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Home My WebLink About05-20-2025 Canton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes CANTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. Historic Depot-Donald E. Edwards Way th 50 North 4 Avenue, Canton, Il 61520 A regular meeting of the Canton City Council was held on May 20, 2025 (6:30pm) at the Historic th Depot located at 50 North 4 Avenue Canton Illinois. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Mayor Kent McDowell, City Clerk Andi Smith-Walters, City Treasurer Crystal Wilkinson, Police Chief Mike Eveland, and Public Utilities Director Joe Carruthers. OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: City Attorney Chris Jump, City Engineer Keith Plavec, Comptroller Beka Shultz MEDIA IN ATTENDANCE: Fulton Democrat MEETING CALLED TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE OPENED THE MEETING INVOCATION – Mayor Kent McDowell ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderperson Gossett x Alderperson Pickel x Alderperson Ketcham x Alderperson Hale x Alderperson Grimm x Alderperson Lovell x Alderperson Nelson x Alderperson x Chamberlin ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: MAYORAL COMMUNICATIONS/REQUESTED ACTION: Mayor McDowell commended the public works department for doing a good job accomplishing numerous projects around town. CITY CLERK COMMUNICATIONS /REQUESTED ACTION: DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS: Police Chief Mike Eveland announced last year the department held their annual Officer of the Year Banquet and Lieutenant Greg Spahn, who recently retired was the winner. The telecommunicator of the year was awarded to Erin Slack. This is her second time winning this award. The Chiefs Award who is determined by Eveland was awarded to officer Tim Herink, who is one of the school resource officers. Eveland also stated last Friday the Annual Cop on the Roof was held at Dunkin Donuts and the department raised a little over $3,000. CONSENT AGENDA - ST APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE 1 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON MAY 6, 2025. ND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE 2 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON MAY 6, 2025. BILL LIST DISBURSEMENT REPORT TREASURER’S REPORT PUBLIC WORKS REPORT POLICE REPORT FIRE REPORT Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Grimm/Gossett to approve the consent agenda. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderperson Gossett x Alderperson Pickel x Alderperson Ketcham x Alderperson Hale x Alderperson Grimm x Alderperson Lovell x Alderperson Nelson x Alderperson x Chamberlin The motion carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS: PUBLIC SAFETY AND LEGAL ALDERPERSON JUSTIN NELSON, CHAIR ORDINANCE REGULATING THE OPERATION OF LOW-SPEED ELECTRIC BICYCLES AND LOW- SPEED GAS BICYCLES. The copy of the ordinance was provided to the council in their packets. Attorney Jump explained there were a few revisions made, and he cleaned up some of the language. One of the revisions that was made states that if the owner is under the age of 18 a parent or legal guardian is required to register the bicycle and would be considered the registered owner. There were some additions made to the age restriction section which talks about passengers and basically clarifies being able to accommodate passengers. This is language taken from the state statute. This does not include riding on pegs, handlebars, or trailers being pulled behind the bike. If transporting a passenger, the bike must have a fixed seat to do so. Another change made regards the safety equipment and states that anyone under the age of 16 that is operating the bike or is the passenger is required to wear a helmet while operating on a city street. They shall also be protected by glasses, goggles, or a transparent shield. There were additional revisions made to the penalty section clarifying the registered owner could be strictly liable. This will go into effect July 1, 2025. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Nelson/Lovell to approve an ordinance regulating the operation of low-speed electric bicycles and low-speed gas bicycles with a one time fee. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderperson Gossett x Alderperson Pickel x Alderperson Ketcham x Alderperson Hale x Alderperson Grimm x Alderperson Lovell x Alderperson Nelson x Alderperson x Chamberlin The motion failed. ORDINANCE REGULATING THE OPERATION OF LOW-SPEED ELECTRIC BICYLCES AND LOW- SPEED GAS BICYCLES. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Lovell/Gossett to approve an ordinance regulating the operation of low-speed electric bicycles and low-speed gas bicycles with an annual fee. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderperson Gossett x Alderperson Pickel x Alderperson Ketcham x Alderperson Hale x Alderperson Grimm x Alderperson Lovell x Alderperson Nelson x Alderperson x Chamberlin ZOOM0068.WAV The motion passed. ORDINANCE APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO A CITY IF CANTON LAKESHORE LEASE WITH DUSTIN A. AND ANNE C. GRZANICH. Attorney Jump explained Dustin and Anne Grzanich own property out at Canton Lake and are subject to a lease back from 2015 that has older language in it about the dock not extending more than 15 feet out into the lake. This property is located back in a cove and is too steep to have a long continuous ramp. After looking at the plans, the city engineer spoke with the owner, and they thought the city would be able to do something similar to what was done in the past. Jump suggested that with this ordinance the mayor have the authority to amend any further language if needed. The language for this is similar to what was already there stating if the dock would extend 32 feet from the normal shoreline they would still have to put lights at the end of the dock. There was also language added with the rising and lowering levels of the lake. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Nelson/Chamberlin to approve an ordinance approving an amendment to a City of Canton lakeshore lease with Dustin A. and Anne C. Grzanich. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderperson Gossett x Alderperson Pickel x Alderperson Ketcham x Alderperson Hale x Alderperson Grimm x Alderperson Lovell x Alderperson Nelson x Alderperson x Chamberlin The motion carried. ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF THREE (3) NEW POLICE VEHICLES. Police Chief Mike Eveland stated this was already discussed when passing the budget. There will be three police vehicles purchased from Sudden Ford up near Chicago and they hold the state bid. The vehicles will be brand new and ordered/available by the end of August. The cost of the vehicle would be $48,769 plus additions to outfit it completely in the amount of $8,450 with a total cost of $57,219 per vehicle. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Nelson/Lovell to approve an ordinance authorizing the purchase of three (3) new police vehicles with a total amount of $57,219 per vehicle. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderperson Gossett x Alderperson Pickel x Alderperson Ketcham x Alderperson Hale x Alderperson Grimm x Alderperson Lovell x Alderperson Nelson x Alderperson x Chamberlin The motion carried. REGULATORY AND POLICY ALDERPERSON ANGELA HALE, CHAIR APPROVAL OF A CLASS F SPECIAL LIQUOR LICENSE FOR BILLY’S TAP, FOR THE CLOSING CEREMONIES OF THE CANTON BICENTENNIAL, TO BE HELD ON JUNE 29 IN THE DOWNTOWN. This is insured and all paperwork has been turned in. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Hale/Ketcham for approval of a Class F special liquor license for Billy’s Tap, for the closing ceremonies of the Canton Bicentennial, to be held on June 29 in the downtown. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderperson Gossett x Alderperson Pickel x Alderperson Ketcham x Alderperson Hale x Alderperson Grimm x Alderperson Lovell x Alderperson Nelson x Alderperson x Chamberlin The motion carried. APPROVAL OF A CLASS F SPECIAL LIQUOR LICENSE FOR BREW-N-CUE FOR AN AFTER HOURS MIXER HOSTED BY MIDAMERICA NATIONAL BANK TO BE HELD ON JUNE 19 AT THE BANK. No discussion. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Hale/Pickel for approval of a Class F special liquor license for Brew-N-Cue for an afterhours mixer hosted by MidAmerica National Bank to be held on June 29 at the bank. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderperson Gossett x Alderperson Pickel x Alderperson Ketcham x Alderperson Hale x Alderperson Grimm x Alderperson Lovell x Alderperson Nelson x Alderperson x Chamberlin The motion carried. COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALDERPERSON JOHN LOVELL, CHAIR Michelle Spiva from Spoon River Partnership gave her report explained they have a big housing project going on with the Illinois Housing Development Authority to try and improve residential properties in Canton and Lewistown. The online survey has closed, and great data feedback has been presented back to Spiva. Spiva is hosting a meeting on June 4 at 5:30pm at the First Christian Church in Canton and is open to all communities/residents interested in discussing housing. All of the feedback will go into community revitalization plan that IHDA is creating which is needed in order to qualify for grant funding to demo onsite properties, to fix properties, and to qualify for tax incentives to try and entice developers to come in and build new workforce housing. That project is scheduled to end this fall. Next, there is a broadband breakthrough project that is a joint collaboration with the Illinois Broadband Office. They asked Fulton County to participate because the county is eligible for “just transition funds”. The survey for this has been completed and Spiva has the preliminary data from it. Illinois has been allocated $1.3 billion of B funding which stand for Broadband Equity Access and Employment. Spiva right now with this project is trying to create a county wide plan that providers can use to apply for that funding to help Fulton County. As far as the preliminary surveys go, sadly 83% of the respondents were either classified underserved or overserved according to Illinois State standards. 34% of the respondents said they had no access to any wired internet at their location and another 42% said that there was no service provider willing to come to their location. Spiva was able to find local providers willing to apply for this B funding. These things take time, but progress is being made. ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A FIRST AMENDMENT TO A TAX INCREMENT FINANCING (TIF) & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT (BDD) REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF CANTON AND 309 DEVELOPMENTS, LLC AND JED RHOADES AND MAX KUMER (FULTON SQUARE PROJECT). This agreement is essentially asking for a three month extension. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Lovell/Grimm for approval of an ordinance approving and authorizing the execution of a first amendment to a tax increment financing (TIF) & business development district (BDD) redevelopment agreement by and between the City of Canton and 309 Developments, LLC and Jed Rhoades and Max Kumer (Fulton Square Project). ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderperson Gossett x Alderperson Pickel x Alderperson Ketcham x Alderperson Hale x Alderperson Grimm x Alderperson Lovell x Alderperson Nelson x Alderperson x Chamberlin The motion carried. ACTION TO BE TAKEN ON THE FOLLOWING TIF/BDD APPLICATION AND/OR AGREEMENT REGARDING ANGELA AND NICK ORWIG DBA ENCORE DANCE ACADEMY. This project is going to potentially be around $1,000,000 with renovating the interior and exterior of the new dance studio. This would be a 25% reimbursement and the way it would be drawn up is to get them to do a $175,000 forgivable loan over the course of seven years. This would be out of the BDD. The other $75,000 would be a yearly TIF reimbursement, 75% of the TIF increment that they generate for up to 10 years. ACTION TO BE TAKEN ON THE FOLLOWING TIF/BDD APPLICATION AND/OR AGREEMENT REGARDING KIM AND JON NEWBURN DBA AMERICAN GRILLE. This is for improvements to the siding and fencing as well as a few leftover issues from a recent car accident. The projected cost is $36,477. Lovell would like to see an agreement drawn up giving them a 25% reimbursement not to exceed $10,000. ACTION TO BE TAKEN ON THE FOLLOWING TIF/BDD APPLICATION AND/OR AGREEMENT REGARDING NILAM S. RAJ DBA CANTON INN. This was tabled until other actions are completed on their end. ACTION TO BE TAKEN ON THE FOLLOWING TIF/BDD APPLICATION AND/OR AGREEMENT REGARDING J&B PROPERTIES, 25/29 EAST SIDE SQAURE. This is improvements on the back side of the building. The total project cost is looking to be around $6,200 and Lovell recommends doing a 35% reimbursement not to exceed $2,170. PUBLIC WORKS ALDERPERSON GREG GOSSETT, CHAIR FINANCE ALDERPERSON ANDRA CHAMBERLIN, CHAIR APPROVAL TO PURCHASE FOUR PORTABLE RADIOS FROM RAGAN COMMUNICATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $14,966.80 TO BE PAID FROM THE 911 FUND. This is a budgeted item for the fire department. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Chamberlin/Grimm for approval to purchase four portable radios from Ragan Communications in the amount of $14,966.80 to be paid from the 911 fund. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderperson Gossett x Alderperson Pickel x Alderperson Ketcham x Alderperson Hale x Alderperson Grimm x Alderperson Lovell x Alderperson Nelson x Alderperson x Chamberlin The motion carried. APPROVAL TO PURCHASE VEHICLE EXTRICATION TOOLS FROM MUNICIPAL EMERGENCY SERVICES. This is for the fire department. Attorney Jump explained this would be paid out of the grant. There is one order for $5,745 which is summarized as bags but includes some inflation, hose, dual control, and regulator assembly. The other sales order was for $15,588 for jacks. These will be reimbursed through the grant. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Chamberlin/Lovell for approval to purchase vehicle extrication tools from municipal emergency services. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderperson Gossett x Alderperson Pickel x Alderperson Ketcham x Alderperson Hale x Alderperson Grimm x Alderperson Lovell x Alderperson Nelson x Alderperson x Chamberlin The motion carried. APPROVAL OF A PAY APPLICATION #5 FOR THE OPERA HOUSE PLAZA. This is for $232,312.42. Public Works Director Joe Carruthers stated they are working on the sewer part of the project. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Chamberlin/Nelson for approval of a pay application #5 for the Opera House Plaza. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderperson Gossett x Alderperson Pickel x Alderperson Ketcham x Alderperson Hale x Alderperson Grimm x Alderperson Lovell x Alderperson Nelson x Alderperson x Chamberlin The motion carried. APPROVAL OF MUNICIPAL AGGREGATION WITH DACOTT. Jenny from DaCott gave an update explaining they had a 12 month offer from constellation that came in at 0.12319 and were able to come back Wednesday morning with an executable bid of .11809 however this was not approved because the Ameren price to compare as still not been published. Jenny is confident that Ameren’s prices are going to be above 12 cents. A 10 month offer from Homefield is 0.1093, which is about 15% below the anticipated summer price to compare and it is believed to still be below the winter price to compare. Constellation came in with a 10 month offer and is slightly lower at 0.10246, however Constellation stated they could not execute anything for the remainder of the week due to the holiday schedule. Jenny believes the Homefield 10 month offer is something to consider. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Chamberlin/Grimm for approval of municipal aggregation with DaCott and giving authority to Jenny to go with Homefield for 10 months at 0.1093 unless Constellations 10 month comes in at a lower rate. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderperson Gossett x Alderperson Pickel x Alderperson Ketcham x Alderperson Hale x Alderperson Grimm x Alderperson Lovell x Alderperson Nelson x Alderperson x Chamberlin The motion carried. IT AND CYBERSECURITY ALDERPERSON DAVE PICKEL, CHAIR LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT ALDERPERSON RALPH GRIMM, CHAIR APPROVAL OF POLICE OFFICER HIRING PLAN FOR FY26. Police Chief Mike Eveland explained this is similar to what the department did last year. All of the positions have already been approved in the budget. There is currently one lateral applicant which will save money since they won’t need to be sent to the academy. The final goal is having 23 staff within the department, including the chief position. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Grimm/Nelson for approval of police officer hiring plan for FY26. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderperson Gossett x Alderperson Pickel x Alderperson Ketcham x Alderperson Hale x Alderperson Grimm x Alderperson Lovell x Alderperson Nelson x Alderperson x Chamberlin The motion carried. PROPERTY ALDERPERSON PATRICK KETCHAM, CHAIR EXECUTIVE SESSION/CLOSED MEETING EXECUTIVE SESSION/CLOSED MEETING PURSUANT TO 5ILCS 120/2(c)(11). Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Gossett/Hale to go into executive session/closed meeting pursuant to 5ILCS 120/2(c)(11). ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderperson Gossett x Alderperson Pickel x Alderperson Ketcham x Alderperson Hale x Alderperson Grimm x Alderperson Lovell x Alderperson Nelson x Alderperson x Chamberlin The motion carried. The Meeting Reconvened. ADJOURNMENT Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Nelson/Pickel to adjourn. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderperson Gossett x Alderperson Pickel x Alderperson Ketcham x Alderperson Hale x Alderperson Grimm x Alderperson Lovell x Alderperson Nelson x Alderperson x Chamberlin The motion carried. _________________________________________________________________ Andi Walters, City Clerk _________________________________________________________________ Kent McDowell, Mayor