City of Lewistown City Council met May 9.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
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: Mayor Lafary
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, Police Chief Merrill and City Attorney Nathan Collins. ABSENT: Evinn Palmer, Public Works Director.
DECLARATION OF QUORUM by Mayor Doug Lafary
CLERKS REPORT/MINUTES: Cindy Goddard.
Alderperson Miller made a motion to approve the minutes of April 25, 2023 and the minutes of the water committee minutes of May 2, 2023, second by Alderperson Clark, the motion carried all ayes.
Report- Looking into a grant called Strong Communities Program, it is for demolition of residential properties beyond repair and that have a negative impact on neighborhood. Max amount given out is $75,000.00 no match needed.
Also, the Kid's Day Celebration has been changed to Saturday July 1 from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. Always need volunteers to help with the games, maybe if know any older kids that might want to help let me know. Sally Clark said maybe the Legion ladies would like to help.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Debbie Brown. Treasurer's report for April 2023 handed out.
ATTORNEY'S REPORT: Attorney Nathan Collins. Nothing.
ENGINEER'S REPORT: Keith Plavec. No Engineer present.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND PETITIONS: Bill Bradley, Negley burning again, in the back, his neighbor is worried about it.
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. Mayor Lafary announced there will be an ESDA meeting Tuesday, May 16 at 7:00 p.m. at Lewistown City Hall for anyone interested in having an ESDA group here in town.
Water - Alderperson Miller: Nothing at this time, later in meeting.
Utilities/Publications - Alderperson Long: Nothing to report.
Public Buildings & Grounds - Alderperson Long: Nothing.
Tourism - Alderman Pascal: Nothing.
Tax Increment Financing – Alderperson Spotloe: Later in meeting.
Citizens Committee - Amanda Smith mine will be covered in unfinished business.
Christmas Committee - Kenny Haacke nothing tonight.
WORKS DIRECTOR'S REPORT – Evinn Palmer Public Works Director absent.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Discuss/Act Upon TIF Application by and between Mefail Mehmedi (Countryside Family Restaurant) Redevelopment and City of Lewistown - Brought 2 bids in for the area that is presently blacktopped to have it redon. Amount we have in the TIF account is $41,000.00 till August, at that time will start getting more TIF money in per clerk. Can make in two payments if want. This fall the estimate for TIF money we will receive is $110,000.00. Alderperson Miller asked how much was given to Lewistown Mart, it was $28,000.00 for the blacktop plus money for sign and rehab inside. Total $70,000.00 discussed for Mr. Mehmedi, $40,000.00 grant now. Will decide in fall regarding the rest, whether it is a grant or a forgivable loan. Will have the Ordinance at the next meeting to vote on. Motion by Alderperson Clark to award a $40,000.00 grant for the redevelopment of the Countryside Family Restaurant parking lot, second by Alderperson Long, roll call vote, motion carries all ayes.
2. Discuss/Act Upon recommendation from the Water Committee on how to use the Grant Money of $600,000.00 and ARPA Grant Money of $292,037.65 - Alderperson Miller said that at the water committee meeting they discussed how the money can to be used for water rehab, the recommendation is to rehab the ground storage facility, and new pump station, that being inside the building, pipes, valves, and building being new, and this is estimates only at this time. Included in this recommendation is a way to increase the quality of the water also. Funding to be used on the rehab of ground storage and related water infrastructure. Alderperson Clark made a motion to accept the recommendation of the water committee on how to use the grant money, second by Alderperson Long, roll call vote motion carried all ayes.
Motion to Suspend further business by Mayor Lafary
Motion to Adjourn Sine Die
CITY CLERK, CINDY GODDARD, GIVES OATH OF OFFICE TO: Alderman Jim Long in Ward 1, Alderman Brad Ward in Ward 2 and Alderman David Levingston in Ward 3,
ROLL CALL, PRESENT: Alderperson Sally Clark, Jim Long, Brad Ward, Kendall Miller, David Levingston, John Spotloe, and Mayor Doug Lafary, City Clerk Cindy Goddard, City Treasurer Debbie Brown, and City Attorney Nathan Collins.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND PETITIONS- None
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Appointment of Committees - List was handed out to all Aldermen with their committees
listed. No objections.
2. Discuss/Act Upon Donation to Lewistown Fireworks - Mayor asked how much usually donated, it has been $1,000.00 for years. Motion by Alderperson Miller to donate $1,000.00 to the Lewistown Fireworks, second by Alderperson Clark, roll call vote, motion carried all ayes.
3. Discuss/Act Upon Illinois River Road Membership - City Clerk commented that it has a very nice Video of Lewistown Area on it, if have not watched it then need to, and we can advertise our activities for free on it. Alderperson Spotloe made a motion to approve paying the membership to Illinois River Road of $500.00, 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 Long roll call vote, the motion carried with all ayes.
CLOSED SESSION: No closed session
ADJOURNMENT:
Alderperson Miller made a motion to adjourn at 7:02 p.m.; Seconded by Alderperson Long motion carried all ayes.
https://lewistownillinois.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/May-9-2023-City-Council-Min_05242023082230.pdf
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