City of Marengo City Council met Feb. 23

City of Marengo City Council met Feb. 23

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER 

Mayor Michael Proffitt called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and led everyone to the Pledge of Allegiance. 

ROLL CALL 

Present this evening are Mayor Proffitt; Aldermen Hensel, Mortensen, Miller, Mobley, Damisch and DeSerto. Alderman Weiss and Keenum were absent. Also present are City Attorney David McArdle and Director of HR/Finance Megan Lopez. 

PUBLIC COMMENT 

A resident requested ifthere was an update on when the city/city council will be revisiting allowing chickens within city limits. 

CONSENT AGENDA 

Alderman DeSerto made a motion, seconded by Alderman Mobley to approve consent agenda items below. 

a. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – February 9, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes 

b. APPROVAL OF LIST OF BILLS – Motion to Approve the February 24, 2026 List of Bills in the Total Amount of $ 1,031,180.13 

The aldermen voted as follows: 

Ayes: Mobley, Miller, DeSerto, Hensel, Mortensen and Damisch 

Nays: 0 

Absent: Weiss and Keenum 

Abstain: 0 

This motion passed. 

REGULAR AGENDA/NEW BUSINESS 

a. FY26/27 Third Quarter Budget Report 

Transmittal of the 3rd Quarter Budget Report for Fiscal Year 2026/2027 

General Fund – Revenue: 

Property Taxes – trending above target, as expected, at 99.76%, with 15 of 15 distributions received through January. State Taxes – trending slightly above target at 85.88%, with elevated trends in Municipal Sales Tax, 1% NHMR Sales Tax, and State Income Tax. Utility Taxes – trending above target at 82.64% as usual, electricity receipts increase during the warmer months of July through September, and gas receipts typically increase during the colder months of November through April. Fees, Licenses, Permits, and other revenues are trending higher than expected, at 104.32%. This is primarily due to the early-year collection of liquor licenses, video gaming fees, and scavenger Iicenses. Permits, parking fines, ordinance fines, and interest eamed continue to show a positive increase for the city in the third quarter. Total General Fund revenue for the third quarter was $5,786,409.92, representing 90.56% of the projected annual revenue. and is down 3.54% compared to the same period last year. 

General Fund – Expenses:

Administration Department – overall expenses are trending slightly above target at 78.52%, with elevated liability insurance. dues, uniform allowance, maintenance equipment, website, ESDA expenses, subscriptions, printing – misc. office supplies, community events, and contract payment. 

Police Department – combined expenses are trending slightly below target at 70.31%, with elevated trends in overtime, expenses-fire & police, dues, and new equipment – other. 

Streets Department combined expenses are trending slightly below target at 71.34% with elevated trends in pre-employment screening. 

Grounds Department – combined expenses are below target at 57.41%, with elevated trends in tree & stump removal, small tools & equipment, and mowing. 

Building Department combined expenses are trending above target at 94.71%, with elevated budget trends in subscriptions and building inspection services. 

Total General Fund expenses were $4,647,052,86, representing 72.72% of the projected annual expenses; up 15% compared to the same period last year. 

Water-Sewer Fund – Revenue: 

Water Department – combined revenue – is slightly above target at 79.03%, with elevated trends in debt service, meter sales, interest eamed, and property surplus. Sanitary & Wastewater Department combined revenue is above target at 81.98%, with elevated trends in meter sales, and property surplus. Combined Water-Sewer Fund revenue for the second quarter is $1,733,263.43, representing 80.49% of projected annual revenue; down 5.07% compared to the same period last year. 

Water-Sewer Fund – Expenses: 

Water Department – overall expenses are trending below target at 62.07%. with elevated trends in maintenance-utility infrastructure, materials and supplies, small tools/equipment, new meters, and services professional. 

Sanitary & Wastewater Department – overall expenses are trending below target at 64.93%, with elevated trends in telephones, NPDES permit (annual payment), materials & supplies, and services professional. 

Combined Water-Sewer Fund expenses for the first quarter is $1.367,938.29 representing 63.52% of the projected annual expenses; down .27% compared to the same period last year. 

b. Spring Fling – Request to Close Municipal Parking Lot & Fee Waiver 

Motion to close the municipal parking lot (City Parking Lot #2) from 12:01AM Thursday, May 14th until 7:00PM on Sunday, May 17th; and a motion to waive municipal permit fees related to this event (Marengo Municipal Code, Chapter 32), totaling $600 ($150 per day x 4 days). 

Alderman DeSerto made a motion. seconded by Alderman Mortensen to close the municipal parking lot (City Parking Lot #2) from 12:01 AM Thursday, May 14th until 7:00PM on Sunday, May 17th; and a motion to waive municipal permit fees related to this event (Marengo Municipal Code. Chapter 32), totaling $600 ($150 per day x 4 days).

The aldermen voted as follows: 

Ayes: Mobley, DeSerto, Mortensen and Mayor Proffitt 

Nays: Miller, Hensel and Damisch 

Absent: Weiss and Keenum 

Abstain: 0 

This motion passed 4-3. 

c. Award of Contract – City Hall Tuck-pointing and Door Replacement 

Alderman DeSerto made a motion, seconded by Alderman Mobley to Award of Contract – City Hall Tuck-pointing and Door Replacement 

The aldermen voted as follows: 

Ayes: Mobley, DeSerto, Hensel, Mortensen and Damisch 

Nays: 

Absent: Weiss and Keenum 

 Abstain: 0 

This motion passed. 

MAYOR’S STATEMENT AND REPORT 

Mayor Proffitt reported had no report. 

DEPARTMENT HE,AD AND STAFF REPORTS 

HR/Finance Director Megan Lopez 

Director of HR/Finance, Megan Lopez reported Code Enforcement Officer: Scheduled to begin March 2nd and Finance/HR Clerk: Scheduled to begin March 9th. 

Public Works 

• Director Position: 

○ Interviews scheduled for Friday. 

○ Straw pull from Council: if the upcoming interview round is not successful, Council supports temporarily utilizing MGT for the Public Works Director role at a cost of$130 per hour. 

○ Council agreed to this only as a temporary measure, and only if needed.

• Maintenance Worker: 

○ Resignation received; final day of employment will be March 6th. 

Acknowledgment 

• Special shout-out to Alderman Damisch for assisting with the newsletter. 

City Administrator Derik Morefield 

City Administrator Derik Morefield was absent 

Acting Chief of Police Andrew Kjellgren 

Acting Chief of Police Andrew Kjellgren was absent 

Director of Public Works N/A 

City Attorney David McArdle 

City Attomey David McArdle had no report 

CITY COUNCIL REPORT 

Alderman Mortensen inquired whether the city has identified which roads are scheduled for paving this year. Staff will provide an update once the final list is confirmed. 

11. EXECUTIVE SESSION 

a. 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (1) – Discussion on the appointment, employment,  compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (1) and 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (2) collective bargaining. 

Alderman DeSerto made a motion at 7:29PM, seconded by Alderman Mobley that the City Council may adjoum to closed session pursuant to 5 ILCS 12012 (c) (l) – Discussion on the appointment, employment, compensation. discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees and 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (2) collective bargaining. 

The aldermen voted as follows: 

Ayes: Hensel, Mobley, Miller, Mortensen, Damisch and Deserto 

Nays: 0 

Absent: Weiss and Keenum 

Abstain: 0 

This motion passed 

ROLL CALL FOLLOWING THE RETURN FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION 

Present this evening at 7:49PM are Mayor Michael Proffitt; Aldermen Hensel, Mobley. Mortensen, DeSerto. Miller and Damisch. Also, present are City Attomey David McArdle and Director of Finance/HR Megan Lopez. 

ADJOURNMENT 

Alderman DeSerto made a motion, seconded by Alderman Mobley at 7:50 PM. This passed with a voice vote. 

https://ln5.sync.com/dl/a72809d90/view/pdf/35951640750010?sync_id=0#ehadc6gw-58nvk96q-zgh748e4-8x3ceuyk