City establishes Mendota Public Arts Commission

MENDOTA - The Mendota City Council set Trick-or-Treat hours and created an Arts Commission at its Oct. 7 regular meeting.

Halloween will be here on Thursday, Oct. 31 and the council voted to allow children to Trick-or-Treat in the downtown area from 3-5 p.m. and throughout Mendota from 5-7 p.m.

ALDERMANIC REPORTS

Alderman Leo Hochstatter presented a request from the Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce in regard to its “A Mendota Christmas” festivities. The council agreed to the Chamber’s request to close Illinois Avenue from Washington Street to Jefferson Street beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 and extending until 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. The Chamber will have holiday-themed activities throughout the day, including a special appearance by Santa Claus.

Alderman Jay Miller’s report included a request by Diaz Events Company for a Class H-2 liquor license, which was approved by the council. Also, Miller called a meeting for a Landlord Registration Ordinance review to be held at 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21 in the Council Chambers.

Alderwoman Vicki Johnson presented an ordinance establishing a Public Arts Commission for the council’s consideration. The Mendota Public Arts Group has recommended the creation of a Public Arts Commission and program that would foster an environment for established and emerging artists to thrive in Mendota, promote life-long participation and learning in the artsf and integrate art into the urban environment.

Further, the City Council received recommendations for:

• The establishment of a Public Arts Commission to use artistic subjectivism to approve or guide a project and use its network of artists/craftsmen/fabricators/funding sources to connect people in order to help projects move forward;
• The preservation and commemoration of local and multicultural traditions and histories;
• The integration of art into every feasible public works project - to promote functional and streetscape art;
• The creation of a program that represents our community in all its diversity in terms of race, geography, gender, class, sexual orientation, belief-system, etc.;
• The development of a strong public collection of artworks representing diverse communities, artistic styles and disciplines;
• The establishment of a dedicated revenue a stream for public art.

The council members, who had previously reviewed the proposed ordinance, agreed to the creation of a Public Arts Commission.

The Commission shall consist of six members appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Council. The full ordinance is available for viewing at the Mendota City Building on Washington Street.

LEAF VAC PROGRAM STARTS OCT. 14

The city’s leaf vacuum program will begin on Monday, Oct. 14 and will continue for approximately six weeks, dependent upon the weather. The schedule for leaf pickup will be Monday for the First Ward, Tuesday for the Second Ward, Wednesday for the Third Ward and Thursday for the Fourth Ward. Friday will be used as a catch-up day. Residents wishing to have leaves picked up from their property must place them at the curb (not in the street) and the piles should not contain sticks or tree limbs.

APRIL ELECTION

Election packets are available at the Mendota City Building on Washington Street for the April 2025 election. Positions up for vote in the city are Boelk (mayor), Emily McConville (city clerk), Rob Letterly (treasurer), Leo Hochstatter (First Ward), Jim Fitzpatrick (Second Ward), Kyle Kim (Third Ward) and Vicki Johnson (Fourth Ward). Petitions can be turned in starting Tuesday, Nov. 12.

The next regular meeting of the Mendota City Council will be at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21.