City Council

March 4, 2025 Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Clinton, Illinois in session in the Council Chambers of City Hall and electronically, Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. Commissioner Wise, presiding. On roll call, Commissioners Buchanan and Ballenger were present. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION No public participation Written motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan that the minutes of the regular meeting of February 18, 2025 and Special Meeting and Public Hearing of February 25, 2025 be approved as submitted. On roll call vote, Commissioners Wise, Ballenger and Buchanan voted “Yes.” The bills and payroll were read. Written motion was made by Commissioner Buchanan and seconded by Commissioner Ballenger that the bills and payroll be allowed as read and the Clerk be instructed to issue warrants on the Treasurer for the several amounts. On roll call vote, Commissioners Ballenger, Buchanan and Wise voted “Yes.” PETITIONS Terri Lemmel with the Dewitt County Genealogical Society gave a presentation before the council regarding a Cemetery Restoration Project in the old cemetery at the soldier’s plot. Lemmel gave a brief history of the Soldier’s Plot at Woodlawn Cemetery, she came before council asking for permission to gather volunteers to repair gravestones that are in need of restoration. This would be in part with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The council showed their support of Lemmel to take on this project. Brant Thomas with PureSky Energy came before council to present his solar farm project at the Northwest corner of Madison Street and Violet Valley Rd. Thomas presented the community solar overview, site plan walkthrough and company background. Thomas said the solar farm connects directly to the grid, subscribers can get a 10-20% discount on their bill by participating in the renewable energy transition. Thomas stated there would be interest in annexation. This is a three-megawatt site. Thomas invited questions from council and those in attendance. Wise asked what the average lifespan, Thomas said minimum 20 years, the panels are built to last 30-40 years. Buchanan asked about what happens after the life expectancy, Thomas said during the decommissioning, there is an agreement put in place prior to construction. These will be single axis trackers, east to west, with an antiglare coating. Ballenger asked if there was a study due to residents in the area. Thomas said there will be a vegetative buffer, that goes around the whole thing. Ballenger asked if there was a fence around it, Thomas confirmed there is. Ballenger asked if it was in the floodplain. There is a wetland, Army Corp view will verify – there will be non in a floodplain. Ballenger asked about taxes, Thomas couldn’t find the tax rate to calculate a number that could be generated. Buchanan asked about property values, Thomas said there have been studies done and they didn’t find any significant change in value, some homes go up in value due to lowered utility bills. Buchanan asked if grass would be planted and maintained, Thomas agreed with the potential of sheep to graze or a pollinator habitat be created. Wise stated we have some areas of town that we may be expanding, and looking at what is conducive and not with housing etc. There has been no formal public hearing regarding solar. Wise stated at the next meeting March 18th that opinions from the public are welcome to be heard regarding solar. Jessica Allhands asked if grid space was an issue, pros or cons with solar farms close together. Thomas said it comes down to utility and demand, thermal capacity. The companies don’t have any say, it comes down to studies. Seth Redington asked if the solar panels are pile driven, Thomas confirmed it was. Kelley Harvey asked questions regarding noise, Thomas said noise will be equivalent to a large refrigerator or more than a car driving on the road. The trackers may creek with the sun’s turn. Harvey asked several questions, Thomas said the company started in 2009, the platform was sold to a private equity which is now PureSky Energy. REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS Department of public affairs had no report. REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF STREETS & PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS Commissioner Buchanan said the new road to the subdivision will be open on Monday, it will be a 4-way stop. Last meeting Buchanan said last meeting he made a statement about political signs, he reinstated it’s all signs in the public right of way, not just political. REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC PROPERTY Commissioner asked Kyle Morris to brief about an issue on Center Street, where they came across many service lines. Morris stated the end of the month the lime system will be updated, bringing potential color in the water until it is back in service. REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY Commissioner Ballenger said Kiwanis Park installation will be kicked off soon. Commissioner Ballenger said it has been a busy week for the Fire Department as Maroa had a large fire. The night before they were on a field fire that was unattended with a red flag warning due to the wind. Fire Chief Stephen Page briefed about the training facility and training that was happening. REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTS & FINANCES Department of Accounts & Finances had no report. OLD BUSINESS Written motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan to approve resolution 2025-2, a resolution accepting offers to purchase lots 18, 19 & 20. On roll call vote, Commissioners Buchanan, Wise and Ballenger voted “Yes.” Written motion was made by Commissioner Buchanan and seconded by Commissioner Wise to approve the supplemental resolution for S. Jackson Street Project in the amount of $1,000,000.00. On roll call vote, Commissioners Wise, Ballenger and Buchanan voted “Yes.” Written motion was made by Commissioner Buchanan and seconded by Commissioner Ballenger to approve a line locator for the sewer department from Subsurface Solutions in the amount of $6,729.00. On roll call vote, Commissioners Ballenger, Buchanan and Wise voted “Yes.” Written motion was made by Commissioner Buchanan and seconded by Commissioner Ballenger to approve a metal line locator for the sewer department from Subsurface Solutions in the amount of $1,202.00. On roll call vote, Commissioners Buchanan, Wise and Ballenger voted “Yes.” Written motion was made by Commissioner Wise and seconded by Commissioner Ballenger to approve Ordinance 1620 an Ordinance amending creating 4-1-5 and 12-5-13 of the Clinton City Code. On roll call vote, Commissioners Wise, Ballenger and Buchanan voted “Yes.” Written motion was made by Commissioner Wise and seconded by Commissioner Ballenger to approve a Single Event Raffle License for Clinton Athletic Booster Club. On roll call vote, Commissioners Ballenger, Buchanan and Wise voted “Yes.” NEW BUSINESS Written motion was made by Commissioner Wise and seconded by Commissioner Ballenger to approve the Single Event Raffle License for Clinton Athletic Booster Club. On roll call vote, Commissioners Ballenger, Buchanan and Wise voted “Yes.” On File – Demolition Bids 321 E Bissell – Littleton Storm & Timber Services, Inc. $9,400.00. Dial Excavating $8,500.00, Furman Excavating $13,000.00 and Central Illinois Concrete, LLC $23,6700.00 ADJOURNMENT With no further business to come before the Council, a motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan to adjourn the meeting. On roll call vote, Commissioners Buchanan, Wise and Ballenger voted “Yes.” Respectfully Submitted, Kamren Wilford City Clerk