Steve Stein

"Politics sometimes becomes a blood sport in the public sector," the city administrator said. "These agreements make sure our department heads aren't exposed politically."

Citing public input and a need for more information, council member Dave Nutter asked for the item to be removed from the meeting agenda. The council agreed, by a unanimous 7-0 vote.

City Administrator Jim Snider and Police Chief Mike McCoy are the only other city employees with similar agreements.

Concerns about a 29% higher than anticipated lone bid for the 300 Margaret Street parking lot rehabilitation project and the bid's impact on the budget convinced City Engineer Josie Esker to recommend the council table a contract award until budget discussions for the 2024-25 fiscal year begin in April.

The council decided Monday to wait to hear the details on Cape's new project plan before it makes a decision on a new grant amount.

Instead of a 10-minute time limit, which had been in place since 2021, the time limit was reduced to five minutes.

Peoria officials estimate the city will lose $4 million annually if the grocery sales tax is eliminated. Pekin officials estimate that city's loss at $1.4 million annually.

The Morton Fire Department will start charging nursing homes and assisted living and independent living residences for some lift assist calls the department receives from those facilities.

Plans for the annex call for it to be built on the site of the former Arcade and Tobin buildings, which are being demolished.

Clint Kuhlman was fired last month by the not-for-profit fire department's board of directors.