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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-02-2026 Canton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes CANTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 02, 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 June 2, 2026 (6:33pm) 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 Paula Grigsby, Police Chief Corey Miller, Fire Chief Scott Roos, and Street Superintendent Dash Wilson. OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: City Attorney Chris Jump. 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 Public Safety and Legal was tabled from the agenda due to a lack of the required supermajority of council members present. Additionally, item C under Property may also need to be held, pending confirmation from the City Attorney. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: No public comments were received. MAYORAL COMMUNICATIONS/REQUESTED ACTION: APPOINTMENT OF LANCE LUSK AS FIRE CHIEF Mayor McDowell announced the appointment of Lance Lusk as Fire Chief, with an effective start date of June 9, 2026, following the retirement of outgoing Fire Chief Scott Roos on June 8, th, 2026. The Oath of Office will be administered on the morning of the 9 and a formal ceremony th can be held at the June 16 council meeting to allow family members to be present. RESOLUTION APPOINTING FIRE CHIEF AND APPROVING FIRE CHIEF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Grimm/Lovell to approve a resolution appointing Fire Chief and approving Fire Chief 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 Mayor McDowell x The motion carried. Following the vote, Mayor McDowell presented outgoing Fire Chief Scott Roos with a certificate of appreciation recognizing his 29 years of dedicated service to the City of Canton Fire Department, noting his appointment on October 30, 1997, elevation to Fire Chief on June 7, 2022, and retirement effective June 8, 2026. Chief Roos expressed gratitude to the council, city staff, and his fire department family for their support throughout his tenure. CITY CLERK COMMUNICATIONS/REQUESTED ACTION: The City Clerk, Andi Smith-Walters, had no items for council action. DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS: Acting Treasurer, Paula Grigsby, had nothing to report, Police Chief, Corey Miller, had nothing to report. Fire Chief, Scott Roos, issued a public safety reminder regarding the hazards of charging high- output lithium batteries – including those used in e-bikes and electric scooters – unattended. He noted a continued rise in fires attributed to battery charging and urged residents to always monitor devices while charging and to ensure others in the household are aware. Street Superintendent, Dash Wilson, had nothing to report. CONSENT AGENDA: APPROVAL OF THE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES HELD MAY 19, 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 Mayor McDowell x The motion carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS: PUBLIC SAFETY AND LEGAL ALDERPERSON JUSTIN NELSON, CHAIR ORDINANCE APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF ONE (1) 2026 POLICE INTERCEPTOR WITH RELATED ACCESSORIES AND WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING IN RELATION TO SAME. This item was tabled. REGULATORY AND POLICY ALDERPERSON ANGELA HALE, CHAIR APPROVAL OF A CLASS F SPECIAL EVENT LIQUOR LICENSE REQUEST FROM BREW-N-CUE FOR THE GARTH BROOKS CONCERT TO BE HELD JULY 17 AT THE OPERA HOUSE PLAZA. The council discussed the Class F Special Event Liquor License request, which allows an existing license holder to sell alcohol off premises at a designated special event location. It was explained that multiple bar owners had expressed interest in participating at downtown events and that a lottery system was used to assign vendors to specific events, ensuring all establishments had an equal opportunity. Discussion turned to the City’s broader effort to establish an entertainment district. City Attorney Chris Jump explained that after a consultation with the state liquor commission, additional code amendments beyond what was initially anticipated would be required. Specifically, a new sub-category of liquor license would need to be created, allowing qualifying Class A license holders to participate in the entertainment district and effectively extend their licensed premises throughout the district. The tentative timeline outlined was: th adoption of the enabling ordinances at the June 16 meeting; a Liquor Control Commission nd meeting prior to July 2 for interested bar owners to apply for the new sub-category; council ndth approval of those licenses at the July 2 meeting; and all elements in place before the July 17 Garth Brooks concert. The council discussed operational details including the use of a designated cup to identify permitted alcohol, enforcement of a one-cup-at-a-time rule, and the responsibility of individual license holders to card patrons and ensure compliance. Chief Miller and the Police Department would share enforcement responsibilities with the Liquor Commission. Mayor McDowell expressed confidence in the Police Department’s ability to manage the event and acknowledged that some operational adjustments would be made as the program evolves. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Grimm/Pickel for approval of a Class F special event liquor license request from Brew-N-Cue for the Garth Brooks concert to be held July 17 at 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 Mayor McDowell x The motion carried. COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALDERPERSON JOHN LOVELL, CHAIR ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF CANTON, FULTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS AND ENCORE DANCE ACADEMY, L.L.C. AND WEST LOCUST CANTON, L.L.C. AND ANGELA ORWIG. This item is a time extension to an existing redevelopment agreement due to supply chain delays experienced by the developer. The agreement term is extended through December 31, with the expectation that the project will likely be completed within the next 30 days. Mayor McDowell noted visible improvements already underway at the property. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Lovell/Grimm for approval of an ordinance approving and authorizing the execution of a first amendment to the redevelopment agreement by and between the City of Canton. Fulton County, Illinois, and Encore Dance Academy, L.L.C. and West Locust Canton, L.L.C. and Angela Orwig. 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 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A CANTON BUSINESS DISTRICT NO. 1 REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF CANTON AND JESSE KIDD DBA DON & NANCYS CAFÉ. This is the first agreement to utilize the newly established smaller-project reimbursement framework within the Canton Business District. The total eligible project cost was $3,528, and the agreement provides for a 50% reimbursement in the amount of $1,764. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Lovell/Grimm for approval of an ordinance approving and authorizing the execution of a Canton Business District no.1 redevelopment agreement by and between the City of Canton and Jesse Kidd DBA Don & Nancy’s Café with a total project cost of $3,528 with a reimbursement not to exceed 50% or $1,764. 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 RESOLUTION FOR MAINTENANCE UNDER THE ILLINOIS HIGHWAY CODE APPROVING THE ALLOTMENT OF $310,000.00 FROM THE MOTOR FUEL TAX FUNDS TO PAY FOR MILLING AND THTH RESURFACING OF OLIVE STREET FROM 11 AVENUE TO 13 AVENUE, AVENUE C FROM OAK STREET TO HICKORY STREET, BEECH STREET FROM MAIN STREET TO AVENUE B, HICKORY THTH STREET FROM 6 AVENUE TO THE FULTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND 6 AVENUE FROM CHERRY STREET TO HICKORY STREET AND SPRAY PATCHING ON VARIOUS STREETS. THIS RESOLUTION INCLUDES $279,872.00 FOR MAINTENACE AND $28,444.72 IN MAINTENANCE ENGINEERING. THE CITY HAS AN ONGOING SATISFACTORY RELATIONSHIP FOR SERVICES WITH MAURER-STUTZ, INC. The Illinois Highway Code maintenance resolution allots up to $310,000 from Motor Fuel Tax thth (MFT) funds for milling and resurfacing several city streets, including Olive Street (11 to 13 Avenue), Avenue C (Oak to Hickory Street), Beech Street (Main Street to Avenue B), Hickory thth Street (6 Avenue to Fulton County Health Department), and 6 Avenue (Cherry to Hickory Street), as well as spray patching on various streets. The allotment incudes $279,872 for maintenance and $28,444.72 for maintenance engineering. It was noted that the city has an ongoing satisfactory relationship with the consulting engineering firm. The council briefly discussed the relationship between the three related MFT agenda items, with Attorney Jump clarifying that the resolution is an IDOT-required form, followed by a separate approval of the cost estimate, and a third approval for the engineering services contract. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Gossett/Pickel to approve a resolution for maintenance under the Illinois Highway Code approving the allotment of $310,000.00 from the Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds to pay for milling/resurfacing/spray patching on various streets. This includes $279,872 for maintenance and $28,444.72 in maintenance engineering. 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 OF ESTIMATE OF MAINTENANCE COSTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $308,316.72 FROM THE MOTOR FUEL TAX FUNDS TO PAY FOR MILLING AND RESURFACING OF OLIVE STREET FROM THTH 11 AVENUE TO 13 AVENUE, AVENUE C FROM OAK STREET TO HICKORY STREET, BEECH TH STREET FROM MAIN STREET TO AVENUE B, HICKORY STREET FROM 6 AVENUE TO THE TH FULTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND 6 AVENUE FROM CHERRY STREET TO HICKORY STREET AND SPRAY PATCHING ON VARIOUS STREETS.THIS INCLUDES $279,872.00 FOR MAINTENACE AND $28,444.72 IN MAINTENACE ENGINEERING. THE CITY HAS AN ONGOING SATISFACTORY RELATIONSHIP FOR SERVICES WITH MAURER-STUTZ, INC. This was previously discussed. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Gossett/Pickel to approve the estimate of maintenance costs in the amount of $308,316.72 from Motor Fuel Tax Funds to pay for milling/resurfacing/spray patching on various streets which includes $279,872 for maintenance and $28,444.72 in maintenance engineering. 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 OF MAINTENANCE ENGINEERING TO BE PERFORMED BY A CONSULTING ENGINEERING FOR PERCENTAGES BASED ON THE SCOPE OF WORK FROM THE ESTIMATE OF MAINTENANCE COSTS. THIS IS ESTIMATED AS $28,444.72 FOR MAINTENANCE ENGINEERING THTH TO COMPLETE MILLING AND RESURFACING OF OLIVE STREET FROM 11 AVENUE TO 13 AVENUE, AVENUE C FROM OAK STREET TO HICKORY STREET, BEECH STREET FROM MAIN TH STREET TO AVENUE B, HICKORY STREET FROM 6 AVENUE TO THE FULTON COUNTY HEALTH TH DEPARTMENT, AND 6 AVENUE FROM CHERRY STREET TO HICKORY AND SPRAY PATCHING ON VARIOUS STREETS. MFT FUNDS WILL BE UTILIZED TO PAY FOR THE ENGINEERING SERVICES. THE CITY HAS AN ONGOING SATISFACTORY RELATIONSHIP FOR SERVICES WITH MAURER- STUTZ, INC. This was previously discussed. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Gossett/Pickel for approval of maintenance engineering to be performed by a consulting engineering for percentages based on the scope of work from the estimate of maintenance costs. This is estimated as $28,444.72 for maintenance engineering to complete milling/resurfacing/spray patching on various streets. MFT funds will be utilized to pay for the engineering 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 Mayor McDowell x The motion carried. FINANCE ALDERPERSON ANDRA CHAMBERLIN, CHAIR APPROVAL OF MUNICIPAL RESIDENTIAL AGGREGATION PROGRAM WITH DACOTT. Mayor McDowell presented the renewal of the Municipal Residential Aggregation Program with Dacott, noting the rate came back at $0.09999 per kilowatt-hour, which he characterized as an excellent rate. He reminded the public that this is a voluntary program intended to provide residents with access to the lowest available electric rates. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Grimm/Lovell for approval of municipal residential aggregation program with Dacott. 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. IT AND CYBERSECURITY ALDERPERSON DAVE PICKEL, CHAIR LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT ALDERPERSON RALPH GRIMM, CHAIR Alderman Grimm offered remarks acknowledging the volume of community activity over the preceding weekends, including a downtown reading program, the first farmers’ market of the season, a fly-in at the airport, a downtown concert, and a large dance recital that drew visitors to Canton. He expressed appreciation for the volunteers and organizations responsible for these events and noted the positive impact on community vitality. Mayor McDowell echoed these sentiments and additionally thanked Public Works for installing the heavy concrete security barriers at downtown events, as well as the Fire and Police Departments for their support. He reminded residents of the upcoming Art on Main event. PROPERTY ALDERPERSON PATRICK KETCHAM, CHAIR ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A LEASE OF MUNICIPALLY OWNED REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 24700 E. LAKEVIEW DRIVE, LOT 4 LAKEVIEW ADDITION TO LAKE CANTON. Attorney Jump noted for the record that this item, for which notice had been published, was tabled for the June 16, 2026 council meeting for further consideration. DISCUSS APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A LEASE OF MUNICIPALLY OWNED REAL TH PROPERTIES LOCATED AT 5 AVE AND LINN ST. Mayor McDowell reported that the city had been approached by a businessman interested in th leasing a portion of the municipally owned property at the former K-mart parking lot (5 Avenue and Main Street area) to display and sell prefabricated sheds. The Mayor outlined the preliminary terms he discussed with the interested party: the lessee would be responsible for all property maintenance and mowing at his own expense; the city would bear no responsibility for the lessee’s property; the lease would contain a short-notice termination clause to allow the city to exit the agreement if a purchase opportunity arises; the property would continue to be actively marketed for sale; and the lessee would be limited to access via the alley only to avoid traffic conflicts. The council generally supported directing the Mayor to proceed with formal lease negotiations, with Alderman Grimm noting that having the property maintained at no cost to the city was a practical benefit. Attorney Jump confirmed that a formal ordinance would be drafted and brought back to the council at a future meeting once terms are agreed upon. No formal vote was taken; consensus was given to proceed with negotiations. APPROVAL OF A PROPOSAL FROM NATIONAL PROPERTY CONSULTING GROUP, LLC FOR PROPERTY CONDITION ASSESSMENTS FOR THE CARDOSI BUILDING, 35 EAST SIDE SQUARE AND THE ODDFELLOWS BUILDING, 108 N. MAIN STREET, CANTON, IL 61520. Alderman Lovell presented a proposal from National Property Consulting Group, LLC, based in St. Louis, to conduct property condition assessments of two-city owned buildings: the Cardosi Building at 35 East Side Square and the Oddfellows Building at 108 N. Main Street. The total cost for both assessments is $7,000, which was characterized as a fair price. It was confirmed that City Engineer Keith Plavec had reviewed the scope of the assessment and was satisfied with its contents. The purpose of the assessments is to obtain detailed condition information to support the preparation of future RFPs or sale proposals for these properties. Mayor McDowell noted that the results could be used in marketing materials similar to those being developed for the Ledger Building. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Lovell/Grimm for approval of a proposal from National Property Consulting Group, LLC for property condition assessments for the Cardosi Building, 35 East Side Square and the Oddfellows building, 108 N. Main Street, Canton, IL 61520 with a total cost of $7,000. 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. 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 Mayor McDowell x The motion carried. _________________________________________________________________ Andi Smith-Walters, City Clerk _________________________________________________________________ Kent McDowell, Mayor