MENDOTA - Newly-elected officials took the oath of office and fiscal year budgets were passed at the May 5 meeting of the Mendota City Council.

City attorney Mike Guilfoyle conducted the swearing-in ceremony for the city officials voted into office at the April 1 election. They included Mayor David Boelk, City Clerk Emily McConville, Aldermen Kyle Kim, Leo Hochstatter and Jim Fitzpatrick, and Alderwomen Vicki Johnson.

ALERMANIC REPORTS

Alderman Fitzpatrick reported on engineering agreements for Eighth Street and Ninth Avenue bridge projects. The agreements will be formally acted upon at the next regular council meeting.

As a formality, the council acknowledged the Safe Routes to School award concurrence of D. Construction from Coal City in the amount of $247,454. Work will consist of the removal and replacement of various sidewalks within the city.

In other action from Fitzpatrick’s report, the council approved a resolution for street closures for the annual Sweet Corn Festival in August and agreed to a request from the Mendota YMCA to use Lake Mendota Park for a Showcase Truck Show on Saturday, July 26 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in conjunction with its adult soccer league that concludes on July 26.

Alderman John Holland presented the FY26 budgets. The General Fund budget revenue is projected at $10,387,670 and expenses are estimated at $10,368,120 for a surplus of $19,550.

Alderman Jay Miller shared a request from the Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce for a liquor license to hold a beer garden, which was accepted by the council.

Alderwoman Johnson introduced members of the Live Well Mendota group, which gave a presentation to the council. The group is an offshoot of the Drug Prevention Committee that was established after Mendota received a $1.9 million grant in late 2023 to be used for drug prevention efforts over a five-year period.

Some of the things that have been accomplished so far are the formation of a Nex Gen Leaders group with youth of the community, Early Out/Hangouts and Explore Your Likes/Early Dismissal events for youth, a Mendota Family Safe Night Out, and the formation of numerous partnerships with local businesses and organizations.

OTHER ITEMS

Mayor Boelk proclaimed Mendota will celebrate National Prevention Week May 12-17. Several events sponsored by Live Well Mendota will take place on Tuesday, May 13, including a prescription drug take back opportunity from 4-6 p.m. at the Mendota Civic Center that will allow residents to drop off any expired and unused medications. The drug drop off is hosted in partnership with Rep. Brad Fritts.

Boelk also said the city is going to do all it can to have the swimming pool open this summer after leaks were discovered over the winter. He said the city will keep citizens informed about the status of the pool.

The next regular meeting of the Mendota City Council will be Monday, May 19 at 5:30 p.m.