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Belleville council approves streetlight work, event permits and parks code change; adopts claims
Summary
The Belleville City Council on March 3 approved several consent and administrative items including traffic signal and streetlight installations, event permits and IDOT closure requests for fall festivals, an amendment to parks regulations, and city claims and fuel payments.
The Belleville City Council on Monday approved a bundle of consent and administrative items, including funding for a traffic preemption device and new streetlights, multiple event permits and state highway closure requests for summer and fall festivals, an amendment to the city parks code, and claims and payroll payments.
Why it matters: The items clear routine city operations, provide funding through targeted Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts, and authorize street and highway closures that will affect downtown circulation during the city’s major events season.
The council voted to approve two streets-and-grades items. The council approved a $19,691.48 payment to install an additional Opticom system in the westbound lane of Dapron Drive at Frank Scott Parkway (listed as TIF 13) and approved Ameren Illinois to install streetlights at the Dollar General entrance, 2391 Illinois 161, for $9,203.26 (TIF 3). Alderman Gentleman moved the Streets Committee motion; the items were approved by roll call.
In administration business the council approved amendments to the committees-and-commissions calendar for 2025 and entered an agreement with Boats Associates for a $13,000 West Main Safe Streets planning grant application (funded from TIF 3). Council members clarified that the West Main Safe Streets item had been discussed earlier in the Streets Committee but was brought forward for formal approval because of time sensitivity.
The council approved an amendment to Chapter 94 (Parks and Recreation) to add the names of all city parks to Section 94.01. The change was moved from the Parks Board.
Under communications the council granted multiple event permits and related street-closure and IDOT-permission resolutions: a downtown chili cook-off (October 10–12, 2025), the Chili Chase 5K and Kids Pepper Dash (October 11, 2025), a Faith in Motion 5K (September 6, 2025), a citywide litter pickup (May 3, 2025), Oktoberfest (September 19–21, 2025), and two Bubble Indy Market dates (May 31 and August 30, 2025). The city clerk read requested street closures, service needs (barricades, police personnel, sanitation), and a banner permit across East and West Main Streets. Councilors confirmed event details including beer-sales cutoff time for the chili cook-off, which staff said is 7:30 p.m.
The council also approved three related resolutions requesting Illinois Department of Transportation permission to close Route 159 for the chili cook-off (Resolution 35-37), Artemus Square (Resolution 35-38), and Oktoberfest (Resolution 35-39).
Consent and financial votes: The council approved claims and disbursements of $1,521,079.70 and payroll in amounts read into the record; it also approved motor fuel claims of $58,966.97. All financial items were adopted by roll call vote.
Votes at a glance: - 11-a-1: Approve installation of Opticom at Dapron Drive/Frank Scott Parkway, $19,691.48 (TIF 13) — approved by voice/roll call. - 11-a-2: Approve Ameren Illinois streetlights at 2391 Illinois 161, $9,203.26 (TIF 3) — approved by roll call. - 11-b-1: Approve amended committees-and-commissions calendar for 2025 — approved. - 11-b-2: Authorize agreement with Boats Associates for West Main Safe Streets planning grant, $13,000 (TIF 3) — approved. - 11-c: (see separate article) Intergovernmental agreement with Saint Clair County for sanitary sewer study — approved (with insurance/indemnity clarification). - 11-d-1 / 15-a / Ordinance 93-67: Amend Chapter 94 (Parks and Recreation) to add city park names — ordinance adopted. - 12 / 14 (communications and resolutions): Multiple event permits and IDOT-closure requests for chili cook-off, Chili Chase 5K, Faith in Motion 5K, keep Belleville beautiful cleanup, Oktoberfest, and Bubble Indy Market dates — permits and resolutions approved. - Financial: Claims and disbursements $1,521,079.70; payroll amounts read on record; motor fuel claims $58,966.97 — all approved by roll call.
The council also voted to enter executive session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) to discuss purchase or lease of real property and later approved the purchase of the property at 14 South Third Street from the Saint Clair County Trustee (see separate article). The meeting was adjourned and the next regular meeting set for March 17, 2025.
