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Home My WebLink About11-18-2025 Canton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes CANTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 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 November 18, 2025 (6:30pm) at the th Historic Depot located at 50 North 4 Avenue Canton Illinois. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Mayor Kent McDowell, City Clerk Andi Smith-Walters, Acting City Treasurer Paula Grigsby, Deputy Police Chief Corey Miller, Fire Chief Scott Roos, and Public Utilities Manager Joe Carruthers. OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: City Attorney Chris Jump and 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 PUBLIC HEARING: Public Hearing for a proposed annexation agreement (or “pre-annexation”) agreement involving real property located at 19777 E. Paradise Lane, Canton, IL 61520 (PIN #09-08-32-200- 040). ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: MAYORAL COMMUNICATIONS/REQUESTED ACTION: Dan Kiesewetter from Kiesewetter Insurance Agency explained that in August a preliminary survey is started to see if there is any opportunity to upgrade. When there are issues in the workers compensation area, which the city is currently experiencing, there are more opportunities in making changes. Dan passed out a paper to the council that went over all of the city’s coverages except for workers compensation and is the claims history for the last five years. Dan passed out another paper to the council that showed them the current workers compensation claims to look over. There was a substantial premium increase, especially regarding workers compensation. There was an overall increase of over 18% which is little bit more than the average renewal for commercialized business within the agency. In the past it has been between 10-15%. A couple reasons for the increase include law enforcement liability, workers compensation, and payroll. Compared to 2023, 2025 is down significantly. Since Andi Walters took office it has helped tremendously with loss control. There are only a few ways to manage workers compensation issues and that is in loss prevention. The property coverage amount went up by $4,317,950 with a 2% inflation guard as well as adding in the Opera House Plaza. A few items of equipment have been added to the insurance as well as nine new auto units amounting to $1,197,000. With the increase in property, equipment, and vehicles, the 11% increase is a non-issue. The cyber policy is not a part of the current package being renewed. There is $15 million in excess liability the includes general liability, law enforcement liability, auto liability, and public official liability. Dan does not recommend lowering the excess liability limit. However, it is an option to lower it to $10 million. Another option would be to increase the property deductible from the flat $10,000 to $25,000. DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS: Acting Treasurer, Paula Grigsby – Nothing to report. Deputy Police Chief, Corey Miller – Miller talked to city engineer Keith Plavec regarding the traffic complaint on Birch as well as the city attorney. They have done a study for several weeks now and the recommendation from Plavec was to not place any stop signs in the area. Plavec also does not recommend speed bumps to be placed in the roadways. According to the speed details, the average speed was around 26-28mph with an occasional car going around 35. Over the past five years there have been three reported accidents on East Birch. The department is looking into digital radar signs instead of using the trailer radars. Fire Chief, Scott Roos – Nothing to report. Public Utilities Manager, Joe Carruthers – Carruthers reported that the wastewater treatment plant is under way. The lead service line project is continuing its removal. CITY CLERK COMMUNICATIONS/REQUESTED ACTION: Nothing to report. CONSENT AGENDA - APPROVAL OF THE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES HELD OCTOBER 21, 2025. BILL LIST DISBURSEMENT REPORT TREASURER’S REPORT PUBLIC WORKS REPORT POLICE REPORT FIRE REPORT Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Hale/Pickel 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 RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN IMPACTLIFE AND THE CITY OF CANTON FOR RENTAL OF THE HISTORIC DEPOT FOR 2026. This is done annually. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Nelson/Chamberlin to approve a resolution approving an agreement between ImpactLife and the City of Canton for rental of the historic depot for 2026. 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 RENEWAL OF MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH FLOCK GROUP, INC. This is an auto renewal done annually. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Nelson/Lovell for approval of renewal of master services agreement with Flock Group, INC. 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 COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALDERPERSON JOHN LOVELL, CHAIR DISCUSSION ON THE FOLLOWING TIF/BDD APPLICATION AND/OR AGREEMENT REGARDING JOHN DAVIS FOR DAVIS FORD (2111 N. MAIN ST). This is an amendment for an extension. They are working on the roof. PUBLIC WORKS ALDERPERSON GREG GOSSETT, CHAIR RESOLUTION APPROVING A PRE-ANNEXATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF CANTON AND ROBERT AND SETHANY ZIMMERMAN INVOLVING REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 19777 E. PARADISE LANE, CANTON, IL 61520. There was a public hearing on this, and there was no public comment. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Gossett/Ketcham to approve a resolution approving a pre-annexation agreement between the City of Canton and Robert and Sethany Zimmerman involving real property located at 19777 E. Paradise Lane, Canton, IL 61520. 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. FINANCE ALDERPERSON ANDRA CHAMBERLIN, CHAIR APPROVAL OF THE AMOUNTS OF MONEY, EXCLUSIVE OF ANY PORTION OF THE LEVY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE COST OF CONDUCTING AN ELECTION REQUIRED BY THE GENERAL ELECTION LAW ESTIMATED TO BE NECESSARY TO BE RAISED BY TAXATION UPON THE TAXABLE PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF CANTON’S TAXING DISRTICT. Comptroller Beka Shultz explained that last year’s levy was $3,548,445. The city received the library’s request this year for $289,905 which is an increase compared to the request for last year. The levy passed previously was based several factors including a 4% increase in union contracts, and insurance increases. There was slight decrease in the IMRF rate for the upcoming year. At this point, it will be up to the council to decide whether they want to go over the 105% so that if they do, there will need to be a taxation hearing. This is to approve the estimated amount to be levied along with the percentage increase. A 4% increase would take the property tax levy to $3,690,383 which would be an increase of $141,938. The estimated amount is $3,708,125 which is 4.5%. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Chamberlin/Gossett for approval of the amounts of money, exclusive of any portion of the levy attributable to the cost of conducting an election required by the general election law estimated to be necessary to be raised by taxation upon the taxable property in the City of Canton’s taxing district with an estimated 4.5% at $3,708,125. 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 ENGAGEMENT TO PERFORM CONTINUING DISCLOSURE SERVICES WITH CHAPMAN AND CUTLER LLP. Chapman previously issued the city’s continuing disclosures for the bonds. This is their standard engagement letter or those services for the year at roughly $500. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Chamberlin/Nelson for approval of engagement to perform continuing disclosure services with Chapman and Cutler LLP. 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 DISCUSS, CONSIDER, AND APPROVE A POLICE DEPARTMENT LATERAL TRANSFER PROGRAM. No Vote PROPERTY ALDERPERSON PATRICK KETCHAM, CHAIR ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 410 W. HICKORY, CANTON, IL 61520. The final purchase price of this is $100,000. The city would pay standard closing costs. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Ketcham/Gossett to approve an ordinance authorizing the purchase of real property located at 410 W. Hickory, Canton, IL 61520. 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. RESOLUTION APPROVING INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REGARDING MAINTENANCE. This item is tabled. EXECUTIVE SESSION/CLOSED MEETING EXECUTIVE SESSION/CLOSED MEETING PURSUANT TO 5ILCS 120/2(C)(1) and 5ILCS 120/2(C)(2). Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Hale/Gossett to go into executive session/closed meeting pursuant to 5ILCS 120/2(C)(1) and 5ILCS 120/2(C)(2). 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 at 8:13pm. ADJOURNMENT Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Nelson/Lovell 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 Smith-Walters, City Clerk _________________________________________________________________ Kent McDowell, Mayor