City Council - Regular Meeting

Thank you.

[crying]

He's gonna stay right here. backward.

James Got to get stuff organized.

Yeah. Well, we made Roy in charge of all the precinct committee events so we can get that so we get that all the way it's supposed to. You know what I mean? So, we got a lot of work to do. So,

recording in progress. Maybe it's not Just Is that all?

I'm sure Yes.

I don't know why. Second child.

I thought it was Hello.

Hello. It's not loud. We have a presentation before, so I'll put it out after. Can you make my go up or

Test test. Call the May 18th, 2026 meeting in session. If you're able, please stand up. Remove your hats for the pledge of allegiance.

I aliance to the flag of the United States of America. and to the republic for it stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Okay, thank you. Welcome everybody. Thanks for attending the meeting tonight. uh those that are watching online uh we welcome you as well and we will try and guide you through uh our meeting uh the protocols as we go through each agenda item. Uh the first one we will have is the roll call. Mr. Mouser please. Rosenberg present. My here here Stofl here. Carney here. Phony here. Roach here. Nukem here. Hudson here, Blackburn here, Boris here, Campbell here, Parchman here, Ford here. Everybody's here.

Thank you. Move on to 1.4. Approval of the minutes for May 4th, 2026. Uh, everybody should have received a copy of that in the uh agenda for tonight's packet. Uh, if I can, can I get a motion for approval? Second. Okay, we have a motion. We have a second. Uh, do we have any discussion or any comments on 1.4? Seeing none, all in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries. Uh, we do not have a public hearing tonight, but we do have two city presentations that we will uh start right now. Okay, thank you. Our first one is a life-saving award. Uh, if I can, can I get Chief Jeremy Sherman and Captain Nick Pensum to join me? Uh, Chief Sherman, turn it over to you.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, anyone that was involved with the F45 life saved, just please come forward to the front. If there's too many people to start going through the name. So, is this Grant? Oh, I'm sorry, Steuart. Okay, I guess Grant's not here. Perfect.

No, not you. All right. Fantastic. So, uh, we thought it was fitting to have this recognition tonight, uh, being the first day of the National EMS week. Uh, we had a relatively, uh, significant life save that happened earlier this year. So, without ado, uh, tonight we're here to recognize an extraordinary example of teamwork that truly reflects the very best of Allen. On February 25th at 2000 2026, anal resident suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while attending a fitness class here in our community. What happened over the next several minutes demonstrates exactly why the chain of survival is so important and why strong partnerships between our telecommunicators, police, EMS providers, and community saves lives. The first link in that chain began when MCOM's TC Peyton Bell, who began guiding those on scene through life-saving actions. TC James Warren and Terresa Lambert quickly dispatched our EMS crews and police while continuing to provide critical information for our responding crews. In a cardiac arrest, every minute without CPR and defibrillation decreases a person's chance of a survival. During this emergency, trainer Grant Stark and two CPR certified bystanders immediately began CPR, retrieved an AED, providing critical care before our EMS team arrived. Shortly after a shock was delivered, paramedics Chase McDaniel, Richard Palmer, Donovan Nap, and EMT Luke McMmin arrived on scene, assumed patient care, and transported to St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Fallon. The fact that this patient walked out of the hospital 5 days later with no neurological or physical defects is remarkable. Outcomes like these do not just happen by accident. They happen because an entire system worked exactly the way it was designed to and because people stepped up when needed and cared

enough to learn CPR. tonight. Please join us in congratulating thanking these individuals for their outstanding actions which directly contributed to saving a life. Thank you. [applause] [applause] [applause] So sometimes it takes village right and this is the kind of response you get not only that answer the call you get the police officers So this is actually great example. So thank you very much. [applause] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

Thank you, [snorts] Mr. Hershey. I'm glad to see you with us tonight. I didn't see you through all the 20 people that were in front of you. Yeah. Thank you for being here. Uh at this time we're going to move on to a proclamation for uh public works week. So uh Jeff Taylor, our public works director, if you could join me up here, please call your team up here. Uh yeah, before we get going, I'd like to have everyone with public works please come up here and join me.

They probably weren't expecting that, but I'm going to make them anyway. [laughter] So they didn't say no. from the office of the mayor national public works week. Whereas the city of Fallon, Illinois is proud to recognize and celebrate the public works professionals who focus on infrastructure facilities and services that are vital import of of vital importance to sustainable and resilient communities. And whereas these essential services contribute to the public health, high quality of life and well-being of the people of Ofallen. And whereas such infrastructure facilities and services could not be provided without dedicated efforts of public works professionals including engineers, managers and employees who are responsible for building, improving and protecting our transportation, water supply, water treatment, and solid waste systems. And whereas the year 2026 marks the 66th annual National Public Works Week sponsored by the American Public Works Association themed Rooted in Service powered by community. And whereas it is in the public interest for the citizens, civic leaders, and children of gain knowledge and maintain an ongoing interest in the importance of p the public works programs in their community. Now therefore, I, Eric Van Hook, mayor of the city of Ofalon, Illinois, do by here proclaim that May 17th through May 23rd, 2026 as National Public Works Week in the city of Ofall, Illinois, and urge all residents to join in activities designed to pay tribute to our public works professionals and recognize the substantial contributions

they make to protecting our health, safety, and quality of life. [applause]

We always talk about Ofall's had a successful blue blueprint uh for many many years and it you know the schools it's a safe community. Um we have a lot of amenities but none of that exists without the work our public works team does. Uh they're totally the behind the-scenes guys and that's why we waited till tonight to call you guys up because you probably try and talk Jeff out of it if we waited uh tried to give you the chance earlier. So no uh this city is what it is uh because all hours of the night a lot like our first responders uh they're on call all the time and when they're needed uh there's immediate needs uh to our residents uh and they they drop what they're doing. Uh they do a fabulous job uh and they're a big part of why is what is. We couldn't do it without them. So thank you. [applause] Okay, moving on to four public comments. This portion of the city council meeting is reserved for any member of the public wishing to address the council. All remarks should be made to the council as a whole, not to individual members or the audience. The Illinois Open Meetings Act 5 ILCS 1201 mandates no action shall be taken on matters not listed on this agenda, but council may direct staff to address the topic or refer the matter to committee.

Please provide the clerk with your name, speak into the microphone, limit your presentation to five minutes, and avoid repetitious comments. Thank you. Do we have anybody that would like to make public comments at this time? Okay, we also have a second public comment section towards the end of the meeting. Uh I know our EMS guys, uh you guys are due to take a call at any time. So if you guys need to leave, feel free, uh to go about your business. Okay, moving on to five, the clerk's report. Mayor, thank you. We have a new report tonight.

Thank you. Six is the mayor's report. We'll start by announcing it is National Emergency Medical Services Week. We have our EMS annual open house May 20th from 400 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Uh that is at the public safety building across from the Y. Uh it is an incredible time. It's a great family event. They offer a lot. Uh it's it's really a good time for adults and uh for children. So you can check their Facebook page for additional details. Uh 6.2 we have the fire fire department golf scramble May 29th, 2026 at the Tamarack Country Club. And 6.3 we have America's 250th celebration on July 3rd, 2026. Okay, we'll move on to resolutions. Uh 7.1. Uh Mr. Parchman, please.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'd like to make a motion to approve a resolution authorizing the direct sale of surplus city property to Kokia Heights Fire Department. Second, lots. We have a motion and we have a second. Do we have any discussion or comments on 7.1? Seeing none, roll call, please. My yes. Lots. Yes. Stofl, yes. Carney, yes. Phony, yes. Roach, yes. Nukem, yes. [clears throat] Hudson, yes. Blackburn, yes. Morse, yes. Campbell, yes. Parchman, [snorts] yes. Ford, yes. Rosenberg,

affirmative. Thank you. Motion carries. Uh, moving on to 7.2. Again, Mr. Parchman, please. Thank you, sir. I'd like to make a motion to approve a resolution authorizing the mayor to approve a donation of $500 to Fallon Volunteer Fire Company for the 27th annual Spring Golf Classic. Second, Rosenberg.

Okay, we have a motion and we have a second. Just a little bit of followup. As the city administrator reported a few meetings ago, uh these are some of the things that we learned. Uh if we want to make donations with public funds, we have to go through the council. we have done as a city um we've done this for many years and it usually came out of the mayor's expense report and we were advised just recently that uh we needed to run it before the council since it's public funds so that's why we're bringing this to the uh council at this time so we have a motion and we have a second do we have any discussion or uh comments on 7.2 two. Seeing none, roll call, please. Lat, yes. Stofl, yes. Carney, yes. Phony, yes. Roach, yes. Nukem,

yes. Hudson, yes. Blackburn, yes. Worse, yes. Campbell, yes. Parchman, yes. Ford, yes. Rosenberg, affirmative. Bard, yes. Okay, thank you. Motion carries. Uh, moving on one more time. Mr. Parchment 7.3, please. Thanks, sir. Like to make a motion to approve a resolution authorizing the mayor to approve a donation of $500 still to Fallon Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 198 for the 27th annual charity golf outing. Second. Okay, we have a motion and we have a second. Do we have any comments or discussion on 7.3? Seeing none, roll call, please. Stofl, yes. Carney, yes. Tony, yes. Roach, yes.

Nukem, yes. Hudson, yes. Blackburn, yes. Worse, yes. Campbell, yes. Parchman, yes. Ford, yes. Rosenberg, affirmative. Milard, yes. L, yes. Thank you. Motion carries. At this time, we're going to hold off on 7.4. That is something we will be going to executive session uh later in the meeting and we will vote take a vote after we come out of executive session. So, uh we will handle that business after sec or uh Executive session uh 7.5. Mrs. Lots, please. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I move that we approve a resolution approving a TIFF redevelopment agreement for Gators frozen custard.

Second, Rosenberg. Okay, we have a motion and we have a second. Do we have any discussion or comments on 7.5? Seeing none, roll call, please. Carney, yes. Sony, yes. Roach, yes. Nukem, yes. Hudson, yes. Blackburn, yes. Boris, yes. Campbell, yes. Birchman, yes. Ford, yes. Rosenberg, affirmative. Malard, yes. Lance, yes. Stolen, yes.

Okay, thank you. Motion carries. Uh, we do not have any ordinances for first reading. So, we will move down to uh item nine on the uh or our agenda ordinance is second reading. Uh 9.1, Mr. Rosenberg, please. Thank you, sir. I'd like to make a motion to approve on second reading ordinance amending the code of ordinances of the city of Ofalon, chapter 77, traffic schedules. Second. Okay, we have a motion. We have a second, Miss Phony. Correct. Phony. Uh, we have a motion. We have a second. Do we have any comments or discussions on 9.1? Seeing none, roll call, please. Phony, yes. Roach, yes. Nukem, yes. Hudson, yes.

Blackburn, yes. For yes. Campbell, yes. Parchman, yes. Ford, yes. Rosenberg, affirmative. Myart, yes. Lots, yes. Stofl, yes. Carney, yes. Thank you. Motion carries. Moving on to 9.2. Mrs. Lots, please. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I move that we consider on second reading an ordinance amending ordinance 623 zoning development known as CPI wareh warehouse located at 40 Commerce Drive. Second force. We have a motion and we have a second. Do we have any discussion or comments on 9.2? Seeing none, roll call, please. Roach, yes. Nukem, yes.

Hudson, yes. Blackburn, yes. Horse, yes. Campbell, yes. Parchman, yes. Ford, yes. Rosenberg, affirmative. Malar, yes. Lots, yes. Stofl, yes. Cornney, yes. Fony, yes. Okay. Thank you. Motion carries. Uh, moving on to 9.3. Mrs. Lz, please. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I move that we approve on second reading an ordinance approving the final plat of Augusta Greens, third edition. Second, Rosenberg. We have a motion and we have a second. Do we have any comments or discussion on 9.3? Seeing none, roll call, please. Nukem, yes.

Hudson, yes. Blackber, yes. Bors, yes. Campbell, yes. Parchman, yes. Ford, yes. Rosenberg, affirmative. Valard, yes. Lots, yes. Stofl, yes. Carney, yes. Phony, yes. Roach, yes. Thank you. Motion carries. We'll move on to 10 uh on the agenda item 10, which is additional public comments. I'm not going to reread uh the instructions that were read before the first session, but they still do apply. Uh does anyone wish to make any public comments at this time?

Afternoon. My name is Barney Miller, Ward Two. I just had a comment that um the philosopher George Santiana made the statement that if you forget your history, you're condemned to repeat it. This weekend will be the third week in May, which is traditionally Mayfest. That's gone because some bad people from out of town came here and cause some fuss. So the insurance rates went up. You put another strain on the police and EMT, they have to work if extra people come. And we lost out on a lot of fellowship. Even the little midway that came lost money. I don't want people to forget about it. It's just my way of saying something. Just to get into the notes for this week will be enough. Thank you. Thank you for your comments.

Does anyone else wish to make public comments at this time? Seeing none, we will move on. We have one more. Oh, sorry. I went to the bathroom. [laughter] You're good. Take your time.

Hi. Sorry. Um, my name is Jonathan Boseman. Um, I live in betweenallon and Lebanon off Scotchroy Road, but I grew up here in Oallen, down the street from the sports park. So, I consider Fallon my home. Um, I'm here to bring to attention the intersection of Scotch Troy Road of Fallen Troy Hagman Roads. Um last year right after Thanksgiving me and my father were involved in a serious car accident resulting in serious injury um to myself and to him um resulted in um weeks of physical therapy. [snorts] Um the specific intersection resulting in the injury I know is a is not necessarily owned by the city of Oallon. It's owned by the county. Um, however, I'd like to bring to this council's attention the importance of safety in the future as traffic volume increases. As I've noticed over the years, it's gotten more and more busy and there's been more and more accidents resulting in serious injury and some resulting in death. Um, I just wanted to know if there are any future plans involving the county to further improve the safety of this intersection, such as like four-way stoplight or a roundabout. I know Fallon loves roundabouts, but I just wanted to know if there is any kind of future plan to work with the county to better increase the safety of this intersection as traffic is increasing from Troy to the highway and vice versa home at night because I know those intersections especially there and um the intersection of Old Vincent's Trail get really really busy and there's been a lot of accidents. So that's kind of like the only concern I want to bring forward as I have seen it in the past and now having actually been involved in an accident there, I realize like how bad that those intersections do get and living on those back roads, I see it almost every day where there's almost an accident at least once a week there. So thank you very much. Thank you for the

opportunity. That's it. Thank you for your comments. Okay. Does anybody else wish to make public comments at this time? Seeing none, we will close and move on to item 11 on the uh agenda. It's staff and council member comments. Uh we start with our city administrator, Mr. Grant Litkin.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. So, just a few things understood tonight. So, thank you for the history and yes, um we do have events still here. Um and so safety is the first and foremost plan of action when we host large events. Um this last weekend we had strawberry festival and a couple thousand people in downtown. Um opening market day was two weeks ago and district nights as well as our um celebration of the 250th anniversary of America. And so like I said first and foremost is public safety. They're involved in all those operations and planning and so we take it very serious. Um also one year anniversary of the tornado um from last year in and around the fountain in St. Louis. So with that, we always update and plan on our emergency operation manual and plans for tornado safety. Um the Scotch Roy intersection with Old Vincens's um has been discussed numerous times in this council meeting. Um we continue and we will work with the county however they wish to proceed with that intersection. Um it is their road and their jurisdiction. So um yep, we're still working with them. Thank you.

And and we welcome the comments and feedback uh from our residents uh that travel that road, but uh as the city administrator said, we we try not to speak on behalf of the county, but you the same uh public speaking or public comments that you have the right to hear, you have at county board meetings as well. Uh and I know some people have shown up uh to their meetings as well. So, we we do continue uh to have discussion to see what if if anything could be done um for that intersection. Mr. Mayor, I believe um you can correct me if I'm wrong. He was referring to the four-way stop sign at Hegamman and Troy Fallon Road was what he spoke about first. Okay.

Which the same that that was the intersection. I was thinking because of the correct

and that one Yeah. is it's tough because it's got the red flashing beacon elevated uh from a distance. The unfortunate thing and having been in law enforcement for a long time in my uh previous career, you can't discount the fact of driver error sometimes that whether it's recklessness, whether it's just inexperience, we don't know. uh it's not always a nefarious activity that's doing it, but uh every accident does result from some driver error uh and responsibility. So, we we try and factor that in, but there's been a lot of uh work from the previous administration, a couple studies and things. So, um we're we're re-evaluating things still. So, and thank you for correcting me. Yes. Um, any of our council members or leadership team members, do you have anything you'd like to talk about tonight,

Mr. Roach?

I mean, I've said it many times, but I I'll add on to this, and of course, I live off that road myself, but there's I think since the last time I talked about it a year ago, there's been one more fatality, two or three more serious accidents along that road. And I understand it's county road as well. However, you know, it's one of those things. It is accidents. They're called accidents for reasons. Nobody leaves their driveway in the morning says, "I'm going to go and get an accident, right?" Something happens, whether it's a driver error, a medical condition, they don't pay attention, whatever it might be. And that road because of the traffic and other things, really isn't designed at this point anymore to compensate for that. And really the, you know, what you should do is be building things in place that allow or compensate for some of those driver errors that we know are going to happen. Um, and whether that's the speed, whether that's the design of the road, the intersections, whatever it might be, but something does does need to happen. Otherwise, we're going to continue to see accidents. We're going to continue to see deaths.

Okay. Does anybody else Mrs. Fony, please? Yes. Um, I just wanted to take a quick minute since the public works guys stuck around. Um, over the last four years, the majority of my complaints and issues have been public works related. Um, especially with older parts of town that I represent. And I just want to thank you personally. I know I always pass along to Jeff, but to tell you guys and to tell your your employees under any of you that I really do appreciate all you guys do all hours of the night, all weather conditions, it is truly appreciated.

Thank you for your comments. Does anybody else have any comments from the council tonight? Seeing none, uh we will move on. Uh we will start with our reports. 12 item 12. We have uh community development. Mrs. Latz, please. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh our committee did meet since the last council meeting. We met last Monday. Those draft minutes are attached for review. We are scheduled to meet next week, but please note because of the holiday, all the committee meetings will be on Tuesday the 18th. So, we are scheduled to meet then at 6 PM, but check the website because sometimes that time start time changes for our committee.

Okay. Thank you. Moving on to 13, item 13 on the agenda, public works. Mr. Rosenberg. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. The public works committee hasn't met since the last city council meeting. Our next scheduled meeting was Monday, but will be Tuesday. uh check the website to make make sure the time. Okay. Thank you. Moving on to agenda item 14, public safety. Mr. Blackburn. Thank you, mayor. The public safety committee has not met since the last council meeting. Our next meeting is scheduled for June 8th at 6:30 p.m. Check the website for any changes. Thank you. Moving on to agenda item 15, parks and environment. Mr. Vorce.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. U we met last week and uh the draft minutes are attached and our next meeting is June 8th. Check the website for details. Okay. Thank you. And finance and administration agenda item 16, Mr. Parchman, please. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh we've not met since the last meeting. Uh if we do have agenda items that will meet will be next Tuesday, the 26th. Uh we do have one item for uh approval, which is the warrant. So, I'd like to make a motion to approve warrant number 583 in the amount of 1,254 500 or $254,588.98. Second,

okay, [snorts] we have a motion and a second. Do we have any comments or discussion on 16.1? Yes, Mr. May. As an Amaran employee, I do consent to all items listed with the exception of the payments to Amron on page two of the warrant report. So, for this reason, I am abstaining from this vote. Okay. Thank you. Any other comments? Seeing none, roll call, please. Hudson, yes. Blackburn, yes. Force, yes. Campbell, yes. Parchman, yes. Ford, yes. Rosenberg, affirmative. My yes. Lots, yes. Stofl, yes. Carney, yes. Phony, abstain. Roach, yes. Nukem, yes.

Okay, thank you. Motion carries. It's all for our reports tonight. Moving on to um agenda item 17, we have executive session. As I did mention, we will be going into executive s session tonight to talk about personnel and possible property. Uh the people that are watching on Zoom, we will be closing out the Zoom session. When we return from executive session, we are going to be taking a vote on a personnel issue. However, we will not be setting back up the Zoom link. So, if you're on Zoom, uh, thank you for watching. Uh, we really appreciate your your time. Uh, with that being said, can I get a motion to go into executive session? Motion Blackburn.

Second, Lots. Motion Blackburn. Second. Lots. Okay. Roll call. Hudson, yes. Blackburn, yes. Mors, yes. Campbell, yes. Parksman, yes. Ford, yes. Rosenberg, Affirmative. Mard, yes. Lots, yes. Stofl, yes. Carney, yes. Pony, yes. Roach, yes. Nukem, yes.