City Council

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE ZION CITY COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2025 AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 2828 SHERIDAN ROAD, ZION, ILLINOIS Mayor McKinney called the meeting to order. On call of the roll the following answered present: Commissioners Stackhouse, McDowell, Frierson, Fischer, and Mayor McKinney. A quorum was present. Also present: Police Chief Eric Barden, Public Works Director Vic Ransom, Economic Development Director Sonolito Bronson and City Attorney James Vasselli. Fire Chief Justin Stried, Building & Zoning Director Richard Ianson, City Administrator David Knabel and Finance Director Kris Conway were absent. William Bremner led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. AGENDA CHANGES It was moved by Commissioner Stackhouse, seconded by Commissioner Frierson to accept the City Council meeting agenda as presented. The vote on roll call was: Commissioner Stackhouse, aye; McDowell, aye; Frierson, aye; Fischer, aye; and Mayor McKinney, aye. Motion carried. CITIZEN COMMENTS Tahir Ahmed Soofi, Director of Public Affairs, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Zion attended the meeting to inform the City of their leadership change. He introduced the new Chapter President and Imam and Missionary. He noted that he would like to set up meetings with the City Council. Additionally, he shared a short story about their history. Raymond Gilmore, Cypress Park Subdivision resident, came to discuss issues in the subdivision. Additionally, he commented that he does not believe Zion has enough restaurants to have a family dinner. Mary Lou Hiltibran, ESDA Director, gave a monthly report of the recent activities that ESDA performed in assistance to the City. Those interested can go to the City’s website for an application. She welcomed those who want to help maintain the City and people. Maurice Jones, Cypress Park Subdivision resident, came to discuss the safety concerns regarding the outed streetlights that he reported a year ago. He noted that the lights are still out. He asked if there was a way to get the repairs expedited. Additionally, he noted that there are trees in the parkway that need to be trimmed as they are hanging over the sidewalks and blocking the existing lights. He asked that the City contact the HOA to let them know when the issues will be resolved. CONSENT AGENDA It was moved by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner Stackhouse that the Minutes be approved as follows: (a) APPROVAL OF MINUTES: a Regular Meeting held on October 21, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.; approval but not release of Closed Session Minutes of a meeting held on October 21, 2025 at 7:40 p.m. The vote on roll call was: Commissioners Stackhouse, aye; McDowell, aye; Frierson, aye; Fischer, aye; and Mayor McKinney, aye. Motion carried. It was moved by Commissioner Fischer, seconded by Commissioner Stackhouse that the Bills be approved as follows: (b) BILLS: Vouchers 150465 through 150564 drawn on Huntington National Bank, N.A. Total: $367,408.40 The vote on roll call was: Commissioners McDowell, aye; Frierson, aye; Stackhouse, aye; Fischer, aye; and Mayor McKinney, aye. Motion carried.  11/4/25 It was moved by Commissioner Fischer, seconded by Commissioner Frierson that the Proclamation be approved as follows: (c) PROCLAMATION: 250th Birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps. The vote on roll call was: Commissioners Stackhouse, aye; McDowell, aye; Frierson, aye; Fischer, aye; and Mayor McKinney, aye. Motion carried. It was moved by Commissioner Fischer seconded by Commissioner Stackhouse to accept and place on file the Treasure’s Report for Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2025. (b) RECEIVE AND PLACE ON FILE: Treasure’s Report for Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2025. The vote on roll call was: Commissioners Stackhouse, aye; McDowell, aye; Frierson, aye; Fischer, aye; and Mayor McKinney, aye. Motion carried. ORDINANCE/PURCHASE/POLICE VEHICLES A memo (25-DOC-89) was received from Chief Barden requesting approval of the purchase of police vehicles and related equipment in the police department. Chief Barden stated in keeping in line with the vehicle purchase plan, he requests approval to purchase three Ford Interceptor squads in the amount not to exceed $235,000 for vehicle and upfitting costs. The purchase would be slated for the FY 2026-27 budget year (capital purchase), the ordering window for the Illinois State bid closes November 14, 2025. Commissioner Frierson asked when they should receive the vehicles. Chief Barden stated they ordered cars last year in November and finally received them in August of this year. He noted it was about a 10-11-month process. It was moved by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner Stackhouse that an Ordinance (25-O-81) be passed authorizing and approving the purchase of police vehicles and related equipment for the Zion Police Department. The vote on roll call was: Commissioners Stackhouse, aye; McDowell, aye; Frierson, aye; Fischer, aye; and Mayor McKinney aye. Motion carried. Ordinance passed. DEPARTMENTAL COMMENTARY Director Ransom stated in July the Council approved funds for the engineering design and preparation of bid documents for the resurfacing of Ezekiel Avenue from 31st Street to Carmel Blvd. and from Carmel Blvd. from Ezekiel Avenue to Enoch. At the time, he stated that there was a possibility that the project could be 100% funded. He just received notice from the Lake County Council of Mayors, that the project will be funded at 100% for construction costs up to $815,000. He noted how important it is to stay relevant in organizations for the City to receive grants. The fact that the City goes to bid early and gets engineering completed in advance puts the City at the top of the list. The bid documents have been prepared and they will send the project out for bid sometime this winter in order to get it scheduled for early spring to be completed by mid-summer. Director Bronson reminded the business community that business license renewals were coming up with current licenses expiring on December 31st. She noted there are 331 brick and mortar businesses and 200 home-based businesses in Zion. Chief Barden noted the following: • With it getting darker earlier, citizens should make sure they drive with their lights on. • He reminded residents not be one their cellphones while driving. • The City will be porting over to the new dispatch center this week. He noted the process seems to have been seamless. • He reminded residents of the new overnight parking ordinance (no 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. parking). Residents can go to the website and use the new portal for parking and other things such as vacation watch. If unable to use the website, they are urged to contact an on-duty Sergeant. The City will be updating and posting signs regarding the “no overnight parking”. There will be a grace period for residents and during that time, if violations are found they will receive a warning ticket. Unless, there is a snow incident where vehicles need to be removed.  11/4/25 Commissioner McDowell noted the following: • Earlier today, there was a groundbreaking of Fire Station No. 2. to be located on Route 173. Chief Barden noted that it has been a long working project which they have been working on for over a year. The design stage is over and they hope to get started next week. The project should take about 12-14 months for the 16,500 ft facility. Mayor McKinney noted that this will replace the current Station No. 2 on 21st and Lewis. The groundbreaking as well as pictures of what the new station will look like are on the Facebook page. • He noted that earlier today, Deputy Chief Troy was honored for his 28 years of service. He read a statement prepared by Chief Stried about the retirement of Deputy Chief Troy. Mayor McKinney thanked the Department Heads in all the work they do for City. Additionally, he thanked the residents for bringing issues to the Council, He assured residents that they are working the streetlight issues. ANNOUNCEMENTS November 12 6:00 p.m. Dollars & Sense Meeting Zion City Hall November 18 6:00 p.m. Zion Township Board Meeting 7:00 p.m. Zion City Council Meeting November 27, 28 Offices Closed for the Holiday CLOSED SESSION It was moved by Commissioner Frierson, seconded by Commissioner Stackhouse that the Council recess to Closed Session at 7:35 p.m., pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 “Open Meetings”, for the discussion of filed, pending, possible and/or probable or imminent litigation, personnel, purchase or sale of real estate, collective bargaining, legal counsel and personnel. The vote on roll call was: Commissioners Stackhouse, aye; McDowell, aye; Frierson, aye; Fischer, aye; and Mayor McKinney, aye. Motion carried. It was moved by Commissioner Frierson seconded by Commissioner McDowell to reconvene the Regular Council meeting at 8:10 p.m. with all members present. The vote on roll call was: Commissioners McDowell, aye; Frierson, aye; Stackhouse, aye; Fischer, aye; and Mayor McKinney, aye. Motion carried. ORDINANCE/FIRST AMENDMENT/AGREEMENT/MJR REAL ESTATE HOLDING COMPANY It was moved by Commissioner Stackhouse, seconded by Commissioner McDowell that an Ordinance (25-O-82) be passed approving and authorizing a First Amendment to the Purchase and Sale Agreement between the City of Zion and MJR Real Estate Holding Company (3318 Sheridan Road). The vote on roll call was: Commissioners Stackhouse, aye; McDowell, aye; Frierson, aye; Fischer, aye; and Mayor McKinney, aye. ADJOURN There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, it was moved by Commissioner Frierson, seconded by Commissioner McDowell and unanimously approved the meeting be adjourned at 8:11 p.m. Motion carried. _____________________________________________ City Clerk