West Central Reporter

City of Rushville City Council met Dec. 16.

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 called the meeting to order and directed City Clerk, Stacey Briney to call the roll. Upon ROLL CALL, the following answered present: Council Members: Susan Acker, Richard Davis, Terry Dodds, Mike Farniok, Bryan Matteson, Mike Ryan, & Paul Trimble.. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. Council Member, Bob Fishel was absent.

Others present included: City Clerk, Stacey Briney; City Attorney, Erin Wilson-Laegeler; Superintendent of Operations, Drew Ralston; Chief of Police, Rick Wright; Moe Billingsley of The Rushville Times; Jamie Headen of Benton & Associates; Ana Eveland, Career Connect Student; 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. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Ryan Murray reported that after the repairs were made to the new sidewalk in front of his building on West Washington Street, the first rain came on Saturday and he is still getting water in his building. Mayor Ervin stated he was at the location with the contractors and they put a level on the sidewalk and the water ran away from the building so there must be some other problem. Mayor Ervin said all the buildings along that side of the street have one thing in common and that is brick on the bottom, except for Murray’s. Murray stressed that he never had this problem before the city replaced the sidewalk. Murray noted that he has lost out on seven (7) months of rent. Murray stressed that this is not his problem and the city just put a band aid on it. Mayor Ervin said the city did not band aid this, we poured a brand new sidewalk that cost One Hundred Eight Seven Thousand Dollars ($187,000). Murray stated the sidewalk was the problem and he has videos to prove it.

Murray said the city is not doing anything to solve the problem, which is not his problem, and they have drug the band aid out for seven (7) months. Murray noted the sidewalk committee met and had decided what to do and then did not do anything that was talked about. Sidewalk & Lighting Committee Chairman, Terry Dodds stressed that it was Murray’s responsibility to put flashing on his building. Murray stated the sidewalk was raised and that was when the water started to come in. Mayor Ervin reminded Murray that before the sidewalk was replaced his building was not handicapped acceptable and the city had to make that ADA compliant so that is why it is the way it is. Murray stressed that now the city is telling him that the problem is his and “thanked” them for that. Mayor Ervin again said the water runs away from the building when it rains. A heated discussion followed.

Mayor Ervin told Murray that the Sidewalk Committee will meet, along with the contractors and engineer and they will look at Murray’s videos.

Ryan Murray left the meeting at 7:12 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 December 2, 2024

b) Approve the Minutes of the Ordinance Review Committee Meeting held December 11, 2024

c) Approve “Claims for Council Approval Dated 12/16/24” & Accept Monthly Reports

d) Consider $500 Donation to The HUB (as per past practice)

e) Approve Allowing Fire Department to Open a Checking Account for Golf Outings & Scholarships

f) Approve Change Order #1 for Hood Construction in the Amount of $108,179.80

g) Approve Change Order #2 for Leander Construction Requesting More Time

Farniok MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. Ryan SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 7 YEAS – Acker, Davis, Dodds, Farniok, Matteson, Ryan, & Trimble; 0 NAYS; 1 ABSENT – Fishel.

6. ITEMS TO BE REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA – IF APPLICABLE All items were approved on the Consent Agenda

7. DISCUSS & CONSIDER AWARDING BIDS FOR N. LIBERTY STREET STORM SEWER PROJECT

Jamie Headen of Benton & Associates reported there was a bid opening on December 12th where four (4) bids were opened. Headen stated the low bid was from Hood Construction in the amount of One Hundred Forty-Eight Thousand Seven Hundred Ten Dollars ($148,710). Headen noted he looked at the qualifications and references and everything seems to be in line. Headen said this bid is right in line with the ARPA funds. Headen recommends the council approve the bid from Hood Construction.

Headen also reported the city needs to get this signed before the end of the year according to ARPA rules. Headen stated Hood’s will probably start this project in the spring. Headen noted he will coordinate with the businesses.

Matteson MOVED TO APPROVE AWARDING THE BID FOR THE NORTH LIBERTY STREET STORM SEWER TO HOOD CONSTRUCTION IN THE AMOUNT OF ONE HUNDRED FORTY-EIGHT THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED TEN DOLLARS ($148,710). Dodds SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 7 YEAS – Davis, Dodds, Farniok, Matteson, Ryan, Trimble, & Acker; 0 NAYS; 1 ABSENT – Fishel.

8. DISCUSS & CONSIDER APPROVING RED GRANT

Economic Development Committee Chair, Susan Acker reported the committee met earlier to review a RED Grant application from the Rocket Café. Acker noted they are requesting Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) to replace the windows, cracks, floor, and ceiling mostly in the upstairs south apartment.

Acker MOVED TO APPROVE A RED GRANT TO THE ROCKET CAFÉ IN THE AMOUNT OF FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($5,000). Ryan SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 7 YEAS – Dodds, Farniok, Matteson, Ryan, Trimble, Acker, & Dodds; 0 NAYS; 1 ABSENT – Fishel.

9. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION TO APPROVE CLOSED SESSION MINUTES DATED OCTOBER 7, 2024; & GRIEVANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE MINUTES DATED NOVEMBER 13, 2024; & DISCUSS PERSONNEL – 5 ILCS 120/2 (C)(1)

Mayor Ervin stated there was no need to adjourn to Closed Session at this time.

10. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

11. DISCUSS & CONSIDER SENDING ANDREW HAAS TO FULL-TIME SCHOOL

Mayor Ervin reported Police Officer, Andrew Haas will have to attend the academy starting January 6th.

Farniok MOVED TO APPROVE SENDING POLICE OFFICER, ANDREW HAAS TO FULL-TIME ACADEMY. Trimble SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 7 YEAS – Farniok, Matteson, Ryan, Trimble, Acker, Davis, & Dodds; 0 NAYS; 1 ABSENT – Fishel.

12. COUNCIL MEMBER & OFFICIALS’ REPORTS

Ordinance Review Committee Chairman, Mike Farniok reported the committee met to review the Animal Control ordinance but they were not sure what the council was wanting to change. Mayor Ervin said the ordinance states a person can have up to six (6) fowl, but it should only say chickens.

Farniok stated the committee would like to see a time limit on the use of cargo containers, possibly sixty (60) or ninety (90) days. Farniok noted the committee did not have a problem with this but if there is a time limit, then that runs into someone enforcing it. Ordinance Review Committee Member, Bryan Matteson said the city will need to make sure these containers are used for storage and not living quarters. City Attorney, Erin Wilson-Laegeler stated she would need a list of the address that would be grandfathered in. Attorney Wilson-Laegeler noted the council would need to consider how many days they are looking at and Matteson said he likes ninety (90) and Ryan agreed.

Mayor Jeff Ervin reported he would like the council’s permission to shop around and find five to ten (5-10) acres for a new well in the future. Consensus was to allow Mayor Ervin to look for some acreage.

13. ADJOURN

Acker MOVED TO ADJOURN. Dodds SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 6 YEAS – Matteson, Ryan, Trimble, Acker, Davis, Dodds, & Farniok; 0 NAYS; 1 ABSENT – Fishel. 

THE MEETING STOOD ADJOURNED ACCORDINGLY AT 7:23 P.M.

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