City Council - Regular Meeting

All right, let's start the regular meeting of the Council of the City of Ottawa, July 21st, 2026. Roll call. Eichelkraut. Here.

Gaynor. Here. Pearson. Here. Barron.

Here. Mayer. Here.

We have five present.

Stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Move by Commissioner Eichelkraut that the minutes of a regular meeting of the council of the city of Ottawa, Illinois held on Tuesday, July 7th, 2026 be approved as recorded in the permanent files of the city clerk.

Make a second. Okay. Pearson roll call.

Eichelkraut. Aye. Gaynor. Aye. Pearson. Aye. Barron. Aye. Mayor.

Aye. Is there anyone wishing to appear before the council? If not, we will move to the public hearing with the Community Development Block Grant, Housing Rehabilitation, NCICG. And Connie, if you'd like to come up and introduce yourself.

Hi, I'm Connie Buchanan. I'm with the North Central Illinois Council of Governments here in Ottawa. And the reason for the meeting tonight is to obtain citizen views concerning the city's plans to submit a grant application to the Community Development Block Grant Program, otherwise known as CDBG. The city intends to submit an $800,000 community development block grant application to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The application will be for funds to rehabilitate approximately 10 owner-occupied single-family homes in the project target area within the city's municipal limits. The grant funds requested are for construction, administration, and construction supervision costs. As outlined, the grant application is $800,000 this year, which is up from 650,000 for prior years. Each home can be eligible for up to $70,000 for a maximum per home, which is also up from 60,000 this year. The eligible homeowners will be able to correct local housing code violations including deficiencies which pose an immediate and serious threat to health and safety and the structures economically disadvantaged occupants There are three categories of projects which are minor moderate and major depending on the amount of work the home needs No city residents will be displaced the city has on file an anti displacement and relocation assistance plan The state funding will be complemented this year by $20,000 from the City of Ottawa's General Corporate Fund for use in conjunction with the Illinois Black Grant. These additional funds would be for the rehabilitation and would go directly toward the work on the first home. We are also working with the advisory committee membership, Barnett Construction Inspection, and NCICG, and we are utilizing the state grant resources to stabilize and revitalize the project area, target area within the municipal city limits. The Department of Commerce may allocate $15 million to this program for this component and will establish a grant ceiling per project of $800,000. Funds for the Illinois Department Development Block Grant are granted to the state from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, otherwise known as HUD. the next item of discussion is to discuss the community development and housing needs this is basically a list that the city maintains as prioritize list of capital improvement needs that is updated from year to year it's basically a wish list to show the state that the city would have other uses for money as opposed to uh... working on the homes capital development housing needs sewer lift station repairs and upgrades 1.5 million water main replacements 2.9 million erosion control for the fox river 500 000 erosion control seawall allen park 2.5 million residential blight acquire and demo 500,000 general fund street maintenance annual 2.5 million existing wastewater treatment plant bio-neutral removal upgrade 70 million supply fill for US EPA radium cleanup 4 million south side fire station 6 million north side fire station 6 million City Wi-Fi for police and fire seven hundred thousand compost facility city trees and laws lawns 1.6 million downtown parking garage five million Woodward Memorial Drive relocate one million nine hundred fifty thousand downtown waterfront development five million and Peltier, is that how you say it? Peltier. Peltier. Glass environmental cleanup, 800,000. River walk finish loop main to Jefferson, 1 million. East water tower industrial park, 1.8 million. West side well and RO treatment, 4 million. Route 23 Illinois railway viaduct or rail yard relocate, 15 million. New combined public works facility, 10 million. And CSO separation improvements, 20 million. Like I said, those are just a list of capital improvements that the city maintains as far as the community development block grant. Are there any questions?

Yes You are going to pick out areas in the town that need to be

so this would actually be that third round for the city of ottawa were in the process of working on the second round right now the first two rounds we had project areas they were based on census tract information so in order to get the most points on this grant application because it is a competitive grant basically everyone in the state of illinois is applying for the same for these same grant funds. So when we did the first two rounds, we picked census tracts that had the highest population of reported people that lived within that multi-block unit that had low to moderate income. This year we're applying for citywide and so so basically the priority per HUD for this grant is for people that are senior citizens persons with developmentally or physical disabilities and people in the very low income bracket, but as long as people it just depends on who else applies it. as long as you make less than that 80 percentile, then you would be eligible, you just might not have as many points if you were in the very low income bracket or if you were a senior or had a disability. So this part is we surveyed the area to show the interest, that there would be interest for a grant like this in the city of Ottawa. So in order to estimate doing 10 to 12 homes, we turn in three times as many surveys to show the ratio of three to one that there is an interest for a program like this. We include all of those surveys with the actual grant application, and that shows the state that there is interest for a program like this. it's awarded we find out in about six to eight months and they make announcements and then we come back and we actually Solicit actual applications from the homeowners to work on your home Duplexes are not allowed multi-unit are not allowed rentals and mobile homes Are there any other questions The survey is just to help the city to qualify. Six or eight months down the road, we will be submitting these applications at August 27th to DCEO. In about six to eight months from that time, they'll make the announcements, and then we will solicit actual applications from any homeowner. That that is eligible. It doesn't matter if you filled out a survey or not. The surveys are just to help the city to qualify.

So why are not duplex?

They do single-family owner-occupied homes. That's just the way that this community grant is based. For instance, the only example that I could use, this happened in Cole City, I believe. It was a long duplex where there was a door on one side and door on the other. So they basically shared the roof, and they shared the middle wall. They owned, they each owned... the individual unit and the property underneath, but the only way that they could explain it to me down at DCO was what if they need a roof, where do you stop? What if the person on the left side is low income and the person on the right side isn't? So it's just meant for single family owner occupied homes so that people can stay in their home, continue to age in place, and we're also preserving the housing stock.

That's not our rule. That's the state's rule.

That's the state's rule. Yeah, that's not my rule or the city's rule. Yes, the areas within the home that pertain to health and safety have the highest priority. Right. If the city is No, if the city is awarded we would have press releases it would be on the city's website We would make announcements and we would have another meeting right here we would explain the program hand out the applications assist people in filling out the application and they have to you you would have to include the supporting documentation so you'd have to prove that that you do have the low income that you have homeowners insurance that you include your utility bills and that you own the home it doesn't have to be owned outright you could have a mortgage but that your name is on the deed or on the tax bill yes On your house as owner? As part owner, as long as you are still on the owner and you meet the guidelines, then you would still be eligible. Are there any other questions? We have done that. We have done that, yes. We basically say just in case you weren't aware, our records indicate that you filled out a qualifying survey and the applications are available.

You get a letter to get turned down.

Yes, if you weren't eligible, if I accept the application and I process it and you might be over income or your name isn't on the tax bill or whatever reason, we would explain the reason why you weren't eligible. It's per county. I don't have a survey on me, but it's per LaSalle County, and it's the 30, 50, 80 percentile. The area median. Did you fill out a survey? It was on the survey. And so I'm just going to say I think for a single person, it's around 46,000. Okay, okay. Yeah.

Uh-huh.

Right so that was that's all part of this grant application so so whoever got a survey in the mail They filled it out. They turned them back into us. They don't go to the city They come back to us the inspector goes out and he does what we refer to as a sidewalk assessment So he's checking the exterior of the house for siding windows soffit fascia entrances sidewalks foundation, whatever, and if he sees a good example, because we include three work order examples, of a minor, moderate, and a major renovation. So if he sees what would be a good example of one of those, he would knock on your door, ask to come inside, and he would do an inspection just as though we were actually working on that house. And we include all of that with the application.

That's how it happened last night because the inspector actually came inside my house. Yes.

Yes. That's how it works. Well, you could have been a minor you could have been a minor I've never I've been doing this particular program for about seven years and I've never found a house that didn't need something Are there any other comments questions I The application records are available at the city clerk's office located here at 301 West Madison as well as on file at NCICG which is 613 West Marquette Street here in Ottawa. Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8 to 4. Anyone interested in viewing the file or discussing the project further may call the NCICG office at 815-433-5830 or visit during office hours if there are no further questions or comments. Would ask that the public hearing be adjourned All right.

Well, thank you Connie. We'll adjourn the meeting at 715.

Thank you You are all more than welcome to stay but you're not obligated to stay We'll move forward with Commissioner Michael Kraut's report move by Commissioner echo crowd that the bi-weekly salary payroll of July 17 2026 in the amount of seven hundred twenty one thousand six hundred eighty one dollars thirty nine cents be approved a warrants issued and I get a second second and

Mr. Gaynor, roll call.

Eichelkraut? Aye. Gaynor? Aye. Pearson?

Aye.

Barron?

Aye.

Mayer?

Aye.

Moved by Commissioner Eichelkraut that the bi-monthly expense report dated July 21, 2026, showing expenses in the amount of $2,051,212.71 be approved and warrants issued. Can I get a second?

Second. Mr. Barron, roll call.

Eichelkraut? Aye. Gaynor? Aye. Pearson?

Aye.

Barron? Aye. Mayer?

Aye.

Moved by Commissioner Eichelkraut that the monthly financial report of City Clerk Shelly L. Rolson for the month of June 2026 be received and placed on file.

I second. Second. Pearson, roll call.

Eichelkraut? Aye. Gaynor? Aye. Pearson?

Aye.

Barron?

Aye.

Mayer?

Aye.

Moved by Commissioner Eichelkraut that a resolution accepting and authorizing a grant agreement between the City of Ottawa and IDOT for the rehabilitation of the NCAT maintenance facility, which has been on file for public inspection since July 7th, 2026, be adopted.

I give a second. Second. Gaynor. Roll call.

Eichelkraut. Aye. Gaynor. Aye. Pearson.

Aye.

Barron. Aye. Mayer.

Aye.

Moved by Commissioner Eichelkraut that a resolution authorizing the execution of transit service agreements between the City of Ottawa and multiple entities regarding transportation services with NCAT, which have been on file for public inspection since July 7, 2026, be adopted.

I give a second. Second. Barron. Roll call.

Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.

Aye.

Aye. Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Eichelkraut? Aye. Gaynor? Aye. Pearson? Aye. Barron?

Aye.

Mayer?

Aye. I know you have a full list of things to talk about, Commissioner Eichelkraut, so have at it.

All right. Okay, first of all, I want to start out Thursday, July 20th, 5 to 7, Kids Fishing Rodeo at Dayton Ridge. Come on out, have a great time. Everybody gets a, all the kids get, there's a lot of stuff. There's prizes, there's fishing poles for everybody. I expect to see you out there. Saturday night, Stingrays are playing at Washington Park for Music in the Park. August 2nd, from noon to five, special events and City Rec are sponsoring a pool party, which is on a Sunday. It's got free pop, free ice cream, free pizza, and that's at the City Pool. Radium City Rebels are playing from 6 to 8 at Washington Park, August 1st. On Saturday, another Music in the Park. Let's go to here, Sunday, August 9th, Washington Park. Am I correct? What time, Lloyd? Gospels, Kramers? 6 o'clock? Okay, thank you. August 14th, we got Hotel California in the Jordan block from 8 to 10. Plus, I don't want to call it friendship days or whatever it is, but Patty Gray's Dance Studio is going to be doing it July 31st in the Jordan block at 5 p.m. There's going to be sidewalk sales the 31st and the 1st. plus some other things will be going on at the same time. So there's a lot of things going on in Ottawa, and I think I probably forgot some of them because we are very, very busy. I hate to tell you, but if you can't find something to do, it's very surprising.

So that's all I do have.

All right, thank you.

Mr. Gaynor, is there anything you'd like to add tonight?

I just want to dovetail on the housing rehabilitation grant. We're very successful in the city of Ottawa going out and getting grants. But in my mind, that is the best grant that we get because it provides a direct assistance to some of our citizens that you know sure we get grants for streets and water mains and all that kind of stuff but which affects everyone but this one affects our citizens most directly and i think it's one of the best grants we can get absolutely agree thank you on the commissioner pearson's report moved by commissioner pearson that's the city clerk we authorized to advertise for bids for the daytona ridge sports complex soccer fields bids will be received until tuesday august 4th 2026 at 10 o'clock a.m

I got a second? Second. Mr. Gaynor?

This is just to do some grading out there. I know people believe it's a very flat golf course, but it is not flat land for soccer fields. So a little bit of work needs to be done.

All right. Thank you. Roll call.

Eichelkraut? Aye. Gaynor? Aye. Pearson?

Aye.

Barron?

Aye.

Mayer?

Aye. Commissioner Pearson, is there anything that you'd like to add? Nothing tonight. All right. On to Commissioner Barron's report.

Move by Commissioner Barron that a resolution authorizing the execution of an agreement for professional services between the City of Ottawa and Fair Graham for the Illinois River Wastewater Treatment Plant be received and placed on file for public inspection.

I give a second. Second. Commissioner Gagner.

It's just an annual thing we have to do for the EPA.

All right. Roll call.

Eichelkraut. Aye. Gagner. Aye. Pearson. Aye. Barron.

Aye.

Mayer.

Aye. Anything you'd like to add commissioner now we're gonna take care of it under you All right.

Sounds good on to my report move by mayor hasty that a resolution authorizing the execution of an agreement for administration and coordination services with NCICG for the community development block grant program housing Rehabilitation grant be received and placed on file for public inspection second Michael Kraut roll call Michael Kraut. I gain your Pearson. I Baron I mayor Moved by Mayor Hastie that a resolution of support and commitment of local funds in the amount of $20,000 for the Community Development Block Grant be adopted.

I give a second. Second. Pearson. Roll call.

Eichelkraut. Aye. Gaynor. Aye. Pearson.

Aye.

Barron.

Aye.

Mayer.

Aye.

Moved by Mayor Hastie that a resolution approving the 2027 through 2029 local administrative policy and procedures manual for the housing rehabilitation plan be adopted.

Second. Second. Commissioner Gainor. Roll call.

Eichelkraut. Aye. Gainor. Aye. Pearson. Aye. Barron.

Aye.

Mayer.

Aye.

And then you have one item of new business. Moved by Mayor Hastie that a resolution authorizing execution of a second loan agreement between the City of Ottawa and the Illinois APA regarding the new wastewater treatment plant be received and placed on file for public inspection.

I give a second. Second. Commissioner Barron.

or either one of you would you like to yeah this is the second half of our loan for the new wastewater treatment plant and uh we're just placing that file for approval perfect back to the epa thank you roll call michael crowe hi gainer hi pearson hi baron hi mayor hi

And I would just echo what Commissioner Gaynor said about the development block grant housing rehabilitation. I think it's something that has been going on for a long time. We've always had good luck with it, and it improves our community, and it's right up there with United Way's labor of love in October. Those kinds of events I think is what kind of brings our community together, which is something that I love seeing. So motion to adjourn.

Moved by Mayor Hasey that this regular meeting be adjourned.

Second? Second. Dr. Eichelkraut, roll call.

Eichelkraut? Aye. Gaynor? Aye. Pearson?

Aye.

Barron? Aye. Mayer?

Aye. All right, thank you everybody. Thank you.