City Council - Regular Meeting

Mhm. We can't start till right at 7. So

All right, let's start the regular meeting of the council of the city of Ottawa, December 16th, 2025. Roll call. Michael Kraut here. Ger, Pearson here. Baron here. Mayor here. We have five present. Stand for the pledge of allegiance. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Moved by Commissioner Echo that the minutes of a regular meeting of the council of the city of Ottawa, Illinois held on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025 be approved as recorded in the permanent files of the city clerk. Okay, I get a second.

Second. Commissioner Ger Roll call. Echo Kraut. Hi. Gor Pearson I Baron I mayor I s there anyone wishing to appear before the council? If not, then let's start uh the public hearing for the tax levy. Commissioner uh or I'm sorry, Commissioner Crowd or Don who I don't know who has started out. Okay.

As we first announced at the previous council meeting and published in the Times, we will be conducting a truth and taxation hearing tonight for our annual levy. The revenue requested in a levy exceeds the 5% threshold which requires a truth and taxation hearing. The total increase in the levy is 7.2%. We do expect though that the actual levy rate will decline as of now 8.9 cents per hund dollars of assessed value though that is subject to change. I'll ask our treasurer now to give us a brief overhaul of the levy request and you will entertain questions or comments if any. Yeah. And it is um the same as Commissioner Aricout indicated it's the same totals that we had presented previously. Uh so u total increase of 7.2% in funds over what was received last year exclusive of debt. Um but the levy rate we expect to decline. Um and as as Commissioner Arocraftoft mentioned, it it is subject to change when the final um um assessed valuations come in, but we expected to decline almost 9 cents per $100 of valuation right now. So overall, we're requesting an additional 683,000 over what we requested or what we received last year. Uh so the total request is 10,1659. What was that number again, Don?

10,16559. [snorts] Thank you, Don. Yep. Is there any other questions or comments? Then we can close that one at 702 and move on to the public hearing for the amended Woodridge annexation agreement. Christina,

thanks, Mayor. Uh, this is an annexation agreement that was previously um done. It's now being amended and uh for the property owners that are out in the uh Woodidge subdivision, they'll now be uh annexing into the city of Ottawa with some additional modifications which allow for golf carts which allow uh there's no requirement for curbon gutter and uh they're receiving a tax abatement for a period of time uh based on on this amended agreement. So uh that's primarily what this agreement is about. they were already required to annex in uh but there was some issues with that so we uh I think sweetened the deal a little bit and uh allowed uh this amended annexation agreement for Woodidge.

Any questions or comments? Then we can close this one at 703 and on to uh Commissioner Icraut's report. Moved by Commissioner Eichler that the bi-weekly salary payroll of December 5th, 2025 in the amount of $688,975.50 be approved and warrants issued. Okay, get a second. Second. Commissioner Pearson. Roll call. Michael. Hi. Gear. Pearson. I. Baron. I. Mayor. I. Moved by Commissioner Ekler that the bimonthly expense report dated December 16th, 2025 showing expenses in the amount of 1,489,544.50 50 cents be approved and warrants issued. Okay, I got a second.

Second. Commissioner Baron. Roll call. Eichelra. I. Gainer. Hi. Pearson. I. Baron. I. Mayor. I. We're going to skip number three and move on to number four. Moved by Commissioner Eichelra that an ordinance loving taxes in the taxes in the city of Ottawa, Lel County, Illinois for the fiscal year beginning May 1st, 2025 and ending April 30th, 2025 and authorizing the city clerk of the city of Ottawa to certify to the county clerk of Lasell County, Illinois, the several months required to be raised by taxation for the corporate purposes of said city for said fiscal year, which has been on file for public inspection since December 2nd, 2025 be passed and approved. Okay, I got a second. Second, Commissioner Gayer. Roll call. Eichel Crow. I

Gori. Pearson. I Baron. I. Mayor. Hi. Moved by Commissioner Echo that a resolution authorizing the execution of a funding agreement between the city of Ottawa and the Lasal County 708 community mental health center regarding rides for ENCAD be adopted. Okay. Second. Second. Commissioner Pearson. Roll call. Igel Crow. Hi. Gainer. Hi. Pearson. I Baron. Hi. Mayor. Hi, Commissioner Akerow. Is there anything you'd like to add this even?

Yeah, just so I don't forget, merry Christmas, happy New Year's. And remember, we still got Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for the Chris Kringle market, and the weather might be tolerable this weekend. So, please go out there and see the vendors and enjoy. Thank you very much. On to Commissioner Gain's report. Moved by Commissioner Gainer that the quote received from Knox Company in the amount of $122,785 to purchase equipment for the fire prevention and safety grant be approved and paid for from the grant proceeds. Can I get a second? Second, Commissioner Baron.

This is equipment that's going to allow the fire department to start a new program. Over the years, uh, many residents have asked if we would carry keys to their house so that we could get in if they had a medical emergency. That's very very cumbersome to do that and to remember you know uh what house has keys and what house doesn't. So um you may have seen these little boxes that are on mostly on businesses right next to the main door. It's a called a knock box. It handle it holds the keys to that business. Only the fire department has a key to open that box. So if there's a fire or some kind of emergency there they need to get in, they can open the door as opposed to breaking the door down. And now we're going to extend this to a residential program where if there's residents out there that uh would like the fire department to have access to their house to get in for medical emergencies mostly or could be on fire too, but mostly medical emergencies. U put that box on their house. Their keys would go in it and then we have have to have a call there. We can get in if they can't open the door, we can get in and provide whatever need that um whatever services they do.

It's a really cool program. I think it's great. Thank you. So, everyone who worked on that, good job. [clears throat] Any roll call? Echelut. I Pearson. Hi. Baron, hi. Mayor, hi. Commissioner Gay, is there anything that you'd like to add? I would just echo what Commissioner said. Everybody have a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year. On to um Commissioner Pearson. Moved by Commissioner Pearson that the quote received from Lehard Construction Incorporated in the amount of $19,500 to upgrade the police department's patrol room be approved and paid for from the general corporate fund. Okay, you have a second. Commissioner Ger call. I Geri. Pearson I. Baron I. Mayor

I. Moved by Commissioner Pearson that the quote received from Leear Construction Incorporated in the amount of $17,000 to upgrade the police department supervisor room be approved and paid for for the general corporate fund. Okay, you have a second. Sergeant, Commissioner Accrow, those these are both just um rebudgeted building workstations um for both police and for the police departments. [snorts] Roll call. Michael, I Pearson. Baron. I mayor. All right. Commissioner Pearson, would you also like to wish happy holidays to everybody? Yes, I would. [laughter] Anything else you'd want to add? Nothing else. Okay. Uh, Commissioner Baron, do you have anything to add?

Yeah. Happy Hanukkah as well. Okay. Thank you. And onto my report. Move by Mayor Hasty that a resolution authorizing the execution of 13 amended annexation agreements between the city of Ottawa and various property owners in Woodward subdivision which has been on file for public inspection since December 2nd, 2025, be adopted. I got a second. Second. Commissioner Echo. Roll call. Icraut. I Pearson I. Baron I. Mayor I. Move by Mayor Hasty that an ordinance annexing certain territory to the city of Ottawa County, Illinois, located at 2901 and 2905 East 1989th Road owned by Robert and Sherry McConna be passed and approved. I got a second. Second. Commissioner Pearson. Roll call.

Eel Kraut. I Pearson I Baron. I mayor I moved by mayor hasty that an ordinance indexing certain territory to the city of Ottawa County Illinois located at 2909 and 2913 east 1989th road owned by Travis and Denise Schmidt be passed and approved. Can I get a second? Sorry. Commissioner Baron. Roll call. Michael Crow. I Pearson. Hi. Baron. I mayor. I sorry [laughter] I was getting ahead. Sorry. Moved by Mayor Hasty that an ordinance indexing certain territory to the city of Ottawa, South County, Illinois located at 1988 North 2919th Road owned by Lawrence and Terresa Gerlock be passed and approved. Can I get a second? Second.

Commissioner Ekler. Roll call. Eichel Kraut. I Pearson. I Baron. I mayor. Five. Move by Mayor Hasty that an ordinance enexing certain territory to the city of Ottawa Lasowl County, Illinois located at 1986 North 2919th Road owned by Ratha and Nicole Chum be passed and approved. Okay, I got a second. Commissioner Gayer. Roll call. Michael Kraut. Hi. Ger Pearson. Hi. Baron. Hi. Mayor I moved by Mayor Hasty that an ordinance annexing certain territory to the city of Ottawa South County Illinois located at 1984 North 2919th Road owned by Jeremy and Morgan Brown be passed and approved. Can I get a second? Second. Commissioner Pearson. Roll call. Echelutra. Hi. Gear. Hi. Pearson. I Baron. Hi.

Mayor. Hi. Moved by Mayor Hasty that an ordinance enexing certain territory to the city of Ottawa Lasowl County, Illinois, located at 1982 North 29th 19th Road owned by Sha and Jenna Porter be passed and approved. Okay, a second. Second. Commissioner Baron. Roll call. Michael Kra. I Pearson. Hi. Baron. I mayor. I moved by Mayor Hasty that an ordinance enexing certain territory to the city of Ottawa, South County, Illinois, located at 1981 and 1983 North 2919th Road owned by Jeff and Carrie Vizane be passed and pro approved. Okay, a second. Second, Commissioner Gier. Roll call. Michael Croat. I Pearson. I Baron. I mayor.

Hi. Move by Mayor Hasty that an ordinance enexing certain territory to the city of Ottawa South County in LA located at 1985 North 2919th Road owned by Jordan and Briny Edgecom be passed and approved. I get a second. Second. Commissioner Pearson. Roll call. Echelut. I Pearson I. Baron I. Mayor I. Move by Mayor Hasty that an ordinance enexing certain territory to the city of Ottawa, Lasel County, Illinois, located at 2925 East 1989th Road owned by Robert and Aaron Nillis be passed and approved. Can I get a second? Second. Commissioner Baron. Roll call. Michael Kraut. I Ger I. Pearson I. Baron [clears throat] I. Mayor

I. Moved by Mayor Hasty that an ordinance enexing certain territory to the city of Adabalis South County, Illinois, located at 2924 and 2926 East 1989th Road owned by Lewis and Britney Villa Lopez be passed and approved. I get a second. Second. Commissioner Pearson. Roll call. Michael Kraut. I hi Pearson. Hi. Baron. Hi. Mayor I moved by Mayor Hasty that an ordinance enexing certain territory to the city of Ottawa South County, Illinois, located at 2920 East 1989 road by Eric and Jenny Hackler be passed and approved. Okay, here's a second. Second. Commissioner Ger callout. I Pearson I Baron I. Mayor I

moved by Mayor Hasty that an ordinance enexing certain territory to the city of Ottawa South County Illinois located at 1910 East 1989th road owned by Richard and Lisa Scott be passed and approved. Okay, you second. Second. Commissioner Baron. Roll call. Michael Kraut. Hi Gerard. Hi Pearson. Hi Baron. Hi. Mayor I moved by Mayor Hasty that an ordinance enexing certain territory to the city of Ottawa Lasell County, Illinois located at 2906 and 2902 East 1989th Road owned by Paul Russer and Abigail Brittag be passed and approved. Can I get a second? Second. Commissioner, roll call. Icraut. I Pearson I Baron I. Mayor I. Good thing this wasn't 100 last Sunday.

I know. [laughter] Moved by Mayor Hasty that an ordinance designating a city landmark in property located at 210 West Prospect Avenue be passed and approved. I got a second. Second. Commissioner Baron. Roll call. Michael Crow. I Pearson I. Baron. I. Mayor. I. Moved by Mayor Hasty that a resolution authorizing execution of a proposal with fair Graham for wetland jurisdictional determinations for the Ottawa Industrial Park units 2 through 5 which has been on file for public inspection since December 2nd, 2025 be adopted. A second. Second,

Commissioner Ger. Um, I I just want to add a a quick note since I have you all here that uh Dave Noble and I met with a prospect for the industrial park in the last week and when Dave went through his presentation of wetlands and this certification, that certification, that certification, they told us that we are one of the most organized communities that they've ever done business with to uh look for a prospective place to put their business. So, I think this stuff is paying off. Hopefully it'll lead to some development here sometime soon. Roll call. Michael Crown. Hi. Gainer. Hi. Pearson. I. Baron. I. Mayor. Hi.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that a resolution authorizing a contract for the purchase of real estate between the city of Ottawa and Dayton Ridge Golf Club LLC be received and placed on file for public inspection.

A second. Second. Commissioner Agricout. Um, this is property that we're hoping to expand into additional park place. Um, it's going to finally give a home for the Ottawa Soccer Club who is currently playing in church backyards and and lands that have been promised to our fire department. Um, the park is going to be intended to be open to the public, which was a concern of Commissioner Pearsons, uh, so that we'll be able to do other events there as well. Um, anything from kites and flight to [snorts] fish rodeo. I forgot what it was called for a second, Wayne. I'm sorry.

That's all right. Um, and uh, and hopefully it's it's my idea that uh, this can be the first stage to something that can be a multi-ports uh, uh, complex where we can have a fieldhouse and maybe a dome and some other things, but that's all years and money down the road. So, roll call. [snorts] Michael, I Pearson. I baron. Hi, Mayor. Hi. And now something that is very due. Dear to us all. What's that? Dare to us all.

Yes. A proclamation honoring a distinguished career of service. Whereas we gather to recognize and celebrate the exceptional dedication, commitment, and service of Nancy Stisser, who is retiring after 37 remarkable years of steadfast leadership and invaluable contributions. And whereas throughout these many years, Nancy Styister has served as a trusted local historian, preserving and sharing the stories, traditions, and legacy of our community with care, passion, and accuracy. And whereas Nancy Stisser proudly served as the original special events coordinator, creating, shaping, and elevating community events that have become cherished traditions enjoyed by generations. And whereas she served as the city hall field trip organizer for students, inspiring young minds, fostering civic engagement, and helping students experience local government firsthand. And whereas her colleagues affectionately known her as the nuts andbolts meeting lady, a testament to her extraordinary ability to organize details, bring clarity, provide structure, and ensure that every plan, large or small, was executed flawlessly. And whereas her legacy is defined not only by her tireless work ethic and deep institutional knowledge, but also by her kindness, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to serving the public with excellence. And now therefore, be it resolved that we extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation to Nancy Stisser for her outstanding career, her immeasurable impact on her community, and her lasting contributions that will continue to inspire long after her retirement. And be it further resolved that we honor and celebrate her retirement with admiration, respect, and heartfelt best wishes for a joyful and fulfilling new chapter ahead. Proclaimed this day, December 16th, 2025.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that a proclamation honoring Nancy Sisser in her 37 plus years with the city of Ottawa and congratulating her on her retirement be adopted. Could I get a second? Second, Commissioner Echo. Um, we'll have more celebrations Friday morning for her and um, I think we would all have many stories to share, but they'd be better served to be shared in front of her Friday morning, which is absolutely the last thing she's going to want. She was also the first part of Kathy. [clears throat] Yes. Many first. Yeah. 37 years is going to do that. [laughter] Roll call. Echo. Hi. Gainer. Hi. Pearson. Hi. Baron. Enthusiastic. I mayor. Hi.

Do you have anything else, sir? The only other thing I'll I'll just echo what everyone else said. Happy holidays to everybody. It's going to be a wonderful warmer weekend. So get out and go to all of the stores downtown. Do the Chris Kringle market. Enjoy the holidays and see you next year. Moved by Mayor Hasty that this regular meeting be adjourned. Can I get a second? Second. Commissioner Pearson. Roll call. Michael Crouch. Hi. Ger Pearson. Hi. Baron. Hi. Mayor. Hi. Thank you everybody. until you said it's next year. Yeah. A lot of people showed up for

Okay. Somebody was coming afterwards. Okay. Last night, we had the high school open last night. Tell