Published: May 05, 2009 11:05 pm      

New mayor takes office

HOOPESTON — The changing of the guard took place at the Hoopeston city council meeting Tuesday evening as the newly elected officials of the city council and Mayor were sworn in.

Mayor Bill Crusinberry and Aldermen Bill McElhaney, Jeff Johnson, Carl Ankenbrand and Bill Goodwine each took the oath of office from presiding Vermilion County Judge Gordon Stipp.

“It is an honor,” said Stipp, “to be here and to give the oath of office to these elected officials.”

Outgoing Mayor Bill DeWitt, after being thanked by officials for his service, handed over the gavel to Crusinberry.

During executive session, council members approved giving the Willdon Building title to Tad Ballentyne. His development proposal for the building was one of several submitted.

According to Dana Goodrum, economic development director, everyone who had submitted a bid was contacted and considered before Ballentyne’s proposal was accepted.

“We made sure there were checks and balances,” said Goodrum, “because that was a big concern for the Hoopeston residents.” She added the developer had to follow certain criteria and could not strip the building of its marble.

“It is all written in the development agreement.”

Goodwine said the building will be developed into condo units first of not less that 600 square feet with a deadline for the units of December 2009.

The council also approved the golf cart ordinance.

Those operating a golf cart must be 16 years of age or older and have insurance. A cart must have working headlights and taillights and cannot be operated when visibility is impaired by weather, smoke, fog or other conditions.

Likewise, the new ordinance reads, a cart can only be operated on dedicated streets, alleys, and parking lots, and must have brakes, steering apparatus, tires, a rearview mirror, and front and rear, red reflectors.

“Golf carts will need to be inspected at Neal Tire,” said Alderman Ed Lotz, “and once OK’d, fill out an application and come to City Hall for a sticker.”

In other business the board:

-- Learned that bids will be accepted to roof the Girl Scout House in McFerren Park at 10 a.m. June 1.

-- Learned the city still needs lifeguards for the swimming pool for the summer. Applications can be picked up at City Hall. Watseka is holding a class for lifeguards, said Ankenbrand, and any applicant attending will be reimbursed by the city for the fee of $260.

-- Approved a new, balanced fiscal budget is balanced and for $2,449,223.

The city is in the “black” by $66, said Goodwine.

-- OK’d the prevailing wage ordinance, city employees wage ordinances, Russ Leigh & Associates for the city audit, and the Motor Fuel Tax Resolution.

-- Approved an amended resolution for tax increment financing agreement between the City of Hoopeston and Prairie Meadows Development Corporation. The amended section now reads, “the City shall provide to Prairie Meadows Development Corpo-ration the sum not to exceed $400,000 … in the form of a zero percent loan or a grant … to be used towards infrastructure on the development project.”

-- Learned city cleanup day for downtown Hoopeston will be 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 16.

-- Approved sidewalk tables for the L&M Restaurant for the summer. Each business should be approved on an individual basis, according to Crusinberry.

-- Crusinberry appointed Paul Manion as the city attorney and Edye Bookwalter as the city treasurer.

He also declared a vacancy in the council and will name a new Ward III alderman at the next council meeting at 7 p.m. May 19 at City Hall, 301 W. Main Street.