West Central Reporter

City of Macomb Committee of the Whole met June 10.

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, June 10, 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, Don Wynn, and Dennis Moon.

Also, in attendance were, City Administrator Scott Coker, City Attorney Lisa Scalf, Fire Chief Dan Meyer, and Donato Solar Represenitive Peyton Childress.

Public Comment: None

The first item on the agenda for discussion was on an Ordinance Amending Section 2-184 of the Macomb Municipal Code Pertaining to Designation of Depositories. This ordinance had first reading June 3rd. City Attorney Lisa Scalf stated the City Treasurer had reviewed that particular section of our code. The intention is to make sure we have the appropriate depositories listed, for the city to do business. The City Treasurer has recommended changes and additions; those being incorporated in the Code Section Change.

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

The second item on the agenda for discussion was on an Ordinance Amending Chapter 10 Sections 131-140, Article V of the Municipal Code Pertaining to Fireworks, Firecrackers, etc. Chief Meyer Provided a memorandum along with a copy of the application. Chief Meyer stated after recent review and training received from the State Fire Marshall, it was discovered the cities current ordinance was not in compliance with the state statute.

He stated consumer grade fireworks were not allowed without a permit issued by the local authority having jurisdiction. The suggested amendment aims to align the ordinance with the existing state statute and clarify the procedures for application and permitting. It is designed to enhance enforcement measures and establish clear penalties, notably, the scope does not encompass novelty fireworks.

He stated in order to have consumer displays, you need 400 square feet of open space; roughly 3 to 4 acres. With the revamp of the proposed amendment, we are doing away with consumer displays. This will not affect the professional pyrotechnic displays.

Chief Meyer explained the $500.00 fee for a pyrotechnic display permit was due to; having to complete inspections before a show, and man-hours needed during and after a show.

Mayor Inman asked if this put us in compliance with the state statute.

Chief Meyer stated yes.

Mayor Inman stated with the Independence Day Celebration approaching, we would propose first reading at next Monday night’s council, with Power to Act at Committee of the Whole meeting on June 24th.

Chief Meyer Stated he would be working with the cities Marketing and Downtown Director Savannah Ballard to get social media broadcast, to help make the public aware of the ordinance change, and what will be allowed. This will also help make law enforcement aware of what is allowed.

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

The third item on the agenda for discussion was on an Ordinance to Authorize the Issuance of a Special Use Permit to Allow a Large-Scale Solar Energy Facility in an AG-1 Agriculture Zoning District at 207 Wear Avenue. This ordinance had first reading May 20th. Further discussion was requested before second reading and final action.

Ms. Childress, Donato Represenitive stated the buildings on site would be used for maintenance and operations of the solar array.

She stated current site plans show 4 separate bays within the building, those are 4 different solar arrays they need, in order for them to feed into the meters, primary use is the solar, and the building is the accessary use.

She stated they have no plans to lease the spaces out. They would be used for systems and operation maintenance, monitoring maintenance, and vegetation maintenance. Energy forecasting maintenance would be monitored through computer, with location being 3 hours away from their home base; they would want to use the site for storing mowers and landscaping equipment.

Alderman Vigezzi asked if they have used this type of blue print before.

Ms. Childress stated with them being new and upcoming, they do not have a lot of physical sites that are up and complete. They have different avenues on how they build on each site, but do have sites similar to this one.

Alderman Dorsett Asked if there will be staff on site.

Ms. Childress stated she believed there would be someone at the location twice a week for maintenance, and to make sure the site was being maintained.

Mayor Inman asked if this would be used as a data center.

Ms. Childress stated no.

Mayor Inman asked what the proposed size was for the site.

Ms. Childress stated 8 megawatts.

Mayor Inman asked what the 8 megawatts behind the meter at the location would be powering. Ms. Childress stated she did not know.

Alderman Vigezzi asked if there are 8 megawatts feeding back into the building, what is the building going to be used for.

Ms. Childress stated at this time there is no intended purpose for the building bedsides maintenance and operations for the solar array. Buildings on the site plan can be sized down.

CA Coker stated The main concern is the amount of usage. The city would like to have some guarantee, there was nothing more than just buildings, and it’s going out on the grid.

He stated council would like more clarification before making a final vote.

Mayor Inman requested further information be provided before the next Community Development Committee meeting on Thursday, June 13, 2024.

There was no further discussion.

The Fouth Item on the agenda for discussion was on Authorizing Amending Revolving Loan Program Guidelines. This was discussed at Community Development Committee June 3rd. A memorandum from CDD Lambert along with a copy of the application was provided. CA Coker spoke on behalf of CDD Lambert who was not present.

CA Coker stated the city had a request for a revolving loan. After going through the process, it was discovered there was a requirement to have a certain number of jobs retained in hours.

He stated the request was for a loan that does not meet the hours. This is a public safety issue involving sprinklers in a downtown building. Staff request that City Council discuss and approve the highlighted changes in the Economic Development Revolving Loan Program; that would allow eligible candidates to waive the job creation criteria if the funding was for matters of public life, health, and/or safety.

He stated they would have an application for review, when they were able to make the changes.

Alderman Katz stated she believed this was important to be added; due to the life and safety issues, especially with the building needing sprinkled. It was the consensus of the committee that they were not the hold up, and doing something to help the well being of people in the facility.

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

There being no further business to come before Council, Alderman Dorsett moved, seconded by Alderman Vigezzi 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 5:40p.m.

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