Ottawa public meetings in 2022
31 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Council
City Council approved the tax levy for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2023, and authorized several emergency equipment purchases. The council also approved a $382,000 commitment for a Community Development Block Grant and granted a zoning variance for a garage at 709 Congress Street.
- Approved tax levy for fiscal year ending April 30, 2023 (5-0)
- Approved $948,000 purchase of Pierce Enforcer PUC Pumper Fire Truck (5-0)
- Approved $85,066 for two 2023 Ford Explorers for Police Department (5-0)
- Approved $382,000 commitment of funds for Community Development Block Grant (5-0)
- Approved $16,325 for two cameras from Drug Fund (5-0)
- Approved side yard setback variance for garage at 709 Congress Street (5-0)
- Approved $10,586 for Fire Department radios using grant funds (5-0)
- Approved $9,245.12 for 2016 Ford Explorer upgrades for Fire Department (5-0)
Zoning Board of Appeals
The board approved a variance for Carol Wahlstrom to construct a 12’ x 20’ detached garage at 709 Congress Street. The approval requires a 1’-6” setback from the west property line, rather than the 1’-0” setback originally requested.
- Approved minutes of the previous meeting (unanimous)
- Approved variance for 12’ x 20’ detached garage with 1’-6” side property line setback at 709 Congress Street (unanimous)
Board of Fire & Police Commissioners
The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners will meet to award preference points for police patrolman candidates, adopt a final eligibility register, and authorize police hiring. The meeting also includes public comment, approval of prior minutes, and an executive session for personnel matters.
- Award Police Patrolman Preference Points
- Adopt Police Patrolman Final Eligibility Register
- Authorize Police Hiring
- Executive Session for personnel (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1))
Playground & Recreation Board
The Playground and Recreation Board approved additional funding for a sidewalk and drainage project at Peck Park. Members discussed potential 2023 priorities, including basketball hoops at Fox River and a proposed disc golf course at Walsh Park.
- Approved November Recreation minutes
- Accepted November Recreation and Pool Financial Reports
- Approved $2,603.00 additional cost for Peck Park Sidewalks and drainage project
Historic Preservation Commission
The regular Historic Preservation Commission meeting scheduled for December 8, 2022, was cancelled. No substantive decisions were made.
Special Events Committee
The committee approved the previous meeting's minutes and the financial report. Members discussed the Festival of Lights parade organization and the 2023 Music in the Park band lineup. A motion was passed to purchase Christmas light necklaces for committee members.
- Approved November 3, 2022 minutes
- Approved financial report
- Approved purchase of Christmas Light Necklaces for committee members
Civil Service Commission
The Commission approved a settlement agreement involving the City, AFSCME Local 2819, and Aaron Gretencord. Members also discussed a previous letter sent to the City Council regarding the abolishment of the Civil Service Commission.
- Approved October 12, 2022 meeting minutes
- Approved settlement agreement between the City, AFSCME Local 2819 and Aaron Gretencord
Ottawa Visitors Center Board
The Board approved the financial report and the meeting minutes from September 21, 2022. The Board noted the execution of a second commercial rent extension for suite B at 1028 LaSalle St for the period of January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023.
- Approved September 21, 2022 meeting minutes
- Approved Finance Report as presented
- Executed second commercial rent extension for 1028 LaSalle St suite B (Jan 1, 2023 - Dec 31, 2023)
Playground & Recreation Board
The board approved the installation of 2,700 square feet of sidewalks with drainage at Peck Park and the addition of a plaque to the Williwaw sculpture at Thorton Park. Members discussed park maintenance options and the creation of a project improvement list for the upcoming year.
- Approved installation of 2,700sq ft of sidewalks with drainage at Peck Park for $18,900 (8-0-1)
- Approved adding a written plaque to the sculpture in Thorton Park for $1,000
- Approved October board meeting minutes
- Approved October Recreation and Pool Financial Reports
- Tabled decision on ball field mowing maintenance pending further investigation
Board of Fire & Police Commissioners
The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners will meet to discuss updates on fire and police testing. The agenda includes public comment, approval of previous meeting minutes, and adjournment.
- Fire testing update
- Police testing update
- Approve minutes from previous meeting
The Board approved the minutes from the October 28, 2022, meeting. Members provided updates on firefighter written exams and the opening of entry-level police patrolman applications.
- Approved October 28, 2022 meeting minutes (All ayes)
Special Events Committee
The Special Events Committee approved a funding request for the Chris Kringle Market to cover movie costs at the Roxy Theater. A separate request for Santa charges was denied. The committee also reviewed the 2023 Music in the Park schedule and the upcoming Festival of Lights.
- Approved $1,000 for Chris Kringle Market to defray Holiday Movies costs at Roxy Theater
- Denied $2,400 request for Santa charges
- Approved September 12, 2022 minutes
- Approved Financial Report
Board of Fire & Police Commissioners
The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners is meeting to adopt the initial and final Police Patrolman Eligibility Register and authorize the hiring of police officers. The agenda also includes public comment, approval of previous meeting minutes, and discussion of the police testing agency/application process.
- Adopt Initial and Final Police Patrolman Eligibility Register
- Authorize hiring – police
- Police Testing Agency/application process
The Board adopted the Police Patrolman Eligibility Register and offered conditional employment to Brandon Kochurka and Nicholas Pagan. The Board also contracted with Stanard & Associates to provide the next police entry level exam online.
- Approved minutes of October 12, 2022 meeting
- Adopted Initial and Final Police Patrolman Eligibility Register
- Offered conditional employment to Brandon Kochurka and Nicholas Pagan
- Approved contract with Stanard & Associates for online police patrolman entry level exam
Tree Board
The Ottawa Tree Board is meeting to approve minutes from July and discuss a homeowner's guide and tree plantings. No votes or decisions are listed on the agenda.
- Approval of minutes from July 28, 2022 meeting
- Discussion of tree plantings
- Discussion regarding homeowner's guide
The Tree Board approved the minutes from the July meeting. The board noted that no tree planting will occur this fall and that the city has applied for a Morton Arboretum grant. Meetings for November and December are canceled.
- Approved July meeting minutes
- Confirmed no tree planting for fall 2022
- Canceled November and December meetings
Police Pension Board
The Ottawa Police Pension Fund Board of Trustees will meet to approve duty disability benefits for Dave Hallowell, deferred retirement for Louis Riva, and regular retirement for Jeffery Bangert. The board will also review the actuarial valuation, tax levy request, and adopt the 2023 meeting schedule.
- Approve duty disability benefit – Dave Hallowell
- Approve deferred retirement benefits – Louis Riva
- Approve regular retirement benefits – Jeffery Bangert
- Review/approve actuarial valuation and tax levy request
- Presentation and approval of bills and cash management policy
The Board approved retirement benefits for Louis Riva and Jeffery Bagert, and authorized a duty disability payment for David Hollowell. The Board also accepted a service transfer for Joel Smith and approved several financial reports and bills.
- Approved retirement benefit for Louis Riva (3-0)
- Approved retirement benefit for Jeffery Bagert (3-0)
- Directed L&A to start duty disability benefit for David Hollowell in November payroll (3-0)
- Accepted $56,382.49 transfer of service for Joel Smith from LaSalle Police Pension Fund (3-0)
- Approved $102,177.38 in disbursements from the Vendor Check Report (3-0)
- Approved additional bills for Steven Calcaterra & Assoc., IPPFA, and Trustee Hilton (3-0)
- Established 2023 meeting dates for January 17, April 25, July 8, and October 24 (3-0)
- Approved August 4 and September 12, 2022 meeting minutes (3-0)
Special Events Committee
The Special Events Committee meeting of October 20, 2022, was unable to conduct any business because a quorum was not present. No decisions, approvals, or discussions occurred.
Board of Fire & Police Commissioners
The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners will meet to receive updates on hiring and testing for both police and fire departments. The meeting also includes time for public comment and the approval of previous minutes.
- Police hiring and testing update
- Fire hiring and testing update
Board of Fire & Police Commissioners
The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners will meet to receive updates on police and fire hiring and testing. The board is also scheduled to discuss a rules amendment.
- Police hiring and testing update
- Fire hiring and testing update
- Rules Amendment
Police Pension Board
The special meeting of the Ottawa Police Pension Fund Board of Trustees scheduled for August 29, 2022, was cancelled. The agenda had included a hearing regarding a disability benefit application for Dave Hallowell.
- Hearing regarding disability benefit application for Dave Hallowell
Board of Fire & Police Commissioners
The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners will meet to approve previous meeting minutes and authorize the hiring of firefighters. The agenda also includes scheduling entry-level testing for firefighters and accepting applications for police lateral transfers.
- Authorize firefighter hiring
- Schedule firefighter entry level testing
- Accept police lateral transfer applications
Board of Fire & Police Commissioners
The Board will review updates regarding police and firefighter hiring processes. The agenda includes actions related to police testing preference points and the adoption of a final eligibility register for a police patrolman.
- Award Preference Points-Police Testing
- Adopt Final Eligibility Register – Police Patrolman
- Police Hiring updates
- Firefighter Hiring updates
- Fire background investigations
Police Pension Board
The Ottawa Police Pension Fund Board of Trustees will meet to conduct board officer elections and review financial reports. The board will discuss pension membership changes and specific benefit applications for members.
- Board Officer Elections for President, Vice President, Secretary, and Assistant Secretary
- Approval of Line of Duty Death Benefit for Brian Sember
- Application for Membership for Joel Smith and Withdrawal for Stephanie Nelson
- Discussion on Cash Management Policy and First National Bank Bonds
- Status of disability application for Dave Hallowell
Board of Fire & Police Commissioners
The Board will meet to discuss hiring, testing, and promotions for both fire and police departments. The body is scheduled to adopt a final eligibility register for firefighters and award preference points for firefighter testing.
- Award preference points for firefighter testing
- Adopt Final Eligibility Register for firefighters
- Firefighter hiring, testing, and promotions
- Police hiring, testing, and promotions
- Police lateral transfers
Board of Fire & Police Commissioners
The Board will review updates regarding firefighter and police testing. The agenda also includes discussions on fire promotions and hiring age requirements.
- Firefighter Testing update
- Police Testing update
- Fire Promotions
- Hiring age requirements
Board of Fire & Police Commissioners
The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners will meet to address firefighter testing and police hiring. The meeting includes time for public comment and the approval of previous minutes.
- Firefighter Testing
- Police hiring
Board of Fire & Police Commissioners
The Board will review previous meeting minutes and consider the adoption of amended rules. The agenda also includes a period for public comment.
- Approval of previous meeting minutes
- Adoption of Amended Rules
Board of Fire & Police Commissioners
The Board will discuss fire and police department hiring and retention. The agenda also includes entry-level testing for the fire department.
- Fire hiring and retention status
- Fire entry level testing
- Police hiring
Police Pension Board
The Ottawa Police Pension Fund Board of Trustees will review financial reports and investment policies. The board is discussing the consolidation of funds with the Illinois Police Officers' Pension Information Fund (IPOPIF). Members will also consider applications for membership and retirement benefits.
- Applications for membership for Osvaldo Landeros and Josh Jabczynski
- Review of IPOPIF funds transfer and consolidation requests
- Status of disability application for Dave Hallowell
- Approval of surviving dependent Brynne Sember for deceased pensioner Brian Sember
- Discussion of revised fiduciary liability insurance proposal
Board of Fire & Police Commissioners
The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners will meet to review hiring status for both the police and fire departments. The agenda also includes a discussion on fire department hiring and retention.
- Fire department hiring and retention
- Fire department hiring status
- Police department hiring status
Board of Fire & Police Commissioners
The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners will meet to review firefighter entry level testing. The board will also address the police lateral transfer eligibility register and lateral transfer hiring.
- Firefighter Entry Level Testing
- Police Lateral Transfer Eligibility Register
- Police Lateral Transfer Hiring
Police Pension Board
The Ottawa Police Pension Fund Board of Trustees will meet via videoconference to review financial and investment reports. The board will consider actions regarding IPOPIF consolidation, membership applications, and annual cost of living adjustments for pensioners.
- Approval of annual cost of living adjustments for pensioners
- Review and possible action on IPOPIF consolidation requests
- Application for membership for Charles Hooper
- Status of disability application for Dave Hallowell
- Review of fiduciary liability insurance and annual audit report
Board of Fire & Police Commissioners
The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners will meet to discuss firefighter testing and promotions. The board will also review police lateral transfer applications and interviews.
- Firefighter Entry Level Testing
- Firefighter Promotion
- Police Lateral Transfer Oral Interviews
- Police Lateral Transfer Applications
- Executive Session regarding personnel