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City of Harrisburg City Council met June 6.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The Harrisburg City Council met on June 06, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Room in Harrisburg, Il.

Mayor John McPeek called the June 06, 2019 meeting to order. Mayor John McPeek presided over the meeting with Commissioner Raymond Gunning, Roger Angelly, Rupert Johnson, and Ron Morse present and answering roll call.

Pastor Jerry Wells of the Dorrisville Social Brethren Church led the group in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Ron Morse. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek proceeded in opening the sealed bids for 912 S. Granger Street. SQ Carpentry submitted a bid for $2,375.00 and James Walker submitted a bid for $1,800.00. Commissioner Ron Morse made the motion to accept the highest bid from SQ Carpentry for $2,375.00 for 912 S. Granger Street. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek opened the only bid for 203 S. Vine Street from SQ Carpentry for $4,050.00. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to accept the highest bid from SQ Carpentry for $4,050.00 for 203 S. Vine Street. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Jim Brown with Brown and Roberts presented the MFT bid tabulations which were opened during the bid opening held on May 30, 2019 in the Council Room. The Illini bid was for oil and chip at $2.07 per gallon for oil and $25.78 for the chips. Two bids were received for the CA6 and CA7 aggregate from Hastie at $12.99 and $13.49. LaFarge bid $9.88 and $9.88 both. Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to accept the bids for Illini Asphalt and LaFarge. Seconded by Commissioner Ron Morse. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek made the motion to pass Resolution 19-0606 for the expenditures for this project. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Jim Brown requested to discuss property acquisition in Executive Session.

Fire Chief John Gunning presented a mobile home permit on behalf of Roszella Miller at 1129 S. Feazel Street. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to approve the mobile home permit to Roszella Miller at 1129 S. Feazel Street. Seconded by Commissioner Ron Morse. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Fire Chief John Gunning informed council that the City will be receiving a quit claim deed for 604. S. Ledford Street. This paperwork will be completed by Attorney Kolby Smithpeters. Fire Chief John Gunning asked a contractor to go by the property to see if it can be rehabbed to keep it on the tax roll.

Mayor John McPeek discussed amending the Ordinance regarding Hours of Operation. The liquor establishments will now have Sunday hours from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to approve Ordinance #1776. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes with Commissioner Raymond Gunning voting no. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek presented the current prevailing wages which is done yearly. Commissioner Ron Morse made the motion to approve Prevailing Wage Ordinance #1777. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Attorney Kolby Smithpeters requested to discuss collections and litigation in Executive Session.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning stated he has received complaints regarding the cost of the ATV/UTV. He said the complaints were the cost was too high and were the same as an automobile sticker. Commissioner Raymond Gunning asked council to consider lowering the Non-Highway Vehicle Permit Fees from $100.00 down to $60.00 and a fee of $40.00 if purchased 90 days prior to the renewal date of May 01. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to amend Ordinance #1702. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve Ordinance #1778 for Non- Highway Vehicle Permit Fees. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning presented photos of Arrowhead Shopping Center to Council. He discussed the trash, furniture issue and the grass needs mowing. He has asked the owner to clean up the property. Mayor John McPeek stated he has talked with the owner and he will attempt to get it taken care of. The Illinois Youth Center has cleaned it before, but we had to supply the weed eaters and chainsaws. Commissioner Roger Angelly suggest that if it does not get cleaned up that perhaps we should fine/tag this property. Commissioner Roger Angelly said the owner needs to keep the property clean. Commissioner Raymond Gunning said the property can be tagged by Code Enforcement in necessary. Fire Chief John Gunning reported a door is off the hinges which needs to be secured. There is a plate glass window broken which has been boarded up. Fire Chief John Gunning stated there is not a working sprinkler system and the water has been capped off. There is really is no fire protection at this time with the exception of Rural King and the Cinema. He states he does not think it is a safe condition. Mayor John McPeek informed Council the property owner is looking at revitalizing the shopping center. He is looking for funding to help revitalize the area. Mayor John McPeek said he and Attorney Kolby Smithpeters will get in contact with the owner. He will have the Code Enforcer to weed eat and tag the property.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning asked to discuss Collective Bargaining in Executive Session.

Commissioner Rupert Johnson discussed the vacating the alley at 411 West Poplar Street. Commissioner Raymond Gunning asked if the utilities that run the sanitary sewer will cause any problems. Commissioner Roger Angelly stated there will be an easement given with this property. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the closure of the alley of Block 3 and 4 known as 411 West Poplar Street. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Rupert Johnson to authorize the City Clerk to advertise a public hearing prior to the June 20, 2019 council meeting regarding the petition to vacate the alley of Block 3 and 4 known as 411 West Poplar Street. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to rescind the minimum bid on City owned property for sale. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to authorize the City Clerk to advertise the City owned property for sale to the highest bidder. Seconded by Commission Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Rupert Johnson stated the reason he needs a workforce is for the project he has in mind at the Harrisburg Lake. His plan is to put in a campground which should generate hundreds of thousands of dollars for the City. Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to hire Jacob Palmer for the Street/Alley Department effective June 24, 2019 pending the passing of his physical and drug screen. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to hire Anfernee Houston as a temporary summer worker for the Sewer Department at $9.25 an hour starting June 17, 2019 and working no later than August 30, 2019 pending the passing of his physical and drug screen. He stated the summer workers are helping with mowing and weed eating. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek made the motion to appoint Paul McSparin for a two year term to the Police Pension Board. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek made the motion to appoint Jim Schull for a two year term to the Police Pension Board. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Linda Crim is here to discuss the Samurai Motorcycle Club. They put their emblem on the window and it started out okay at first; however, it has become a nuisance. It has slowed down after Ms. Taborn went and talked with them. Ms. Crim has spoken with the members and is attempting to get along with them. She said they are bringing their own beer and are keep the club open until 5:00 – 6:00 a.m. on the weekends. She spoke with Commissioner Raymond Gunning. He asked for documentation and to call Central Dispatch. Prior to that, she was asked to call Sergeant Hustedde. She stated that was useless. He went to the club, but only welcomed them to the neighborhood. She has to listen to the music, stand out in front like a gang, and have no respect for the neighborhood or themselves. They BBQ whenever they please, parking their bikes on the side walk and it blocks the sidewalk from anyone coming down the sidewalk. Memorial Day weekend was bad and three squad cars present. Two of the squad cars had to block the street. She has pictures which were shown to the Mayor. She wants the club shut down. She has contacted the Police five times. She has called Sergeant Hustedde numerous times on his personal cellphone. The door is wide open and the whole block is full of cars. She believes there is underage drinking. She stated the police don’t take the time to care because they don’t live there. Several neighbors are upset with this as well. She has had over a dozen calls, six are documented and the rest has been personally documented. There are too many members for our police department to handle. She would like for council to consider is to shutting the business down. The neighborhood needs to be peaceful. She said the Mayor of Carrier Mills did not allow them to open their club in that town. She said they do not have a liquor license.

Mayor John McPeek will look into a noise ordinance. If we have an ordinance regarding noise and there is a time limit, the police will need to shut them down. Chief of Police Michael Riden stated there has been about six complaints. He stated there is a noise ordinance and she needs to sign a complaint in order to have anyone arrested in violation of the ordinance. There are traffic violations for parking on the sidewalks. There have been complaints on revving the motorcycles; however, a complaint must be signed. He asked her to contact Central Dispatch so there is a record of the complaint and it will be addressed.

Mayor McPeek stated since it is not a business, we cannot shut it down completely. They are not a business are not generating any money. It is a place for them to hang out which is rented from Ms. Taborn. He asked them to keep the noise down. Commissioner Roger Angelly asked if there was an ordinance for private clubs with a time. Mayor John McPeek stated no. Commissioner Roger Angelly asked the club to keep the noise down.

Nathan Taborn, President of the Samurai Riders, spoke and stated they are a community organization that rides bikes. They are not affiliated to any type of gangs. They focus on the community and the kids. They host an Easter event with the Lions Club. Their goal is to bigger than themselves, try to better one another, the community and the kids. They do car washes yearly which is given back to the community and kids. They are non-profit organization. It is nothing to harm anyone in the community or the neighbors. They never attempted to get a building in Carrier Mills.

He stated he would not be there if they were not trying to accommodate everyone in the area. It seems that she is the only bothered by our club. He states they do not rev up their bikes. They have never ran up and down the road doing burnouts. When they heard the noise of the bikes were an issue when leaving, they have asked everyone to leave a little more quietly. They have tried to accommodate the music level. Sherriff Johnson has been there listening for the noise and does not appear to hear any music. Sherriff Johnson heard more talking than music. He asked them to shut the door.

Nathan Taborn stated it just gives them a place to hang out, throw events to raise money to donate back to the kids, and that is their main goal. They are looking to help the community and the kids. It seems like everything that has been done is not good enough. The event for Memorial Weekend, the police was aware of it. The police was requested so the bikers could get out of town safely for their ride. There were a lot bikes there that day to support the club.

Commissioner Roger Angelly asked the club to keep the bikes off the sidewalks, get a time limit on the evening and weekend, and keep the noise down which will help the situation. He does not want anything to get out of hand. The neighborhood needs to sleep. Everyone needs to get along. He said that along with doing good things, don’t upset the neighborhood in doing your community work. Nathan Taborn stated they only hang out during the weekends more so than the work week. Nathan asked if they continue to accommodate and this continues, will there be any type of harassment that can be dealt with.

Mayor John McPeek stated the Chief of Police is aware of the situation. If he gets complaints from Central Dispatch, someone will be sent down there to check on the situation.

Patty Hodge asked the Club to keep the noise level down which has been bad and be respectful to the neighborhood. She is glad they are there to help the children which is a plus, just keep it down.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to go into Executive Session for Property Acquisition, Collective Bargaining, Collections and Litigations. Seconded by Commissioner Ron Morse. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Adjourn: 6:38

Reconvened: 7:55 p.m.

Mayor John McPeek presided over the reconvened meeting with Commissioner Raymond Gunning, Roger Angelly, Rupert Johnson, and Ron Morse present and answering roll call.

Commissioner Ron Morse noted that no action was taken in regards to Property Acquisition, Collective Bargaining, Collections or Litigation.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Adjourn: 7:58 p.m.

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