New alderman joins Mendota City Council

General Fund budget shows a 4.85% deficit

Kip Cheek
Posted 5/18/17

MENDOTA – A new alderman was welcomed on board and Mayor David Boelk made his new fiscal year appointments at the first of two Mendota City Council meetings on May 15.

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New alderman joins Mendota City Council

General Fund budget shows a 4.85% deficit

Posted

Mike Guilfoyle, city attorney, swears in the new city officials at the May 15 council meeting. Left to right, are Kyle Kim, alderman; Bill Hunt, alderman; John Holland, alderman; David Boelk, mayor; Emily McConville, city clerk; Jim Fitzpatrick, alderman; John Hessenberger, newly-appointed alderman; and John Pierson, alderman. (Reporter photo)

MENDOTA – A new alderman was welcomed on board and Mayor David Boelk made his new fiscal year appointments at the first of two Mendota City Council meetings on May 15.

John Hessenberger was approved as a First Ward Alderman to fill the seat vacated after the resignation of Del Knowlton in March. Hessenberger had previously served on the Plan Commission. With that position vacant, Boelk appointed John Setchell to the seat.

Bill Hunt was named vice mayor and department head coordinator. Aldermanic committee chairmen for fiscal year 2018 include John Holland, finance; Kyle Kim, public safety; John Pierson, building & zoning; Jim Fitzpatrick, public works; and Randy Morris, licenses. Kim and Pierson are Civic Center liaisons.

All newly-elected officials and Hessenberger were sworn into office by city attorney Mike Guilfoyle.

In other action from Mayor Boelk's report, the council approved TIF I, V, VI and VIII budgets for FY18.

Also, the mayor proclaimed May as Motorcycle Awareness Month as requested by A Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education (A.B.A.T.E.) and proclaimed Click It or Ticket for the period between May 22 and June 4.

ELECTRONIC RECYCLING

City clerk Emily McConville reported on the recent electronics recycling event held in Mendota. A total of 135,486 pounds were collected, of which 123,408 pounds were televisions and monitors. The total pounds collected is nearly double that (73,487) collected during the last event in 2014.

ALDERMANIC REPORTS

Alderman Walt Weiland said that the water tower east of town by the highway was pressure washed and touched up, and other city towers will also be done.

Also during Weiland's report, the council approved the FY18 water and sewer budgets.

Alderman Hunt presented the FY18 general fund budget. Revenue is projected at $5,126,727 and expenses are estimated at $5,387,923, for a deficit of $261,196 (4.85 percent).

In other action from Alderman Hunt, the council approved the wage ordinance amendment and appointed Knowlton to fill a newly created position as senior community liaison.

Alderman Morris reminded residents that school will be out for the summer soon and that motorists should be on the lookout for increased outdoor activity by children and to obey all traffic laws.

In action from Alderman Kim's report, the council approved the FY18 Civic Center budget.

The first meeting was adjourned and the second meeting was called to order.

Mayor Boelk presented two requests for tag days, which were approved. The Illinois Valley Building Trades Council will hold a DAD'S Day (Dollars Against Diabetes) tag day on Saturday, June 17 and the Knights of Columbus will have its annual Tootsie Roll event on Friday, Sept. 15 and Saturday, Sept. 16.

During Alderman Morris's report, the council agreed to issue a Class A liquor license to JRay's Bar & Grill, a Class C liquor license and a video gaming license to the Mendota Group (Marathon), and an electric license to Durkin Electric Co. Inc.

The council approved two monetary donation requests during Alderman Holland's report. The first was a request by the Tri-County Fair Association for $500 for the fair fireworks and the second was a request by the Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce for $1,500 for the 4th of July fireworks.

Alderman Pierson presented the results of the May 4 Plan Commission meeting. Per the recommendation of the Plan Commission, the council approved rezoning of Prazak Family Farms Ltd. from commercial residential to manufacturing and Otterbach Farms from B-3 to manufacturing.

Pierson added that another meeting of the Plan Commission is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, May 25 to discuss Phalen property on the east side.

In action from Alderman Fitzpatrick's report, the council approved a request by the Mendota Elks Lodge to hold a Flag Day ceremony at Veterans Park on Wednesday, June 14.

Mendota police officer Kevin Corrigan, pictured below, was promoted to sergeant and sworn in by Dave McNally, chairman of the Police & Fire Commission. Corrigan is a 10-year member of the Mendota Police Department.

The next regular meeting of the Mendota City Council will be Monday, June 5 at 6:30 p.m.

Mendota police officer Kevin Corrigan, left, is promoted to sergeant and sworn in by Dave McNally, chairman of the Police & Fire Commission. (Reporter photo)