Rock Island Today

City of Lewistown City Council met March 26.

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: Pastor Paul Walmsley

ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Alderperson Sally Clark, Jim Long, Brad Ward, Kendall Miller, David Levingston, John Spotloe and Mayor Doug Lafary. Also present: City Clerk Cindy Goddard, Administrative Assistant Levi Peitzmeier, Public Works Director Evinn Palmer, and City Attorney Nathan Collins.

ABSENT: City Treasurer Deb Brown and Police Chief Chris Ford.

DECLARATION OF QUORUM by Mayor Doug Lafary

CLERKS REPORT/MINUTES: Cindy Goddard.

Alderperson Long made a motion to approve the minutes of March 12, 2024, second by Alderperson Clark, the motion carried all ayes.

Motion to approve the Closed session minutes of March 12, 2024 motion by Alderperson Spotloe, second by Alderperson Miller.

Report- Skyline Remodeling coming to look at windows to replace the windows at City Hall. Also Concrete to Perfection is coming Thursday to look at floor at the Visitors Center to refinish.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Debbie Brown. Absent.

ATTORNEY'S REPORT: Attorney Nathan Collins. Nothing.

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

PUBLIC COMMENTS AND PETITIONS: Glenda Pratt, President of the Spoon River Scenic Drive. She read a letter from the association to rejoin them. Asking for support from the city.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

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

Sewer - Alderperson Spotloe: Nothing to report.

Streets & Allies - Alderperson Levingston: Nothing to report.

Police/ESDA-Alderperson Ward: Later in new business.

Water Alderperson Miller: Nothing to report.

Utilities/Publications - Alderperson Long: Nothing to report.

Public Buildings & Grounds - Alderperson Long: Nothing.

Tourism - Alderman Miller: PJ's Spin and Win opening this coming Friday. Fund raiser for Downtown Christmas took place last weekend.

Tax Increment Financing - Alderperson Spotloe: Nothing at this time.

Citizens Committee - Amanda Sutphen, water grant still in process, Erin Ahart reported an update on the Chamber of Commerce. She also would like $50,000.00 in the budget for economic development $50,000.00. The website needs updated, wants to put out to the residents places to rent, or products to buy along with the business listing. They sent grant information to Doug Tindall for the Lewistown Park District.

Christmas Committee - Kenny Haacke absent, City Clerk said total for fundraiser was $2305.00.

WORKS DIRECTOR'S REPORT Evinn Palmer Director, kitchen and restroom got painted by Sara Bainter, and Desmond Palmer this week at the Visitors Center. Need to decide if the big room needs painted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: No unfinished business.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Discuss/Act Upon Establishment of the Economic Development Committee - Kendall Miller brought this up last meeting. Motion by Alderperson Miller second by Alderperson Long to create the Economic Development Committee for the City of Lewistown. It can be anyone from the Chamber to represent the Economic Development Committee. In favor all ayes. Need to get bids for updating the website also.

2. Discuss/Act Upon Donation to the Chamber of Commerce for Fireworks ($2,000.00) - Clerk said that in the past we gave them $1500.00, but the price has gone up. Motion by Alderperson Ward to donate $2,000.00 to the Chamber of Commerce for the Fireworks, second by Alderperson Clark, roll call vote, motion carried all ayes.

3. Discuss MFT Oil and Chip Program – Options for MFT program, either do inside city limits or do Catholic Cemetery Road. It held up good from last years work done on it, need to work on west side of ditch to get water to flow, need easement to put in culverts, and trim and cut some trees, road could pack down more with at least 4 more inches of rock applies would be a good base at that time. Alderperson Levingston suggested to wait on Catholic Cemetery road till next year. There was no Oil and Chip program last year done within the city limits. It was going to cost double last year so waited. The next area to do is Euclid to Avenue E. for Oil and Chip program.

4. Discuss/Act Upon What to do with old Police Durango- Ended up being Transmission problem will cost $7,500.00 to get it going. Had previously talked about public works wanting it maybe public works might not want it now with this problem. New motor 2 years ago. Alderperson Spotloe suggested get an estimate from another garage. Motion by Alderperson Ward do not fix at this time and bring back to City Hall and decide what to do, second by Alderperson Miller, all in favor, motion carried.

PRESENTATION OF BILLS:

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

CLOSED SESSION: No closed session

ADJOURNMENT:

Alderperson Spotloe made a motion to adjourn at 7:07 p.m.; Seconded by Alderperson Miller motion carried all ayes.

https://lewistownillinois.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mar2624thMinSigned_04102024081818.pdf