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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-16-2026 Canton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes CANTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 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 June 16, 2026 (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 Treasurer Paula Grigsby, Police Chief Corey Miller, and Fire Chief Lance Lusk. 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 After the invocation, Mayor McDowell held a moment of silence in honor of the former Mayor Don Edwards, who passed away earlier in the week. His twenty years of service as mayor and ten years as alderman were recognized and commended. 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: There were no additions, deletions, or corrections to the agenda. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: No public comment was received. MAYORAL COMMUNICATIONS/REQUESTED ACTION: APPOINT RUSTY MELHOUSE AND NICK WRIGHT TO THE POLICE PENSION BOARD. Rusty Melhouse and Nick Wright were appointed to the police pension board, noting that two civilian members had served for an extended period of time and had submitted their resignations. Mayor McDowell expressed appreciation for the new appointees’ willingness to serve. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Gossett/Ketcham to approve the appointment of Rusty Melhouse and Nick Wright to the police pension board. 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. APPOINTMENT OF FINANCE DIRECTOR. Mayor McDowell announced the appointment of Caitlin as Finance Director, with a start date of July 1, 2026. RESOLUTION APPOINTING FINANCE DIRECTOR AND APPROVING EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT FOR FINANCE DIRECTOR. City Attorney Jump provided context, explaining that before the appointment could be formalized, the council needed to first act on the ordinance amending the city’s code to establish the Finance Director as a distinct office. Jump explained that his prior structure combined the roles of Budget Officer and Economic Development Administrator into one position, and that this action was necessary to split the two into separate offices. He noted that Cole McDaniel would submit a written resignation effective June 30, 2026, ensuring a clean transition. Alderman Gossett raised a concern about whether the newly defined Finance Director position – being a reduced version of the previous combined role – should have been re-posted and opened to new applicants. Alderman Lovell explained that the new position effectively takes the former combined role and removes responsibilities rather than adding them and therefore did not constitute an entirely new posting. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Ketcham/Lovell to approve a resolution appointing Finance Director and approving employment agreement for Finance Director. 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. CITY CLERK COMMUNICATIONS/REQUESTED ACTION: City Clerk, Andi Smith-Walters, administered the Oath of Office to Lance Lusk, who was appointed as Fire Chief. Chief Lusk’s family was in attendance for the swearing-in ceremony. DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS: Acting Treasurer, Paula Grigsby, had nothing for council action. Police Chief, Corey Miller, noted the pending severe weather forecast for the following day and urged caution. A discussion arose regarding the newly installed traffic signal at the intersection of North Main Street and East/West Locust Street. The Mayor, Chief Miller, and several alderpersons noted that the signal was not functioning properly – cycling to quickly and creating significant traffic backups. It was noted that a malfunctioning pedestrian push button was causing the issue. Chief Miller confirmed that IDOT had been notified and was aware of the problem, and that a resolution was anticipated in the near future. Fire Chief, Lance Lusk, had nothing for council action. Street Superintendent, Dash Wilson , was not present and had no report delivered. CONSENT AGENDA: APPROVAL OF THE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES HELD JUNE 2, 2026. BILL LIST DISBURSEMENT REPORT TREASURER’S REPORT PUBLIC WORKS REPORT POLICE REPORT FIRE REPORT Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Gossett/Ketcham 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 AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF ONE (1) 2026 POLICE INTERCEPTOR WITH RELATED ACCESSORIES AND WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING IN RELATION TO SAME. Chief Miller presented the item, explaining that Morrow Brothers Ford submitted a quote of $45,788, which was lower than the state bid holder Sutton Ford’s price of approximately $48,000. It was further noted that Sutton Ford does not currently have the required vehicle color and engine configuration in stock until 2027. As Morrow Brothers is not the current state bid holder, a waiver of competitive bidding was required. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Gossett/Hale to approve an ordinance authorizing the purchase of one (1) 2026 police interceptor with related accessories and waiving competitive bidding in relation to same. 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 TWO (2) USED VEHICLES FOR USE BY THE CANTON POLICE DEPARTMENT AND WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO SAME. Chief Miller explained that the department sought to purchase two used vehicles – referred to as “soft cars” – for use by detectives and for transporting personnel to training. He indicated that bids were obtained from several local dealerships, including Davis and Hossler’s, with a preference for keeping spending local. The original ordinance reflected a total purchase cap of $50,000 plus taxes, titles, and fees. Chief Miller requested that the cap be increased to $55,000 to provide additional flexibility, noting that some vehicles in the $26,000 range with lower mileage had been identified. Attorney Jump confirmed the language would be amended accordingly. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Gossett/Hale to approve an ordinance authorizing the purchase of two (2) used vehicles for use by the Canton Police Department, with a total purchase price not to exceed $55,000 plus applicable taxes, titles, and license fees, and waiving competitive bidding requirements related to same. 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 ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A DOWNTOWN ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT; ESTABLISHING A NEW CLASS OF LIQUOR LICENSE; AND AUTHORIZING THE LOCAL LIQUOR COMMISSIONER TO ESTABLISH AND REGULATIONS RELATED TO THE DOWNTOWN ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT. Alderman Lovell introduced the ordinance and presented several proposed modifications he wished to see incorporated, including permitting cans and clear plastic cups rather than designated branded cups, not requiring participating bars to allow outside alcohol into their establishments, and the addition of wristbands for individuals carrying beverages in the district. Attorney Jump outlined the background of the ordinance, explaining that the district is designed to allow existing licensed liquor establishments to extend their premises into a defined downtown area during activated events. He expressed a preference for designated cups as they are more easily identifiable and help ensure the sales flow through licensed local establishments rather than from outside sources. He also noted that cans are more easily brought in from outside, complicating enforcement. Jump further explained that the wristband concept was developed to serve as a secondary identification tool, issued by bars after verifying a patron’s age, providing officers with a visible indicator. Chief Miller offered the police department’s perspective, stating that he did not anticipate the district creating a significant enforcement difficulties and noted that similar arrangements have functioned well in other communities. Alderman Pickel raised a concern about the absence of electric vehicle charging in the district area – though this was not directly related to the ordinance. Alderperson Gossett raised the question of including the adjacent city-owned parking lot within the district boundaries, which Jump advised could be added but noted would increase the risk of patrons refilling beverages from personal coolers. The council discussed leaving the parking lot out of the initial ordinance with the option to add it later. The attorney clarified that special event organizers can choose whether to activate the entertainment district during their event; existing events would not be automatically affected. Pickel also raised a concern regarding how responsible consumption would be monitored. The discussion addressed the fact that the events planned at the plaza are generally limited to one and a half to two hours in duration, and that while absolute enforcement is impossible, the structure of the district was designed to promote responsible participation by the majority of attendees. The council reached a general consensus that if cans and plastic cups are permitted, wristbands should be required as a compensating identification measure, and that clear plastic cups should be specified. Due to the number of edits still needed, the council agreed to table the ordinance the July 7, 2026, meeting. it was noted that bar owners could be notified in advance to prepare their applications so that the liquor commission could convene shortly after the ordinance’s passage, with the goal of having the district operational in time for a concert event planned for July 17, 2026. PUBLIC WORKS ALDERPERSON GREG GOSSETT, CHAIR FINANCE ALDERPERSON ANDRA CHAMBERLIN, CHAIR ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 1, CHAPTER 30 (BUDGET OFFICER AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR), ESTABLISHING SEPARATE OFFICES OF FINANCE DIRECTOR AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR, AND DESIGNATING THE FINANCE DIRECTOR AS THE CITY’S BUDGET OFFICER PURSUANT TO 65 ILCS 5/8-2-9.1 THROUGH 5/8- 2.9.10. Attorney Jump explained that the ordinance repeals the combined Budget Officer/Economic Development Administrator position and establishes two distinct offices: Finance Director and Economic Development Administrator. The Finance Director is designated as the city’s budget officer pursuant to state statute. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Chamberlin/Hale to approve an ordinance amending Title 1, Chapter 30 (Budget Officer and Economic Development Administrator), establishing separate offices of finance director and economic development administrator, and designating the finance director as the city’s budget officer pursuant to 65 ILCS 5/8-2-9.1 through 5/8-2.9.10. 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 Alderman Pickel noted that a visitor to Canton had pointed out the absence of public electric vehicle charging stations in the city. The Mayor responded stating that he and Cole McDaniel have been researching grant opportunities to install charging stations in several city owned parking lots, and that this effort was ongoing. LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT ALDERPERSON RALPH GRIMM, CHAIR PROPERTY ALDERPERSON PATRICK KETCHAM, CHAIR th Alderman Ketcham noted that residents on North 4 Avenue had contacted him regarding culvert drainage issues and standing water in their front and side yards. He confirmed that he had spoken with street superintendent Dash Wilson regarding the matter and wished to ensure the council was aware that the issue had been longstanding. 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 that this item had been delayed from a prior meeting due to the requirement for a three-fourths supermajority vote on long-term leases. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Ketcham/Pickel for approval of an ordinance authorizing a lease of municipally owned real property located at 24700 E. Lakeview Drive, Lot 4 Lakeview addition to Lake Canton. 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 A REQUEST FROM TERRA PROJECT LLC/OLEKSANDR PARASHCHUK FOR A TH CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A SHORT-TERM RENTAL LOCATED AT 17 N. 5 AVENUE, CANTON, ILLINOIS 61520. Alderman Lovell noted that this application had been reviewed and approved by the planning and zoning commission. A question regarding insurance had been raised at that level, but the applicant subsequently submitted documentation confirming that appropriate insurance was in place. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Ketcham/Gossett for approval of a request from Terra Project LLC/Oleksander Parashchuk for a conditional use permit for a short-term rental th located at 17 N. 5 Avenue, 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. ORDINANCE APPROVING A RE-ZONING OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 260 W. LOCUST FROM B-2 TO R-3. The Mayor explained the rationale for the rezoning, noting that it had initially appeared confusing. He clarified that Chad’s Automotive, located at 260 W. Locust, agreed to sell a portion of its property to a neighboring residential property owner who had no backyard. The rezoning from B-2 (general business) to R-3 (multi-family residential) reflects the residential nature of the parcel being conveyed. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Ketcham/Gossett for approval of an ordinance approving a re-zoning of property located at 260 W. Locust from B-2 to R-3. 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. Alderman Lovell offered additional remarks regarding ongoing considerations for the downtown plaza, including the need for shading at the venue, the possibility of installing an LED sign to advertise upcoming events, and a policy concern regarding the existing requirement that vendors fully dismantle their setups between multi-day events. He noted that these items would benefit from further committee discussion and invited alderpersons to bring their thoughts forward. EXECUTIVE SESSION/CLOSED MEETING ADJOURNMENT Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Chamberlin/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