Harrisburg City Council met April 20.
Here is the minutes as provided by the council:
The Harrisburg City Council met on April 20, 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 Bobby Gentry from the River of Life Church led the group in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor McPeek asked that his Agenda item be moved to allow the appointee to attend a previous engagement.
Mayor McPeek moved to appoint Judy Cape to the Police Pension Board with her term to be through May of
2019. Commissioner Harper seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
Judy Cape was sworn in the City Clerk Sally Wofford.
Mayor McPeek noted the passing of former employee Gerald (Hammer) Mahan and acknowledged his
contributions to the City during his employment. He announced the funeral arrangements.
Commissioner Harper made a motion to approve the following items under the Consent Agenda:
1. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 6, 2017.
2. Harrisburg Lake:
Request to Relinquish:
John W. Winters - Second Addition, Block 2, Lot 8
Donald and Sandra Barnes - Fourth Addition, Lot 16. O. Box 429
Ridgway, IL 62979
Petition to Lease:
Matt Cockrum - Second Addition, Block 2, Lot 8
Lease Renewals:
Bonnie Mahan and Robi Mahan - Second Addition, Block 1, Lot 1
Ron and Nancy Braddock - First Addition, Block 1, Lot 9
Robert Barnfield and Michael Barnfield - First Addition, Block 2, Lot 2
John W. Winters - Second Addition, Blok 2, Lot 9
Jerry and Cynthia Gulley - Fourth Addition, Lot 12
Jerry and Cynthia Gulley - First Addition, Block 2, Lot 1
Bob Durant, Atrall Durant, Joshua Durant - Second Addition, Block 2, Lot 3
Raymond and Tamm Gunning - Second Addition, Block 2, Lot 6
Dennis James Hulsey and Michael E. Leonard - Second Addition, Block 2, Lot 16
Steve and Julie Dunn - Second Addition, Block 2, Lot 18
Crystal Henderson - Second Addition, Block 2, Lot 21
David and Jeanne Grant - Second Addition, Block 2, Lot 23
Michael and Tammy Dunnigan - First Addition, Block 1, Lot 1B
Ralph and Renee Boots - Fourth Addition, Lot 27
Janice Cook and Bill Leadingham - Second Addition, Block 2, Lot 2
David and Rebecca Schou - Second Addition, Block 2, Lot 12
Frank D. and Jeannie Lappin - Second Addition, Block 1, Lot 4
Donald and Linda Gulley - First Addition, Block 3, Lot 2
Rebecca O’Brien, et al - First Addition, Block 1, Lot 4
Attorney Todd Bittle stated there were no bids received for 631 West Barnett or 1022 East Sloan which were
to be rehabbed or demolished. He stated the City will probably tear the buildings down but asked that the item
be tabled.
Attorney Bittle stated the bids for demolition at 24 South Jackson were to be tabled.
Fire Chief John Gunning asked for direction from Council regarding several mobile homes that were up for
sale through the Saline County Trustee. The mobile homes at 309 North Sherman and 437 West Church would
not include the property. He stated there were other mobile homes but suggested acquiring only the ones that
include the property. The property at 407 South Jackson would include both. Commissioner Harper moved to
authorize Attorney Bittle bit place a bid up to $695.00 for the trailer and property at 407 South Jackson.
Commissioner Montfort seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
Chief Gunning stated he would check further on the others.
Jim Brown of Brown & Roberts stated he, Mayor McPeek, Commissioner Harper, Superintendent Kelly
Hefner and Bobby Brown had met with Joe Stitley from the IEPA to discuss the new phosphorous procedure
that had gone into effect but had ended up talking about the sewer plant in general. The sewer plant was
inspected on March 28 and the report was reviewed. Brown asked Council to refer to pages 1, 2 and 3 in the
report. He stated that Stitley had said the City could make an effort to rehab the plant or replace it.
Commissioner Harper stated the City should plan for the future by laying out a plan now. He stated the current
capacity had a 1.6 million maximum flow and currently the usage was 1.4 million, meaning it was almost at
the maximum. He stated that if the City renovated the current plant, it would still be in a confined area which,
during the last flood, was almost flooded. He suggested a new plant located where the City owns property but
it would need a feasibility study. He suggested that the other Commissioners visit with Bobby Brown to see
for themselves the shape the sewer plant is in and to consider possibilities. He stated the budget was
$150,000.00 for chemicals to be used for the new IEPA standards, which could be less with a new plant. He
stated that if the City wanted to go in a new direction, the Murphysboro plant would be a place to visit. He
stated that even if the City were to start now, it would take several years for the permitting and the plans. If
something were started now, there may be grant money available in the next couple of years and, if the project
were shovel ready, the City could apply. Brown stated that the optimization of the pumping stations would
have to be brought into any future plans. Mayor McPeek asked about the current plant’s age and Brown stated
that it had been rehabbed in 1969, the sludge unit had been updated but the plant was in its original location
and very susceptible to flooding. Commissioner Harper also noted the odor which might be helped by moving
to a more remote area. Brown added that the building had been remote before a lot of building had been done
around it. Brown noted that Rural Development or IEPA would want to see plans before awarding any money.
Commissioner Montfort asked if it would take a year to do any preliminary work and Brown stated that was
correct.
Commissioner Harper informed Council about some of the current bonds and their annual payments. One
bond expired in 2024 which had a $158,000.00 annual payment. A second bond expired in 2018 with a
$14,253.00 annual payment. A third bond expired in 2030 with a $26,275.00 annual payment. He also noted
that there was one year left on the sewer jet loan which was a $26,000.00 payment. He stated those dollars
could be put toward any plans. He stated the City could be looking for grants and seriously considering a new
plant.
Superintendent Kelly Hefner announced the annual Consumer Confidence Report was posted in the City
Clerk’s office, in the Water Department, the website and Facebook.
Superintendent Hefner asked for permission to seek bids on a Sewer Department truck. Commissioner Harper
moved to allow Superintendent Hefner to seek bids for a Sewer Department truck. Commissioner Miller
seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
Superintendent Hefner stated he would address the water rate increase at the next meeting.
Dan Wilson, Chairman of the Board of Fire and Police Commission, began addressing Council by reading
from the Rules and Regulations outlining the duties of the Board. He explained the Merit Board was a buffer
between the Chiefs and the employer and they have the authority to replace employees. His main concern was
the budget allowance versus what he had submitted. His original figure of $26,400.00 included $10,000.00 for
testing, $3,000.00 for salaries, hearings and training and $5,000.00 for investigative background checks. His
figures were cut to a $14,000.00 budget. He believed it should be his original figures and, if it wasn’t needed,
it wouldn’t be spent. He asked who decided what adequate funds were? He asked if it was someone with 13
years of experience or someone else. He stated there would be testing this year for fire and police and possible
hearings. He stated he had been told there would be money available if needed but he did not find that
reassuring. Mayor McPeek stated he was doing a wonderful job and, as he had explained, funds could be
moved around. Commissioner Harper gave a recap of the last few years of budget versus spent. He stated that
in 14/15 the budget was $4,643.00 with $4,072.00 spent; 15/16 the budget was $10,077.00 with $8,900.00
spent; 16/17 the budget was $6,357.00 with $1,059.00 spent and the budget for 17/18 was $14,807.00.
Commissioner Harper felt this was adequate funds and explained that to increase the Merit Board budget
meant it had to be pulled from someone else. He continued that if the funds were needed, he would make them
available but he was not going to park money in Wilson’s budget.
Commissioner Miller asked Jim Brown from Brown & Roberts to explain the MFT agenda items. Brown
stated that he, Mike Roberts, Superintendent Rick Brown and Commissioner Miller had met to discuss various
MFT projects. He explained that St. Mary’s Drive north of old Rt. 13 had been considered several years ago
but no preliminary work had been done. The project would involve water lines, curbing, resurfacing and
possibly cutting down some of the hills. He stated it was a quarter million dollar project. Brown continued
that, when FAU money had been available, it would have been considered an eligible project similar to the
Walmart infrastructure project which was the last FAU project the City had done. Brown stated the project
could be a MFT project and would only be a portion of the road, that portion to the water tower.
Commissioner Harper moved to pass Resolution 17-0420 a Resoluton for Improvement Under the Illinois
Highway Code. Commissioner Weirauch seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Harper moved to enter into a Preliminary Engineering Services Agreement for Motor Fuel Tax
Funds with Brown & Roberts. Commissioner Miller seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Miller stated that during the Spring Clean Up there were 17 thirty-yard dumpsters filled and
reminded the public that it had ended.
Commissioner Montfort thanked Chief Gunning and Superintendent Brown & Roberts for all their aggressive
efforts to clean up the City.
Commissioner Montfort stated the Police were in and out of schools more and making themselves more
visible to the community which she appreciated.
Commissioner Montfort stated she wanted to direct the Merit Board to give their recommendations for one
Police Officer and one Fireman from the eligibility list. Commissioner Harper asked what that meant.
Commissioner Montfort stated the Council hires for those departments based on the Merit Board’s
recommendations. She stated that since she had received a resignation from the Police Department and the
Fire Department was not in compliance with the two-on/two-off status, it was time to consider hiring.
Commissioner Montfort moved to direct the Merit Board to make recommendations for a Police Officer and a
Fireman. Commissioner Weirauch seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Harper moved to pass the previously presented Budget for Fiscal Year 2017/2018.
Commissioner Miller seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Harper stated he was still negotiating the pre-employment physical contract.
Commissioner Harper stated there were two estimates for the replacement of the bottom windows and doors at
City Hall. Marion Glass submitted an estimate of $18,263.00 and Glass Doctor submitted an estimate of
$16,000.00. He stated both had bid on previous window replacements. Commissioner Harper moved to award
Glass Doctor the replacement of windows and doors for the bottom level of City Hall. Commissioner Montfort
seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Harper moved to approve salary increases for non-union, non-contractual employees of 50¢ an
hour effective May 1, 2017. Commissioner Miller seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Harper noted the rates are consistent with the increases give to 318 and FOP.
Commissioner Weirauch stated the current nepotism policy should be amended to remove the Fire and Police
from the restrictions because the Merit Board is the entity that makes the recommendation for hiring in those
Departments. Commissioner Weirauch move to pass Ordinance #1728 an ordinance Amending Ordinance
Number 1589 an Ordinance Governing Nepotism and conflict of Interest in Contracts. Commissioner Miller
seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Weirauch stated he had been contacted by a citizen concerning fowl inside City limits. He had
reviewed the Code and there is no type of fowl allowed. Commissioner Montfort stated she had also been
contacted and had some additional information about the type of fowl the citizen was talking about. After
some discussion, Mayor McPeek asked them to bring something back to Council for consideration.
Mayor McPeek announced that in June the Saline County Chamber of Commerce would be moving to upstairs
in City Hall.
Mayor McPeek added his thanks to Chief Gunning and Superintendent Brown efforts toward cleaning up the
City. He asked that everyone take pride in the City by keeping their property clean and helping their
neighbors.
Citizen Terry Maynard asked where a new sewer plant would be located. Commissioner Harper stated it
would be out on North Veterans Drive on property the City already owns. Maynard questioned if there was
any City growth with all the houses being torn down. Mayor McPeek stated that until the City gets more jobs,
we need to work on making the City look good.
Maynard also expressed concern about improvement work on St. Mary’s Drive when there were other streets
in town that might need work. Commissioner Miller stated that certain funds were restricted on their use and
MFT money would be available for St. Mary’s Drive.
Maynard expressed concern about a water rate increase and stated it seemed to be an annual thing which
usually was a big discussion, noting that an increase hurt the poor more.
Commissioner Harper moved to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss Pending and Possible Litigation and
Personnel. Commissioner Weirauch seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
Adjourn 6:58 pm.
Reconvened: 7:30 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 and Possible Litigation or Personnel.
Commissioner Harper moved to adjourn. Commissioner Weirauch seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes.
Motion carried.
Adjourn: 7:31 pm
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