SE Illinois News

Harrisburg City Council met September 7.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

The Harrisburg City Council met on September 7, 2017 at 6:00 pm in the Council Room of City Hall Harrisburg, Illinois.

Mayor John McPeek presided over the meeting with Commissioners Beth Montfort, Richard Harper and Mike Weirauch answering roll call. Commissioner Natalie Miller was absent.

Pastor Dan Masters from the First Church of God led the group in prayer and the pledge.

Commissioner Harper stated the Woolcott Street survey would be paid out of Council Contingency.

Commissioner Harper made a motion to approve the following items under Consent Agenda:

1. Minutes from the Regular Meeting of August 17, 2017.

2. Bill from Brown & Roberts for Woolcott Street survey in the amount of $4,654.58 to be paid out of Council Contingency.

3. Bill from Brown & Roberts for levee toe drain study in the amount of $783.00.

4. Bill from LaFarge for rip rap in the amount of $1,656.78 to be taken out of MFT.

5. Bill from Varsity Striping for materials in the amount of $8,327.50 to be taken out of MFT.

Commissioner Montfort seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.

Jim Brown from Brown & Roberts asked Council to review the bid tab for the MFT St. Mary Drive project and pointed out the low bidder was E. T. Simonds for $304,095.56. While it was more than the estimate, it was still within IDOT’s acceptable amount. Commissioner Harper moved to accept and award the bid of $304,095.56 to E. T. Simonds for the St. Mary’s Drive project. Commissioner Weirauch seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.

Brown explained the next step was to pass an IDOT Resolution to perform the project. Commissioner Harper moved to pass Resolution 17-0907 a Resolution for Improvement Under the Illinois Highway Code. Commissioner Montfort seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.

Brown presented the engineering agreement for St. Mary’s Drive. Commissioner Harper moved to enter into the Construction Engineering Services agreement for Motor Fuel Tax Funds. Commissioner Montfort seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.

Brown stated that Neil Cash from the Corps has backed off some from the earlier requests regarding the plan to abandon the toe drains. The options had been to replace them, improve them or prove they are not needed. In order to prove they are not needed, a seepage analysis is required which uses a software program that Patrick Engineering has and could use for the necessary analysis. The borings required would be done by Holcomb Engineering. Brown explained again that the toe drains were part of the original levee construction and were to channel any seepage from the levee to the pumping station. They are currently plugged at various locations and are basically non-functioning along the 10,000 feet of pipe. Superintendent Kelly Hefner stated partial videoing had shown that they were broken or clogged in several places and he recommended trying to abandon them. Brown stated the fee for Patrick was $10,000.00; the fee for Holcomb was $6,922.00 and his firm’s fee was estimated at $5,000.00 so it would take approximately $22,000.00 to provide the Corp with information needed to determine if the drains could be abandoned. Commissioner Montfort questioned where the money would come from and was told the Water/Sewer Department would be covering the bill.

Brown stated that Patrick will do computer modeling and Holcomb would do the drilling and, hopefully, it would indicate that the drains were not needed. He estimated that to replace the drains would cost $200,000.00. He stated the modeling created Patrick Engineering would make recommendations. Commissioner Harper clarified that if they were not abandoned, the City would have the cost of examining them every five years which can’t be done because they are plugged.

Brown stated the latest email from Cash had outlined an alternative method of abandonment to the Corp’s SOP which began with cleaning out the drains and that would defeat the idea of abandonment.

Commissioner Harper moved to engage Patrick Engineering for the toe drain analysis and Holcomb Engineering for the core drilling subject to the review of the contracts by the attorney. Commissioner seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.

Brown was asked when the project would be done. He stated, hopefully, this month. When asked about the results, he stated the drilling would take about five days in the field and Patrick would probably take around 30 days, so 90 days would be a guess.

Brown reminded Council about the West Harrisburg and Pankey Branch pumping stations that still had to be inspected. He stated Council had previously approved the estimated $8,600.00 cost from H. E. Mitchell to build scaffolding that would give him access to perform the videoing. That is best done when things were dry and he would be proceeding with that soon.

Brown indicated the letter from the IEPA in their packets which referred to plans he had submitted five months ago for updating water lines. He stated because of the large number of requests it may take a while before the City receives a response.

Attorney Todd Bittle stated a bid had been received for property that had been advertised previously. Mayor McPeek opened a bid for 407 South Jackson from Nhan Thi Huynh in the amount of $800.00 with the provision that the City would be removing the mobile home currently on the site. Commissioner Harper moved to accept the bid. Commissioner Weirauch seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.

Attorney Todd Bittle stated there were several bids for properties that had been advertised for bid opening at this meeting. Mayor McPeek opened the first bid for 600 South Granger from Steve Quertermous in the amount of $2,200.00. Mayor McPeek opened the second bid for 600 South Granger from Rick Mallady in the amount of $1,600.00. Commissioner Harper moved to accept the bid from Steve Quertermous for $2,200.00. Commissioner Weirauch seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.

Mayor McPeek opened the bid for 14 East Lincoln from Steve Quertermous in the amount of $1,500.00. Commissioner Weirauch moved to accept the bid. Commissioner Harper seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.

Mayor McPeek opened the bid for 115 Big Four from Marilyn Waite in the amount of $750.00. Commissioner Weirauch moved to accept the bid. Commissioner Harper seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.

Mayor McPeek opened the bid for 814 West Raymond from Ralph and Amber Renee Boots in the amount of $563.00. Commissioner Harper moved to accept the bid. Commissioner Weirauch seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.

Mayor McPeek opened the first bid for 505 West Barnett from Deon Littrell in the amount of $2,005.00. Mayor McPeek opened the second bid from Steve Quertermous in the amount of $2,000.00. Mayor McPeek opened the third bid from Bob and Kathy Gibson in the amount of $1,000.00. Commissioner Harper moved to accept the bid from Deon Littrell contingent upon his accepting the rehab agreement. Commissioner Montfort seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.

Attorney Bittle stated the Mutual Release Agreement in the packet was for property at 11 West College that had a burned out house and had been declared a dangerous building. The law firm that had control of the trust for that property wanted to be assured that, if the deed is transferred to the City, they would be released from any and all liability and responsibility. Commissioner Harper moved to authorize the Mayor to sign the Mutual Release Agreement for a Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure of 11 West College. Commissioner Montfort seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.

Attorney Bittle presented an ordinance to sell the Solar Eclipse banners for a minimum bid of $100.00. Commissioner Harper moved to pass Ordinance #1738 an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Certain Surplus Personal Property Owned by the City of Harrisburg. Commissioner Weirauch seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.

Mayor McPeek tabled the Liberty Utilities contract renewal.

Mayor McPeek stated that Commissioner Miller asked him to announce the Fall Clean Up will be from October 7 to October 14 but not on Sunday. He read the restrictions about the event and gave contact numbers for questions.

Mayor McPeek stated that Commissioner Miller asked him to announce there will be a Safe Talk Training on September 12 at the American Legion in Harrisburg as part of suicide prevention activities.

Commissioner Montfort stated the Police Department has a new systems called E-Trace which will allow all firearms dealt with or taken into the Department to be traced without using an outside agency.

Commissioner Montfort stated the Police Department now has the technology from TransUnion Specialized Risk Group to conduct investigations on all persons and other areas of interest in criminal investigation which in the past were either put aside or stopped due to lack of information.

Commissioner Montfort stated recently hired Officer Gott has successfully completed his second week at the Police Academy at South Western Illinois.

Commissioner Montfort announced that, during half-time at Friday night’s football game, Woodmen of the World Life Insurance will conduct a ceremony honoring and remembering 9-11 by displaying a 50’ by 100’ American flag.

Commissioner Montfort asked Chief John Gunning to address the truck bid. Chief Gunning asked Mayor McPeek to open the one bid received for a replacement of a 1975 rescue truck. Mayor McPeek read a bid from Palmetto Fire Apparatus in the amount of $50,000.00 for a refurbished truck. Commissioner Harper stated this was not the best time to make a purchase. Commissioner Montfort stated that his department was the money and hers was safety. Mayor McPeek asked if the equipment could be put on another truck. Chief Gunning explained that all the other trucks were fully loaded and moving equipment to one or more vehicles would put those vehicles out of ISO compliance. He stated the current rescue truck has become a maintenance issue and it is unsafe to drive.

Commissioner Harper stated he had tried to explain to Chief Gunning that there was a health insurance issue which might cause the City to be hit with a half million dollar pay out this fiscal year. He stated he was trying to shut down all unnecessary purchases. He stated the insurance runs on a calendar year and the City runs on a fiscal year from May 1 to April 30. He continued that when the money was put in the budget, no one knew this health insurance issue would come up. He stated it may not be an issue but he would not know until November so, at this point, he repeated it would not be in the best interest of the City to make the purchase. He stated that if Chief Gunning were to proceed with the purchase, it may cost an employee their job. Commissioner Montfort stated that it could also save a life. Commissioner Harper didn’t know why it had to be decided tonight. Commissioner Montfort didn’t know how long the bid would be good for. Commissioner Harper stated he realized that, after November, the City may have to pay more. Chief Gunning stated that he did not want to cut staffing. Commissioner Montfort stated she did not want to cut the safety of the community. Commissioner Harper stated he could lose $500,000.00 from the budget. Chief Gunning stated he would agree to tabling the bid until the insurance issue was decided. Commissioner Montfort stated then the City should not be spending money on anything. She wanted to know how soon the issued would be resolved and was told probably November.

Commissioner Weirauch asked Chief Gunning to explain the situation at 919 South Granger. He stated the house is a dangerous building and he was not getting cooperation from the family so he was asking for Council to give him permission to proceed with the next legal step which would be a petition for demolition. Commissioner Weirauch moved to authorize the attorney to proceed with a petition for demolition at 919 South Granger. Commissioner Montfort seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.

Chief Gunning stated he was working with the County regarding the trailers on 309 North Sherman and 499 West Church and the property acquisition by trying to get the fees reduced. He would give an updated report at another meeting.

Chief Gunning stated he had met with Dr. John Sutherlin from the University of Louisiana and Zach Mannheimer from McClure Engineering regarding the old junior high. Both men were well versed in Brownfield Grants. The purpose was to determine how to best safe guard the City before taking title to the property. Their recommendation was to perform an environmental assessment which could consist of two phases. The cost of assessment was outlined in a proposal from Impact 7G with Phase 1 being $3,500.00 and Phase II being estimated at $10,000.00. Chief Gunning stated that no action was needed tonight but wanted Council to review the proposal. Citizen Judy Cape stated that she was aware of a report done by John Baker that should be in the school’s file which may be of some benefit. It was done when the District was considering abandoning the property.

Mayor McPeek thanked Bulldog trash for providing a dumpster for the viewing site during the Eclipse. He also thanked Street and Alley Superintendent Rick Brown and his employees, Fire Chief Gunning and firemen and Police Chief David Morris and officers for all the extra work they did on the day of the Eclipse.

Citizen Benny Bryant addressed Council regarding a trucking company beside his property that is exceeding the weight limit for City streets. He stated the trucks ran 24 hours a day and the noise and traffic were very irritating. He did not think that type of operation should be inside City limits. Mayor McPeek stated he would discuss it with the Police Chief and the Street and Alley Commissioner.

Citizen Charlene Ferrell handed out pictures taken at the cemetery and stated she was not happy with the maintenance. She stated she realized the Department was shorthanded but wanted some sort of resolution to the situation so the condition of the cemeteries would be the same as Memorial Day. Commissioner Weirauch asked if she would be willing to talk during the winter months to maybe come up with some solutions. She stated she would.

Citizen Darlene Borders stated she was not complaining but she wanted an update on the burglaries in her neighborhood and the investigation of the shooting. She stated prior to the meeting she had talked with Chief Morris who had given her some information. Mayor McPeek stated arrests had been made in the burglaries which involved an adult and some kids. Chief Morris stated the Illinois State Police had been devoting lots of manpower to the shooting incident and had kept him informed. Mayor McPeek and Chief Morris stated that citizens should lock the doors to their vehicles and definitely to their homes.

Mayor McPeek stated Executive Session was used to discuss an individual Personnel issue, Collective Bargaining while negotiations were in progress, Litigation while in progress and while negotiations were in progress for property. He stated the Executive Sessions were not to discuss items secretly but for confidentiality. Commissioner Harper stated that by law the Executive Session minutes were to be reviewed and approved every six months.

Commissioner Harper moved to adjourn to Executive Session to review and approve Executive Session Minutes from January 19, 2017 to August 3, 2017. Commissioner Weirauch seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.

Adjourned: 7:02 pm.

Reconvened: 7:18 pm.

Mayor John McPeek presided over the reconvened meeting with Commissioners Beth Montfort, Richard Harper and Mike Weirauch answering roll call. Commissioner Natalie Miller was absent.

Mayor McPeek stated the Executive Session Minutes from January 19, 2017 to August 3, 2017 had been read and approved and will remain closed.

Commissioner Harper moved to adjourn. Commissioner Montfort seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.

Adjourned: 7:19 pm.

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