Harrisburg City Council met May 18.
Here is the minutes as provided by the council:
The Harrisburg City Council met on May 18, 2017 at 6:00 pm in the Council Room, City Hall, Harrisburg,
Illinois.
Mayor John McPeek presided over the meeting with Commissioners Beth Montfort, Natalie Miller, Richard
Harper and Mike Weirauch answering roll call.
Pastor Jerry Wells from the Dorrisville Social Brethren Church led the group in prayer and the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Commissioner Harper made a motion to approve the following items under the Consent Agenda:
1. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 4, 2017.
2. Accepted the Circuit Clerk’s Court Fee disbursement in the amount of $2,792.21.
3. Approved Harrisburg Lake:
4. Request to Relinquish:
Nancy Seagraves - Second Addition, Block 2, Lot 24
Petition to Lease:
Conrad Morse - Second Addition, Block 2, Lot 24
Lease Renewals:
Randy Carmickle - Fourth Addition, Lot 5
Eric VanZant - Fourth Addition, Lot 25
Rosa Cobb and David Lemon - Second Addition, Block 2, Lot 22
Commissioner Montfort seconded. By roll call vote, Commissioners Montfort, Harper and Weirauch and
Mayor McPeek voted yes. Commissioner Miller abstained. Motion carried.
Mayor McPeek asked that the Citizen Comments be moved to next on the Agenda and asked Jim Brown to
speak about the drainage in Harrisburg. Brown explained there are two drainage ditches in Harrisburg, the
West Harrisburg and the Pankey Branch. He referred to a posted map identifying the different areas and stated
two pumping stations have been built to assist in getting water to exit through the levee which was constructed
in the early 40’s.
He stated there have been several projects completed to improve the Pankey Branch drainage. In 1988, the
Feazel Street dry impoundment was constructed. In 1995, it was expanded and then expanded again at a later
date. It will hold back water for two to three days to allow water to exit through the levee before handling the
water from the impoundment. In 2004, the old Sahara property was used for another dry impoundment. The
pumps push out 36,000 gallons per minute. In 2010, he referred to the Maynard pumping station which was
put in close to Pankey Branch which can also push out 36,000 gallons per minute. Between the two, 100
million gallons a day can go over the levee. In 2011, the City started working on acquiring property east of
Harrisburg, the Hart property, with the intention of constructing another impoundment area. The project would
require FEMA/ IEMA grants which have already been used for preliminary design, acquiring archeological
sign offs and IDNR approval. He stated the design is pretty far along and the next step would be to apply for a
75% grant from FEMA and a 25% grant from IDNR to complete the project. However, with the Illinois
budget issue, the IDNR money is not available. The project is a 1.2 million dollar project. Brown stated that
dry impoundment storage areas are easier to operate than pumping stations, but the availability of usable land
in the needed location is a problem. Brown noted the area is changing daily with more building and more fill.
Brown stated that, with the improvements in daily operations done by Superintendent Hefner, there is now 200
million gallons that can be held back.
Brown stated there have been no improvements in the West Harrisburg area other than the dry impoundments
done by IDOT for the Bill Franks Road (the Rt. 13 Bypass) project.
Citizen David Crest, owner of Illinois Storage, stated there was minimum physical damage to his units in
Gaskins City. However, he is very concerned about the loss of income as a results of renters moving out
because they lost items from flooding. He presented some options: 1. Buy outs, relocation of businesses,
acquisition of property for retention areas, new pumps and a freeze on areas in flood zone until issues are
resolved. 2. He would like to acquire information on past, present and future actions in the area to evaluate the
effectiveness. 3. He acknowledged the City could not eliminate the issues on its own but would ask that the
City cooperate with the local, state and federal agencies for assistance. 4. He asked that the City contact
Shimkus, Phelps and Fowler for assistance.
Citizen Roxanna Nicholes stated she had owned property in the Gaskins City area for 30 years and had no
problem until 2008 when the City redirected flooding for the west end of town and the new Walmart opened.
Now every time her buildings flood. She stated they were the sacrificial lambs because it was a less desirable
area.
Jim Brown wanted respond to Nicholes’ statement about her flooding being affected by the watershed
diversion project. He explained that the interconnector had a gate that should be kept closed unless the West
Harrisburg drainage area was pumped down. He asked Superintendent Hefner if the gate was opened in May
of 2017 to which Hefner responded that it was not opened. He stated the reason it was put in was to help
Nicholes’ problem.
Citizen Amanda Hunt, owner of Bright Beginning Day Care Center, stated she had to close her business
because the entrance was flooded which caused there not being enough exits. The mess afterward was very
bad. She lost $1,000.00 worth of toys and equipment. She is considering opening up another business in the
next two years. She stated she has 18 employees and 120 children with a waiting list. She now is concerned on
where to build and was asking for help because she doesn’t know where to begin. She stated the parents
depend on her for their day care needs. Mayor McPeek stated he would work with Chief Gunning in
attempting to locate some property for her.
Citizen Jerrod Joyner stated that Council knows where he stands because, if there is flooding, he floods every
time.
Citizen Jonathan Gericke stated he wanted to once again give his proposal to move the City to higher ground
with a long term, 100 year plan. He suggested encouraging development to the west where it has never
flooded. He stated the plan would start with zoning.
Citizen Terry Maynard stated he had experienced flooding in his business and had once moved all his
merchandise uptown. He told the previous speakers to keep coming back and Jim Brown and Council would
do what they can to improve the situation. He stated he was proud of what happened last time with the
sandbags. He commented that the City had three 100 year floods in the last 15 years.
Mayor McPeek thanked everyone for coming tonight. He made the following statement:
Thank you all for coming tonight. Council has listened to your concerns and want you to know that, not only
have we heard you, but we want to work toward a solution. Even though everyone has not personally
addressed Council, I realize that you all share the same concerns. Those who did address Council have
represented you well. I know each of you is angry, frustrated and feel like the City should do something. And,
do it now!
I called a meeting this week with our engineer, our attorney, the water superintendent, the finance
commissioner and the treasurer to begin the long, hard task of trying to see what can be done.
Please realize this is not an easy fix nor is it a quick fix. I wish with all my heart that I could tell you it was.
But – it’s not.
It’s not easy because we cannot control Mother Nature we can only deal with her when she throws us a curve
ball, which she has done multiple times now. We can discuss, plan and implement to the best of our ability but
we cannot predict the future. Each flood event is different and brings with it its own sometimes new and
different set of problems. But - I want to you all to know that I hear you, the Council hears you and we want to
do everything we can to help you. Please know that we will continue to address the problem and explore every
avenue. Please feel free to call me for an update. If you don’t have my number, call my office and they will
give it to you.
Thank you all again for sharing your concerns.
Citizen Jamie Crest thanked Commissioner Miller for opening the trash place during the recent flooding.
Attorney Todd Bittle asked Mayor McPeek to open any bids received for the properties to be rehabbed. Mayor
McPeek read a bid from Karen Foster for 631 Barnett Street in the amount of $2,000.00. This property also
required an agreement to either demolish or rehabilitate it by October 2017. Commissioner Harper moved to
accept the bid of $2,000.00 for 631 Barnett and authorize Attorney Bittle to prepare the necessary paperwork.
Commissioner Weirauch seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried. Commissioner Harper
stated this was a good deal because not only did it prevent the City from tearing it down but it got it back on
the tax rolls.
Attorney Bittle stated there had been some bids received for property advertised for sale. Mayor McPeek
opened a bid from Rebecca Stafford for 709 South McKinley in the amount of $2,345.67. Attorney Bittle
stated the bid exceeded the required minimum. Commissioner Harper moved to accept the bid of $2,345.67
for709 South McKinley. Commissioner Miller seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Harper moved to authorize Attorney Bittle to prepare the necessary paperwork. Commissioner
Miller seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
Mayor McPeek opened a bid from Deon Latrell for129 South Shaw in the amount of $500.00. Mayor McPeek
asked if the property was cleaned. Attorney Bittle stated there was a building that has sustained substantial
damage. Mayor McPeek asked the bid be tabled until Council could be informed of the status of the property.
Mayor McPeek opened a bid from David Gaskins for 216 South Granger in the amount of $500.00. Attorney
Bittle stated this was a partial lot on the curve north of Lincoln and there was still some debris left on it.
Commissioner Harper moved to accept the bid of $500.00 for 216 South Granger and to authorize Attorney
Bittle to prepare the necessary paperwork. Commissioner Miller seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes.
Motion carried.
Mayor McPeek opened a bid from David Gaskins for 218 South Granger in the amount of $500.00.
Commissioner Harper moved to accept the bid of $500.00 for 218 South Granger and to authorize Attorney
Bittle to prepare the necessary paperwork. Commissioner Miller seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes.
Motion carried.
Attorney Bittle stated the lease agreement for the Chamber of Commerce that Council had approved at the last
meeting was in the packets awaiting the Mayor’s signature. Commissioner Harper moved to authorize the
Mayor to sign the lease agreement for the Chamber of Commerce for the west room on the third floor of City
Hall. Commissioner Miller seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
Superintendent Kelly Hefner asked Council to review the options for water rate increases presented at the last
meeting.
Superintendent Hefner reminded Council that he had advertised for bids on a new truck for the Sewer
Department. Commissioner Harper stated one quote was from Watermark in the amount of $26,337.15 and
another quote for the same specifications was from Jim Hayes in the amount of $26,898.28. Commissioner
Harper moved to accept the bid from Watermark for the 2017 F250 in the amount of $26,337.15.
Commissioner Montfort objected to purchasing a truck without considering what the water rate increase was
going to be. Mayor McPeek pointed out the purchase of a truck was already in the budget. Commissioner
Weirauch stated he was not voting no but only wanted to wait. Mayor McPeek seconded the motion. By roll
call vote, Commissioners Miller, Montfort and Weirauch voted no. Commissioner Harper and Mayor McPeek
voted yes. Motion failed for lack of a majority.
Mayor McPeek stated that, in the future any equipment purchase, even if it was under the $20,000.00 limit,
should come before Council for approval so the citizens can be aware of it. He referred to the recent purchases
by the Street and Alley Department which Superintendent Rick Brown noted had been under the $20,000.00
limit. Commissioner Harper questioned if the truck bids were only good for 30 days and Mayor McPeek stated
they would probably have to be rebid.
Jim Brown stated he had nothing to report on Chase Environmental. Attorney Bittle stated he had made
contact with Dwayne Doty and he was going to get back to him with some additional information. Mayor
McPeek stated he had spoken with the lady from IEPA today and informed her that it had been turned over to
the attorney.
Commissioner Montfort stated this was National Police Recognition Week.
Commissioner Montfort stated at the last meeting the last eligible candidate for the Fire Department was hired
and the Merit Board is recommending the next eligible candidate for the Police Department who is Eric Gott.
Gott has passed the polygraph and physiological testing. He would still need to pass the City’s drug and
physical. She had been contacted by the State regarding his academy training. She stated he could start June 1
but she was not sure yet when he could get into the academy which is similar to the situation last year.
Commissioner Montfort moved to hire Eric Gott for the Police Department pending his passing the physical
and drug test beginning June 1. Commissioner Weirauch seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion
carried.
Commissioner Montfort suggested the community could help with a toy drive for the daycare center that lost
toys in the recent flooding.
Commissioner Montfort shared the video gaming numbers for April.
Commissioner Weirauch stated he was open to suggestions for local talent to perform at the Courtyard during
the summer.
Commissioner Harper moved to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss Pending Litigation, Collective
Bargaining and Personnel. Commissioner Weirauch seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
Adjourn 6:50 pm.
Reconvened: 7:37 pm.
Mayor John McPeek presided over the reconvened meeting with Commissioners Beth Montfort, Richard
Harper, Natalie Miller and Mike Weirauch answering roll call.
Mayor McPeek stated there was no action taken on Pending Litigation or Collective Bargaining.
Commissioner Montfort moved to direct the Merit Board to begin testing for Fire and Police Departments.
Commissioner Weirauch seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
Mayor McPeek moved this meeting be adjourned until Tuesday, May 30 at 8:00 am to pass Water/Sewer rate
increase Ordinances. Commissioner Weirauch seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
Adjourned to May 30:
7:38pm.
http://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/3acc7b_17c523c946be4054a95b131983fc0249.pdf
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