City of Carlyle City Council met Nov. 24

Dec 24, 2025

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City of Carlyle City Council met Nov. 24.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Call to Order/Roll Call

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Judy Smith on Monday, November 24, 2025, at 7 p.m. Council members present included Tammy Peters, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, Bailey Ellis, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, and Bruce Hilmes. City employees present included Jason Herzing, Keith Housewright, Brad Myers, City Attorney Joe Heiligenstein, and Martha Reinkensmeyer. Corey Johnson was present, as well.

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Minutes

After reviewing the November 10, 2025, minutes, Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve the minutes. Tammy Peters seconded the motion. It was unanimously approved by roll call. Aye: Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, Bailey Ellis, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, and Tammy Peters. Nay: none.

Approval of Transfers

Jeremy Weh made a motion to approve the transfers. Jeff Taylor seconded the motion. It was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, Bailey Ellis, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Tammy Peters, and Jim McClaren. Nay: none.

Approval of Claims

Jeremy Weh made a motion to approve the payment of claims. Jeff Taylor seconded the motion. It was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Jeremy Weh, Bailey Ellis, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Tammy Peters, Jim McClaren, and Scott Diekemper. Nay: none.

City Clerk Report

There was no report.

Aldermen Reports

There were no reports.

Mayor’s Report

Mayor Smith stated that the Christmas parade will be held on Friday, November 28th at 6:30 p.m. It starts at 11th and Fairfax Streets, turn north on 5th Street, turn east on Clinton and then stop at the park. The fireworks will start after the parade. Piper will be hidden daily December 1st through December 25th. Entry slips can be found in the box at the park. This year marks Piper’s 10th birthday and Kayla will be working that into the prize baskets and on the entry forms. The last day of the lights will be January 5th.

Mayor Smith then read the following statement.

I want to make clear that the Carlyle Police Department is NOT and I repeat NOT under investigation. Services provided by the police department will not be interrupted and under new leadership the police will continue to serve the citizens of Carlyle. The Carlyle City Council, city administrator, and I stand by the department and back the officers 100 percent.

The investigation being conducted by the FBI centers around one individual. That individual has been placed on paid leave for now. As new information is made available to city officials, that status could change. Once the FBI has concluded its investigation the city will act accordingly.

City Administrator’s Report

There was no report.

Public Comments

There were no public comments.

Library Report

Keith Housewright stated that the library will host Christmas Tales and Tunes on Sunday, December 7th at 1 p.m. This event is sponsored by Friends of the Library and the Clinton County Historical Society.

Zoning

There was no report.

EDC

There was no report.

Corporate/Finance

Close City Hall to Observe Christmas Eve/Christmas Day – Mayor Smith stated that she originally was going to close city hall at noon on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and December 26th. However, since creating the agenda, she decided to close city hall for the entire day on Christmas Eve. Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve closing city hall on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and December 26th. Scott Diekemper seconded the motion. It was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Bailey Ellis, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Tammy Peters, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, and Jeremy Weh. Nay: none.

Electric

There was no report.

Water & Wastewater

There was no report.

Street & Alley

There was no report.

Police

There was no report.

Park

There was no report.

Employee Concerns

There was no report.

Unfinished Business

There was no unfinished business.

New Business

There was no new business.

Executive Session

Jeff Taylor made a motion to enter executive session, and Jim McClaren seconded the motion. It was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Tammy Peters, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, and Bailey Ellis. Council entered executive session at 7:09 p.m. to discuss personnel 5ILCS 120/2(c)(1) and the sale or lease of property 5ILCS 120/2(c)(5).

Return to Open Session

Council returned to open session at 8 p.m. Jeff Taylor made a motion to appoint Jason Herzing as temporary police chief, with Tammy Peters seconding the motion. It was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Tammy Peters, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, Bailey Ellis, and Jeff Taylor. Nay: none.

Adjournment

With no further business to discuss, Jeff Taylor made a motion to adjourn, with Jeremy Weh seconding the motion. It was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Bruce Hilmes, Tammy Peters, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, Bailey Ellis, and Mike Jansen. Nay: none.

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/carlyle/Board.nsf/Public#

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