Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council advances community items: tree lighting moved, streetlight retrofit and golf‑cart referendum directed for follow‑up
Summary
Council moved the plaza Christmas tree lighting to Dec. 8, asked staff for financial detail on an LED streetlight retrofit, directed staff to place a nonbinding golf‑cart referendum on the ballot for voter input, agreed to participate in Illinois America 250 events, and received routine monthly police and fire reports.
Council handled several shorter agenda items and set direction on follow‑up work.
Tree lighting — Dennis Carr told council staff plans to move the plaza Christmas tree lighting to Dec. 8 with a 5:30 p.m. start, school performances and a 6:25 p.m. lighting ceremony. Council members agreed to the date change and asked staff to circulate a final program.
Streetlight retrofit — Public Works said retrofitting and metering city‑owned light poles on Walnut and Peoria streets could generate energy cost savings; staff presented preliminary retrofit cost estimates (Walnut ~$10,470; Peoria ~$15,320) and agreed to return next week with per‑pole monthly charges and payback calculations. "If we can get on top of it and get ahead of it, it'd be a great idea," Alderson McIntyre said.
Golf‑cart referendum — Council discussed whether to place a nonbinding advisory question on the next primary ballot about allowing golf carts on city streets. The clerk advised that simple wording is best and reminded council of the submittal deadline; several members favored an advisory referendum and staff will draft clear, concise ballot language. The referendum is nonbinding and intended to gather resident sentiment before any ordinance changes.
Illinois America 250 — Council consented to participate in statewide commemoration activities and Alderson Ernst volunteered to chair planning if the city adopts a resolution; members agreed participation should avoid significant city expenditures unless specifically budgeted.
Police and fire reports — Police Chief Stevens summarized the department’s monthly activity (roughly 1,200 events; crime reported as down) and the fire department reported 214 calls with an average in‑city response time of about 4.5 minutes — within NFPA standards.
Water tower request — Staff relayed an Illinois American Water request to place the city name or logo on a planned replacement tower; council reactions were mixed and staff will follow up.
Next steps: staff will return with financial details on the lighting retrofit, draft referendum language for review, and further information on the water‑tower logo request and event coordination for the holiday lighting and Illinois America 250 participation.
