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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-17-2026 Canton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes 0 CANTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2026, at 6:33 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 February 17, 2026 (6:33pm) at the th Historic Depot located at 50 North 4 Avenue Canton Illinois. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Alderpersons Andra Chamberlin, Ralph Grimm, John Lovell, Angela Hale, Dave Pickel, Patrick Ketcham, Greg Gossett, Mayor Kent McDowell, City Clerk Andi Smith- Walters, Acting City Treasurer Paula Grigsby, Police Chief Corey Miller, Fire Chief Scott Roos, Public Utilities Manager Joe Carruthers, and Street Superintendent Dash Wilson. OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: City Attorney Chris Jump, Comptroller Beka Shultz, Bryan Baylor with Hometown Consulting, and Cole McDaniel with Hometown Consulting. 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: Item B under John Lovell’s committee, community and economic development, was tabled for voting. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: MAYORAL COMMUNICATIONS/REQUESTED ACTION: nd th The spring clean up at the cemetery is being rescheduled for March 22– 28 instead of April stth 1 – 7. This is Joe Carruthers last council meeting. Carruthers is retiring after 40 years with the City of Canton and was gifted a plaque for his service. Carruthers stated he was really thankful for everyone he has worked with over the years as well as the citizens of Canton. DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS: Acting Treasurer, Paula Grigsby – Nothing to report. Police Chief, Corey Miller – Nothing to report. Fire Chief, Scott Roos – Just a reminder with a dry winter and rising temps, when burning to stay with the fire. There have been a few fires recently that have gotten out of control. Public Utilities Manager, Joe Carruthers – CITY CLERK COMMUNICATIONS/REQUESTED ACTION: Nothing to report. CONSENT AGENDA - APPROVAL OF THE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES HELD FEBRUARY 3, 2026. BILL LIST DISBURSEMENT REPORT TREASURER’S REPORT PUBLIC WORKS REPORT POLICE REPORT FIRE REPORT Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Pickel/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 REGULATORY AND POLICY ALDERPERSON ANGELA HALE, CHAIR COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALDERPERSON JOHN LOVELL, CHAIR Cole McDaniel with Hometown Consulting updated Council saying that at the next council meeting there will be two redevelopment agreements on the table for consideration. One is for Big Cats Bowls, they will be tearing down a couple of buildings behind the business and adding to the existing building. Another Project will be with Ledger Real Estate, LLC at the Canton Daily Ledger building. There have been a lot of questions about the Odd Fellows building as well as some interest in it. McDaniel has talked to three demolition groups and they are all supposed to give him numbers by the end of the week. Many of those companies stated they were not worried about the cost of tearing down the building but rather the building next to it. When it comes to the TIF, McDaniel explained whether there is an incentive or not there is an adopted matrix where McDaniel gets his recommendations from. McDaniel feels that in whole this could be an incentive matrix; whether that is TIF, or someone with a special request to waive permit fees, they are all things to consider. Attorney Jump stated that the incentive isn’t even TIF or BDD related, it’s an agreed upon tax property abatement where it is not necessarily your typical program. Jump thinks that this matrix should be called something different because to him the TIF and BDD process should be relatively the same. Jump is thinking that Cole gets the initial application, reviews it, scores it, and then provides the initial recommendation. Jump thinks that recommendation at “meeting one” would probably be a committee meeting – Alderman Lovell’s committee – and that is where the committee would review Cole’s recommendation and suggest whether they think the council should move forward. If the committee recommends moving forward, then it will go straight to Kleine to draft the agreement that way when it comes back to the entire council, they will be looking at a full agreement based upon the recommendation of Lovell’s committee as well as Cole’s recommendation. RESOLUTION APPROVING BDD SCORING MATRIX AND PROCEDURES. Tabled. ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT (BDD) NO. 1 REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF CANTON, FULTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS, AND CODY GIEBELHAUSEN AND TH CIVIC DIGITALS DISPLAYS, LLC (5 AVENUE PROJECT). th This is the project on 5 and Linn. In the past, the council knew there were going to be some obstacles with this project such as getting IDOT to approve the signage on that route. Lovell believes this amendment is just to extend that agreement to have this project completed in either six months after final IDOT approval or by December 2, 2026. Jump explained that this project has sat dormant for quite some time now and they need to get something in writing acknowledging that a goal is being worked towards. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Lovell/Grimm for approval of an ordinance approving an authorizing the execution of the first amendment to business development district (BDD) no. 1 redevelopment agreement by and between the City of Canton, Fulton County, Illinois, th and Cody Giebelhausen and Civic Digitals Displays, LLC (5 Avenue 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 Mayor McDowell x The motion carried. PUBLIC WORKS ALDERPERSON GREG GOSSETT, CHAIR APPROVAL OF FY26 HEAVY EQUIPMENT FLEET PROGRAM PURCHASE. Public Utilities Manager, Joe Carruthers, explained this is for one of the replacement dump trucks. The quote received is from Truck Centers. There are currently 8 dump trucks and Dash Wilson helps to maintain them as well as the mechanic. The streets general fund has a majority of the dump trucks, plow trucks, etc. There are a few items that are not being purchased this year such as the bucket truck which is being built but will not have the funds until FY27. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Gossett/Hale for approval of FY26 heavy equipment fleet program purchase of dump truck from Sourcewell purchasing agreement. 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 THE PURCHASE OF WATER TOWER LIGHT FIXTURES. This is for the price of the light fixtures alone before they change in pricing. This expenditure will be a grant reimbursement sometime around April. It wont be the entire grant, but a majority of it and the grant is expected to be between $63,000-$69,000. Carruthers wants to get it started in this budget in hopes it’s done by May. The city will pay an expected $60,000 for all costs that aren’t included in the grant. The $60,000 will come out of the special use fund. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Gossett/Grimm for approval of the purchase of water tower light fixtures in the amount of $60,000 to come out of the special use 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. Let the record reflect that at least 2/3 of the alderman’s elected passed this ordinance. FINANCE ALDERPERSON ANDRA CHAMBERLIN, CHAIR TH ORDINANCE DECLARING SURPLUS REVENUE IN THE CANTON 1-DOWNTOWN/5 AVENUE TIF DISTRICT SPECIAL TAX ALLOCATION FUND AND AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF THAT SURPLUS REVENUE TO THE FULTON COUNTY TREASURER FOR DISTRIBUTION TO AFFECTED TAXING DISTRICTS ON A PRO RATA BASIS FOR TAX YEAR 2024 PAYABLE 2025. This is done on a yearly basis. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Chamberlin/Grimm to approve an ordinance th declaring surplus revenue in the Canton 1-Downtown/5 Avenue TIF District special tax allocation fund and authorizing payment of that surplus revenue to the Fulton County Treasurer for distribution to affected taxing districts on a pro rata basis for tax year 2024 payable 2025. 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 Mayor McDowell x The motion carried. ORDINANCE DECLARING SURPLUS REVENUE IN THE CANTON 2-RT.9/CHESTNUT ST. TIF DISTRICT SPECIAL TAX ALLOCATION FUND AND AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF THAT SURPLUS REVENUE TO THE FULTON COUNTY TREASURER FOR DISTRIBUTION TO AFFECTED TAXING DISTRICTS ON A PRO RATA BASIS FOR TAX YEAR 2024 PAYABLE 2025. This is done on a yearly basis. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Chamberlin/Grimm to approve an ordinance declaring surplus revenue in the Canton 2-Rt.9/Chestnut St. TIF District special tax allocation fund and authorizing payment of that surplus revenue to the Fulton County Treasurer for distribution to affected taxing district on a pro rata basis for tax year 2024 payable 2025. 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 Mayor McDowell x The motion carried. ORDINANCE DECLARING SURPLUS REVENUE IN THE CANTON TIF DISTRICT 3 SPECIAL TAX ALLOCATION FUND AND AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF THAT SURPLUS REVENUE TO THE FULTON COUNTY TREASURER FOR DISTRIBUTION TO AFFECTED TAXING DISTRICTS ON A PRO RATA BASIS FOR TAX YEAR 2024 PAYABLE 2025. This is done on a yearly basis. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Chamberlin/Grimm to approve ordinance declaring surplus revenue in the Canton TIF District 3 special tax allocation fund and authorizing payment of that surplus revenue to the Fulton County Treasurer for distribution to affected taxing districts on a pro rata basis for tax year 2024 payable 2025. 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 Mayor McDowell x The motion carried. APPROVAL TO IMPLEMENT A CASH MANAGEMENT PLAN. Bryan Baylor explained this is to reallocate the cash and reserves to three banks; 70% at MidAmerica, 15% at Ipava State Bank, and 15% at Bank of Farmington. They will be divided into operating and reserve funds, and the goal is to maximize the rates that have been negotiated at 2.5% on operating account, and 3.9% on the reserve accounts. The net increase and annual revenue is around $355,000 a year just for moving the cash. It was the finance committee’s recommendation to approve this motion. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Chamberlin/Lovell for approval to implement a cash management plan. 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 A SPRINGBROOK BUDGETING/REPORTING MODULE. Baylor explained it was the finance committee’s recommendation to approve this on next years budget. It is an $18,000 onetime cost to get it and have the training done. The annual cost will be around $8,700-$8,800. Baylor stated this tool is pretty advanced in his opinion for what it is and what the city is trying to do in terms of improving the ability to maximize the budget and maximizing the reporting to make real time decisions based upon the budgeting seasons and to avoid making structural changes on the reporting module. This was the finance committee’s recommendation to approve this motion. It was attorney Jumps recommendation to table this and put it on the next budget and voting on it then. The item was withdrawn and tabled. APPROVAL TO IMPLEMENT A BUDGET/REPORTING PILOT. Baylor said that looking at MFT Water/Sewer/Cemetery, the city is looking at changing the structure in terms of separating operational expenses versus capital expenditures. This was the finance committee’s recommendation to approve this motion. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Chamberlin/Lovell for approval to implement a budget/reporting pilot. 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 GRAIN BIN RESCUE EQUIPMENT WITH GRANT MONIES. Fire chief Scott Roos stated that earlier this year the fire department went on a grain bin rescue call where a victim was trapped. The technical rescue team as well as many other departments were dispatched to the scene. The city didn’t have this grant going forward and this current budget wasn’t open at the time. After the rescue, one of the co-ops reached out and the city applied and received a grant in the amount of $5,000. Since this was not budgeted, Roos is asking that this money come out of the general fund to go towards the purchase so the department can fulfill the grant process. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Chamberlin/Hale for approval to purchase grain bin rescue equipment with grant monies. 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 PROPERTY ALDERPERSON PATRICK KETCHAM, CHAIR ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A LEASE OF MUNICIPALLY OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED 26113 N. LAKELAND ROAD (PIN 10-09-19-409-011). This is a purchase of a residence located on city property. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Ketcham/Pickel for approval of an ordinance authorizing a lease of municipally owned property located at 26113 N. Lakeland Road (PIN 10- 09-19-409-011). 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 REAL ESTATE LOCATED AT OR ABOUT 209 E. CHESTNUT STREET, CANTON, IL 61520. This is the former Sedgewick Funeral Home building. The city was awarded the grant and now would like to close this as fast as possible. There won’t be a substantial amount of due diligence. The city anticipates having to make a few renovations to the inside of the building. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Ketcham/Gossett for approval of an ordinance authorizing the purchase of real estate located at or about 209 E. Chestnut Street, 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. DISCUSS POLICY FOR OPERA HOUSE PLAZA USE. Ketcham provided the council with an Opera House rental procedure document to look over and provide feedback on how the property should be managed. EXECUTIVE SESSION/CLOSED MEETING ADJOURNMENT Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Gossett/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 Smith-Walters, City Clerk _________________________________________________________________ Kent McDowell, Mayor