One of Lilija Stevens' priorities when she was elected Washington's mayor was to fill multiple vacancies on the city's boards and commissions.
Some of those bodies also suffered from poor attendance by members.
Now that all the vacancies have been filled through the city council's approval of Stevens' appointments, the city is taking action to discourage poor attendance.
The city council on Monday discussed an ordinance amendment that allows the mayor to remove a board or commission member who misses three consecutive meetings or has repeatedly failed to attend meetings.
A two-thirds vote by the council can override the mayor's removal decision.
"I'm glad we're doing this. People are recommended for positions by the mayor and we approve them. Participation is part of that," said alderperson Mike McIntyre.
Stevens said she understands that a work schedule can change, making it difficult to attend meetings, and work always comes first, but it doesn't help city staff or the community to miss several meetings.
Council will vote on the ordinance amendment Oct. 20.
Five Points Washington working on ticket purchasing issues
Also at Monday's council meeting:
• Alderperson John Blundy, the city's representative on the Five Points Washington board, updated the council on discussions at the board's September meeting. Blundy said Five Points still offers naming rights for facilities and is working to improve its ticket purchasing process for events.
• Stevens announced her next "Let's Talk Washington" session will be at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Washington Fire Station.
• Alderpersons Todd Sluder and Paula Johnson announced their next "Let's Talk Ward 1" session will be from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 15 in the library study room at Five Points.
• In his report to the council, Planning & Development Director Jon Oliphant said the new owners of the former Brunk's Sports Center on the downtown square would like to divide the building in half or create three spaces, and the developers of the Protea Place business and residential development at the intersection of U.S. Business Route 24 and Cummings Lane plan to begin construction on the first two buildings by the end of the year.
• Police Chief Jeff Stevens reported that Sgt. Brian Simpson and Sgt. Brian Moore were selected Central Illinois Emergency Response Team crisis negotiators, and officers Henry Perrilles and Ashley Peto were recognized by the police department for their work in an investigation of criminal sexual conduct spanning decades.
• Council approved the appointments of Blundy and Johnson to the three-member police supervisor selection committee, which also includes the city administrator.
• Council asked city staff to look into the cost of having ordinances updated monthly instead of quarterly on the city's website after City Attorney Mark Walton said quarterly updates are "out of the ordinary."
• Council approved an agreement with Revize to create a new city website along with the associated migration of information.
• Council approved two-year contracts with MTCO and Comcast for internet access for a monthly total of $2,813 plus Comcast fees.
• Council approved a TIF payment of $19,339 to the developers of the Tangled Roots Craft Beer & Kitchen restaurant on the downtown square to cover 30% of interest costs incurred in August and September.
• Council approved purchasing up to $110,000 in road salt [$80.98 per ton] from Compass Minerals America of Overland Park, Kan., the state's low bidder, for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
