Meeting Summary and Briefs: Litchfield City Council for July 2, 2026

LITCHFIELD — The Litchfield City Council met Thursday, July 2, 2026, at City Hall and worked through an agenda dominated by streets, teardowns and staffing. The council created a $110,000 director of public works position, heard an extended code enforcement briefing from ordinance officer Shane Grammer, approved $130,062.72 in change orders for the Columbia Street reconstruction, awarded an $86,648 milling and resurfacing bid, and cleared four structures for demolition under a state grant. Full coverage of each of those items appears in separate stories.

The council also swore in a new city clerk, approved a smaller change order on Jackson Street, and heard updates on the National Primers ammunition facility, the city’s water rates and Fourth of July plans, before adjourning to executive session. Alderman Bob Garcia was absent; his letter to the council was read into the record.

Kerry Hopkins Sworn In as City Clerk

Fleming introduced Kerry Hopkins at the start of the meeting and the oath of office was administered on the floor, with Hopkins swearing to support the U.S. and Illinois constitutions and to faithfully discharge the duties of the clerk’s office. Fleming clarified for the public that the council had approved the appointment at its previous meeting, which is why no vote accompanied the swearing-in. “We just swore in Kerry just now, and I think he’s going to do a wonderful job,” Fleming said. He also thanked the resident who had filled in as clerk in the interim and has since stepped back to be with family. Hopkins’s name appears on the attestation line of every resolution in the July 2 packet.

Council Approves $4,500 Jackson Street Change Order

The council approved a resolution authorizing a change order for the Jackson Street reconstruction project with Rooters Asphalt in an amount not to exceed $4,500. According to the packet, crews found a buried storm inlet at the corner of Jackson and Columbia — a corner with a history of holding water after rain events. Public works directed the contractor to bring the storm drain to the surface and install a new storm grate “so it will work as it was once designed to do.” The additional work authorization is dated June 17, 2026, and references a jobsite meeting held June 16. Capital sales tax funds are available. Gerl made the motion; it passed on a roll-call vote with no members opposed.

$5 Water Bill Fee Ends With Next Billing Cycle

Responding to a council member’s question about residents still seeing a $5 fee on their water bills, Vazquez said the charge disappears when the city’s new rates take effect. “So that is the next billing cycle,” she said. “So on the bills due August 10th, which are the next bills to be sent out, you will not see that $5 fee at that point.”

National Primers Facility Still Moving Forward

Asked for a status update on the ammunition plant planned across the interstate, Vazquez said the National Primers facility “is still a go.” She said the company had contacted the fire chief with inquiries about federal firing requirements, and that the city has fielded questions from builders bidding on the project who are looking at fire suppression, indicating building specifications have been issued. “We do have strong indications that it’s a go and we still have had open communication with them,” she said.

Oil-and-Chip Streets to Be Redone in Late Summer

A council member raised the condition of Monroe Street and other north-side streets that were oil-and-chipped last year. Vazquez said the city worked with HMG Engineers, which helps with engineering design on city projects, to identify a compatible oil and rock. “We will be redoing all of those streets that were oil and chipped last year,” she said, with work timed to the weather and typically falling mid to late August. She also confirmed that a bid for North Monroe, a cul-de-sac on the north end, remains in the budget and will be let this fiscal year, calling it one of the first projects the new public works director will take on. A council member used the exchange to thank the street department for responding to road and culvert complaints “the next day.”

Fourth of July, 250th Anniversary Events Set at the Lake

Fleming devoted his city report to Fourth of July plans, noting the date marks the 250th anniversary of the United States. Fireworks at the lake begin at 9:30 p.m., preceded by live music from 7 to 9:30 p.m. and, new this year, a foam and bubble party from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in a 40-by-40 area for children, with foam shot every half hour. Food trucks will be on site. On Sunday, July 5, at 1 p.m., a portrayal of Thomas Jefferson will read the Declaration of Independence on the steps of the Carnegie building, with George Washington also expected. Fleming asked residents to celebrate respectfully, citing veterans with PTSD and pets distressed by fireworks, and noted the police department’s limited staffing. “Our police are of course going to enforce the law, but we really need you as citizens to try and follow the rules to the best of your abilities,” he said.

Minutes, Expenditures Approved

The council approved the minutes of the June 18, 2026, regular meeting and the expenditure and payroll reports for the current period. Both passed on roll-call votes with no members opposed and no discussion. No one signed up to speak during public participation. There was no old business.

Council Enters Executive Session

The council voted to enter executive session under the Illinois Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS 120/2, citing four exemptions: discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under the act (5 ILCS 120/2(2)(c)(21)); the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees (5 ILCS 120/2(2)(c)(1)); litigation that has been filed or is probable or imminent (5 ILCS 120/2(2)(c)(11)); and the setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body (5 ILCS 120/2(2)(6)). Zumwalt made the motion. The posted agenda listed two items of new business to follow the closed session: approval of executive session minutes from June 18, 2026, and a motion to approve the hire of a candidate for director of public works. No formal action can be taken in executive session.