Nokomis council approves weed, grass abatement services

NOKOMIS — The Nokomis City Council met for its regular session on Monday, June 8. Present were Mayor Dylan Goldsmith and Commissioners Scott Arkebauer and Charlie O’Malley. Also present were City Clerk Rachel Cassidy, City Attorney Chris Sherer, Tim Chumley, and Police Chief Earin Land.

Commissioners Michael Glenn and Tisha Morris were absent.

Dan Mulch from Stop the Shoals spoke to the council about the planned wind turbine project from Pattern Energy. The project is set to impact a portion of eastern Montgomery County. Mulch noted the dangers and implications of the project. He recommended that municipalities within the impacted region take action due to the state restricting the authority of county governments over such projects.

Mayor Goldsmith noted that they had been in communication with the county on the matter. He noted that there is likely a way that the county can take action in coalition with its municipalities and townships.

Mulch noted to those in attendance that the County Board was meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday to further discuss the matter.

Consent agenda approved

The council approved the consent agenda, which comprised of minutes from the public hearing, regular meeting, and executive session. These were from the previous meeting on May 26.

Arkebauer motioned for approval of the minutes, seconded by O’Malley. Motion passes without objection.

Contract approval for nuisance weed and grass abatement services

The council considered Resolution 2026-06, approval of a contract to Randle Lawn Care LLC for nuisance weed and grass abatement services.

There was some discussion by the council before taking the vote.

Arkebauer motion to approve the contract, seconded by O’Malley. The motion would pass unanimously.

Wastewater plant project wrapping up

An update was presented regarding the new wastewater plant project, which is wrapping up pending final formalities with IEPA.

A payment request in the amount of $487,683.66 was approved, which was the final payment and will closed out the loan.

There was also a zero-funds change order, the second, which was granted an extension to June 30. That would also receive approval.

There was a discussion on Resolution 2026-09, a pending settlement, compromise, and contingent refund agreement with Kamadulski Excavating and Grading Company, Inc. of Granite City.

The resolution comes after Kamadulski failed to achieve completion phase or operational phase of the wastewater treatment plant by established completion dates. As a result, the city is seeking liquidated damages from the company in the form of a refund.

The settlement payment and contingent refund, among other factors were not specified in the agreement. Mayor Goldsmith will open negotiations soon as the city’s negotiating party. O’Malley motioned for approval, followed by Arkebauer. Motion passes.

Officer reports

Mayor Goldsmith presented Commissioner Glenn’s reports in absentia. There was a building permit for a garage for construction at 854 Capps Ave. The permit was approved.

Commissioner Arkebauer noted that Coalton is currently being serviced with water from the city and are officially on the grid with EJ Water Cooperative. Ongoing and pending projects were also mentioned in discussion.

Commissioner O’Malley presented revenues in the amount of $41,444.26 in the following:

• Illinois Department of Transportation – MFT Repair & Maintenance: $1,192.56
• Illinois Department of Transportation – MFT Renewal: $4,284.20
• Illinois Department of Transportation – MFT Allotment: $3,880.85
• Other revenues: $32,086.65

Other than previously approval remitments, O’Malley motioned to approve payment of bills in the amount of $79,394.08. Motion passes.

Mayor Goldsmith stated that the city was working on updating its property maintenance code, which will be on the table for the next meeting.

Goldsmith noted to residential households within the new TIF district might notice a slight change to their tax bills next year. He expressed most importantly that the tax rate will be 0.0000, but it would still determine if there was an increase in property value. No TIF property taxes will be assessed on residential households within the district.

A fact sheet is forthcoming in the near future, but any questions can be directed to Nokomis City Hall.

Alley acquisition a no-go, new city position, raffle permits approved

A proposition was presented to the council to acquire a section of alleyway at 110 to 114 North Maple.

In absentia, Commissioners Glenn and Morris had expressed opposition to the proposal, although no rationale for their disapproval was mentioned. The mutual concern of members present is that the sewer lines run through that alley and that it could be a costly endeavor to relocate those lines.

Commissioners Arkebauer and O’Malley would also express concerns on the proposal on other grounds.

As a result, the council would pass on the proposal, but thanked the person making the proposal.

The city will now have a Community & Economic Development Coordinator following approval. While it wasn’t specified who would be in that position, it is likely that Audra Elam, who currently serves as a fellow in the AmeriCorps program, could earn the nod.

After brief discussion, the council would approve raffle permits for the Nokomis Police Department and Nokomis Lions Club.

Maintenance requests approved, one on pause

On the docker was the purchase of a mini excavator with a flail mower. Streets Superintendent Tim Chumley expressed a huge need for it.

Following discussion, Arkebauer made a motion to approve the purchase from Bobcat of St. Louis for a combined purchase price of approximately $105,000. Motion passes.

There was discussion on replacing a sidewalk at Elm and Union streets. While it is built in within the MFT budget, no action was taken, pending further evaluation of the site and consider all options.

Another item was the placing/marking of trees that need to be cut down. The city will consider soliciting for bid submissions for trees that must be taken down in 2026. The motion passed unanimously.

New police department hires

Chief Land mentioned the hire of Marshall Clark as a part-time officer due to full-time responsibilities in Morrisonville. Another officer, Ben Lomprez, is pending for part-time duty for code enforcement, evidence custodian, and other duties as needed. This is contingent on completing the academy for part-time officers.

Land did mention a potential upgrade of Lomprez to full-time as necessary.

With the caveat that a payback agreement is signed with the city, the motion to approve Lomprez as a part-time officer was approved.

Editor Note: Chief Land indicated that neither of these hires necessarily required a closed session and presented it in the open before the public.

With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m. The Nokomis City Council reconvenes on Monday, June 22, 6 p.m. inside the City Council chambers at the city complex, 22 S. Cedar.