MENDOTA - The Mendota City Council took action moving forward with development on two grants it received last year at its April 7 regular meeting.

During Alderman Jim Fitzpatrick’s report, the council acted on a grant agreement with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources on a $600,000 Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Grant for the redevelopment of Strouss Park.

In regard to the city’s Safe Routes to School grant, the council adopted a resolution with the Illinois Department of Transportation for improvements at various locations in the city. Those locations include Seventh Street from Fourth Avenue to the alley east of Third Avenue, Eighth Street from Fifth Avenue to Third Avenue, and Third Avenue from Seventh Street to Eighth Street. The improvements will consist of construction of new sidewalks with ADA accommodations. The cost is $80,808.

In other items from Fitzpatrick’s report, it was reported that the city received four bids for a new garbage contract. Bids were from LRS Waste Management Services, Republic Services, Northern Illinois Disposal and Midwest Disposal. No action was taken on awarding the bid.

Also from Fitzpatrick, the council approved a request from the Mendota Museum & Historical Society to close a portion of Eighth Street from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 14 for Railroad Heritage Day.

From Alderman John Hessenberger, the council approved a change of occupancy category from Retail to General Assembly-2 for 1017 Main St.

In action from Alderman John Holland’s report, the council acted on the recommendation of the Revolving Loan Fund Committee to award a $15,000 loan to the owners of The Coffee Barn, which will be located at 701 Illinois Ave. The loan is for seven years at 5 percent interest.

Alderman Kyle Kim presented two items for the council’s consideration, both of which were approved. First, the council agreed to an ordinance amending Chapters 302, 305 and 312 of the employee manual. Then the council approved an ordinance appointing a chief of police and compensation of the chief of police. A new police chief for the city is expected to be named at the next regular council meeting.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor David Boelk announced that the city received a $3,250 grant from the Illinois Farm Bureau. The grant will support the Work Well Mendota initiative that will provide business support services and scholarships to online Google Certificates. Interested members will pay a $25 per month fee that can be canceled anytime. Anyone interested in this opportunity can contact Annie Short, city project director, at 815-539-7459 or go online at www.Mendota.il.us/projects.

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