Rock Island Today

City of Lewistown City Council met Aug. 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

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

ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Alderperson Sally Clark, Jim Long, Brad Ward, Kendall Miller, David Levingston, John Spotloe and Mayor Cindy Goddard. Also present: City Treasurer Debbie Brown, and City Attorney Nathan Collins.

DECLARATION OF QUORUM by Mayor Cindy Goddard

CLERKS REPORT/MINUTES: Natalie Nelson,

Alderperson Clark made a motion to approve the minutes of June 25th, 2025 City Council Special Meeting and July 8th, 2025 City Council Meeting, second by Alderperson Spotloe, the motion carried all ayes.

Report- Nothing to report.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Debbie Brown. Nothing at this time.

ATTORNEY'S REPORT: Attorney Nathan Collins. Nathan stated he had looked at into the 1% Grocery tax Ordinance. Nathan was unsure what benefits it has to the city currently but if it is not adopted then we will not receive any at the beginning of the year next year.

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

PUBLIC COMMENTS AND PETITIONS: Jeff Abernathy asked if they had checked into the Ordinance for campers being lived in.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Finance/Insurance/Zoning - Alderperson Clark: Nothing at this time.

Sewer- Alderperson Levingston: Nothing to report.

Streets & Allies - Alderperson Long: Nothing to report.

Police/ESDA- Alderperson Ward: later in the meeting, Chief Ford stated that he had purchased ammunition for training and body cam doc to charge them. ESDA Director Pasley asked if we could get more application for ESDA members to hand out on Saturday.

Water - Alderperson Miller: Alderperson Miller stated we needed to have a water committee meeting to discuss FS wanting to put in a new line of their own. The council decided that Tuesday August 19, 2025 at 4:40p.m. is when the meeting will be held to discuss it.

Utilities/Publications - Alderperson Long: Nothing at this time.

Public Buildings & Grounds - Alderperson Long: Nothing at this time.

Tourism - Alderman Miller: Music in the park is done for the year. They already have four or five new bands set up for next year. They made an average of $700-$800 each night on food and on fish night they made $1,000. Mayor Goddard reminded everyone Edgar Lee Masters Day Event is August 23, 2025. They are having a car show, tour at the cemetery, balloon artist, and the police, fire, and ESDA will be doing a meet and greet.

Tax Increment Financing - Alderperson Spotloe: Later in meeting.

Citizens Committee - Amanda Sutphen not present.

Christmas Committee - Kenny Haacke not present.

Economic Development Committee - Erin Ahart, Mayor Goddard covered event on August 23rd, 2025.

WORKS DIRECTOR'S REPORT Evinn Palmer Director they have been having a lot of sink holes. Evinn stated that they need to have a demolishion permit that states they need to cap the water and sewer to help try and prevent the sink holes. Alderperson Levingston stated he thought we had a Ordinance that stated they had to take care of the water.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

1. Discuss/Act Upon

2. Discuss/Act Upon

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Discuss/Act Upon Evinn Palmer's TIF Application. Alderperson Spotloe stated the committee recommended to give him the amount for the demolition with the stipulation he could not sell it with in five years unless there was a permanent structure for a future business on the lot. Alderperson Spotloe stated that the total was $12,402.45. Alderperson Clark made a motion to approve $12,402.45 with the stipulation he can not sell it for five years unless there is a permanent structure for a future business on the lot, Seconded by Alderperson Spoloe, roll call vote, motion carried all ayes

2. Discuss/Act Upon Lewistown Mart LLC TIF Ordinance. Alderperson Spotloe made a motion to approve Lewistown Mart LLC TIF Ordinance, Seconded by Alderperson Clark, roll call vote, the motion carried with all ayes.

3. Discuss/Act Upon VFW Post 5001 TIF Ordinance. Alderperson Miller made a motion to approve VFW Post 5001 TIF Ordinance, Seconded by Alderperson Clark, roll call vote, the motion carried with all ayes,

4. Discuss/Act Upon IDOT Road Maintenance Agreement, Clerk Nelson stated that it is done every ten years and nothing has changed from the last one. Alderperson Spotloe made a motion to approve IDOT Road Maintenance Agreement, Seconded by Alderperson Long, roll call vote, motion carried all ayes.

5. Discuss/Act Upon Radio Frequence License, Alderperson Ward stated this is just the license to have the frequency put into our radios and sirens. Alderperson Ward made a motion to approve the $2,740.00 quote to add a radio frequence license for ESDA, Seconded by Alderperson Long, roll call vote, the motion carried with all ayes.

6. Discuss/Act Upon Road Closer at E Lincoln, E Washington, and Maple on August 23rd from noon-6p.m., Alderperson Miller asked if they were going to be a way to get to the atm at the bank. Alderperson Miller made a motion to approve road closer at E Lincoln, E Washington, and Maple on August 23rd from noon-6p.m., Seconded by Alderperson Clark.

7. Discuss/Act Upon Road Closer for the Rocket Tap on August 15th, 23rd, and 30th. Alderperson Clark made a motion to approve road closer for the Rocket Tap on August 15th, 234, and 30th, Seconded by Alderperson Long

8. Discuss/Act Upon 1% Grocery tax Ordinance, Alderperson Levingston made a motion to approve the 1% Grocery tax Ordinance, Alderperson Miller stated there are 1,200 cities in Illinois and as of January of 2025 only 46 communities have accepted this Ordinance. Mayor Goddard stated that it is up to 200 now. Mayor Goddard stated that nothing was changing it was all staying the same. Mayor Goddard stated that in 2023 the city got $87,247.00. Alderperson Miller stated it would be nice if we were one of the towns that did not have it. Mayor Goddard stated a lot of other cities have city taxes on purchases but we do not. Mayor Goddard stated it is not on any prepared food. Alderperson Levingston made a motion to approve the 1% Grocery Tax Ordinance, Seconded by Alderperson Clark, roll call vote, Alderperson Long and Alderperson Miller voted no. 9. Discuss/Act Upon Homecoming 2025-01 and Christmas Parade 2025-02 Resolutions, Alderperson Ward made a motion to approve Homecoming 2025-01 and Christmas Parade 2025-02 Resolutions, Seconded by Alderperson Spotloe, motion carried all ayes. 10. Discuss/Act Upon Hiring Tyler Stufflebeam part time for the police department, Chief Ford stated he was a deputy for the sheriffs office and transferred to Canton police department. Alderperson Ward made a motion to approve hiring Tyler Stufflebeam as a part time officer, Seconded by Alderperson Spotloe, roll call vote, motion carried all ayes.

11. Discuss/ Act Upon Support for Edgar Lee Masters Day Event, Mayor Goddard is hoping the city would pay for the garbage pick up, porta potties, and balloon artist for a total of $565.00. Alderperson Clark made a motion to approve the $565.00, Seconded by Alderperson, roll call vote, motion carried all ayes.

12. Discuss/Act Upon Approve Financial Statements. Alderperson Miller made a motion to approve the financial statements, Seconded by Alderperson Clark, roll call vote, motion carried all ayes.

13. Discuss/Act Upon Paying Travis Derry, Mayor Goddard stated that Travis cut down some trees for the city and stated he had insurance but had not provided to the city prior to cutting the trees down. Alderperson Ward stated the motion to approve his bid was provided he showed insurance. Alderperson Levingston stated he thinks we are going to have to have proof of insurance prior to job. Clerk Nelson stated she called Travis the following day after the meeting and told him we needed proof of insurance prior to him cutting the trees. Clerk Nelson stated he did not answer and she left a voicemail and call him the following day. After Travis had cut down the trees he brought a piece of paper showing that he had insurance. Clerk Nelson contacted the insurance company and they had stated that Travis had received a quote in November of 2024 but had not purchased it. Attorney Collins stated the city should be listed as additional insured. Alderperson Long asked who gave Travis permission to cut them with out proof of insurance, Alderperson Levingston stated we told him to because we thought everything was okay. Alderperson Levingston stated we should not do business with Travis anymore, Alderperson Long agreed. Alderperson Ward stated he specifically stated he needed to provide insurance prior. Alderperson Miller stated Travis broke the agreement. PRESENTATION OF BILLS:

Alderperson Ward 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 Clark made a motion to adjourn at 7:16 p.m.; Seconded by Alderperson Long motion carried all ayes.

https://lewistownillinois.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/August-12th-approved-mins.pdf