Illinois Valley Times

City of Marseilles City Council met Jan. 2

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council of the City of Marseilles met in the City Chamber of City Hall at the hour of 6:00 P.M. on January 2, 2025.

Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Roll call showed the following present: Mayor Hollenbeck, Commissioner Kaminski, Small, Scheib, and Buckingham. Absent: None.

Mayor Hollenbeck awarded 3 Kindle Fire Tablets. The tablets went to 3 Marseilles Elementary School students who won a Christmas coloring contest.

Moved by Commissioner Scheib seconded by Commissioner Kaminski that the minutes from the council meeting of December 18, 2024 be approved as displayed and placed on file. Ayes: Commissioner Kaminski, Small, Scheib, Buckingham, and Mayor

Hollenbeck. Nays: None.

Pete Hall proposed music in the park every Friday night starting in May ending August of 2025. He also found a few national bands he would like to see at Fun Days.

Cathi McMickens had a question regarding a FOIA that Ashley Barnes-underwood filed. Within the FOIA response a legal expense showed a discussion regarding a meeting with Constellation. Cathi also asked about another legal expense dated October 23, 2024 charge listed as “water contamination lawsuit.”

Melissa Pointer asked if Constellation registered vacant properties with the City. Melissa let the council know she submitted FOIA’s to the Clerk. She also asked why Facebook comments have been deleted and wanted to know why someone googled her name.

Chris McKinnon stated the council over spent on serval projects, including Broadway Park, North water/sewer infrastructure, and new City Hall and Police Department. Since the council overspent Commissioner scheib has no budget to fix streets.

Moved by Commissioner Kaminski seconded by Commissioner Buckingham that the accounts payable for the last half of December in the amount of $192,957.81 be approved and a warrant be drawn on the City Treasury for the said amount. Ayes: Commissioner Kaminski, Small, Buckingham, and Mayor Hollenbeck. Nays: Commissioner Scheib.

Moved by Commissioner Kaminski seconded by Commissioner Small that the payroll for the last half of December in the amount of $86,917.28 be approved and a warrant be drawn on the City Treasury for said amount. Ayes: Commissioner Kaminski, Small, Scheib, Buckingham, and Mayor Hollenbeck. Nays: None.

Moved by Commissioner Kaminski seconded by Commissioner Buckingham that the payment to Phalen Steel in the amount of $36,906.50 for the City Hall and Police Department remodel project be approved. Ayes: Commissioner Kaminski, Small, Buckingham, and Mayor Hollenbeck. Nays: Commissioner Scheib.

Commissioner Small asked residents to reach out to the police department if they see dogs at large. Recently, the police department has had a few calls of dogs roaming town.

Commissioner Scheib googled Marseilles drinking water and found an article that was written in the New York Times from 2022. The article claims there are high levels of contaminants in the drinking water.

Moved by Commissioner Scheib seconded by Commissioner Small that the intergovernmental agreement for pavement markings to various streets within City of Marseilles and LaSalle County Illinois be approved. Ayes: Commissioner Kaminski, Small, Scheib, Buckingham, and Mayor Hollenbeck. Nays: None.

Commissioner Buckingham thanked the people who showed up to the council meeting.

He is open to suggestions if anyone wants to call or stop by his house. He asked residents to drip water during the freezing temperatures, so their pipes don’t freeze.

Attorney Leigh stated there is attorney client privileges and processes need to be followed. Once the process is completed then documents can be released. It was his suggestion to be nicer to one another.

Moved by Commissioner Small seconded by Commissioner Buckingham that the City Council now adjourn. Ayes: Commissioner Kaminski, Small, Scheib, Buckingham, and Mayor Hollenbeck. Nays: None.

https://www.cityofmarseilles.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Minutes-1-2-25.doc.pdf