West Central Reporter

City of Rushville City Council met Jan. 6.

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, Terry Dodds, Mike Farniok, Bob Fishel, Bryan Matteson, Mike Ryan, & Paul Trimble.. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. Council Member, Richard Davis was absent.

Others present included: City Clerk, Stacey Briney; City Attorney, Erin Wilson-Laegeler; Superintendent of Operations, Drew Ralston; Moe Billingsley of The Rushville Times (arrived at 7:01 p.m.); Danya Smith, Library Board Member; Darla Kirkham, Library Employee; and Kevin Kirkham.

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

There were no Public Comments at this time.

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 16, 2024

b) Approve the Minutes of the Police Committee Meeting held December 12, 2024; & Economic Development Committee Meeting held December 16, 2024

c) Approve “Claims for Council Approval Dated 01/06/25” & Accept Monthly Reports d) Approve Loan Reimbursement

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

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

7. DISCUSS & CONSIDER RAISE FOR DARLA KIRKHAM

Farniok MOVED TO ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS PERSONNEL – 5 ILCS 120/2 (C)(1). Fishel SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 7 YEAS – Dodds, Farniok, Fishel, Matteson, Ryan, Trimble, & Acker; 0 NAYS; 1 ABSENT – Davis.

Open Session reconvened at 7:14 p.m. with the following present: Mayor Ervin; Council Members – Acker, Dodds, Farniok, Fishel, Matteson, Ryan, & Trimble; City Clerk, Stacey Briney; City Attorney, Wilson-Laegeler; Billingsley of The Rushville Times; Superintendent of Operations, Ralston; Smith, Library Board Member.

THE ITEM DIED FOR A LACK OF A MOTION.

8. COUNCIL MEMBER & OFFICIALS’ REPORTS

Sidewalk & Lighting Committee Chairman, Terry Dodds called for a meeting on Thursday, January 16th, at 6:30 p.m. to Discuss Sidewalk on West Washington.

Council Member, Mike Ryan reported the trailer on South Congress Street has not had anything done with it. City Attorney, Erin Wilson-Laegeler said she will get with Chief of Police, Rick Wright.

Ordinance Review Committee Chairman, Mike Farniok called for a meeting on Thursday, January 16th, at 6:00 p.m. to Discuss Cargo Containers.

Street Committee Chairman, Bob Fishel stated he wants to give the city crew a huge shout out with the snow removal. Fishel said he just cannot say thank you enough to them.

City Attorney, Erin Wilson-Laegeler stated she sent a revised Animal Control Ordinance over to City Clerk, Stacey Briney.

Attorney Wilson-Laegeler reported there are two (2) derelict houses in town and she wondered if the council would like for her to proceed with the abandon property process. Attorney Wilson-Laegeler noted these houses are the Veith house on the corner of North Jackson and West Jefferson and the house

that has a roach infestation on South Congress. Consensus of the council was to move forward with the abandon property process.

Mayor Jeff Ervin reported he attended a meeting with the county board, Schuyler County Economic Development Committee (SCEDC), the Chamber of Commerce, and Schuy-Life to talk about how all of the entities could work together promoting businesses and bringing new businesses to town. Mayor Ervin said the next meeting will be January 30th, at 4:30 p.m. in the Rushville State Bank annex and he would like to have anyone that is available to attend.

Economic Development Committee Chair, Susan Acker stated SCEDC Director, Schuyler Isley resigned her position. Acker noted the city gave SCEDC our part of the money but it is just sitting there. Mayor Ervin stated SCEDC would like to find someone to take that position.

9. ADJOURN

Dodds MOVED TO ADJOURN. Acker SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 7 YEAS – Fishel, Matteson, Ryan, Trimble, Acker, Dodds, & Farniok; 0 NAYS; 1 ABSENT – Davis. THE MEETING STOOD ADJOURNED ACCORDINGLY AT 7:21 P.M.

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