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Home My WebLink About04-07-2026 Canton City Council RegularMeeting Minutes CANTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 07, 2026, 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 April 7, 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, Acting City Treasurer Paula Grigsby, Police Chief Corey Miller, Fire Chief Scott Roos, and Street Superintendent Dash Wilson. OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Cole McDaniel, 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 ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA: No additions, deletions, or corrections were made to the agenda. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: No public comment was received on the evening’s agenda. MAYORAL COMMUNICATIONS/REQUESTED ACTION: The Mayor commended Public Works for their quick response to several water main breaks and a major sewer problem on North First Avenue. He noted that the Street Department has been proactively filling potholes throughout the city and encouraged alderpersons to contact his office or Street Superintendent Dash Wilson if constituents report pothole concerns in their wards. The Mayor also acknowledged the Fire Department’s effective response to recent fires in the community. Mayor McDowell recognized Jenny Grove from the Partnership, who handles marketing and tourism. DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS: Acting City Treasurer, Paula Grigsby – Nothing to report. Police Chief, Corey Miller – Nothing to report. Fire Chief, Scott Roos – Nothing to report. Street Superintendent, Dash Wilson – Nothing to report. CITY CLERK COMMUNICATIONS/REQUESTED ACTION: The City Clerk had no communications to report. CONSENT AGENDA : APPROVAL OF THE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES HELD MARCH 25, 2026. BILL LIST DISBURSEMENT REPORT TREASURER’S REPORT PUBLIC WORKS REPORT POLICE REPORT FIRE REPORT Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Gossett/Hale 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 APPROVAL OF A SPECIAL EVENT AND ROAD CLOSURE FOR ART ON MAIN TO BE HELD SATURDAY, JUNE 6, AND SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2026. This is a repeat event. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Hale/Pickel for approval of a special event and road closure for Art on Main to be held Saturday, June 6, and Sunday, June 7, 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. COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALDERPERSON JOHN LOVELL, CHAIR Alderman Lovell announced several significant developments. He reported that the Canton History and Art Alliance is sponsoring “Friday or Live at the Plaza”, a series of five concerts at the Opera House Plaza this summer. The lineup includes Almost Taylor ndth (Taylor Swift Tribute band) on May 22, Ultimate Garth Brooks Tribute on July 17, st Joan (Van Halen tribute) on August 21, Rumors (Fleetwood Mac Tribute) on September th 4, and the 615 Collective (three-time Grammy nominated Nashville band) with special th guests Low Profile on September 26. All events will be free to the public. Economic Development Coordinator Cole McDaniel provided a comprehensive update on economic development activities since beginning work with the city in November 2025. Key highlights include: Recent BDD Applications: Big Cat Bowls and Wenger Real Estate LLC were recently approved. Chad’s application for the former Ruben Dion’s building (formerly Maple Hall Monument) is anticipated for the next council meeting, involving a resale shop and coffee function. TIF Extension Process: McDaniel reported ongoing meetings with taxing districts regarding potential TIF 1 extension. All nine affected taxing districts must provide letters of support for legislative approval. Three meetings have been completed with six more scheduled. Strategic Planning: Development of a comprehensive economic development strategic roadmap for the next 1-3 years is underway, with delivery expected late summer. This will be recommended for council adoption to support grant applications and provide formal direction. New Business Development Guide: A comprehensive guide is being created to help new businesses navigate state and federal regulations, zoning requirements, building permits, licensing, and provide support contacts. Entertainment District Proposal: McDaniel presented a detailed framework for establishing an entertainment district in downtown Canton. The proposal includes specific boundaries, operational guidelines, approved containers, participating establishments, and rules. He referenced successful models in Rockford and Grafton. The district would initially operate on an event-specific basis, potentially expanding to seasonal hours if successful. Alderman Lovell expressed strong support for the entertainment district concept, emphasizing it would make Canton a destination and provide reasons for people to visit. He clarified that this is not open alcohol consumption but regulated socialization with defined parameters using approved containers. Alderman Grimm requested more information about the rationale, impact on city services, insurance requirements, and overall benefits to the city before supporting the proposal. Mayor McDowell shared positive feedback from Princeton Mayor Ray Mayberry, who visited Canton over Easter weekend and was impressed with the Opera House Plaza and overall downtown improvements. GIS Implementation: McDaniel demonstrated new GIS mapping systems that include TIF districts, business development districts, enterprise zones, zoning information, and focus areas. The system allows real-time updates and will be publicly accessible through the city website. The mapping includes commercial building inventory, vacancy tracking, and business development district investment tracking. Available Properties Inventory: A new web application was presented that displays available commercial properties, including both commercially listed properties and pocket listings. The system will update weekly and provide direct links to commercial listings or PDF information sheets for unlisted properties. Marketing Materials: New 72” x 48” signs have been created to advertise city-owned developable properties, starting with the corner of Fifth and Linn. Website Integration: Plans were outlined to integrate GIS tools and available property inventories directly into the city website, similar to the Village of Metamora’s economic development section. Odd Fellows Building Analysis: McDaniel reported that a comprehensive analysis of the Odd Fellows building is nearly complete, pending a few additional bids. He recommended conducting a professional assessment of structural and code compliance issues before making decisions about the building’s future. Alderman Grimm praised the economic development progress, noting 60 BDD applications have been processed in three years and emphasizing the need to better communicate these successes to residents. Mayor McDowell mentioned upcoming meetings with the owner of the Majestic building regarding potential projects in Canton. PUBLIC WORKS ALDERPERSON GREG GOSSETT, CHAIR FINANCE ALDERPERSON ANDRA CHAMBERLIN, CHAIR RESOLUTION MAKING THE TENTATIVE BUDGET AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AND APPROVING NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING. There was no discussion. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Chamberlin/Grimm to approve the resolution making the tentative budget available for public inspection and approving notice of public hearing. 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 TO HIRE NEW EMPLOYEE TO FILL NEW FINANCIAL POSITION AND ROLE OF BUDGET OFFICER, SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF AN EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT. There was no discussion. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Grimm/Nelson for approval to hire new employee to fill new financial position and role of budget officer, subject to approval of an employment 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 TO PAY TUITION FOR FIRE ACADEMY/PARAMEDIC CLASSES AND COST ASSOCIATED WITH NEW FIREFIGHTER. Fire Chief Scott Roos explained that while searching for a second firefighter through the Fire and Police Commission list, they identified a candidate currently working for another city who has completed training. The city would pay approximately $16,000 to cover costs the candidate would owe to his current employer, representing significant savings compared to training a new firefighter. The return on investment would be approximately four months. Attorney Jump noted that the collective bargaining agreement includes provisions requiring employees who leave during probation to repay training costs, and similar protections would be worked out for this situation. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Gossett/Hale for approval to pay tuition for fire academy/paramedic classes and cost associated with new firefighter. 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 ADJOURNMENT Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Nelson/Grimm 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