Chicago City Wire

City of Winchester Board met Sept. 4

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Winchester City Council held their monthly meeting September 4, 2024 at City Hall. 

Mayor McIntire called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. with the following council in attendance: Terry Gregory, Ron Bell, Jeff Pittman, Melinda Hembrough, Bill Jacquot and City Clerk Teri Little. Tina Brown was absent. 

Also, in attendance were Wanda Cody, City Treasurer; John Paul Coonrod, City Attorney; Reg Benton, Benton and Associates; Carmen Ensinger, Scott County Times; Steve Doolin, City Police Chief; John Simmons, Supt of Public Works; RJ Pasley, Rep from Parks and Recreation group; Don Campbell; Jacky Kuchy, Winchester Civic group; Ben Cox, WLDS; Barb Hoots, Callie Reichert, Lucy Reid, Jeanette Wallace, Jessica Brown, David Freesen. 

Mayor McIntire led those attending the meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Wanda Cody, City Treasurer presented bills for approval. 

MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Jeff Pittman seconded to pay the bills as presented. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried. 

Mayor McIntire asked for any corrections for the regular meeting minutes of August 7, 2024. MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Terry Gregory seconded to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the regular August 7, 2024 meeting. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried. 

Reg Benton, Benton and Associates, presented pay resolution #4 for water main project. This is for total of $505,379.34 includes payment to Laverdiere Construction, Inc. for $488,002.74 and Benton and Associates for $17,376.60. 

MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Melinda Hembrough seconded to approve pay request #4 for Laverdiere and Benton and Associates $505,379.34. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried. 

Project is on schedule if not ahead of schedule. The mayor also wanted to emphasize once the project is complete then they will complete the repairs to the ground and streets and asked for the resident's patience. 

Lucy Reid, addressed the council concerning a parcel of land where E Jefferson St turns to Coultas Rd. It is showing that it is labeled as Soldiers Monument Park. Per her investigation it seems that the almost 5 acres of land that seemed to be privately owned was once designated a park by the Winchester chapter of the Grand Army of the Republic. They were a Civil war veteran's community service organization. The Winchester chapter was established in the early 1870's. Per her investigations it seems that sometime between 1898 to 1907 the land was deeded to the City of Winchester. Per the Scott County Assessor's office there is no clear ownership to the land and no taxes have ever been paid on the property. Reid stated that she had been thru years and years of deeds and minutes from years past and finds no actual deed to identify who owns the property. The fact that no taxes have been paid all these years is not right if truly is private property. She has contacted the Department of Natural Resources and they state it is a wetland and there maybe grants available once ownership is determined. 

The mayor and attorney state the first step is to determine who the rightful owner of the property is. Attorney Coonrod advised that it would be in best interest to do a title search thru the Scott County Abstract Company. 

MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Ron Bell second to approve title search with Scott County Abstract Company. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried. 

Callie Reichert, spoke to the council on her plans for the old Western Auto building. She is in the process of renovating the space to be able to use it as an event venue. Events could include but not limited to: receptions, showers, parties maybe small weddings. She would also like to hold events such as paint nights and etc. She is requesting a liquor license so anyone holding event could have alcohol. It is not going to be a bar but just to be able to have items provided. 

Attorney Coonrod present Ordinance 980 which would allow another Class E liquor license. 

MOTION: Terry Gregory moved and Melinda Hembrough approve Ordinance 980. Roll call resulted in 4 yeas and Ron Bell voting No. Motion carried. 

Jacky Kuchy, Civic Group, advised that lady's night would be September 13. Will be having Harvest Fest Sunday October 20th from 11-4. Would like to see if the city crew can move tables from park to the square for seating. Will have live music and at least 2 food trucks have committed to the event. 

The mural will be starting soon. Cost should be less that $5000.00. Did get a grant for a portion of the cost but would like the city to contribute as well. 

Jeanette Wallace, City Librarian, advised that the library has received a tech grant for $12,500.00. This will be used to replace things such as computers, websites and in need of a new receipt printer and scanner. The micro fiche reader no longer works and most all of the micro fiche have been sent to the State Library for storage. A scanner would be easier but are very costly. 

RJ Pasley, Parks and Recreation, has ordered backboards and rims for the basketball court at park. Spoke with Slo Mo for estimate on resurfacing basketball and tennis courts. Will have a meeting next week with the park board and purchasing committee to go over bids. 

Steve Doolin, Police Chief, passed out monthly report. 

Animal complaint - 1; Assist EMS-2; Assist outside agency (police) - 2; Assist motorist - 4; Clear roadway obstructions - 10; DCFS-2; Extra patrol requests - 1; Order of protection - 1; Paper service - 3; Property exchange - 2; Solicitor complaint - 4; Speak to officer - 20; Suicidal subject/mental health 3; Suspicious person - 1; Suspicious vehicle - 4; Theft - 1; Traffic accidents - 2; Traffic control - 2; Traffic stops, Citations - 1; Traffic stops, verbal warnings - 8; Vehicle complaint - 2; Weather spotting - 1; Well-Being Checks - 1. 

Advised radios are no good and need replaced. Amanda Smith will be done soon with academy and needs new radios once on duty. 

Having issues in the school zone as parents are not following the line and passing parked card which is causing traffic to back up as not able to flow. Needs to be single file line until the Pritchett building and then can move to double line. Not sure what to do to resolve issue. 

Amanda Smith will graduate the academy October 5th at 10 am. Advised she did get tazed as part of training. 

Hunter Drake is doing very well at the academy. 

Wanda Cody, City Treasurer, passed out financial reports. 

Opened a money market account for the TIF funds and will earn 2.3% and a 26-week CD at 4.75%. This will allow the funds it earn additional interest. 

The loan for City Hall has been paid in full. 

The balance in the pool and library accounts have been updated as the auditor requested. 

Do have a perpetual cd coming due and best option is 5 months at 4.25%. 

Comments on audit were page 4 cannabis tax is showing 2443 and should be 2434. Also, questioned why cash shows as liability on balance sheet. On page 5 made adjustments for amount of cash for library. Needing to see why the pothole machine is not listed. All these questions will be brought to auditors' attention and corrected or explanation given. 

MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Jeff Pittman second to approve audit 2023-2024 w/corrections as presented subject to confirmation. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried. 

John Simmons, Supt of Public Works, monthly report: 

Odorizer reading; Locate tickets - 78; Monthly sniff test; Work orders; Relocated new water lines, replaced with new to customers due to lead or separation issues - 15; Closed up poop for 2024 season; Helped County employees put a large tarp on their salt shed after storm damage; Picked up lots of brush and down limbs; Fixed a large sink hole on a storm sewer. Also replaced 2 leaking water services, done by plumber Brian Schafer; Oiled and chipped N Maple St and Lashmett Drive; Have Jeff mowing every other week; Funerals - 2; Gas leaks - 2; Water leaks - 3. 

Received report on the grinder repairs from VanDeVedder. It will cost $17,235.43 and he will check on warranty. 

MOTION: Ron Bell moved and Terry Gregory second to approve repairs to grinder $17,235.43. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried. 

Rex McIntire, Mayor, wanted to address the issue with the post office. Spoke to postmaster Ethan Hartley and he states insurance has sent someone to look over damage. It this time cannot be used. The mail is being sent to Jacksonville post office and carriers will deliver. They will still be picking up in the outside blue mailboxes. The residents and business with PO boxes will have to travel to Jacksonville get their mail. He advised not having a post office in the county seat is not convenient and hopes that a resolution will be found soon. 

Will be sending letters to residents soon to explain the need of the Lincoln statue and that it is being purchased thru donations and fundraiser. This will be a big asset to Winchester. Just as the Stephen Douglas statue draws people to town so will the Lincoln statue. 

John Paul Coonrod, City Attorney, presented Ordinance 981. This is a revision to the Peddlers fees and certifications. Adjustment was made to allow the city to waive fees and registration for events sponsored by units of government and resident charitable organizations in the municipality that have been in existence for 6 months or longer. 

MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Jeff Pittman second to approve Ordinance 981. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried. 

No Public Comments 

MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Jeff Pittman second to move to closed session. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried. 

MOTION: Ron Bell moved and Jeff Pittman second to move to open session. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried. 

MOTION: Ron Bell moved and Jeff Pittman second to approve raise for Chris King at the end of probation. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried. 

MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Jeff Pittman second to adjourn 10:00 pm. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.

https://winchesteril.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/September-4th-2024-Agenda-Minutes.pdf