memorandum highlighting the ILETSB Grant.

Chief Hamer stated he wanted to inform City Leadership of the Police Departments desire to apply for grant funding through the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, (ILETSB) are funding another round of recruitment and retention grants, this would be the third round of funding. The grant would concentrate on improving mental wellness and updates to the building. He endeavors to keep the proposed grant budget below the average award of $40,000.00.

He stated if approved, he would submit a grant budget sheet, and once the grant process was completed, he would keep leadership informed.

Alderman Vigezzi asked if this was a no match grant for the department.

Chief Hamer stated yes.

Alderman Vigezzi asked if there were any specific plans regarding the building.

Chief Hamer stated it is to be determined.

There was no further discussion and Mayor Inman stated this item would be placed on the agenda for final action at next Monday night’s council.

The fifth item on the agenda for discussion was on Public Transportation Department Employee Changes. This was discussed at the April 24, 2024 Public Transportation Committee Meeting. Transit Director Lambert provided a memorandum highlighting employee changes.

Transit Director Lambert stated one year ago, they went from operating with the Durham School Services as a third-party contractor, to an in-house department. With the amount of work that needed to be done, they took on the system as is, including the positions. Since that time, people have departed from the department, and changed into different positions.

Proposed changes:

Transition of Safety Trainer (Grade 15) to Safety Coordinator (Grade 16)

Eliminate Road Supervisor Position (Grade 15)

Transition of one Full Time CDL Bus Operator (Grade 14) to Lead Bus Operator (Grade 15) Transition of one Full Time CDL Bus Operator to one Regular Part Time Non CDL Bus Operator and one Regular Part time CDL Bus Operator.

She stated with Hancock County, one of the Full Time CDL Bus Operator will be transitioning into Hancock County when the position opens, instead of keeping the position year-round, she would like to create one Regular Part time Non CDL Bus Operator, and one Regular Part Time CDL Bus Operator. She believes this will help the expense of a Full Time Bus Operator, and help cover those prices in vehicles. She stated the Public Transportation Committee had concurrence on the request, at their April 24, 2024 meeting.

Alderman Dorsett asked CA Coker why these were being brought forward now, and not with the others prior to this. CA Coker explained that timing and transition at Transit were the main reason.

There was no further discussion and Mayor Inman stated this item would be placed on the agenda for final action at next Monday night’s council.

Alderman Dorsett moved, seconded by Alderman Vigezzi to adjourn into an executive session to consider information relative to: a). Appointment, employment, compensation dismissal of an employee of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, pursuant to Sec. 2(c)(1) of the Open Meetings Act., and c). The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, pursuant to Sec. 2(c)(5) of the Open Meetings Act., upon question being put, Aldermen Schuch, Vigezzi, Shabazz, Dorsett, Katz, and Moon being all Aldermen voting “Aye” on roll call and no “Nay” votes, Mayor Inman declared the motion carried and they adjourned into executive session at 5:41 p.m.

Alderman Dorsett moved, seconded by Alderman Schuch to adjourn back into open session, on question being put, all Aldermen voting “Aye” by voice vote, and no “Nay” votes, Mayor Inman declared the motion carried and they adjourned back into open session at 6:12 p.m.

There being no further business to come before Council, Alderman Vigezzi moved, seconded by Alderman Dorsett to adjourn the meeting, all Aldermen voting “Aye” by voice vote and no “Nay” votes, Mayor Inman declared the motion carried and they adjourned the meeting at 6:12 p.m.

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