Illinois Valley Times

City of Marseilles City Council met June 4

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 June 4, 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 21, 2025 be approved as displayed and placed on file.

Ayes: Commissioner Kaminski, Small, Buckingham, and Mayor Hollenbeck. Nays: Commissioner Schieb.

Denise Parini asked if a tax-exempt status was filed for 200 Riverfront Drive. She asked why $78,863.26 was paid from the city and taxpayers’ pocket to cover the property taxes.

She said $80,000 would fix a lot of sidewalks. She asked which Commissioners agreed to pay those taxes? She asked how the city will make up for the $80,000 the city paid in taxes for 200 Riverfront Drive. She asked how many households, or taxpaying entities can afford this. She asked Commissioner Kaminski why he was allowed to vote to take ownership of 200 Riverfront Drive when he was a Marseilles Elementary School board member. She passed out a packet of questions to be answered at a later date, Mayor Hollenbeck said he will address all her questions. Denise said she wants to make sure TIF funds are being earmarked for incoming and outgoing funds. She said she’s been reviewing the city budget and can’t figure out where the money is going.

Attorney Leigh said he is not familiar with the tax situation as Cantlin Law Firm was not representing the city at the time of the acquisition. He said a tax exemption application can be filed with LaSalle after the property is acquired. Mayor Hollenbeck said the tax exemption will get filed and money will be coming back to the City.

Pete Hall thanked the Mayor and the City for music in the park on Friday nights. He said Here and Again non-profit is the only ones in LaSalle County supporting local musicians.

Resident Maria Davis addressed the council regarding her dog being attacked at her residence by 2 other loose dogs. Her concern is if the 2 dogs that attached her dog would go after a child. She asked if homeowners are required to have a fence for their animals.

James Lockwood invited everyone to the next beautification committee meeting Wednesday June 11, 2025 at 6:00 P.M. at City Hall.

Moved by Commissioner Kaminski seconded by Commissioner Small that the accounts payable for the last half of May in the amount of $310,470.59 be approved and a warrant be drawn on the City Treasury for the said amount. Ayes: Commissioner Kaminski, Small, Buckingham, and Mayor Hollenbeck. Nays: Schieb.

Commissioner Schieb asked for the total cost of Broadway Park. Commissioner Schieb said he has a big issue with $1,200,000 being fine but $1,220,000 is not to comply with ADA? City Engineer said the swing was added later and is trying to comply and make the park better for everyone. Mayor Hollenbeck said Broadway Park is ADA compliant otherwise the city would not have been awarded the Oslad Grant.

Moved by Commissioner Kaminski seconded by Commissioner Buckingham that the payroll for the last half of May in the amount of $89,098.26 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 operating budget for fiscal year 2025-2026 be placed on file. Commissioner Kaminski asked Commissioner Scheib if he is ok with the budget numbers? Commissioner Kaminski said City Engineer sent out an e-mail asking if Commissioner Schieb was ok with the budget numbers and no response was given. Commissioner Scheib said, as the council is aware, he does not agree with the way the city allocates their resources.

Commissioner Schieb asked to put in a temporary speed bump at Broadway Park costing $2,405. Commissioner Small said it would be beneficial to have speed bumps on both sides of the street. Commissioner Scheib said speed bump will go curb to curb.

Ayes: Commissioner Kaminski, Small, Buckingham, and Mayor Hollenbeck. Nays: Schieb.

Commissioner Small is pricing out a flashing stop sign at Broadway Park. She said the police have a heavy presence at Broadway Park and Commercial Street since sports have started and River’s Edge Restaurant has opened. Commissioner Small received 2 complaints about a property on Union Street. She reminded the residents this is a long stressful process, and the homeowner/renter rights are very protected. She wished Dylan Trettenero a happy birthday and thanked him for the dog park. She asked that residents pick up grass clippings in the street, it can be dangerous for motorcyclists.

Moved by Commissioner Small seconded by Commissioner Buckingham that the specialevent permit application for Illinois Motorcycle Freedom Run held June 21, 2025 be approved and the permit fee be waived. Ayes: Commissioners Kaminski, Small, Scheib, Buckingham, Mayor Hollenbeck. Nays: None.

Commissioner Schieb asked 3 questions. 1. Asked Commissioner Kaminski and Attorney Leigh, if they consider this to be a false statement? A sitting commissioner serving on 2 boards deemed incompatible by the Illinois General in 1985, cast the tiebreaking vote on the purchase of 200 Riverfront Drive, despite it being in a TIF district and costing the Marseilles Elementary School District approximately $31,000 in revenue per year? 2. Asked everyone to acknowledge the difference between someone posting on Facebook as a private citizen and someone posting as the City of Marseilles, Illinois? He said he was spoken negatively about on the City of Marseilles, Illinois page. When he asked to have the right to response, he was prohibited. Commissioner Schieb said he finds that highly inappropriate. 3. He asked if people are aware of the threats to his job by Mayor Hollenbeck both in person and online. Also, he asked if other commissioners in the past have had their jobs threatened or intimidated? Commissioner Schieb said personal intimidation and threats of litigation are unacceptable ways to run a municipal government. He said the way the city’s operation has been wholly unacceptable, and he said announcing a lawsuit against him in a meeting, then not wanting to talk about it via e-mail or at a meeting is unacceptable.

Moved by Commissioner Scheib seconded by Commissioner Small that the final payment to Universal Asphalt & Excavating in the amount of $43,392.75 for various streets be approved. Ayes: Commissioners Kaminski, Small, Scheib, Buckingham, Mayor Hollenbeck. Nays: None.

Moved by Commissioner Scheib seconded by Commissioner Buckingham that the final payment to Universal Asphalt & Excavating in the amount of $35,864.93 for Ryall and 2nd Street be approved. Ayes: Commissioners Kaminski, Small, Scheib, Buckingham, Mayor Hollenbeck. Nays: None.

Commissioner Buckingham read from the 200 Riverfront Drive purchase agreement. He said any personal property remain in the sale of property on or after January 1, 2025 at the election of the purchaser shall deemed public property of the purchaser with no compensation due to the seller. Commissioner Buckingham asked the council if the property at the museum is considered city property? Mayor Hollenbeck said the last e-mail from Attorney Leigh marked confidential stated this should not be talked about in public until its researched. Attorney Leigh said he stated in the e-mail that the attorneys have several questions regarding the museum before they can give a final opinion as to person property, museum versus non museum. Mayor Hollenbeck said the city does not want ownership of the personal property. He said the city will figure out a way that all items there will be declared property of the museum. Mayor Hollenbeck said he would like to see the wall and museum be turned over the Freedom Run and let them run it.

Commissioner Kaminski said people need to understand the risk. If someone takes a purple heart and comes back to the city stating their property was stolen? Commissioner Buckingham said nothing would have started if Jack Leininger and Dan Jackson didn’t ask to have the donation box removed. He asked how the donation box can be removed and then take donations for the Poppies. Mayor Hollenbeck said he was unaware that Attorney Cantlin let Commissioner Buckingham know the donation box had to be removed. Resident Denise Parini asked if there is an ordinance that would allow for those kind of donations?

Moved by Commissioner Buckingham seconded by Commissioner Kaminski seconded by Commissioner Kaminski that the payment to Conley Excavating in the amount of $209,905.67 for Broadway Park final design be approved. Ayes: Commissioner Kaminski, Small, Buckingham, and Mayor Hollenbeck. Nays: Commissioner Scheib.

Moved by Mayor Hollenbeck seconded by Commissioner Kaminski that the annual payment to CSX in the amount of $2,060.00 be approved. Ayes: Commissioner Kaminski, Small, Scheib, and Mayor Hollenbeck. Nays: Commissioner Buckingham.

In order to reopen part of Pacific Street the city must take over the maintenance from first Street to Chicago Street.

Moved by Mayor Hollenbeck seconded by Commissioner Kaminski that Ordinance 1885, an ordinance denying a map amendment for vacant Young Street be adopted. Ayes: Commissioners Kaminski, Small, Buckingham, Mayor Hollenbeck. Nays: Commissioner Schieb.

Moved by Mayor Hollenbeck seconded by Commissioner Buckingham that Ordinance 1886, an ordinance granting a variance for 806 Bratton Avenue be adopted. Ayes: Commissioners Kaminski, Small, Scheib, Buckingham, Mayor Hollenbeck. Nays: None.

Moved by Mayor Hollenbeck seconded by Commissioner Scheib that Ordinance 1887, an ordinance granting a map amendment for 371 Chicago Street be adopted. Ayes: Commissioners Kaminski, Small, Scheib, Buckingham, Mayor Hollenbeck. Nays: None.

City Engineer Mike Etscheid said the city applied for 4 grants with the State of Illinois.

$400 Million is available to the Department of Transportation for local projects, transportation related. First, the project applied for is a replacement of the bridge on Sycamore Street. This is for a $2,600,000 grant with zero matching. This grant will cover phase 1 and 2 of design to get ready for construction. Second, grant applied for is the bridges on Main, Washington, and River Road phase one of design for $300,000. This would be handled by Chamlin and Associates if the grant is awarded. Third, is Commercial Street truck access route program for $500,000. Fourth, is the Main Street business district revitalization project for $3.2 Million. Resident Mr. Stock asked what the city hopes to achieve with the Main Street grant. City Engineer said new sidewalks, main street, plantings, water main work, businesses will be handicapped accessible.

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

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