MENDOTA – A new council member was appointed, a long-time police officer retired and a final hurdle was cleared for a new funeral home during action taken at the regular meeting of the Mendota City Council on Dec. 2.

During the Mayor’s Report, David Boelk announced the appointment of Leo Hochstatter to the position of Second Ward Alderman to replace John Pierson, who passed away in October. Hochstatter will fill out the remainder of the term, which will be until May 2021. Hochstatter was given the oath of office by city attorney Mike Guilfoyle.

In another mayoral appointment, Randy Simpson was named to the Fire Pension Board for one year.

Mike Long appeared before the mayor and city council to announce his retirement from the Mendota Police Department after serving the department for nearly 25 years. His last day as a patrolman was Nov. 27 and his MPD career will officially end Feb. 3, 2020. He expressed his gratitude for the privilege of serving the community. Long had also been the department’s K-9 handler with Agar for the past nine years. Long paid the city $1 to keep Agar in his family. Long said Agar was also approaching retirement age. Long has taken a new position with the LaSalle County Public Defender’s office.

ALDERMANIC REPORTS

Alderman John Hessenberger reported on a public hearing held before the council meeting regarding a request for annexation from Mike and Catherine Wasmer for Wasmer Funeral Home. Hessenberger said there were no comments per the request. The council then approved an ordinance authorizing the Wasmer annexation agreement and an ordinance annexing the Wasmer property. The property is located at 192 E. U.S. Highway 52 in the former Jehovah’s Witnesses Church. Wasmer Funeral Home is targeting a Jan. 1 opening.

Hessenberger also said the Plan Commission met on Nov. 21 to consider a conditional use request for property located at 705 Sixth St. The Plan Commission unanimously passed the request. Total Biological Solutions will manufacture nutritional products for agriculture use in the building formerly occupied by ARS Auto Repair.

Alderman Jim Fitzpatrick presented a proposal to waive the bidding process for the Mendota Business Park farm, which was approved by the council.

Also during Fitzpatrick’s report, it was learned that work on repairing a water main break under the railroad tracks at Ninth Avenue should be completed by the end of this week.

In action from alderman Kyle Kim, the council approved an ordinance amending Chapter 340.51 of the Mendota Municipal Code regarding occupancy permits.

The council approved the hiring of Dalton Huftel as a firefighter/paramedic contingent on him passing four evaluation exams.

During alderman Jay Miller’s report, the council approved a Class H liquor license for DeLao Celebrations.

The next regular meeting of the Mendota City Council will be Monday, Dec. 16 at 6:30 p.m.