Sam Gaines

The City Council meeting included a public hearing regarding proposed changes to TIF District #5. Key business items involved the adoption of an ordinance for the Official Zoning Map, authorization for rezoning and special use at 1704 Walnut Avenue, and the approval of a loan from the Revolving Loan Fund for the Little Oaks Facility. Additionally, the Council ratified a three-year collective bargaining agreement with the Police Benevolent and Protective Association Unit #35. Administrative actions included the ratification of various board and commission appointments, review of financial reports, and approval of payroll and bills.

The City Council held a public hearing regarding proposed changes to TIF District #5. During the regular business session, the Council ratified appointments to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, Fire Pension Board, Police Pension Board, Revolving Loan Fund Board, and the Coles County Airport Authority. The Council adopted ordinances approving an official zoning map, rezoning for non-coterminous parking, and terms for a loan from the Revolving Loan Fund. Additionally, the Council ratified a successor collective bargaining agreement with the Police Benevolent and Protective Association Unit #35, approved a right-of-way easement to Mattoon Solar, L.L.C., declared surplus municipal property, rejected a bid for the fire station drive-through bay expansion, and approved the purchase of a new police vehicle.

The City Council meeting addressed several items, including the approval of consent agenda items such as the previous meeting minutes and bills/payroll from January 2026. New business focused on adopting resolutions to give notice to the Illinois Department of Transportation for four upcoming parades: the 4th of July, Bagelfest, Veterans Day, and Celebrate Downtown parades. Furthermore, the Council considered motions to adopt resolutions and ordinances concerning support for FY27 Community Project Funding for an advanced ozone treatment system at the Water Treatment Plant (matching up to $600,000), amending the Coles County Enterprise Zone boundaries and property tax abatement criteria, authorizing the purchase of real estate adjoining the Public Works Building, approving a right-of-way easement for an electrical line, granting an extension for a solar array special use, and authorizing a grant agreement for demolition and tree removal costs on Broadway Avenue. The agenda concluded with a recess to a closed session to discuss personnel matters and collective negotiating.

The meeting included the approval of the consent agenda, which covered regular meeting minutes from February 3, 2026, and bills/payroll for the last half of February 2026 across various funds. New business focused on adopting Resolution No. 2026-3332, providing notice to IDOT for the 4th of July parade, including details regarding temporary street closure and traffic management. The Council also adopted Resolution No. 2026-3333 for the Bagelfest parade notice, and Resolution No. 2026-3334 for the Veterans Day parade notice. Furthermore, Resolution No. 2026-3335 was adopted to notify IDOT about the Celebrate Downtown parade. Key legislative actions included adopting Resolution No. 2026-3336, expressing support for the City of Mattoon's FY27 Community Project Funding request to install an advanced ozone treatment system at the Water Treatment Plant, committing a local match up to $600,000. The Council also adopted Ordinance No. 2026-5501, amending the Coles County Enterprise Zone by adding the Village of Ashmore as a designating unit of government, modifying boundaries, and updating property tax abatement qualifying criteria. Finally, Special Ordinance No. 2026-2003 was passed to authorize the purchase of 2.389 acres adjoining the City Public Works Building for $59,725.00, and Special Ordinance No. 2026-2000 was adopted granting a Special Use Permit for a commercial solar farm at 422 Progress Drive.

The primary focus of the meeting was a Public Hearing concerning the proposed TIF (Tax Increment Financing) District #5. Discussion involved explaining the nature of the Residential TIF, which includes new supply and rehabilitation of existing housing, and addressing areas with specific needs like Pine Acres (drainage and façade improvements). Key points covered included the percentage of pre-1939 housing, the length of the TIF (23 years with possible extensions), the process involving the Joint Review Board of taxing bodies, and the potential use of the CILBA (Central Illinois Land Bank Association) for public processing of land as incentives. Public comments addressed establishing new development spurs and transparency guidelines.