Steve Haas

The meeting commenced with a call to order and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by an invocation. The Mayor provided a comprehensive informational report on the accomplishments of 2025 for the City of South Beloit, highlighting achievements such as the completion of the garden hotel ownership transfer, the Besley building demolition, approval of the first strategic capital improvement project for lift station number one, and the successful search for a new fire chief. Pension fund statuses were noted as 81.81% for police and over 100% for fire. Facility improvements, police department grant acquisitions, partnerships with programs like Craftsman of Character, environmental cleanup efforts (including fuel tank removal), and a massive document destruction and digitization project were also reviewed. The City also entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Rockton Fire District for dispatching services. The council then proceeded with new business, which included the swearing-in ceremony for the new Fire Chief, Scott Fischer. Key legislative actions included approving a variance for a rear yard setback at 325 Oakland Avenue and approving an ordinance amending zoning regulations regarding auto-related uses in the CR district. Furthermore, the council awarded a proposal and approved an agreement with Geocon Professional Service LLC for soil boring and pavement core testing for the 2026 construction projects, with discussion focusing on how this data will inform precise road improvement scopes.

The key discussion points included public comment from the Executive Director of Nature at the Confluence (NATC) regarding a Hotel/Motel Funding Application request for $15,000.00 to cover partial staffing costs. Following departmental reports, new business involved approving Ordinance 2876, which amends zoning regulations regarding the allowance of Auto Related Issues as a Special Use in the Urban Transitional (UT) Zoning District, based on a positive recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission. Furthermore, Ordinance 2877 was approved, granting a zoning variance for rear yard setbacks for property at Sienna Dr. Ordinance 2878 was also approved, granting a variance for the front yard setback for multiple properties on Sienna Court. Additionally, the Council approved Resolution 6646 for Estimated Tax Levy Amounts and Resolution 6647 for a Professional Services Agreement with Fehr Graham to assess the lean-to storage building at 624 Eastern Avenue for $2,100.00. Claims paid from October 18 through 31, 2025, totaling $278,177.61, were also approved.

The meeting involved agenda approval, including moving a New Business item. Key discussions and actions included the approval of Resolution 6649 concerning the renewal of the City's Risk Management and Worker's Compensation Insurance Policies, which showed a significant rate increase. The Council approved claims paid between November 1 and November 14, 2025. New Business covered several ordinance approvals related to a property at 4829 Prairie Hill Road, including a Pre-Annexation Agreement, a Map Amendment to rezone the property to Urban Transitional (UT), a Variance for the side yard setback, and a Special Use Permit for auto-related uses. The Council also approved an ordinance limiting the number of Class B Tobacco Licenses to two, an ordinance authorizing the sale of the City's code vehicle, and an ordinance establishing the 2026 Meeting and Holiday Schedule. Furthermore, Resolution 6648, approving a Hotel/Motel Funding Grant Application to Nature at the Confluence, was passed, as was Resolution 6650 approving the annual audit services agreement with Lauterbach & Amen, LLP. Other resolutions passed included the reappointment of the City Administrator to the Land Bank Board of Trustees, authorization to enter an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Village of Cherry Valley for shared equipment use, approval to bid on Request for Proposal (RFP) for Strategic Planning Services, and authorization to purchase two 2026 Police Utility Interceptors. The City Engineer presented findings regarding poor drainage and sediment issues at the intersection of Forest Park and Shaw, noting that corrective action costs were estimated at $15,000 and seeking future direction. The Council convened an Executive Session to discuss specific employee matters.

The meeting involved amending the agenda to reschedule the Executive Session. Public comment addressed potential legal recourse concerning the recent Fire Chief resignation and the process for selecting new candidates. Key financial actions included approving claims for the period of January 3 to January 16, 2026, totaling $265,580.29. The City Administrator provided updates on grant awards, specifically mentioning an OSLAD grant for a new park area and an IDOT Hub Grant of $750,000 for the Lift Station #1 project. The council discussed costs associated with the former Fire Chief and the city's transition to a staffing agreement with Metro Paramedic Services for EMS/Firefighting personnel, pending legal review. New business included the approval of an ordinance for Motorola Solutions public safety network services (portable radios), declaring surplus property at 532 Hemenway Place for sale, approving an Interagency Agreement with Youth Services Network, Inc., approving a Strategic Planning Service agreement with Northern Illinois University Center for Governmental Studies, and approving a lease renewal for a postage machine. The council also approved the hiring of one part-time employee for the Streets Department.

The meeting commenced with a public comment acknowledging the quality of recent snow plowing services. Key new business items involved multiple approvals of Special Use Permits related to allowing auto-related uses in Commercial Retail (CR) and Commercial Traffic (CT) Zoning Districts for specific addresses (518 Shirland Avenue, 15766 Manchester Road, and 810 Blackhawk Blvd.), contingent on coming into compliance with the current Zoning Code. The Council also approved ordinances amending Chapter 6 regarding Alcoholic Beverages (Class G Licenses) and authorizing the issuance of a Class G License for Shreeju II, Inc. Furthermore, Ordinances adopting the 2026 and 2025 Budgets were approved, with discussion noting the 2026 budget increase due to anticipated Fire Department staffing needs. Resolutions were approved for a Service Contract with Municipal Code Enforcement and a Professional Services Agreement with Fehr Graham for a Regional Site Readiness Program Grant application. The session included an Executive Session dedicated to discussing the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees or legal counsel.