HOOPESTON — City council members learned at Tuesday’s meeting that Hoopeston received a plaque honoring Hoopeston’s water department for five years of fluoridation compliance of city water.

"This is something we do really well," said Alderman Bill McElhaney. "Five years in a row is something worth noting."

The award is given by the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Oral Health and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and honors 430 communities in Illinois. Some of the communities had been in compliance for more than 20 years.

In other business Tuesday, council members:

-- Approved the tax abatement and tax levy ordinances.

According to Alderman Bill Goodwine, when the city refinanced the Market Street sewer project, it was stated that if there was not enough money in the water and sewer budget to cover the payment, a bond would be issued to raise taxes in these areas.

"Every year we do have enough in the water and sewer," said Goodwine, "and have to abate it to keep from raising taxes."

-- Approved donating the surplus ambulance to the Hoopeston Regional Health Center as a public relations vehicle after waving the bidding process for the ambulance.

-- Heard Josh Caudle, Lorraine Theatre owner, request a home for the Lorraine’s historic mural located behind the theater concession area in order to preserve it. The mural was painted by A. J. Claesson, noted theater architectural designer and decorator, who remodeled the theater about 1937.

-- Learned the Chamber of Commerce will host a Christmas festival on Saturday in the downtown area. Two free showings of "Polar Express," sponsored by the Hoopeston Regional Health Center, will show at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Other events will be offered from 1-5 p.m., including a Christmas tree lighting and caroling in Rotary Park.

-- Learned the cemetery had finished planting the new trees in Floral Hill Cemetery.

-- Learned that the income survey still needed 300 more surveys to be completed as a requirement for the state infrastructure grants.

-- Learned that the motel project is progressing.

-- Learned that a meeting of the Street and Alley Department will be at 7 p.m. Monday at City Hall.

-- Learned that a second meeting for contractors will be Jan. 7 at City Hall.

WHAT’S NEXT

Hoopeston City council members will meet at 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at City Hall, 302 W. Main St.