Illinois Valley Times

City of Marseilles City Council met May 21

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 May 21, 2025.

Pledge of Allegiance was said.

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

Moved by Commissioner Kaminski seconded by Commissioner Small that the minutes from the Council meeting of May 7, 2025 be approved as displayed and placed on file.

Motion by Commissioner Schieb seconded by Commissioner Buckingham to amend the minutes taking out, Mayor Hollenbeck passed out copies of complaint filing with LaSalle County with Mayor Hollenbeck passed out copies of a complaint filing on behalf of himself and three city employees against Commissioner Scheib and the City of Marseilles. Ayes: Commissioner Small, Scheib and Buckingham. Nays: Commissioner Kaminski and Mayor Hollenbeck. Moved by Commissioner Scheib seconded by Commissioner Kaminski, adopt the minutes as amended. Ayes: Commissioner Kaminski, Small, Schieb, Buckingham and Mayor Hollenbeck. Nays: None.

Dylan Trenttenero presented the new Dog Park sign. Dylan also donated a surplus of $1,274.20 back to the City.

Cheryl O’Brien asked the council and corporation council several questions to answer at a later date 1. Once a settlement is reached on a city personnel issue and part of said settlement is paid by city insurance does the NDA become null and void? 2. If yes, can the information surrounding the NDA be disclosed to the public with or without a FOIA request? 3. She believes there is an Illinois statue that states that an elected official cannot serve on two taxing bodies in the city where the population is over 2,500. If that person did not step down as advised and continued to vote on both boards what if any are potential consequences of those votes? 4. Is it possible for a city to create a citizen oversight committee with the intent of improving transparency and if so how? She would like these members to be elected. 5. TIF’s. A. how many active TIF’s does Marseilles have? B. what are their descriptions? C. how are tax descriptions set up? D. how many years are they for? E. when were they established? F. Once development is completed can the TIF be ended and if so, who initiates that?

Pete Hall stated he lost his house in St. Louis and will be staying in Marseilles.

Melissa Pointer said she is no longer a resident but has a vested interest in Marseilles. She said it’s a shame that Commissioner Schieb was served at the last council meeting. She asked Mayor Hollenbeck to step down. She said she will be voting for Commissioner Scheib when she moves back to Marseilles.

Moved by Commissioner Kaminski seconded by Commissioner Small that the accounts payable for the first half of May in the amount of $130,336.14 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 Buckingham that the payroll for the first half of May in the amount of $80,387.39 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.

Commissioner Small said the police department has almost moved into 200 Riverfront Drive. She said if residents will be traveling out of town notify the police department. She reminded residents to lock their vehicles as a safety precaution.

Commissioner Scheib stated while Broadway Park is nice, he doesn’t think the City could afford it. He said he is looking at Prairie Street as there is some overgrowth and safety concern. He asked for child at play warning signs on Union Street due to people driving too fast. He referred to the last council meeting stating, none of these things matter if we don’t have our First Amendment. He said during the discussion of purchasing 200 Riverfront Drive, Mayor Hollenbeck filed a complaint with his personal employer and threatened his supervisor to act. He said a year later Mayor Hollenbeck made a complaint online. Commissioner Scheib said on 2 occasions Mayor Hollenbeck tried to amend the disorderly conduct ordinance to try and silence him. He stated when the disorderly conduct ordinance didn’t pass a lawsuit was filed for a benign statement.

Commissioner Buckingham said he’d like to move forward with the legal action at 823 and 825 Bratton Avenue. City Engineer Mike Etscheid said the city has spent over $30,000 on extending the sewer. Special pumps that cost around $4,500 were given to the residents on the section of Bratton Avenue. Commissioner Schieb asked if the electricity cost would be paid for by the city. Mayor Hollenbeck said the residents would be responsible for their power bill.

Moved by Commissioner Buckingham seconded by Commissioner Small that Resolution 2025-10, a resolution authorizing legal action 823 and 825 Bratton Avenue sewer connection be adopted. Ayes: Commissioner Kaminski, Small, Buckingham, and Mayor Hollenbeck. Nays: Commissioner Scheib.

Commissioner Buckingham said he’s been a commissioner for 22 years and this is the worst it’s ever been. He said it shouldn’t be costing anyone in the town money for what’s going on. He said he is ashamed of people calling Marseilles “Markutcy”. He also wished everyone a safe Memorial Day. He announced the Marseilles Pool opening day is May 31, 2025.

Moved by Mayor Hollenbeck seconded by Commissioner Kaminski that Resolution 2025-9, a resolution of support and commitment of local funds be adopted. Ayes: Commissioner Kaminski, Small, Buckingham, and Mayor Hollenbeck. Nays: Commissioner Scheib.

Mayor Hollenbeck proclaimed June 1, 2025 be Sam’s Pizza day. June 1, 2025 will mark 50 years of business and a party will be held from 12-3 P.M. at Sam’s Pizza.

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

https://www.cityofmarseilles.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Minutes-5-21-2025.doc.pdf