Rock Island Today

City of Lewistown City Council met Jan. 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

PRESENT: Darren (representative) with WIRC, Amanda Smith, Aldermen Brad Ward, Sally Clark, John Spotloe, Jim Long, Kendall Miller, Mayor Doug Lafary, City Treasurer Deb Brown and City Clerk Cindy Goddard. Also, around 26 Public citizens applying for the Block Grant.

Darren from Western Illinois Regional Council, told the audience that this is part of the process for the grant from the State. Discussed if any other community needs. Citizens said Sidewalks are needed along with more street lighting. Sewer on the South end of town needs taken care of. Water treatment needed said one person also upgrade the parks. If a family gets picked for the rehab program, they may have to relocate the family. That is paid for with the grant. We will be contacted by May 31, 2023 if received funds. This is city wide, not a specific area. Low to moderate incomes are considered. 954 homes in Lewistown, 10 homes will be picked from the applications, max of $60,000.00 per application. There will be another public hearing after the May notification regarding the fund distribution.

LEWISTOWN CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE January 10, 2023

The Lewistown City Council met in regular session in the council chambers. Mayor Douglas Lafary called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Invocation: Paster Paul Walmsley

ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Alderperson Sally Clark, Jim Long, Brad Ward, Kendall Miller, Kim Pascal, John Spotloe and Mayor Doug Lafary. Also present: City Clerk Cindy Goddard, City Treasurer Debby Brown, Public Works Director Evinn Palmer, Police Chief Merrill and City Attorney Nathan Collins.

DECLARATION OF QUORUM by Mayor Doug Lafary

CLERKS REPORT/MINUTES: Cindy Goddard.

Alderperson Miller made a motion to approve the minutes of December 13, 2022, second by Alderperson Long roll call vote, the motion carried all ayes.

Report by Clerk - I was asked to give a presentation and slide show in Havana in front of the Illinois Basin Funding Review Board. Got some ideas for grants, one was Department of Natural Resources for the Visitors Center, Illinois Clean Energy for windows and roof, then Energy Transition Community Grant.

Also, the TIF Joint Review Board meeting is January 11 at 11:00 a.m. here at City Hall.

Also, we need to have a TIF committee meeting regarding TIF extension. to add property to the TIF District we have to go through the same process as creating a new one. That involves mailings, meetings, publication etc., takes 4-5 months. Other option is to create a new TIF district if people object and we cannot get the TIF extended. I have heard there are some that are going to object.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Debbie Brown. November treasurer report handed out.

ATTORNEY'S REPORT: Attorney Nathan Collins. Regarding the property at 627 North Main Street, Demolition may be OKs within a month. All legal actions have been taken.

ENGINEER'S REPORT: Keith Plavec. No Engineer present.

PUBLIC COMMENTS AND PETITIONS: Mary Deushane regarding West Avenue E. County Hwy 14. Bumps in road, she knows that there is a spring under the road. Asking for a sign be posted. Already asked about ARPA money from County, they said no. She will help with grant if need to. (Letter attached)

Bill Bradley, downtown looked great for the Holidays and still complaining about Negley property needing cleaning up.

Mark Bixler prayer walk Thursday night here in Lewistown, starting at Porter Park.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Finance/Insurance/Zoning - Alderperson Clark: Nothing to report.

Sewer - Alderperson Spotloe: Nothing to report.

Streets & Allies - Alderperson Miller: Nothing to report.

Police/ESDA-Alderperson Ward: Nothing to report.

Water- Alderperson Miller: Nothing

Utilities/Publications - Alderperson Long: Nothing to report.

Public Buildings & Grounds - Alderperson Long: Would like to start painting and get the floor in kitchen at the Visitors Center done.

Alderperson Miller reminded everyone that the County is going to be 200 years old this year. Hoping activities are going to get planned by the City. VFW wants to do a full-blown Octoberfest.

Tourism - Alderman Pascal: Nothing

Tax Increment Financing - Alderperson Spotloe:

Citizens Committee - Amanda Smith had to leave meeting. Mentioned that the City IS getting the $600,000.00 from the Cheri Bustos grant. Not sure when it will arrive.

Christmas Committee - Kenny Haacke Went well, trees are down a little early but it was in the 60's. Thanked Farm King again and the Presbyterian Church for letting us use an area for Santa. Meeting tomorrow night at 6:00 at Visitors Center. VFW going to do spaghetti meal again probably in March will know more after meeting. He also thank Clerk for all she does for every Holiday activity.

WORKS DIRECTOR'S REPORT - Evinn Palmer Public Works Director - Close to 44 million gallons down from 2019 pumped water around 61 million down on waste water. Total this year 6.3% down on unaccounted for water. Also need to remember that with this much less water use then less wear and tear on pumps, less electricity and less chemicals. Can also use only 5 wells to keep up.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

1. Discuss/Act Upon Resolution of Support for a Community Development Block Grant for the Program Housing Rehabilitation Component - Alderperson Ward made a motion to pass the Resolution of Support for the Community Development Block Grant for Program Housing Rehabilitation, second by Alderperson Long, all agree, motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Discuss/Act Upon MFT Maintenance Resolution for the purpose of Maintaining Streets and highway - Alderperson Spotloe made a motion to approve the MFT Resolution for Maintaining Streets and highway, second by Alderperson Clark, roll call vote motion carried all ayes

PRESENTATION OF BILLS:

Alderperson Clark made a motion to approve all bills properly endorsed; Seconded by Alderperson Ward roll call vote, the motion carried with all ayes.

CLOSED SESSION: No closed session

ADJOURNMENT:

Alderperson Spotloe made a motion to adjourn at 6:50 p.m.; Seconded by Alderperson Long motion carried all ayes.

http://lewistownillinois.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Jan-10-2023-City-Council-min.pdf