Committee of the Whole
Jul 13, 2026
The lede
- Council approved purchase of a 2021 Ford F-150 pickup truck for Building Department to replace a 2005 Ranger ($35,000 from capital funds, including extended warranty and tonneau cover)
- Approved $27,278 in Downtown Façade Improvement Grants to seven local property owners for building improvements (funded by video gaming revenue)
- Approved annexation agreement for East Point Commons development (184.88 acres) with $2.97 million DCEO grant; city and developer to split remaining $1.6 million infrastructure costs 50/50
- Awarded $357,000 contract for wastewater treatment plant clarifier gate replacement (funded by $150,000 DCEO grant plus sewer depreciation fund)
- Approved $60,900 monument sign with electronic message center for parking lot #7 (grant funds and capital)
Decisions & votes
Building Department truck purchase (approved)
Motion to purchase 2021 Ford F-150 with extended warranty and tonneau cover for total not to exceed $35,000 from capital funds. An amendment to remove the extended warranty failed before the main motion passed.
Downtown Façade Improvement Grants (approved)
Approved seven grant awards totaling $27,278:
- 215 N. State Street: $1,421.50
- 107 W. 1st Street: $5,000
- 501 S. State Street: $5,000
- 227 Logan Avenue: $3,575
- 611 S. State Street: $3,240
- 220 Logan Avenue: $6,000
- 220 W. Locust Street: $3,041.50
East Point Commons Annexation Agreement (approved)
Approved annexation agreement for 184.881-acre development with DCEO grant funding structure.
East Point Commons Annexation Ordinance (approved first reading)
Approved first reading of ordinance annexing territory to Ward 3; requires public hearing and supermajority (8 votes) at future readings.
Willow Street & Douglas Street intersection (motion to approve failed)
Motion to approve intersection changes failed; original yield signs will be installed as previously approved.
6th Street & 5th Avenue stop signs (motion to remove failed 3-7)
Roll call vote to remove stop signs failed. Signs will remain. Voting yes (remove): Hoiness, Montalbano, Peterson. Voting no (keep signs): Albertini, Brereton, Fleury, Frank, Gramkowski, McGee, Stevens.
WWTP Final Clarifier Gates Replacement contract (approved)
Awarded contract to Leander Construction, Inc. for $357,000.
WWTP construction engineering (approved)
Approved Baxter & Woodman proposal not to exceed $47,940 from sewer depreciation fund.
Kishwaukee Riverfront Path Extension DCEO grant (approved)
Approved grant agreement 24-203498 with DCEO for $500,000; Mayor authorized to sign documents.
Parking Lot #7 Monument Sign (approved)
Approved Signs Now proposal for $60,900 for monument sign with electric message center.
Appleton Road Grade Separation funding resolution (approved)
Approved resolution appropriating $17,430 for preliminary engineering (city’s portion of LPF funds).
City Hall interior painting (approved)
Awarded project to Kleinfelter Drywall and Painting for $28,850 from impact fees.
FY27 Organized Retail Crime Grant (approved)
Accepted $14,800 grant from Illinois Attorney General’s Office for Flock license plate reader camera system.
St. James Catholic Church block party (approved)
Approved July 26 block party, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Church Street from Caswell to Maine.
Discussion items
Building Department vehicle: Council debated value of extended warranties, with some arguing the city can cover unexpected repairs while others citing positive past experiences. Alternative suggestions included a K-cap topper instead of tonneau cover and purchasing a new Ford Ranger instead of used F-150.
Stop sign at 6th Street & 5th Avenue: Extensive debate over resident complaint about difficulty exiting driveway versus child safety concerns near school zone. Multiple aldermen cited school district disappointment about reconsidering the matter. Discussion of whether marked crosswalk without stop sign creates false sense of security. Suggestions included “do not block driveway” signage or flashing pedestrian crossing signs like at Green Giant.
East Point Commons development: City Attorney explained this culminates long effort to develop industrial/commercial property, loop water system, and leverage $2.97 million DCEO grant. Grant requires 50+ acres for industrial use and December 31 construction completion. City and developer split unfunded $1.6 million infrastructure costs equally (up to $805,268 each).
Monument sign for parking lot #7: Discussion of content for electronic message center (city information, leaf pickup, events, business promotions). City Attorney advised against selling advertising due to First Amendment issues preventing content-based restrictions. Cannot replace statutorily-required meeting notices but can supplement them.
Appleton Road grade separation: Mayor reported meeting with Congressman LaHood and receiving additional $1 million from Congressman Foster for preliminary engineering. Clarified project not related to passenger rail crossing closures.
City Hall painting: Mayor noted building paid off August 2025 after 20 years, emphasized city’s frugality compared to county’s recent administration building investment, and explained paint protects wall integrity. Alderman noted need for carpet replacement next.
Financial / operational notes
- Building Department issued 14 commercial permits and 168 residential permits in June totaling $458,000; single-day record of $10,000+ with 21 permits
- Major projects underway: Rush Power, Dutch Brothers (framing), fire restoration on Douglas Court, Stellantis roof permit issued, Maroldt addition submitted
- Building Department truck: 2005 Ford Ranger has 58,000 miles, frequent brake and transmission issues; replacement 2021 F-150 has 67,111 miles
- Façade grant program funded at $27,278 from video gaming revenues; received 7 applications requesting $32,476.50 total; 50/50 reimbursement grants capped at $5,000 ($7,500 for larger properties); properties eligible once every 3 years
- WWTP clarifier gates project: $357,000 construction + $47,940 engineering = $404,940 total; funded by $150,000 DCEO grant + sewer depreciation fund
- Kishwaukee Riverfront Path: third grant for project, likely delayed to next construction season; city share to be provided to council
- Parking lot #7 sign: electronic message center remotely controllable via laptop
- City Hall: no interior painting in 21 years; exterior painted during current mayor’s tenure; building paid off August 2025
- Police Department: Deputy Chief reported flock camera system assists with organized retail crime from Chicago targeting Walmart
Public comment
No content.
Notable moments
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Humorous exchange about Alderman Stevens running stop signs on his commute: “I don’t blow through that one like I did on the one [at] Union… I did that about three days in a row.”
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Alderman Peterson’s quip after City Attorney explained First Amendment advertising restrictions: “What kind of group would we be concerned about?” Attorney: “You never know.”
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Alderman Brereton’s wry comment on parking lot #7 sign approval process: “It’s almost comical to me… I just thought we’d vote on it and be done with it. I didn’t know I have to vote on it like 10 more times.”
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Building Director Wilcox on why he chose F-150 over Ranger: “I’ve tried to fit in that Ranger for seven years now. I’m moving up.”
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Mayor’s self-deprecating comment about Heritage Days candy: “If it had been up to me to order the candy, I’d had probably a couple pieces in my pocket.”
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Exchange about City Hall paint colors - Alderwoman Frank: “Are we gonna go with the same color or different?” Mayor: “Definitely not. We’re going to go with something pretty… Not sure what that is, but… No, no floral.”
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Council chose not to enter executive session for collective bargaining, with Mayor noting “we are not quite ready yet… hopefully very soon.”