MENDOTA – The Mendota City Council accepted a bid, passed a pair of ordinances and was introduced to a new police officer at its Oct. 1 regular meeting.

Alderman Jim Fitzpatrick said two bids were received for underground storage tank removal and restoration at the Tidd property, corner of 13^th Avenue and Washington Street. The low bid of $44,000 submitted by Stiles Inc. of Loves Park was accepted.

The council was also set to act on a related bid for house demolition and site restoration at the same location, but Fitzpatrick recommended to reject the lone bid submitted, which was agreed to by the full council.

In action from alderman John Pierson’s report, the council approved an ordinance for solar energy systems. The purpose of the ordinance is to promote and encourage economic development, while maintaining order in the construction, installation and operation of solar energy systems (SES) in the city of Mendota, while ensuring protection of the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the city by promoting the safe, effective and efficient use of solar energy to reduce on-site consumption of fossil fuels or utility-supplied electric energy. Also, to avoid adverse impact to important areas such as agricultural land, endangered species habitats, conservation land and other sensitive lands.

All solar energy systems will be required to have a city of Mendota building permit before any work can be started. Solar farms shall be allowed in only M zoning district and must comply with all required standards for structures in the district.

The city of Mendota encourages the development of commercial or utility scale solar energy systems when such systems present few or no use conflicts with current and future development patterns. Ground-mounted solar energy systems that are the principal use on the zoning lot or lots are allowed in M (Manufacturing) District only.

The entire ordinance is available for viewing at the City Clerk’s office.

Alderman Bill Hunt presented an ordinance pertaining to employee vehicle use policy, which was approved by the council. The use of city vehicles for overnight and out-of-town travel shall be granted for training required for job performance. There are times in which the use of an employee’s personal vehicle is necessary because either a city vehicle is not available or because the use of a privately-owned vehicle is deemed more efficient. The use of a personal vehicle to conduct official city business shall be reimbursed at the IRS mileage rate.

The council also amended the ordinance pertaining to sick/vacation leave donation policy. This policy allows employees to decide if they want to participate in the program. The purpose of the donation program is to allow city of Mendota employees to donate sick or vacation leave to another specified employee who has suffered a qualifying catastrophic personal illness, accident or injury.

In other news, Third Ward alderman Randy Morris announced that he will not seek re-election in the 2019 election and he encouraged anyone interested in being a candidate for the position to obtain an election packet at the City Clerk’s office.

At the conclusion of the meeting, a new full-time police officer was introduced to the council. Jose Raya was sworn in by Dave McNally, chairman of the Police & Fire Commission.

Also, Daniel Hernandez was sworn in as a part-time police officer by Emily McConville, city clerk. Hernandez will go through the necessary training to be qualified for a full-time position.

The next regular meeting of the Mendota City Council will be Monday, Oct. 15 at 6:30 p.m.