West Central Reporter

City of Jacksonville City Council met July 22.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Members of the public have the option to attend the in-person City Council meeting or watch the live City Council meeting via live video located on the City of Jacksonville’s website jacksonvilleil.gov

The Jacksonville City Council Meeting was called to order at 6:41 p.m. by Mayor Andy Ezard in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building. The meeting was publicly announced by posting and by written notice to the local newspaper and radio stations.

ROLL CALL: The following answered present: Aldermen Don Cook, Kent Hannant, Brett Henry, Joe Lockman, Lori Large Oldenettel, Alison Rubin de Celis, Aaron Scott, Eren Williams; Mayor Andy Ezard; City Attorney Dan Beard; City Clerk Angela Salyer. A quorum was declared.

MINUTES: Motion was made by Scott, seconded by Rubin de Celis, to accept the June 24, 2024 Minutes as presented in advance. By voice vote, motion carried.

PETITIONS: No discussion.

COMMUNICATIONS: No discussion.

CLAIMS: Motion was made by Cook, seconded by Henry, to pay claims when funds are available. By voice vote, motion carried.

MAYOR’S REPORT: No discussion.

CONSENT AGENDA: (Items addressed under the Consent Agenda are routine or are brought forward at the direction of the Council and are enacted with one motion. If discussions were desired, that item would be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately under the Committee Reports.)

FINANCE/IT/PERSONNEL:

1. City Treasurer’s Report – June 30, 2024. City Treasurer Beth Hopkins’ report June 30, 2024, in which totals for cash receipts, cash disbursements, investments, and balances for all City bank and investment accounts were given.

2024-R-114 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING VARIOUS PAYMENTS FROM THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND FOR CERTAIN IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS – $200,504.27 (Central Rental - $169,000, Green Edison - $17,264, Hutchison Engineering - $7,093.25, K. E. Vas Company - $102,603, Morgan-Scott Read Mix - $466.02, MTI Distributing - $48,995, Neff-Colvin Inc. - $23,914)

2024-R-107 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PAYMENTS FROM THE GENERAL FUND FOR SERVICES RENDERED - $7,858.26 (Bellatti, Fay, Bellatti & Beard, LLP - $5,423.36 City Attorney fees, Bellatti, Fay, Bellatti & Beard, LLP - $2,435

Administrative Assistant, Assistant City Attorney

PARKS & LAKES

2024-R-108 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING WAIVER OF ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS; AND ACCEPTANCE OF PROPOSAL FROM JLS MARINE, INC. FOR THE PURCHASE OF A KAYAK LAUNCH FOR THE PARKS AND LAKES DEPARTMENT - $17,263.52

PLANNING & PUBLIC WORKS:

2024-R-109 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ASSIGNMENT OF LIEN TO TWO RIVERS LAND BANK (716 Sheridan Avenue).

PUBLIC PROTECTION: No discussion.

SPECIAL STUDIES: No discussion.

UTILITY:

2024-R-110 RESOLUTION APPROVING SIXTH AMENDMENT TO WATER PURCHASE CONTRACT WITH SCOTT-MORGAN-GREENE WATER COOPERATIVE

2024-R-111 RESOLUTION APPROVING CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER #1 WITH PLOCHER CONSTRUCTION RE: WWTP IMPROVEMENTS – PHASE 1 HEADWORDS PROJECT (Project amount of $15,460,000 to reflect a net decrease of $190,255.19 – Contract Price is changed to $15,269,744.81)

2024-R-112 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PAYMENT TO PLOCHER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. RE: CONTRUCTION SERVICES FOR THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT PHASE 1 IMPROVEMENTS-HEADWORKS PROJECT FROM THE WATERWORKS & SEWERAGE PROJECTS FUND - $985,001.40

2024-R-113 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING VARIOUS PAYMENTS FROM THE WATERWORKS & SEWERAGE PROJECTS FUND FOR CERTAIN

IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS - $100,500.98 (Benton & Associates, Inc. - $1,997.50, Benton & Associates, Inc. - $5,949.50, Benton & Associates, Inc. - $61,766.48, Bob Lamb Co., Inc. - $787.50, Turner Painting & Construction - $28,000, Vernon LaGesse - $2,000)

Motion was made by Oldenettel, seconded by Williams, to accept the Consent Agenda. Mayor Ezard asked for discussion or if there were any items to be pulled from the Consent Agenda and there were none.

ROLL CALL: 8 Yeas; 0 Nays; 2 Absent (Speed and Watts)

Motion carried 8-0-2.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

FINANCE/IT/PERSONNEL: No discussion.

PARKS & LAKES: No discussion.

PLANNING & PUBLIC WORKS:

PUBLIC PROTECTION:

Chief Mefford spoke to recognize Sgt. Jordan Poeschel and K-9, Ares. Ares has been a member of JPD for over six years. Ares was injured in a training accident a few years ago where he had extensive damage to his paw and leg. He was taken to Champaign Medical Center where he received emergency treatment and follow up exams. Ares was able to return to duty and work after the accident until the injuries became too much for him. Chief Mefford presented a plaque to Sgt. Poeschel and Ares. Sgt. Poeschel addressed the council mentioned that he is grateful his opportunities in Jacksonville. He has enjoyed being a K-9 handler and one of the reasons why he became a police officer. There is a new K-9 that came on duty when Ares retired.

SPECIAL STUDIES: No discussion.

UTILITY: No discussion.

OLD BUSINESS: No discussion

NEW BUSINESS:

Ald. Oldenettel talked about the tree grant that the City has received and needing volunteers to plant the trees. She is asking for the community to help spread the word. There are 150 trees to be planted and the date for the planting is Saturday, October 12, 2024 at 9:00 a.m., with a backup date of October 19, 2024.

Ald. Oldenettel referred to the earlier question about the kayak rental and stated that as of May 5, 2024, there have been 246 kayak rentals. This does not include people that have their own kayak.

Mayor Ezard mentioned that 2025 is Jacksonville’s Bicentennial. The celebration will be on October 4, 2025. The Chamber of Commerce will be kicking the year off with a Gala in January with live music. The Mayor has been meeting with a committee and are hopeful that many of the local businesses in the City will participate in the celebration.

Mayor Ezard asked for everyone to take a moment to remember Bob Chipman. Mr. Chipman was a wonderful man that always had a smile. He asked everyone to keep the Chipman family in their prayers.

ADJOURNMENT: With no further discussion, motion was made by Cook, seconded by Scott, to adjourn the meeting at 6:59 p.m.