Chicago City Wire

City of Winchester Board met Feb. 13

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Winchester City Council held their monthly meeting February 13, 2025 at City Hall. 

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

Also, in attendance were Wanda Cody, City Treasurer; John Paul Coonrod, City Attorney; Carmen Ensinger, Scott County Times; John Simmons, Supt of Public Works. 

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 January 8, 2025. 

MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Tina Brown seconded to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes of the regular January 8, 2025 meeting. Roll call resulted 5 yeas and Terry Gregory abstained. Motion carried. 

Rex McIntire, Mayor, advise was informed that the city would be able to utilize the additional funds that were not used in the water main project to be able to purchase additional supplies such as meters, pipe, connectors, etc. 

Wanda Cody, City Treasurer, passed out financial reports. 

Moved $31,000.00 from water works account to the city account for water. 

Three CDs were due for renewal. The TIF CD will be renewed for 6 months at Farmers State Bank for 4.35%. Interest of $11,692.00 will be rolled over with the base amount. 

The Milliken Library CD will be renewed for 6 months at 4.35% for the original base amount and pull interest to the general account to help reduce the negative balance held by the library. 

Will allow the Old Cemetery CD due 02/06/2025 at 4.15% for 5 months. 

Jeff Pittman, Alderman; has been working with Animal Control officer Jim Sherwin and Becky Lashmett from Scott County dog rescue to be able to house city animals at rescue. 

John Simmons, Supt of Public Works, monthly report: 

Work orders - 16; Funerals - 2; Locate tickets - 3; Monthly odorant report; Monthly sniff test; Sent odorometer in for calibration (done each year); Brush pick up; Plowed snow 3 times; Water main leak-1; Salted streets several times; GVA Inspection; New truck down; Herschel retired; Gas leaks - 1; USDI mapping. 

Advised that Chris King has quit and needing to run ad for new employee. Will run till March 7, 2025. Herschal did retire but will be coming back a day or 2 a week. 

Steve Doolin, Police Chief, passed out monthly report. 

Animal complaint - 3; Arrests -1; Assist EMS - 3; Assist outside agency (police) - 8; Assist motorist - 9; Assist repo agency - 1; Attempt to locate - 1; Building alarm - 1; DCFS - 1; Domestic disturbance - 2; Dumped trash - 1; Found property returned - 1; Gas station drive off – 1; Harassment - 1; Investigations - 2; Paper service - 4; Speak to officer - 17; Suicidal subject/mental health - 4; Suspicious person-2; Suspicious vehicle - 2; Theft - 1; Traffic accidents -1; Traffic stops/citations - 5; Traffic stops/verbal warnings - 27; Transient – 1; Vehicle complaint -1; Well-Being Checks - 5. 

New officer Tim Murphy doing well at academy has about 10 weeks left. 

Rex McIntire, Mayor, advised has been working with local 965 to work out the contract for city employees. 

Will be working with the water and sewer committees on water and sewer rates. Winchester is the lowest in the area and will need to increase to be able to stay compatible and also assist in keeping up with rising costs of equipment, maintenance and chemicals. The water main project was a big improvement to the water system. Also, the lead line portion that was mandated by the EPA has been completed due to the water main project as well. 

Fred Andrews is stepping down as Fire Chief. Memo was sent to all fireman and asking their recommendations on who would replace him. 

John Paul Coonrod, City Attorney, municipal court update. 

5 Citations with 4 cleaned up and only 1 to municipal court. 

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: Bill Jacquot moved and Melinda Hembrough second to move to open session. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried. 

MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Terry Gregory second to approve union contract with provisions as presented. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried. 

MOTION: Ron Bell moved and Jeff Pittman second to adjourn 10:16 pm. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.

https://winchesteril.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/February-13th-2025-Minutes.pdf