Illinois Valley Times

City of Ottawa City Council met Oct. 7

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Regular meeting of the Council of the City of Ottawa, Illinois.

Present: Commissioners Wayne E. Eichelkraut Jr., Brent F Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Absent: Commissioners Thomas G. Ganiere and Marla K. Pearson.

Commissioner Eichelkraut presented minutes of previous meeting.

Moved by Commissioner Eichelkraut that the minutes of a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Ottawa, Illinois, held on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, and the minutes of a special meeting held on Friday, September 26, 2025, both be approved as recorded in the permanent files of the City Clerk.

Second by Barron.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Diane Wahl asked what the Ottawa Police Department’s protocol was in assisting ICE. She noted a raid on Jefferson Street which appeared to have the Police Dept and ICE working together. Mayor Hasty confirmed that this was a raid by the Drug Task Force. Cora Trumbo wondered what the City’s contingency plan is if the Texas National Guard is deployed to Chicago. The Mayor responded that we will be following State Statue and Illinois law. Ms. Trumbo then asked if the City would be issuing a statement including Ottawa as a safe haven to lessen the fear for immigrants. Mayor responded that he checked with the Governor’s Office. Chief of Police Michael Cheatham added that our Police Department is up to date on racial basis training and we do the training annually.

Gayle Farlee would like to see support for our Hispanic neighbors to dispell fear. The Mayor commented that fear was verified through the newly formed hope and humanity initiative. This group is a network of local not for profits with a unified communications platform.

Commissioner Eichelkraut presented Biweekly Salary Payroll.

Moved by Commissioner Eichelkraut that the Biweekly Salary Payroll of September 26, 2025, in the amount of $633,286.99, be approved and warrants issued. Second by Barron.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Commissioner Eichelkraut presented Bimonthly Expense Report.

Moved by Commissioner Eichelkraut that the Bimonthly Expense Report dated October 7, 2025, showing expenses in the amount of $1,658,788.22, be approved and warrants issued.

Second by Barron.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Commissioner Eichelkraut thanked everyone on the Fall Fest Parade Committee.

Mayor Hasty presented Report of Police Chief.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that the Report of Police Chief, Michael Cheatham, for the month of September 2025, be received and placed on file.

Second by Eichelkraut.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Mayor Hasty presented Report of Fire Chief.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that the Report of Fire Chief, Brian R. Bressner, for the month of September 2025, be received and placed on file.

Second by Barron.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Mayor Hasty presented Quote.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that the Quote received from Air One Equipment Inc. in the amount of $55,782.00 to purchase an all purpose drying cabinet for the Ottawa Fire Department, be approved and paid for from Grant proceeds.

Second by Eichelkraut.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Mayor Hasty presented Quote.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that the Quote received from Morton Salt in the amount of $95,640.00 to purchase 1200 tons of deicing salt, be approved and paid for from the General Corporate Fund.

Second by Barron.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Mayor Hasty presented Low Bid.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that the Low Bid from Stott Contracting LLC in the amount of $3,774,499.96 for the East Stevenson Road, Baker Road, and MBL Drive drainage and roadway improvement project, be accepted, approved and paid for from Grant proceeds.

Second by Eichelkaut.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Commissioner Barron presented Resolution.

Moved by Commissioner Barron that a Resolution authorizing the execution of amendment #3 to the agreement for professional services between the City of Ottawa and Fehr Graham Associates LLC, for the new Wastewater Treatment Plant, be received and placed on file for public inspection.

Second by Eichelkraut.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Commissioner Barron announced that we are finishing up hydrant flushing.

Mayor Hasty presented Report of Registrar.

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

Second by Barron.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Mayor Hasty presented Report of Parking Administration.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that the Report of the Parking Administration Department showing fines collected of $2,850.00 for the month of September 2025, be received and placed on file.

Second by Eichelkraut.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, 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 September 2025, be received and placed on file.

Second by Barron.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Mayor Hasty presented Resolution.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that a Resolution approving and authorizing the execution of an option to purchase and right of first refusal agreement between the City of Ottawa and Marcia Nelson, for Unit 4 in the Ottawa Industrial Park, which has been on file for public inspection since September 16, 2025, be adopted.

Second by Eichelkraut.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Mayor Hasty presented Resolution.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that a Resolution approving and authorizing the execution of an option to purchase and right of first refusal agreement between the City of Ottawa and Providence Bank & Trust, for Unit 3 in the Ottawa Industrial Park, which has been on file for public inspection since September 16, 2025, be adopted.

Second by Barron.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Mayor Hasty presented Resolution.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that a Resolution authorizing the execution of a proposal for schematic design architectural services from BCA Architects Ltd., for the downtown waterfront amphitheater project, which has been on file for public inspection since September 26, 2025, be adopted.

Second by Eichelkraut.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Barron, and Mayor Hasty. Mayor Hasty added that the funds are contingent on a federal grant.

Nays: None.

Mayor Hasty presented Resolution.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that a Resolution authorizing the execution of a proposal for asbestos project management and air quality testing from Midwest Environmental Consulting Services Inc., for the PADS shelter located at 1120 Canal Street, which has been on file for public inspection since September 26, 2025, be adopted.

Second by Barron.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Mayor Hasty presented Resolution.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that a Resolution authorizing the execution of a proposal with Midwest Construction Professionals Inc. to serve as Construction Manager for the waterfront amphitheater, be received and placed on file for public inspection.

Second by Eichelkraut.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Mayor Hasty presented Resolution.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that a Resolution authorizing the execution of a proposal between the City of Ottawa and Fher Graham, for wetland studies for the Ottawa Industrial Park Units 2-5, be received and placed on file for public inspection.

Second by Barron.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Mayor Hasty presented Resolution.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that a Resolution designating representatives of the City of Ottawa for collective bargaining as the Mayor, Commissioners Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson and Barron together with Corporation Counsel, the City Treasurer, the Chief of Police, the Police Captain of Patrol, and the Police Captain of Investigations, be adopted.

Second by Eichelkraut.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Mayor Hasty presented Proclamation.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that a Proclamation naming the month of October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the City of Ottawa, be adopted.

Second by Eichelkraut and Barron.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None.

Mayor Hasty presented motion to adjourn.

Moved by Mayor Hasty that this regular meeting be adjourned.

Second by Eichelkraut.

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Barron, and Mayor Hasty.

Nays: None. Council adjourned at 7:27 p.m.

https://cityofottawa.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10072025-607