Metro East Sun

City of Belleville City Council met July 7

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Gain Meyer called this meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 

City Clerk Schaefer called roll. Members present on roll call: Alderperson Whitaker, Alderperson Schneider, Alderperson Duco, Alderperson Dowling-Urban, Alderperson Randle, Alderperson Anthony, Alderperson Ovian, Alderperson Dintelman, Alderperson Stiehl, Alderperson Rothweiler, Alderperson Elmore, Alderperson Weygandt, Alderperson Osthoff. 

Excused: Alderperson Ferguson, Alderperson Kaiser, Alderperson Sullivan. 

ROLL CALL DEPARTMENT HEADS 

City Clerk Schaefer called roll of Department Heads: City Treasurer, Sarah Biermann; City Attorney, Garrett Hoerner, Police Chief, Matt Eiskant; Deputy Fire Chief, Curt Lougeay; Finance Director, Jamie Maitret; Director of Public Works, Jason Poole; Director of Wastewater, Brett Friedman; Library Director, Leander Spearman; Asst. Director of IT, Lee Strong; City Engineer, Scott Saeger; Director of Grants & Special Projects, Eric Schauster; Director of Maintenance, Mike Schaefer. 

Excused: Fire Chief, Stephanie Mills; Director of IT, Ty Buckner; Director of Health, Housing & Building, Scott Tyler; Director of Human Resources, William Clay. 

PLEDGE 

PUBLIC HEARING

None.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 

Nichole Hettenhausen: 221 Abend Street. I am here to speak about Gregg Crawford, and the recent pleading guilty to loan fraud schemes, and the direct impact that it has had on our neighborhood, and the importance of how we move forward. For years, Gregg Crawford used an illegal straw buyer's scheme to acquire homes in our city. Several of which were historically significant. Under his control these properties sat vacant and deteriorated, some were eventually demolished, despite interest from locals, who wanted to purchase and restore them. These weren't just empty structures, these were pieces of our neighborhood's history and now, they are gone. Given that some of these homes were directly involved with this criminal case, and others were acquired through the same fraudulent methods. I would like to ask of the city; 1) Take any steps to acknowledge the damage done, particularly the loss of historic homes and the harm to our neighborhood's character and stability. 2) What will happen to the properties he still owns that are connected to those same fraudulent activities. Two that I am aware of specifically are located at 303 North Jackson and 609 South Jackson Street. Is there a process in place to ensure these homes are returned to productive community minded use? I believe this is a great opportunity for our city to help the neighborhoods begin to repair what has been lost and to protect this against any exploitation going forward. I would love to be of help if I can in any way.

Lori Powell: 202 East Grant. I am also here to talk about Gregg Crawford. I live on South Jackson Street and Mr. Crawford had a building at 401 South Jackson that was demolished this year. It was a beautiful home that lots of people tried to buy, and they were unable to because he was engaged in criminal fraud that kept him from being able to sell those properties, kept him from doing so. He is still in one of those loans at 609 South Jackson, and what I would like to ask from the city, if it is possible, I would love to see the City of Belleville submit a Victim Impact Statement to the Courts for his sentencing in October in the Federal Court. I don't know if that is possible, but that is what I am here to ask for because we have been victimized by his activity and we have all suffered. I have suffered by criminal activity in my neighborhood, by cats all over my neighborhood, by I mean in countless ways. Just my own personal attention having to be given to turning in tickets on the property to keep it up and going, because he won't let it go, because he is doing his little criminal games. The other thing that I would like to offer is that I would love to see some kind of neighborhood, some people to create some kind of task force, or an idea group, to study how other communities are taking on these vacant properties. I know that we have a Vacant Property Ordinance at the end of the Eckert administration and that went away in the last administration,\. I think there was a lot of value there, and I think we kind of through the baby out with the bath water on that. I would really like to be part of exploring how we can proactively, as neighbors, support growth. 

Keith Owens: 215 Abend Street. We are opposed, just wanting to share this with you, of an agenda item that is on tonight's agenda off 11-D. About the banner, that is a historical banner that is on 127 Mascoutah Avenue and changing it out with a banner that has Gustave Koerner or Sophie Koerner on it. About two- and one-half years, three- and one-half years ago when the banners did go up, one of the individuals that is part of the Friends of Gustave Koerner, had that banner made and had it put it by the City Street Department without City Council approval. Our neighborhood went nuts and came to the City Council and said this does not represent us. This individual does not represent our community. Yes, we do have the Gustave Koerner House in our neighborhood but not in that place where they want to put that banner. We are asking you, we are not against the banner, but if you wouldn't mind putting it on the grounds of the Gustave Koerner House. Then people will be able to associate that individual with those grounds instead of across the street and down a little way. If you wouldn't mind doing that or tabling it because the neighborhood found out about it three- and one-half hours ago when the agenda came out. We would really like some say in this, and if you would table it for tonight, so we can talk about this as a neighborhood we would greatly appreciate it. 

Deverick Miller: 2701 Pipers Court Shiloh. I am President of Prevail Institute for Flourishing Communities, Inc. located in Shiloh Illinois, and I am here tonight to briefly speak about (inaudible) 2.0, the unity experience which takes place Saturday September 27th and Sunday September 28th. It is a two part affair. It is going to be a fantastic occasion if it is allowed to go forward so just kind of wanted to inform the Mayor of the City and the Council about exactly what is transpiring is for the climax of the event. I am going to read a letter; I have not given this letter to Chief Eiskant. I will read this letter, it is to him, but it is very important for you guys to hear this too. Dear Chief Eiskant, I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits, I am Deverick Miller, the President of (inaudible) a charitable 501C(3) organization and the Senior Event Coordinator (inaudible) workshops scheduled to be held on Sunday September 28, 2025 at Bellevue Memorial Park in Belleville, Illinois from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm. This special tribute will take place at the park's band shelter. We have a three-part goal to achieve (inaudible)/workshop. To educate the public on exactly what the Thin Blue Line means, why it is important for the community to support law enforcement and to show how we are all interrelated with a common purpose. 2) To fully express our appreciation for the men and women in blue for (inaudible) keynote address and special video tribute and award ceremony. 3) Unify Police Officers and the community through team building initiatives photo fun and dance. On this note, you, and your staff of Officers, along with your families are cordially invited to attend and participate. We are going to Rock the Blue like never before. Together, let's embrace the occasion of us and law enforcement coming together to make the world a better place for all. Additionally, I want you to know that your purpose and service (inaudible) nation, that we will never call Ghost Busters for any situation, all we must do is dial 911 for the brave men and women in blue. Back the Blue in 2025 and beyond. 

PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS & APPOINTMENTS 

Mayor Gain Meyer recognized the character word of the month "Citizenship" meaning doing your share to make your community better and being a good neighbor. 

Mayor Gain Meyer read a proclamation in recognition of the outstanding achievement of Belleville District 201's student athletes and coaches of the 2024-2025 track season. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES 

Alderperson Schneider made a motion second by Alderperson Dowling-Urban to approve the City Council Meeting Minutes of June 16, 2025, Special Meeting June 24, 2025, and Executive Session of June 24, 2025. 

All members voted aye. 

Motion carries. 

CLAIMS, PAYROLL AND DISBURSEMENTS 

Alderperson Whitaker made a motion second by Alderperson Dowling-Urban to approve claims and disbursements in the amount of $3.058,021.49 payroll in the amount of $1,093,557.89. 

Members voting aye on roll call: Whitaker, Schneider, Duco, Dowling-Urban, Randle, Anthony, Ovian, Dintelman, Stiehl, Rothweiler, Elmore, Weygandt, Osthoff. (13) 

Motion carries. 

None. 

REPORTS 

ORAL REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES, SPECIAL COMMITTEES AND ANY OTHER ORAL REPORTS FROM THE ELECTED OFFICIALS OR STAFF 

STREETS AND GRADES 

Motion to approve Fournie Contracting Co, Inc., lowest responsible bidder, in the amount of $168,800.00 for the 2025-2026 MFT/TIF Ditching Program Contract. 

Motion to approve an agreement with Oates Associates for $9,200.00 to include the design of an entrance to the property acquired by the city off Green Mount Lane and to assist in coordinating utility relocates. Total contract increase from $105,500.00 to $114,700.00 (TIF 3). 

Motion to approve an agreement with TWM for $37,320.00 for the Construction Observation of Cool Valley Drainage (Green Mount Lane to Tower Plaza) (TIF 3). 

Motion to enter into an agreement with Oates Associates for $25,000.00 to prepare plans for resurfacing East Adams Street (South Charles Street to the alley to the east) as an alternative bid package to the East Monroe and South Abend Resurfacing bid (HRST). 

Motion to approve TWM Proposal for $19,400.00 to create a priority list of streets to be improved according to our pavement condition index GIS module; to include average daily traffic counts, existing pavement condition or expected pavement condition (MFT/TIF). 

Motion to approve agreement with Oates Associates for $6,500.00 to prepare 2025 SRTS Grant for Royal Heights Road (Abraham Lincoln School to Memorial Drive). To include two sets of bump outs on Royal Heights Road, a new crossing at South Park Drive or Memorial Drive, and a shared use path along Royal Heights Road (TIF 3). 

Alderperson Randle made a motion second by Alderperson Rothweiler to approve the request as read. 

Members voting aye on roll call: Schneider, Duco, Dowling-Urban, Randle, Anthony, Ovian, Dintelman, Stiehl, Rothweiler, Elmore, Weygandt, Osthoff, Whitaker. (13) 

Motion carries. 

FIRE AND POLICE COMMISSION 

Alderperson Anthony made a motion second by Alderperson Whitaker to approve the promotion of Lt. Robert Thomason to Captain; MSgt. Tim Crimm to Lieutenant; and Detective Angelque Shields to Sergeant, effective July 8, 2025, 12:01am. 

Members voting aye on roll call: Duco, Dowling-Urban, Randle, Anthony, Ovian, Dintelman, Stiehl, Rothweiler, Elmore, Weygandt, Osthoff, Whitaker, Schneider. (13) 

Motion carries. 

12-JUNE25- UNITED INK: 

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS 

Request for a Sign Installation Permit in the Area of Special Control at 100 North Jackson Street (08- 22.0-328-023) located in a "C-2" Heavy Commercial District. (Applicable sections of the City Code: 155.052, 155.053, 155,090) Ward 2. Zoning Board of Appeals recommended APPROVAL with a vote of 4-0. 

13-JUNE25- JEFFREY SCOTT HYATT: 

Request for an Area/Bulk Variance for construction of a fence higher than 6' at 815 Gass Avenue (08- 28.0-104-007) located in a "A-1" Single-Family Residence District. (Applicable sections of the City Code: 158.127, 155.090) Ward 5. Zoning Board of Appeals recommended APPROVAL with a vote of 4-0. 

15-JUNE25 - Moazzam Karim: 

Request for a Special Use Permit for a convenience store at 2709 West Main Street (08-20.0-204- 001/002) located in a "C-2" Heavy Commercial District. (Applicable sections of the City Code: 162.248, 162.515) Ward 2. Zoning Board of Appeals recommended APPROVAL with a vote of 4-0. 

Alderperson Stiehl made a motion second by Alderperson Schneider to approve the request as read. 

All members voted aye. 

Motion carries. 

HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION 

Alderperson Rothweiler made a motion second by Alderperson Dowling-Urban to table the replacement of the historic district banner at 127 Mascoutah Avenue with a banner of Gustave and Sophie Koerner. 

Alderperson Elmore: There is a question about location and the motion was for 127 Mascoutah Avenue. What is the address of the Gustave Koerner House? 

Alderperson Rothweiler: It is cattycorner. 

Mayor Gain Meyer: I don't know what the Gustave Koerner House address is off the top of my head. 

Multiple people speaking. 

Director of Grants & Special Projects, Eric Schauster: 200 Abend Street. 

Alderperson Dowling-Urban: It sounds like they did not have an objection to it being on the actual property. They just didn't want it where it was located. 

Mayor Gain Meyer: So, what we will end up having to do is, we don't have the ability to just carte blanche put banners up on street poles. We will have to figure out exactly which street pole to place it on and if it is an Ameren pole. We will have to work out that agreement with Ameren. If it happens to be a City streetlights, which most of them on Abend are City, then we can place it. We will figure that out and bring it back. 

All members voted aye. 

Motion carries. 

TRAFFIC AND PARKING COMMITTEE 

Alderperson Elmore made a motion second by Alderperson Schneider to approve handicap parking space at 209 South 16th in the name of the applicant only. 

All members voted aye. 

Motion carries. 

MASTER SEWER COMMITTEE 

Motion to approve an agreement with BOSS811 for J.U.L.I.E. software for $3,600.00, 

Motion to waive formal bidding to purchase a 2025 Ford F-150 from Jack Schmitt Ford for $44,958.70, 

Motion to approve an electric easement between the City of Belleville and Ameren Illinois located at 501 Hecker Street (08-22.0-215-034) for the East Creek Sewer Separation Project, 

Alderperson Dintelman made a motion second by Alderperson Schneider to approve the requests as read. 

Members voting aye on roll call: Dowling-Urban, Randle, Anthony, Ovian, Dintelman, Stiehl, Rothweiler, Elmore, Weygandt, Osthoff, Whitaker, Schneider, Duco. (13) 

Motions carries. 

COMMUNICATIONS 

LAW DAY RUN - 05/02/2026 

Request from St. Clair County Bar Association and Belleville Running Club to hold the Law Day Run, Saturday, May 2, 2026, 9:00am to 12:00pm. Street closure request: North High Street from Main Street to include East "A" Street to North Jackson, 8:30am to 1:00pm. "No Parking" on High Street from East "D" Street to McKinley, on Abend Street and municipal lot behind Lincoln Theatre after 1:00am on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Additional City services requested: toters, barricades, picnic tables, folding tables, and Police Personnel. 

HARVEST FESTIVAL - 09/28/2025 

Request from LongStory Coffee to host the Harvest Festival, Sunday, September 28, 2025, 2:00pm to 6:00pm. Street closure request: South High Street north of RR tracks to north of East Grant Street, East Grant Street from South High to alley, 12:00pm to 7:00pm. Additional City services: "No Parking" signage, trash toters, barricades, and picnic tables. 

BELLEVILLE INDIE MARKET - 09/27/2025 and 11/01/2025 

Request from Sweet Honey to host Belleville Indie Market Saturday, September 27, 2025, 5:00pm to 9:00pm (Rain date Sunday, September 28, 2025) and Saturday, November 1, 2025, 4:00pm to 8:00pm (Rain date Sunday, November 2, 2025) Street closure request: South High Street from East Main Street to East Washington, 1:00pm to 11:00pm. City services requested: barricades, trash toters, picnic tables, and "No Parking" signage. 

SPACE RACE - 09/06/2025 

Request from Luna Park to host Space Race glow in the dark golf event at Laderman Park Saturday, September 6, 2025, 8:00pm to 9:30pm. No additional city services requested. 

"SAY LESS!" COMMUNITY FEST 2025-09/27/2025 and 09/28/2025 

Request from Prevail Institute for Flourishing Communities, Inc. to host "Say Less!" Community Fest 2025 at Bellevue Park, Saturday, September 27, 2025, 12:00pm to 7:00pm and Sunday, September 28, 2025, 12:00pm to 6:00pm. Additional City services requested: trash toters, "Reserved" signage, Police Personnel. 

Alderperson Randle made a motion second by Alderperson Dowling-Urban to approve the Communications as read. 

All members voted aye. 

Motions carries. 

PETITIONS

None.

RESOLUTIONS 

Alderperson Randle made a motion second by Alderperson Stiehl to read Resolutions 3549 by title only. 

All members present voted aye. 

Motion carries. 

RESOLUTION 3549 

A Resolution to Adopt Bike/Pedestrian Master Plan. 

Alderperson Anthony made a motion second by Alderperson Stiehl to approve Resolution 3549 as read. 

Members voting aye on roll call: Randle, Anthony, Ovian, Dintelman, Stiehl, Rothweiler, Elmore, Weygandt, Osthoff, Whitaker, Schneider, Duco, Dowling-Urban. (13) 

Motions carries. 

ORDINANCES 

Alderperson Randle made a motion second by Alderperson Dowling-Urban to read Ordinances 9397, 9398, 9399, 9400, and 9401 by title only. 

All members present voted aye. 

Motion carries. 

ORDINANCE 9397-2025 

A Zoning Ordinance RE CASE #08-APR25- Felipe Elias Campos & Gabriela Centeno. 

ORDINANCE 9398-2025 

A Zoning Ordinance RE CASE #12-JUN25-United Ink-Rich Laux (Community Connections & Services, LLC). 

ORDINANCE 9399-2025 

A Zoning Ordinance in RE CASE #13-JUN25 - Jeffery Scott Hyatt. 

ORDINANCE 9400-2025 

A Zoning Ordinance in RE CASE #15-JUN25 – Moazzam Karim. 

ORDINANCE 9401-2025 

An Ordinance Amending Article VII (Traffic Code), Chapter 76 (Parking Schedules) of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Belleville, Illinois as Amended, by Amending Portions of Sections Thereof. 

Alderperson Elmore made a motion second by Alderperson Schneider to approve the Ordinances as read. 

Members voting aye on roll call: Anthony, Ovian, Dintelman, Stiehl, Rothweiler, Elmore, Weygandt, Osthoff, Whitaker, Schneider, Duco, Dowling-Urban, Randle. (13) 

Motions carries. 

None. 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS 

MISCELLANEOUS & NEW BUSINESS 

Alderperson Rothweiler made a motion second by Alderperson Duco to pay the Motor Fuel Claims in the Amount of $27,850.83. 

Members voting aye on roll call: Dintelman, Stiehl, Rothweiler, Elmore, Weygandt, Osthoff, Whitaker, Schneider, Duco, Dowling-Urban, Randle, Anthony, Ovian. (13) 

Motions carries. 

None. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION 

ADJOURNMENT 

Alderperson Ovian made a motion second by Alderperson Schneider to adjourn at 7:37 p.m. 

All members voted aye. 

Motion carries. 

https://www.belleville.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07072025-3533