Kendall County Times

City of Plano City Council met May 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The regular meeting of the Plano City Council was called to order on Monday, May 12, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., by Mayor Michael Rennels in the Council Room at City Hall. Mayor Rennels led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Roll Call:

Stephen DeBolt Present

John Fawver Present

Kathy Wickens Present

Jamal Williams Present

Tommy Johns Present

Barb Nadeau Present

Scott Mulliner Present

Mark Swoboda Absent

There was a quorum.

MINUTES:

A motion was made by Alderman Williams, seconded by Alderman Nadeau, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting on April 28, 2025. A unanimous “Aye” voice vote was heard. The motion passed.

AGENDA:

A motion was made by Alderman Williams, seconded by Alderman Mulliner, to approve the agenda for the regular meeting of May 12, 2025. A unanimous “Aye” voice vote was heard. The motion passed.

WARRANTS:

A motion was made by Alderman Wickens, seconded by Alderman Fawver, to accept the report of the Finance Committee and that orders are drawn on the Treasury to pay per warrant list dated May 12, 2025 in the amount of $328,816.16.

Roll Call:

Voting “Aye”: Wickens, Fawver, DeBolt, Johns, Mulliner, Nadeau, Williams

Voting “Nay”:

Absent: Swoboda

Motion passed.

A motion was made by Alderman Wickens, seconded by Alderman DeBolt, to accept the report of the Finance Committee and that orders are drawn on the Treasury to pay per warrant list dated May 13, 2025 in the amount of $1,669.40.

Roll Call:

Voting “Aye”: Wickens, DeBolt, Fawver, Johns, Mulliner, Nadeau, Williams

Voting “Nay”:

Absent: Swoboda

Motion passed.

WAGE REPORT: none

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS:

Guests and members of the press were welcomed by Mayor Rennels.

CITIZENS’ COMMENTS: none

MAYOR’S REPORT:

Mayor Rennels attended the Police Pension Fund Association conference last week. He said it was enlightening and Plano is in good shape.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT: Martin Shanahan Jr.

City Administrator Shanahan reported on four items. The Public Works Collective Bargaining Agreement that is on tonight’s agenda sets up the groundwork for department head succession planning, which isincredibly important. He said the items on tonight’s COW agenda are all budgeted for the fiscal year. The city has been going through documents regarding the Faxon Road railroad crossing. The last item he talked about was that they are looking into IDOT preliminary options regarding Route 34 and Needham Road.

CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT: William Thomas

Resolution #2025-24 A resolution for a maintenance contract with Hach at the waste water treatment plant

A motion was made by Alderman DeBolt, seconded by Alderman Nadeau, to approve a resolution approving and authorizing execution of a contract with Hach Company in an amount not to exceed $17,593.05 for the maintenance and service of all Hach equipment within the wastewater treatment plant.

Roll Call:

Voting “Aye”: DeBolt, Nadeau, Fawver, Johns, Mulliner, Wickens, Williams

Voting “Nay”:

Absent: Swoboda

Motion passed.

Resolution #2025-25 A resolution for a collective bargaining agreement between the City of Plano and the Metropolitan Alliance of Police Plano Public Works Chapter #555

A motion was made by Alderman Williams, seconded by Alderman Mulliner, to approve a resolution approving and authorizing the execution of a Collective Bargaining Agreement by and between the City of Plano and the Metropolitan Alliance of Police Plano Public Works Chapter #555. Attorney Thomassaid this agreement is effective through April 30, 2027.

Alderman Johns had several questions. He asked why this did not go through a Committee of the Whole meeting first. City Administrator Shanahan said the attorneys for the Union and the City negotiated the deal because it is a separate entity, and Attorney Thomas said this is a different process. Mayor Rennels said he asked this question also. The contract is done but this resolution is for the approval to sign it. Alderman Johns said the document’s page count is different than the email sent by City Administrator Shanahan. He said he is not comfortable approving this agreement tonight since he did not have enough time to read the whole thing. He asked about winter vacations, equalizations, and wearing safety equipment.

Mayor Rennels said this is a different practice than with the police contracts. He said there is a lot to go through. He wanted the Council to understand this has been a long process, with both the labor and management in agreement on the document. He said the city employees did a great job representing themselves which helped the process.

Alderman Nadeau asked if all the city crew were forced to be in this union or if they could opt-out. City Administrator Shanahan said state statute allows them to turn in their union card if they do not want to be a part of it. Alderman Johns asked who was not in this union. City Administrator Shanahan said all of the Public Works employees are included except for the supervisors. Alderman Johns asked about the pay scale, to which Mayor Rennels said that is a different conversation.

Alderman DeBolt asked about the Metropolitan Alliance representing the Police Department and our Public Works Department. Mayor Rennels said that group represents both of our departments. He said there will be retroactive pay to 2024, this agreement expires in 2026-2027, and since it is the first contract, it takes a while.

Roll Call:

Voting “Aye”: Williams, Mulliner, DeBolt, Fawver, Nadeau, Wickens

Voting “Nay”:

Abstain: Johns

Absent: Swoboda

Motion passed.

CITY CLERK’S REPORT: Carin Martin, Deputy Clerk

Sales and related taxes for March 2025 are in the amount of $202,917.74.

The current MFT unobligated balance as of March 2025 is in the amount of $1,849,534.13. The next City Council meeting will be Tuesday, May 27th, 2025 due to the Memorial Day holiday.

CITY TREASURER’S REPORT: Zoila Gomez-nothing

POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT: Norm Allison

Chief Allison had a few items to report. This Friday, May 16, 2025, from 5:00 a.m. to Noon, is the Cop on Top at the Dunkin Donuts by Walmart. Proceeds go to the Illinois Special Olympics. Tomorrow night, he will be recommending the promotion of Jeremiah Brown to Sergeant to the Police and Fire Commissioners. If they approve, Chief Allison will be asking the Council for their approval at the May 27, 2025 Council meeting. Lastly, Officer Stankus has resigned. There is someone in mind that Chief Allison will be presenting to the Police and Fire Commissioners tomorrow night. He will let the Council know how that goes. If approved, this officer would fill the 26th spot on the police force. This person is already certified and will not need to go through the Police Academy.

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Nick Rossaert-nothing, Josh Beyer Sr.-absent, Karl Tisberger

Karl reported that this week is the first brush pick-up of the season. Residents may put brush in the parkway the first full week of the month from May through October. There will be one pass through town to pick up brush during the second full week of those months. He said the Hale Street project is moving along well with this good weather.

DIRECTOR OF BUILDING, PLANNING & ZONING’S REPORT: Jeff Sobotka

Jeff said the Plan Commission met on May 5, 2025 to go through draft updates to the comprehensive plan. Their next meeting is June 2, 2025 which will have a public hearing and vote on this plan. If it is given a positive recommendation, it should be presented to the Council sometime in June. Mayor Rennels said all are welcome to attend to hear about the draft updates to the comprehensive plan.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

ADMINISTRATIVE/HEALTH & SAFETY: Alderman Mulliner

Alderman Mulliner wished Alderman Williams well and said it has been a pleasure to work with him.

BUILDINGS, GROUNDS, AND ZONING: Alderman Williams-nothing

Mayor Rennels thanked Alderman Williams for his service and that it has been a great eight years.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: Alderman Fawver-nothing

FINANCE: Alderman Wickens

Alderman Wickens called a meeting for May 27th, 2025 at 5:15 p.m. She wished Alderman Williams good luck.

PARKS: Alderman Johns

Alderman Johns gave an update on some city parks. He said the water fountains have been turned on at all of the parks. At Foli Park, the city crew has put up a volleyball net, and a memorial tree has been planted and a bench installed. There is another memorial bench to be installed there in a couple of weeks. There is a new purple sign ordered for Ray Niles Park. Once that sign is put up, there will be an open house for this park. The pavilion has been stained and the bleachers power washed at the City Park. The Splash Pad is open and they have been working on fixing cracks in the cement. He thanked Alderman Williams for his service.

PERSONNEL & INSURANCE: Alderman Swoboda-absent

SPECIAL EVENTS: Alderman Nadeau

Alderman Nadeau thanked Alderman Williams for his service, friendship, and fun projects they have worked on together. She said there will be fireworks on July 6th, 2025 this year. Mayor Rennels said there will be Midweek Music every Wednesday night from June through August this summer. He has music booked for the month of June.

STREETS & UTILITIES: Alderman DeBolt

Alderman DeBolt called a meeting for May 15, 2025 at 6:00 p.m., to discuss how to handle high water bills and a building on Eldamain Road. He wished Alderman Williams the best of luck and thanked him for his service.

INSTALLATION OF NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS

Attorney Thomas swore in the following newly elected officials:

Mayor Michael Rennels, City Clerk Carin Martin, Treasurer Zoila Gomez, Alderman Ward 1 Barbara Nadeau, Alderman Ward 2 Cornealius (Neal) Veen, Alderman Ward 3 Stephen DeBolt, and Alderman Ward 4 Thomas Johns.

CITIZENS’ COMMENTS:

Brian DeBolt wished Alderman Williams good luck. He said Plano has the best city teams of workers and they take care of the community very well. He commented that Alderman Johns’ point to take care of our supervisors is good and for the Council to consider it to keep and protect the good quality people we have.

Becky Nelson gave information about a fundraiser for former Alderman Ben Eaton who is battling cancer. It is August 16, 2025 at The Venue in Plano. There will be a dinner, comedy roast, and raffles. Annie, Ben Eaton’s wife, said this has been a real rough time. She urged people to check with their doctors about HPV cancer and to take care of their health. Mayor Rennels said they are all pulling for Ben. Keith Riddle thanked Becky Nelson. He gave a reminder that there will be a Life Line Screening this Thursday at his place The Venue. He thanked Alderman Williams for his selfless service and wished him good luck.

Mary Pappas thanked the city people and Alderman Johns for how absolutely beautiful the city parks are. She thanked him and the crews for taking care of them.

CLOSED SESSION: 5 ILCS 120/2-none

ADJOURNMENT:

A motion was made by Alderman Veen, seconded by Alderman Nadeau, to adjourn. A unanimous “Aye” voice vote was heard. The motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 6:53 p.m.

https://www.cityofplanoil.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05122025-2132