West Central Reporter

City of Rushville City Council met July 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. ROLL CALL & CALL TO ORDER

The Rushville City Council met in the meeting room of the City Hall Building. Upon convening, Mayor Jeff Ervin directed City Clerk, Stacey Briney to call the roll. Upon ROLL CALL, the following answered present: Council Members: Susan Acker, Terry Dodds, Mike Farniok, Bob Fishel, Bryan Matteson, and Mike Ryan. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. Council Members, Richard Davis & Paul Trimble were absent.

Others present included: City Clerk, Stacey Briney; City Attorney, Erin Wilson-Laegeler; Superintendent of Operations, Eric Thurman; Chief of Police, Rick Wright; Moe Billingsley of The Rushville Times; Schuyler Isely, Schuyler County Economic Development Director; and Ryan Murray.

2. OPENING PRAYER

The Opening Prayer was led by Mayor Jeff Ervin.

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Ervin.

4. PUBILC COMMENTS

Ryan Murray reported he is having issues with water getting into his building on West Washington Street since the new sidewalk was put in. Murray noted he would like to figure out what to do to fix this. Murray said the businesses down there also went from having one (1) step to three (3). Murray recommended tearing it all out and going back to the way it was. Mayor Ervin directed Sidewalk & Lighting Committee Chairman, Terry Dodds to get with G M Sipes to see what we can do to fix this issue.

Ryan Murray left the meeting at 7:06 p.m.

5. CONSENT AGENDA

All items on the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine in nature and will be enacted in one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Council Member so requests, in which event, the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered as the first item after approval of the Consent Agenda.

a) Approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held July 1, 2024

b) Approve the Minutes of the Animal Control Committee Meeting held July 10, 2024

c) Approve “Claims for Council Approval Dated 07/15/24” & Accept Monthly Reports

d) Approve Hiring Tyler Barr as Part-Time Employee at Golf Course effective August 1, 2024

e) Pass & Adopt Ordinance No. 1381, Ordinance RE: Headstones at the Rushville City Cemetery

Fishel MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. Farniok SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 6 YEAS – Acker, Dodds, Farniok, Fishel, Matteson, & Ryan; 0 NAYS; 2 ABSENT – Davis & Trimble.

6. ITEMS TO BE REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA – IF APPLICABLE

All items were approved on the Consent Agenda.

7. DISCUSS & CONSIDER APPROVING REQUEST FOR VARIANCE ON ANIMAL CONTROL ORD. NO. 1367, SEC. 14-2.11, NUMBER OF DOGS ALLOWED

Animal Control Committee Member, Bryan Matteson reported the committee met to discuss the variance that the council voted down for the family living at 716 N Liberty. Matteson stated the city asked a lot out of that family and they did everything we asked of them. Matteson noted Animal Control Officer, Dave Edwards has not had any more problems with those dogs either. Matteson said this family had all of these dogs before the ordinance was put in place and the committee feels the council should reconsider their motion and allow them to have their dogs but they have to get the number down through attrition.

Matteson MOVED TO RESCIND THE ORIGINAL MOTION DENYING THE VARIANCE FOR ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE NO. 1367, SECTION 14-2.11, NUMBER OF DOGS ALLOWED FOR THE FAMILY AT 716 N. LIBERTY STREET. Fishel SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 6 YEAS – Dodds, Farniok, Fishel, Matteson, Ryan, & Acker; 0 NAYS; 2 ABSENT – Davis & Trimble.

Matteson MOVED TO APPROVE A VARIANCE FOR THE FAMILY AT 716 N. LIBERT STREET AS LONG AS THEY GET THE NUMBER DOWN THROUGH ATTRITION. Farniok SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 6 YEAS – Farniok, Fishel, Matteson, Ryan, Acker, & Dodds; 0 NAYS; 2 ABSENT – Davis & Trimble.

City Attorney, Erin Wilson-Laegeler stated she would like to send them a letter so the city has everything in writing.

8. DISCUSS & CONSIDER APPROVING QUOTE FROM LANSAW WARNING SYSTEMS FOR MAINTENANCE OF SIRENS

Mayor Ervin reported Alex Lansaw works with EMS Director, Mike Hardy on the sirens, and Hardy is okay with this quote. Mayor Ervin said Lansw would do the maintenance on all the sirens to make sure they are functioning properly, which is something the city really needs. Chief of Police, Rick Wright noted the siren on East Washington Street is in need of repair.

Farniok MOVED TO APPROVE THE QUOTE FROM LANSAW WARNING SYSTEMS FOR MAINTENANCE OF ALL THREE (3) SIRENS AT A COST OF TWO THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED EIGHTEEN DOLLARS AND EIGHTY-THREE CENTS ($2,318.83). Fishel SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 6 YEAS – Fishel, Matteson, Ryan, Acker, Dodds, & Farniok; 0 NAYS; 2 ABSENT – Davis & Trimble.

9. DISCUSS & CONSIDER INCREASING NUMBER OF SUPPER CLUB LIQUOR LICENSES (CLASS E) TO FOUR (4)

Mayor Ervin reported the city currently has three (3) supper club license available and there are two (2) already taken. Mayor Ervin said there have been two (2) applicants apply for this license, the restaurant at the BP station and someone is going to lease the 55 Pub. Mayor Ervin stressed that he is not for a bunch of liquor licenses, but the city needs more places to eat.

Fishel MOVED TO APPROVE INCREASING THE NUMBER OF SUPPER CLUB LICENSES TO FOUR (4). Dodds SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 6 YEAS – Matteson, Ryan, Acker, Dodds, Farniok, & Fishel; 0 NAYS; 2 ABSENT – Davis & Trimble.

10. DISCUSS & CONSIDER APPROVING LIQUOR LICENSE FOR SULTAN BAR & GRILL, LLC

Farniok MOVED TO APPROVE A LIQUOR LICENSE FOR SULTAN BAR & GRILL, LLC. Ryan SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 6 YEAS – Ryan, Acker, Dodds, Farniok, Fishel, & Matteson; 0 NAYS; 2 ABSENT – Davis & Trimble.

11. DISCUSS & CONSIDER APPROVING LIQUOR LICENSE FOR 55 PUB

Matteson MOVED TO APPROVE A LIQUOR LICENSE FOR 55 PUB. Ryan SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 6 YEAS – Acker, Dodds, Farniok, Fishel, Matteson, & Ryan; 0 NAYS; 2 ABSENT – Davis & Trimble.

12. DISCUSS & CONSIDER PURCHASING VAC TRAILER WITH FUNDS FROM ANONYMOUS DONOR

Matteson MOVED TO APPROVE PURCHASING VAC TRAILER WITH FUNDS, PURSUANT TO THE TERMS, FROM THE ANONYMOUS DONOR. Ryan SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL ‘YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 6 YEAS – Dodds, Farniok, Fishel, Matteson, Ryan, & Acker,; 0 NAYS; 2 ABSENT – Davis & Trimble.

13. COUNCIL MEMBER & OFFICIALS’ REPORTS

Council Member, Susan Acker reported the house is down on East LaFayette Street and there is one (1) stump that Hood’s need to take out. Acker stated Sandy Bartlow, the neighbor, had asked about a tree in the back of the property. Mayor Ervin said that tree was not coming out. Superintendent of Operations, Eric Thurman asked if the city was going to get that property surveyed and Mayor Ervin noted we will have to before we sell it.

Water & Sewer Committee Chairman, Bryan Matteson reported the guys have been using the vac trailer a lot in June and July and they really like it. Matteson stressed that he cannot thank the anonymous donor enough for purchasing the vac trailer. Attorney Wilson-Laegeler asked if there was an amount on the vac trailer, and Mayor Ervin said he is not sure because they are going to take the rent off of the cost and we are going to look into warranties on it.

Cemetery Committee Chairman, Matteson also reported Cemetery Sexton, George Vincent has returned to work and is feeling a lot better.

Matteson said he and Acker attended a meeting with County Board Chairman, Chet Esther last Wednesday and they learned a lot. Matteson noted this is an all-day meeting but it is well worth it.

Sidewalk & Lighting Committee Chairman, Terry Dodds reported the committee will meet tomorrow night regarding the ramp on West Washington Street and then again at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday with representatives from the Federal and State agencies about the Safe Routes to School grant.

Street Committee Chairman, Bob Fishel asked Thurman if he had gotten the new striper yet, and Thurman said not yet and it will be a while.

Industrial Park Committee Member, Fishel asked Attorney Wilson-Laegeler if she had heard anything from Dollar General yet regarding their fence around the dumpster. Attorney Wilson-Laegeler said she has not heard anything yet but she had sent a certified letter and nothing has come back yet. Fishel questioned where the city stood with Zach Fletcher and the attorney we retained for him, and Acker said she will give her a call.

City Clerk, Stacey Briney thanked Mike & Susan Grate and Dodds for taking care of the weeds and spraying around City Hall.

City Attorney, Erin Wilson-Laegeler reported she got an invoice from Rent.Fun for the kayak rental at Schuy-Rush Park. Attorney Wilson-Laegeler stated they want her to go to a meeting but she does not think she should be the point of contact.

Attorney Wilson-Laegeler stated IML Conference registration is open and she invited everyone to attend.

04. ADJOURN

Dodds MOVED TO ADJOURN. Fishel SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 6 YEAS – Farniok, Fishel, Matteson, Ryan, Acker, Dodds & Fishel; 0 NAYS; 2 ABSENT – Davis & Trimble. THE MEETING STOOD ADJOURNED ACCORDINGLY AT 7:29 P.M.

https://rushvilleillinois.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/24-07-15.pdf