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Home My WebLink About07-07-2026 Canton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes CANTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JULY 07, 2026, at 6:36 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 July 7, 2026 (6:36pm) 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 Lance Lusk, Street Superintendent Dash Wilson. 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 ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA: The Oath of Office for the new firefighter was moved up on the agenda. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: No public comment was received. MAYORAL COMMUNICATIONS/REQUESTED ACTION: th Mayor McDowell recognized the success of the July 4 fireworks event, commending the fireworks company, the school district’s groundskeeper Eric Powers, and Mid-America National Bank, which raised over $5,000 at their cookout – a notable increase over prior years. McDowell also noted no accidents occurred during the event, crediting the police and fire departments for their presence. There was also an update on ongoing road issues at the lake road, noting the situation had been stabilized for the season but that a more substantial fix would need to be addressed after the lake closes. APPROVAL TO HIRE ADDITIONAL MAYOR SECRETARY The Mayor requested approval to hire Mona Glad as an additional part-time secretary to assist with records organization and document scanning in the Mayor’s office. Mona has been working informally since March and was described as having done an outstanding job organizing storage rooms and working within the city departments. City Attorney Jump noted that a brief discussion had already taken place with the union, with no anticipated issues given the nature of the position. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Grimm/Ketcham for approval to hire additional Mayor Secretary. 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. Mona Glad was introduced to the Council. Mayor McDowell also introduced Caitlyn Leingang, who would be assisting with financial work alongside Acting Treasurer Paula Grigsby and city finance staff. CITY CLERK COMMUNICATIONS/REQUESTED ACTION: The Oath of Office was administered by the City Clerk to the newly appointed Firefighter Blake Johnson. Mayor invited Johnson to briefly introduce himself to the Council, welcomed him aboard, and thanked him for his service. DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS: Acting City Treasurer, Paula Grigsby, had no report. Police Chief, Corey Miller, had no report. Fire Chief, Lance Lusk, had no report. Street Superintendent, Dash Wilson had no report. CONSENT AGENDA: APPROVAL OF THE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES HELD JUNE 16, 2026. BILL LIST DISBURSEMENT REPORT TREASURER’S REPORT PUBLIC WORKS REPORT POLICE REPORT FIRE REPORT Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Gossett/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 REGULATORY AND POLICY ALDERPERSON ANGELA HALE, CHAIR APPROVAL OF A SPECIAL EVENT AND ROAD CLOSURE REQUEST FOR JESUS FEST TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2026, IN JONES PARK AND OPERA HOUSE PLAZA FROM 3:00- 6:30P.M. There was no discussion. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Chamberlin/Pickel for approval of a special event and road closure request for Jesus Fest to be held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, in Jones Park and Opera House Plaza from 3:00pm-6:30pm. 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 ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A DOWNTOWN ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT; ESTABLISHING A NEW CLASS OF LIQUOR LICENSE; AND AUTHORIZING THE LOCAL LIQUOR COMMISSIONER TO ESTABLISH RULES AND REGULATIONS RELATED TO THE DOWNTOWN ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT. City Attorney Jump opened discussion on the proposed Downtown Entertainment District ordinance, noting that timing concerns had been partially alleviated by an existing special event license that would cover the next upcoming event. Jump identified the key outstanding issues as: whether wristbands would be required, whether cups or can would be allowed, and the geographic boundaries of the district. Geographic Boundaries: Council discussed trimming the district’s footprint. It was proposed to remove the city-owned parking lot behind the Elks and Majestic Theater, as well as the area north of Elm Street and east of Van Buren (toward Dollar General), to avoid having people congregate in city-owned lots not immediately adjacent to the licensed establishments. Council generally agreed these adjustments were appropriate while retaining all current liquor license holders within the district. Wristbands: There was broad agreement that wristbands should be required to identify individuals who have been properly carded by a licensed establishment before carrying a drink in the district. The Mayor emphasized that the wristband’s primary purpose is age verification – it signals that a patron was carded when served – and that enforcement responsibility would fall on the establishments, not solely on the police department. Jump noted the color of wristbands need not change per event, as the practical concern is simply confirming a patron was served legally before stepping outside. Cups and Containers: Council discussed requiring a clear plastic cup of no larger than 16 ounces as an alternative to cans or disposable cups. The intent was to make drinks identifiable and consistent. It was noted that cans could also be permitted as an option. Activation of the District: Council debated whether the Entertainment District should be activated on a set seasonal schedule or triggered by specific events. Police Chief Miller and the Mayor both preferred event-based activation to maintain control and predictability for law enforcement. Alderman Nelson expressed a preference for a set seasonal schedule – such as Thursday through Sunday from a spring start date through Halloween – arguing it would be easier for both establishments and law enforcement to understand. The Mayor suggested the district could run from St. Patrick’s Day through Halloween. The prevailing direction was to start with event-based or commissioner-activated windows to “crawl before we walk” and potentially expand to a broader schedule as experience is gained. Concerns and Reservations: Alderman Pickel expressed reservations about the overall concept, citing his experience working security at similar entertainment districts in Peoria. He stated concern about enforcement complexity and liability, particularly regarding minors. While acknowledging that he had heard from several downtown bar owners who supported the idea, he indicated he may be the lone dissenting vote. th Jump noted that he would be away the week of July 20 and asked that Council review the revised draft ordinance and submit any changes prior to that period. The ordinance was tabled st for further revision and is expected to be brought back for approval at the July 21 Council Meeting. PUBLIC WORKS ALDERPERSON GREG GOSSETT, CHAIR ORDINANCE GRANTING A SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW FOR A GROUND MOUNT SOLAR INSTALLATION AT 1950 NORTH MAIN ST. CANTON, ILLINOIS, CURRENTLY ZONED R-2. It was noted that the Planning and Zoning Commissioner had unanimously approved the request, and that the solar panels would be installed behind the house and would not be visible from the street. The Mayor noted that future similar requests would likely come before Planning and Zoning as well, due to aesthetic and neighborhood compatibility considerations. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Gossett/Pickel to approve an ordinance granting a special use permit to allow for a ground mount solar installation at 1950 North Main St. Canton, Illinois, currently zoned R-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. ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF ONE (1) VENTRAC MOWER AND WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO SAME. The ventrac mower will be used at the water plant, and the purchase is made through an existing source contract, justifying the waiver of competitive bidding. The purchase amount is $32,547 and is a budgeted item. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Gossett/Nelson to approve an ordinance authorizing the purchase of one (1) ventrac mower in the amount of $32,547 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. FINANCE ALDERPERSON ANDRA CHAMBERLIN, CHAIR DISCUSS CITY OF CANTON, IL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND CONNECTIVITY COST SNAPSHOT AND APPROVE SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF CANTON AND CRYSTAL CREEK ADVISORY GROUP, DBA SCHOOLEY MITCHEL (SM). Alderwoman Chamberlin introduced the item, referencing a prior presentation by Joe Hitchcock of Schooley Mitchel. She summarized the proposed service agreement: if the firm identifies savings in the City’s telecommunications costs, their fee would be 50% of those savings; if no savings are found, there is no fee to the city. Council raised questions about the structure of the fee arrangement over time. Jump advised that a 3-year contract term would not be appropriate for this type of agreement and suggested the payment be structured as a one-time fee per identified savings event, rather than an ongoing annual payment. Several alderpersons agreed with this interpretation – that once a savings is identified and a new contract is executed; there would be no recurring payment in subsequent years for that same savings. Alderman Grimm suggested that the scope of the agreement be narrowly defined to a specific area, such as telecommunications, rather than granting broad authorization across multiple cost categories. Jump concurred, noting the importance of specificity so that the City is only paying for savings it actually realizes through the firm’s recommendations. No formal vote was taken, pending further contract clarification with the service provider. 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 REAL ESTATE LOCATED AT 25859 N. WELDONS ROAD, LOT 21 OF LAKE WIND ADDITION TO LAKE CANTON. Jump advised Council that while the ordinance language was in order, execution of the lease would be held pending resolution of certain title issues related to an estate, which he and a colleague were working through with the buyer’s attorney. Council was asked to authorize the lease with the understanding that it would not be executed until those issues were resolved. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Ketcham/Pickel for approval of an ordinance authorizing a lease of municipally owned real estate located at 25859 N. Weldons Road, Lot 21 of Lake Wind 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 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 The motion carried. _________________________________________________________________ Andi Smith-Walters, City Clerk _________________________________________________________________ Kent McDowell, Mayor