Illinois Valley Times

City of Ottawa City Council met June 3

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Present: Mayor Robert Hasty, Commissioners Wayne E. Eichelkraut Jr., Thomas G. Ganiere, Marla K. Pearson and Brent F. Barron.

Absent: None.

Commissioner Eichelkraut presented minutes of previous meetings.

Moved by Commissioner Eichelkraut that the minutes of a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Ottawa, Illinois, held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, be approved as recorded in the permanent files of the City Clerk.

Second by Ganiere.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Melissa Sampson stated that her family owns 2 properties on Canal Road. She has been researching zoning laws and would like a bigger setback from the proposed solar system.

She asked how old our Zoning Ordinance was. She would like the setback to be greater than the proposed 150 feet, preferably like 350-500 feet. Her research showed 8 counties required over 500 feet and 2 required over 150 feet. Commissioner Ganiere noted that the courts would not have jurisdiction in our corporate City limits.

A public hearing was held next on the alley vacation for OBC1 LLC. Mayor Hasty explained the project, which is located on the southeast corner of Main Street and Columbus Street. This hearing was the final item needed for the project to be complete as landscaping was recently completed. With no one formally commenting, the hearing was declared closed at 7:08 p.m.

Commissioner Eichelkraut presented Biweekly Salary Payroll.

Moved by Commissioner Eichelkraut that the Biweekly Salary Payroll of May 23, 2025, in the amount of $445,894.18, be approved and warrants issued.

Second by Pearson.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Commissioner Eichelkraut presented Bimonthly Expense Report.

Moved by Commissioner Eichelkraut that the Bimonthly Expense Report dated May 20, 2025, showing expenses in the amount of $376,516.13, be approved and warrants issued.

Second by Barron.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Commissioner Eichelkraut presented Resolution.

Moved by Commissioner Eichelkraut that a Resolution approving and authorizing the execution of employment agreements with Frank Youngblood as Facilities Assistant and Shane Clark as Operations Manager, for NCAT, which has been on file for public inspection since May 20, 2025, be adopted.

Second by Ganiere.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Commissioner Eichelkraut presented Resolution.

Moved by Commissioner Eichelkraut that a Resolution authorizing the execution of transit service agreement between the City of Ottawa and Ottawa City Recreation, which has been on file for public inspection since May 20, 2025, be adopted.

Second by Pearson.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Commissioner Ganiere presented Report of Police Chief.

Moved by Commissioner Ganiere that the Report of Police Chief, Michael J. Cheatham, for the month of May 2025, be received and placed on file.

Second by Barron.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Commissioner Ganiere presented Report of Fire Chief.

Moved by Commissioner Ganiere that the Report of Fire Chief, Brian R. Bressner, for the month of May 2025, be received and placed on file.

Second by Pearson.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Commissioner Ganiere presented Resolution.

Moved by Commissioner Ganiere that a Resolution authorizing the execution of 7 employment agreements for the Police and Fire Management and IT personnel, be received and placed on file for public inspection.

Second by Eichelkraut.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Commissioner Pearson presented Resolution.

Moved by Commissioner Pearson that a Resolution authorizing the execution of an employment agreement for Amanda Lynch as part time Recreational Director, which has been on file for public inspection since May 20, 2025, be adopted.

Second by Ganiere.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Commissioner Pearson presented Resolution.

Moved by Commissioner Pearson that a Resolution authorizing the execution of a proposal with Marseilles Sheet Metal Inc., for the Police & Fire Station HVAC preventative maintenance, be received and placed on file for public inspection.

Second by Barron.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Commissioner Pearson presented Request.

Moved by Commissioner Pearson that the City Clerk be authorized to advertise for Bids for the IVCC Ottawa Center South Deck Replacement Project. Bids will be received until Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.

Second by Ganiere.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Commissioner Barron presented Resolution.

Moved by Commissioner Barron that a Resolution authorizing the execution of amendment #2 to the agreement for professional services between the City of Ottawa and Fehr Graham for the new Wastewater Treatment Plant, be received and placed on file for public inspection.

Second by Eichelkraut.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, Barron and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Commissioner Barron reminded that it’s grass cutting season and clippings should be not thrown into the street to clog the storm sewers.

Mayor Hasty presented Report of Registrar.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that the Report of Registrar, Shelly L. Roalson, for the month May 2025, be received and placed on file.

Second by Pearson.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Council meeting minutes June 3, 2025 page 3

Mayor Hasty presented Report of Parking Administration.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that the Report of Parking Administration Department showing fines collected of $2,719.00 for the month of May 2025, be received and placed on file.

Second by Barron.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, Barron and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Mayor Hasty presented Report of Building Official.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that the Report of Building Official, Mathew W. Stafford, for the month of May 2025, be received and placed on file.

Second by Ganiere.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Mayor Hasty presented Resolution.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that a Resolution authorizing the execution of an agreement between the City of Ottawa and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, for a FEMA flood buyout for the old YMCA, which has been on file for public inspection since May 20, 2025, be adopted.

Second by Pearson.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, Barron and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Mayor Hasty presented Resolution.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that a Resolution authorizing the execution of a participation agreement between the City of Ottawa and Illinois Valley PADS, for a rural shelter grant, which has been on file for public inspection since May 20, 2025, be adopted.

Second by Ganiere.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Mayor Hasty presented Resolution.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that a Resolution authorizing the execution of a grant agreement between the City of Ottawa and the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity for a Site Readiness Grant for the Ottawa Industrial Park, which has been on file for public inspection since May 20, 2025, be adopted.

Second by Pearson.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, Barron and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Mayor Hasty presented Resolution.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that a Resolution authorizing the execution of an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Ottawa and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the Office of Homeland Security, for the Green Street project, be received and placed on file for public inspection.

Second by Eichelkraut.

The project must be completed by September 22,2025, for grant purposes.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Mayor Hasty presented Resolution.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that a Resolution authorizing the execution of 7 annexation agreements between the City of Ottawa and various property owners in Fields Hill, be received and placed on file for public inspection. Be it further moved, a public hearing be set for Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers on these said annexation agreements.

Second by Barron.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Mayor Hasty presented Ordinance.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that an Ordinance authorizing the execution of an amended and restated development agreement between the City of Ottawa and Heritage Harbor Ottawa Resort Development LLC, be received and placed on file for public inspection.

Second by Ganiere.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Mayor Hasty presented Ordinance.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that an Ordinance authorizing the approval of the amendment to the professional services agreement between Jacob & Klein Ltd. and Heritage Harbor Ottawa Resort Development LLC, be received and placed on file for public inspection.

Second by Pearson.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, Barron and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Mayor Hasty presented Report of Plan Commission.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that the Report of the Plan Commission meeting held on Monday, May 27, 2025, considering the conditional use permit for a drive thru facility from Kerem Kok of Roosty’s Chicken for property located at 2749 Columbus Street, be received and placed on file. Be it further moved, the Council concur with the recommendations of the Plan Commission and the conditional use permit for a drive thru facility be approved and the follow up Ordinance be passed and approved.

Second by Ganiere.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Mayor Hasty presented Report of Plan Commission.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that the Report of the Plan Commission meeting held on Monday, May 27, 2025, considering the conditional use permit for a pick up window facility from CDO 3005 LLC and Michael Cairo for property located at 106 W. Etna Road, be received and placed on file. Be it further moved, the Council concur with the recommendations of the Plan Commission and the conditional use permit for a pick up window facility be approved and the follow up Ordinance be passed and approved.

Second by Pearson.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: Barron.

Mayor Hasty presented Tabled motion.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that the Tabled motion regarding the proposed conditional use permit request from Sunvest Solar LLC, be returned to the table.

Second by Barron.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Mayor Hasty presented Report of Plan Commission.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that the Report of the Plan Commission meetings held on

Monday, March 24, 2025, Monday April 28, 2025, and Tuesday, May 27, 2025, considering the conditional use permit from Sunvest Solar LLC to construct a large scale solar energy system at Canal Road and ADM’s entrance, be received and placed on file.

Be it further moved, the Council concur with the recommendations of the Plan Commission and the conditional use permit be granted and the follow up Ordinance be passed and approved.

Second by Barron.

A discussion ensued. 

Commissioner Eichelkraut asked what is being done with the excess land. He also asked if there was a committee for walking paths and if there is, who is responsible for maintaining the paths. The Mayor responded that it has nothing to do with the City of Ottawa but will be an agreement with Heritage Harbor. Mr. French of Sunvest Solar LLC, added that there is not direct access. The access would come from Canal Road. There also is not any parking or buildings. It’s a diverse area. Commissioner Eichelkraut reiterated the no parking and no access. The Mayor indicated that there is still a lot to work out and he is trying to avoid a conflict of interest, as he is on the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation Board and was asked to get insurance for the parcel.

Tom Heimsoth, owner of Heritage Harbor, added that the land was a gift to the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation and he understood that the Harper’s Farm property was working with the Conservation Foundation. He originally went to the Plan Commission meeting in opposition of the solar panels, but feels differently now.

Commissioner Barron reminded that the property is zoned E-Industrial. Industrial zoning has a variety of uses. Commissioner Ganiere didn’t feel that questions were adequately answered. Commissioner Pearson acknowledged the E-Industrial zoning and feels that the solar farm is the right fit for the property. Commissioner Eichelkraut added that we did our due diligence by sending the request back to the Plan Commission for further review.

Mayor Hasty then called for a roll call.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Pearson, and Barron.

Nays: Ganiere. Mayor Hasty abstained. Motion carried.

Mayor Hasty presented motion to adjourn.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that this regular meeting be adjourned.

Second by Eichelkraut.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None. Council adjourned at 7:38 p.m.

https://cityofottawa.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_06032025-550