Washington Mayor Lilija Stevens said Monday she wants to "put the brakes" on any decision regarding a proposed amphitheater on the city's "223" land off U.S. Route 24 until the new City Council holds a goal-setting session.
City staff and the council agree. The council added another caveat Monday.
It wants an independent study done of the Hengst Foundation's plans for the amphitheater.
Those plans are detailed in a "personal and confidential" letter of intent sent by the foundation to former Mayor Gary Manier April 28 and released to the public Monday because of the city's estimated $3.5 million financial involvement in the project.
Alderperson John Blundy suggested the third-party study.
"I feel no level of comfort with this letter of intent because many questions I have asked about the project haven't been answered," Blundy said. "We need to have a third-party analysis done that represents the taxpayers' interests.
"The Hengst Foundation gave us a feasibility study for the project, but that was for their interests. That's like having the tobacco companies do research on a possible connection between smoking and cancer."
Alderperson Brandon Moss asked that a sound study be done as part of the independent analysis of the project, and he wanted to know if the foundation will have an operating endowment for the facility.
Alderperson Paula Johnson asked that the council's goal-setting session include a discussion of what the council wants to see done with the "223" land as a whole, not just with the amphitheater.
Not much was new in the foundation's letter of intent.
The not-for-profit foundation, founded with a $12 million donation by former Washington resident Jim Hengst, wants to build the Dee Amphitheater in honor of Hengst's late wife.
The 5,000-person capacity amphitheater and 1,700 parking spots would be built on approximately 50 acres in the northeast portion of the "223" land that would be purchased or leased from the city.
The city's responsibility for the project would include the construction of a roadway with storm water, lighting and bicycle facilities from Dallas Road to the parking lot. Also, water, sewer and other utilities would be extended to the property.
The estimated cost to the city for the work is $3.5 million, which reportedly would be recouped in 15 years if the area for the amphitheater is leased by the foundation.
The amphitheater property was appraised recently at $23,000 per acre with no infrastructure and $43,600 per acre with infrastructure.
Interim City Administrator Dennis Carr said Monday that communications have begun with Iowa-based Midwest Municipal Consulting to lead the council's goal-setting session, which will be open to the public.
Midwest Municipal Consulting did a goal-setting session with a previous Washington City Council in 2019.
Police chief residency
Mayor Stevens wants to promote Interim Washington Police Chief Jeff Stevens (no relation) to police chief.
In order to do that, the council must approve a change in a 1991 ordinance that requires the city's police chief to live in Washington.
The change allows someone who has been a city employee for at least 15 years and lives within 25 miles of the city limits to be eligible to be the police chief. Jeff Stevens meets those requirements.
A first reading of the ordinance change was held Monday. Blundy asked that the second reading be waived so the council could vote on the ordinance amendment Monday and not have to wait until a second reading June 2.
"Why? Is there a time constraint?" Alderperson Bobby Martin III asked Blundy.
"No, but I don't see a reason to delay this," Blundy said. "We discussed this issue at length (nearly an hour) last week at our committee of the whole meeting and everyone on the council seemed in favor of it."
The vote to waive the second reading was 5-2 in favor. However, six "yes" votes (3/4s of the eight-member council) were needed to waive the second reading.
Alderperson Michael Ernst joined Martin in casting the "no" votes. Alderperson Jamie Smith was not at the meeting; she was attending a family event.
Several other ordinances received a first reading Monday. Council also will vote on them June 2.
The ordinances include zoning code changes that allow backyard chickens in the city, and four special use requests to operate non-owner-occupied short-term rental locations at 1406 Westgate Road, 132-134 N. Main St. A-B, 711 S. High St. and 406 N. Main St.
Each location is currently being used for short-term rentals and the owners are being allowed by the city to keep operating as they go through the special use process.
Mayor's talks; Ben Franklin store
Here are highlights from Mayor Stevens' and city staff members' contributions to Monday's council report:
MAYOR STEVENS
- After holding weekly discussions with residents prior to the April 1 election, Stevens will keep a campaign promise and hold monthly conversations, tentatively called "Let's Talk Washington." The first discussion session will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Washington Public Library meeting room. Jeff Stevens and Carr also will be there Saturday.
- Nine residents attended the first meeting of a Memorial Day events planning committee, "which was great for such short notice," Mayor Stevens said. Mayor Stevens said previously she learned just before she was sworn in May 5 that the mayor was in charge of planning the Memorial Day events and she decided to form a committee. Cydny Jefford is in charge of the Memorial Day parade and Martin is in charge of the Memorial Day ceremony at Glendale Cemetery.
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR JON OLIPHANT
- A Ben Franklin store is coming to the former Baurer Furniture location at 1503 Washington Road, perhaps as early as spring 2026. There are no other Ben Franklin stores in Illinois, Oliphant said, and it appears a Ben Franklin store hasn't opened in the state since at least the 1980's.
- The restoration of a building at 501-505 Walnut Street is nearly complete and city staff anticipates issuing a certificate of occupancy in a few days. The building formerly was in considerable disrepair, Oliphant said, and nearing demolition.
- The construction of eight residential units on a 1.75-acre lot on Mallard Way in Mallard Crossing is tentatively expected to begin in the next few weeks.
JEFF STEVENS
- Views from a drone piloted by Officer Joe Dubois helped second-shift officers capture and arrest two subjects who had fled.
- A car stolen from Uftring Chevrolet on April 21 was recovered in Cook County. It had been stripped. Det. Steve Hinken traveled north and processed the remainder of the vehicle for evidence.
- Part-time Sgt. Brad Marshall, who has been with the police department since 1993 but on restricted duty for two years because of an injury, is back to full hours and will coordinate police protection for community events including Good Neighbor Days.
CARR (CITY ENGINEER)
- The berm project in Washington Park has been completed. "This was another successful stormwater project that will greatly assist with drainage throughout the area and reduce flooding during high volume rain events," Carr said. "We've been in contact with the Washington Park District, and they're very satisfied with the project." Carr thanked Washington Township Highway Commissioner Scott Weaver for seeding the berm.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR BRIAN RITTENHOUSE
- After investigating a sink hole in the middle of the westbound lane of Washington Road in front of Connect Church, city staff determined the Illinois Department of Transportation was responsible for repairs. IDOT was informed about the sinkhole.
Other actions
These items were approved Monday by the council:
- A one-year contract renewal with BNCO Consulting to continue providing audio/visual support at council meetings and the live streaming of the meetings. The cost to the city for a regularly-scheduled council meeting that lasts no longer than two hours will remain $500. An additional $150 per hour will now be charged for a council meeting that exceeds two hours. Another contract change is a $750 charge for a special council meeting. If a special meeting lasts longer than three hours, the charge will be an additional $150 per hour.
- A $1.7 million contract for low bidder Stark Excavating of Bloomington for the reconstruction of Catherine Street from Elm Street to Spruce Street, the second phase of the Catherine project. The existing brick roadway on that stretch of Catherine will be replaced with asphalt. Stark's bid was under the engineer's estimate of $1.9 million.
- The purchase of a new Vac-Con Jetter Truck for the Public Works Department from EJ Equipment of Manteno for $624,583. The department's current 2019 Jetter Truck will be traded in. Public Works Director Brian Rittenhouse calls the truck "a critical piece of equipment that is used daily for cleaning sewers and hydro excavating."
Five Points board
Blundy was appointed Monday the city's representative on the Five Points Washington board, replacing former Alderperson Mike Brownfield.
Other Five Points board members who represent taxing bodies are Jennifer Essig, Matt Moehle and Stacy Smith from Washington Community High School board, Washington Park District Board and Washington Library District Board, respectively.
Steve Brown, Chris DuBois, Bob Brown, Nicole Miller, Nick Goodin, Dustin Essig, Eric Johannsen and Brice Hahn also are on the Five Points board. Steve Brown is the president, DuBois is the vice president, Bob Brown is the treasurer and Smith is the secretary.
Mayor Stevens appointed Blundy to the Five Points board. She said she'll attend the next board meeting along with Blundy.
