Illinois Valley Times

City of Princeton City Council met July 7

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Raymond Mabry.

Upon roll call, the following answered present, constituting a quorum: Council Members Jerry Neumann, Mike McCall, Donald Saletzki and Hector Gomez. All present at the meeting offered the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States ofAmerica.

PUBLIC COMMENT: Victoria Yepsen, representing Princeton Tourism, provided an overview ofupcoming events in the city for the month of July. Highlights include the Community Band Concert, Shakespeare in the Park, and various performances at Festival 56. The Bureau County History Center will host Kathy Bauer for a presentation on the 170-year history of the Bureau County Fair. Additional events include the "Shop Late" event hosted by the Princeton Chamber of Commerce on July 17th, and the "Down on Main Street" concert on July 18th.

The Princeton IL Chapter of the NSDAR will present the American Revolution Experience at the American Legion from July 21st through July 30th. The local Farmers Market continues to be held every Saturday at Soldiers and Sailors Park.

Ms. Yepsen also noted that Princeton Tourism will be featuring the Bureau County Fair and Festival 56 in an upcoming Destination Illinois segment, and mentioned that Princeton was recently featured during the broadcast of the John Deere Classic.

Chamber Director Jenica Cole expressed her appreciation to the City for its support of the Fourth of July celebration.

MOTION #1: Neumann made a motion (2nd Gomez) that the printed copy of the minutes for the Regular Meeting of June 16, 2025 be approved.

VOTE # 1

ROLL CALL VOTE: Council Members Neumann, McCall, Gomez, Saletzki, and Mayor Mabry voted Aye. Motion declared carried.

MOTION #2: Neumann made a motion (2nd Gomez) that the printed copy of the minutes for the Special Meeting of June 26, 2025 be approved.

VOTE #2

ROLL CALL VOTE: Council Members McCall, Gomez, Saletzki, and Mayor Mabry voted Aye. Neumann passed. Motion declared carried.

MOTION #3: Neumann made a motion (2nd Gomez) that the bills and payrolls of the Department of Public Affairs and Department ofAccounts and Finance, the Department of Public Property and Utilities, Streets and Public Improvements, and the Department of Public Health and Safety, all totaling $1,017,251.17 be allowed and paid.

VOTE #3

ROLL CALL VOTE: Council Members Neumann, McCall, Gomez, Saletzki, and Mayor Mabry voted Aye. Motion declared carried.

MOTION # 4: Neumann made a motion (2nd Gomez) that Ordinance O-25-013 Vacating Alley be approved. Second and Final Reading.

VOTE #4

ROLL CALL VOTE: Council Members Neumann, McCall, Gomez, Saletzki, and Mayor Mabry voted Aye. Motion declared carried.

MOTION # 5: Neumann made a motion (2nd Gomez) that Ordinance O-25-014 Amending the City Code of Ordinances to Lower Standard Signage Height, Allow Temporary Signage Time Limit Extensions, and Regulate Monument Signs move to Second Reading.

VOTE #5

ROLL CALL VOTE: Council Members Neumann, MeCall, Gomez, Saletzki, and Mayor Mabry voted Aye. Motion declared carried.

MOTION # 6: Neumann made a motion (2nd Gomez) that Resolution R-25-019 Accepting Bid and Awarding Contract to Advanced Asphalt for the General Fund Annual Street Program for $406,543.23 be approved.

VOTE # 6

ROLL CALL VOTE: Council Members Neumann, McCall, Gomez, Saletzki, and Mayor Mabry voted Aye. Motion declared carried.

MOTION #7: Neumann made a motion (2nd Gomez) that Resolution R-25-020 Accepting Bid and Awarding Contract to Advanced Asphalt for the Motor Fuel Tax, Section Number 25-00000-00-GM, Street Program for $297.237.00 be approved.

VOTE # 7

ROLL CALL VOTE: Council Members Neumann, McCall, Gomez, Saletzki, and Mayor Mabry voted Aye. Motion declared carried.

MOTION #8: Neumann made a motion (2nd Gomez) that Resolution R-25-021 Authorizing Sale of Surplus Real Estate be approved.

VOTE #8

ROLL CALL VOTE: Council Members Neumann, McCall, Saletzki, and Mayor Mabry voted Aye. Gomez voted Nay. Motion declared carried.

RECOMMENDATION: Mayor Mabry invited Chief Etheridge to come forward in case Councilmembers had any questions during the discussion on the proposed Fire Department building expansion. Mayor Mabry reviewed the three options previously presented to the Council, and it was determined that the City would proceed with an addition to the existing building as the first phase.

Mayor Mabry asked Councilmembers for their input on the proposed expansion.

Councilmembers Neumann, McCall, Gomez, and Saletzki all expressed support for the project.

Councilmember Gomez raised concerns regarding both the initial and future costs and emphasized the importance of securing appropriate funding.

The general consensus of the Council was to move forward with the expansion of the existing Fire Department building.

CITY MANAGER REPORT: City Manager Theresa Wittenauer presented the Princeton Police Pension Report for May 2025.

MAYOR REPORT: Mayor Mabry reported that the Mabry family hosted the Fourth of July Lunch in the Park event, serving approximately 175 attendees.

OLD BUSINESS: None

NEW BUSINESS: None

PUBLIC COMMENT: None

MOTION #9: Neumann made amotion (2nd Gomez) that the Regular Meeting be adjourned.

The next Regular Meeting of the City Council will be on Monday, July 21, 2025 at 6:00 p.m., at City Hall.

VOTE #9

ROLL CALL VOTE: Council Members Neumann, McCall, Gomez, Saletzki, and Mayor Mabry voted Aye. Motion declared carried. Adjournment at 6:36 p.m.

https://cms3.revize.com/revize/princeton/Document/Government/City%20Council/Minutes/2025/7.21.25.pdf