The Harrisburg City Council met Dec. 15 to approve the 2017 meeting schedule.
Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the council:
Harrisburg’s City Council is the Legislative Branch of City government. The City Council consists of seven members who are elected at large. The City Council President is elected by the Council members and presides over the Council meetings. In the event of illness or absence, the Vice-President presides over the meetings.
Harrisburg City Council Meeting Council Room, City Hall Harrisburg, Illinois Regular Meeting December 15, 2016 6:00 PM
The Harrisburg City Council met on December 15, 2016 at 6:00 pm in the Council Room, City Hall, Harrisburg, Illinois.
Mayor Dale Fowler presided over the meeting with Commissioners John McPeek, Natalie Miller, Beth Montfort and Richard Harper answering roll call.
Rev. Dan Whitfield from the First Presbyterian Church led the group in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner McPeek made a motion to approve the following items under the Consent Agenda:
1. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 1, 2016. 2. Bill from Brown & Roberts for mitigation application of the detention basin in the amount of $8,971.25 to be taken out of FEMA grant. 3. Bill from Brown & Roberts for Mott Excavating for West Harrisburg pumping station in the amount of $13,708.35 to be taken out of DRA grant. 4. Bill from Chemco for salt additive in the amount of $2,675.45 to be taken out of MFT. 5. Bill from Chemco for Bio Heet in the amount of $508.20 to be taken out of MFT. Commissioner Harper seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
Mayor Fowler stated the proposed 2017 City Council meeting date schedule was in the packets. Commissioner McPeek moved to approve the 2017 City Council meeting calendar. Commissioner Miller seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
Sarah Farmer from the Southeastern Illinois Regional Planning stated she had received a letter from the Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) regarding the Revolving Loan Fund. Because there had not been a new loan in three years, they wanted to close the fund. There is a meeting in January which Farmer stated someone from Regional Planning would attend and asked for that the fund not be dissolved. If the fund were to be dissolved, the money could either be put in General Fund or used for as a community block grant. She recommended not considering any new loans until after the January meeting. The balance in the Revolving Loan Fund is $348,303.73.
Jim Williams from Williams and Associates asked Council to review the last 22 years of premiums for GIE, the general liability and auto coverage. He noted that the 2016/2017 premium was $155,627.00 and the stability of the cost, even with doubling the liability limits in 2012. He had some handouts that explained the history of GIE and the balance sheet.
Commissioner McPeek noted there would be a Special Meeting on December 21 at 8:00 am to pass the Annual Tax Levy for 2016/2017.
Commissioner McPeek moved to allow a credit card payment to Wix.com for a domain name in the amount of $14.95. Commissioner Harper seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner McPeek moved to allow a credit card payment to Wix.com for hosting fees in the amount of $298.00. Commissioner Harper seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Montfort stated there had been 243 rental inspections for the year done by the Fire Department and 14 demolitions.
Commissioner Montfort thank Police Officer Bob Smith for his 26 years of service and gave a brief history of his accomplishments. Smith noted that he had been most proud of the Shop-with-a-Cop program that he initiated and the fact that it has served over 4,000 children.
Mayor Fowler made a heartfelt statement about his time as Mayor, his pride in the City and its employees and his honor to have served, before reading his resignation as Mayor effective immediately. Commissioner Harper moved to accept his resignation. Commissioner Miller seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
After Fowler left the Council table, Mayor Pro-Tem McPeek thank him for his service.
Commissioner Montfort moved to appoint John McPeek as Mayor. Commissioner Miller seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried. Commissioner Montfort offered her congratulations to Mayor McPeek and gave a brief history of his service to the City and stated how the other Council members were looking forward to working with him to move the City forward.
City Clerk Sally Wofford swore in Mayor McPeek.
After a brief recess to allow the attendees to say farewells to Fowler and congratulations to McPeek, the meeting resumed at 6:37 pm.
Mayor McPeek presented his resignation as Finance Commissioner. Commissioner Miller moved to accept his resignation. Commissioner Montfort seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
Mayor McPeek moved to appoint Commissioner Harper as Commissioner of Accounts and Finance. Commissioner Miller seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
Mayor McPeek moved to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss Personnel. Commissioner Harper seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
Adjourn 6:39 pm.
Reconvened: 6:59 pm.
Mayor John McPeek presided over the meeting with Commissioners Natalie Miller, Beth Montfort and Richard Harper answering roll call.
Mayor McPeek stated there was no action for Personnel.
Commissioner Miller moved to adjourn. Commissioner Montfort seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
Adjourn: 7:00 pm.
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