City of Harrisburg City Council met Sept. 5.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The Harrisburg City Council met on September 05, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Room of City Hall in Harrisburg, IL.
Mayor John McPeek called the September 05, 2019 meeting to order. Mayor John McPeek presided over the meeting with Commissioners Raymond Gunning, Roger Angelly, Rupert Johnson and Ron Morse present and answering roll call.
Pastor Jerry Wells from the Dorrisville Social Brethren Church led the group in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Ron Morse made the motion to approve the consent agenda.
Regular Meeting August 15, 2019
LaFarge – Invoice 711226296 – MFT - $4,691.63
LaFarge – Invoice 711215913 – MFT - $2,930.20
LaFarge – Invoice 711251096 – MFT - $4,932.90
America’s Parking Remarking – Invoice 5078 – MFT - $2,921.51
Pinoy Construction – Mill Street Extension – Final Pay Estimate #4 - $13,735.58
Bryant Construction – Job 19-035 2014 Watermain Rehab - $120,106.75
Brown & Roberts Inc. – Job 2019-035 2014 Watermain Rehab - $11,951.90
Brown & Roberts Inc. – Job 2019-055 Mill Street Extension - $456.90
Relinquish Harrisburg Lake Lot – Colt McVey – 1st Addition, Block 1, Lot 1D
Petition to Lease Harrisburg Lake Lot – Wes Bebout – 1st Addition, Block 1, Lot 1D
Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Jim Brown from Brown and Roberts Inc. presented the Change Order for the 2014 Watermain Rehab Project with Bryant Construction. He stated as of now there is 50% of the pipe in the ground. The Hobson Street section is completely done and the concrete people are moving in next week to repair the sidewalks and street repair. The big loop which is Granger/Sloan/Main Street should be tied together and they will be pressure testing that area. Once pressure tested and there is a good sample reading, we should be able to start services and begin reclamation. This is IEPA money. We will bill quantities as we go. This changes the directional boring quantities. Directional boring minimizes disruption to the citizens which helps prevent pavement cutting. The change order is for $31,250.00. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to approve the Change Order #2 in the amount of $31,250.00. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Attorney Kolby Smithpeters will discuss potential litigation in Executive Session.
Mayor John McPeek began opening the sealed bids which were advertised. He presented the following bids:
311 W. Church Street from Steve Quertermous in the amount of $2,500.00. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the bid for 311 W. Church Street from Steve Quertermous in the amount of $2,500.00. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
305 W. Church Street from Leonard Stadler in the amount of $11,000.00. A bid for 305 W. Church Street from Steve Quertermous in the amount of $5,250.00. Commissioner Ron Morse made the motion to accept the bid for 305 W. Church Street from Leonard Stadler in the amount of $11,000.00. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
819 W. Lincoln Street for two lots from Steve Quertermous in the amount of $750.00. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the bid for 819 W. Lincoln Street from Steve Quertermous in the amount of $750.00. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
214 E. Raymond Street from Steve Quertermous in the amount of $750.00. Commissioner Ron Morse made the motion to accept the bid for 214 E. Raymond Street from Steve Quertermous in the amount of $750.00. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor John McPeek asked to table the bid opening for 14 W. Raymond. He would like to discuss this property with Attorney Kolby Smithpeters.
Jim Brown with Brown and Roberts Inc. presented the Harrisburg Levee System Inspection completed by the U.S. Corp of Engineers. Item A will cost, but item B will be quite costly. He suggest Council considering budgeting for this in 2020. They are discussing the possibility of lining the discharge pipes from the storm water pump station. This was built in the late 1930’s. He took video of those pipes a couple of years ago and there was some pitting. If it determined to do lining, it will be an expensive endeavor. The levee is inspected every two years. Jim Brown has requested the Corp to send a digital copy of the report so we can better utilize the report with our staff. Commissioner Raymond Gunning asked if TIF funds can be used. Mayor McPeek said we will look into this and work with the Treasurer during budgeting.
Jim Brown with Brown and Roberts Inc. will discussion potential litigation in Executive Session.
Attorney Kolby Smithpeters stated there is a lot located on Jones/Beggs Street which was purchased at a tax sale and has been offered to the City of Harrisburg. We currently mow it and there are a couple of liens against this property. He believes the surrounding neighbors would be interested in purchasing this property from us via a sealed bid process. He asked for Council’s authority to pursue this property by deed in lieu of foreclosure. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to authorize Attorney Kolby Smithpeters to pursue the property at Jones/Beggs Street by deed in lieu of foreclosure including the process of seal bids. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Attorney Kolby Smithpeters presented the property at with a home on it at 429 W. Sloan Street. It has multiple mowing liens as well and the owner is deceased. He has spoken the one of the children of the owner and she does not want this property. There are two other children which has a claim to this house. He will make contact with those family members. There are some interested buyers for this property. He asked for Council’s authority to pursue this property by deed in lieu of foreclosure. He believes this would be worth obtaining this property. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to authorize Attorney Kolby Smithpeters to proceed with the foreclosure at 429 W. Sloan Street. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning discussed the retirement of Angela Underwood. Sergeant Whipper Johnson has retired effective August 31, 2019. The person that will be filling the position of Public Safety Secretary is a 20 year law enforcement individual. She has worked with several police agencies, in conjunction with the States Attorney’s Office, court systems and all judicial systems. She is a proven motivated leader. She is responsible and loyal to her job. She has numerous skills which qualifies her for this position. She understands how public safety operates. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to hire Jill Bennett as the Public Safety Secretary pending the passing of her physical/drug screen effective September 09, 2019 start at $20.00 per hour. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Ron Morse added that Angela Underwood did a number of things during her career with the City of Harrisburg. Part of her duties including work in City Hall. There will be a hole in the duties at City Hall with the hiring of the Public Safety Secretary. Mrs. Underwood made $25.84 an hour and we have offered Mrs. Bennett $20.00 an hour. Terri Jenkins, City Clerk has offered to take $5.00 an hour of that $25.84 for additional 14 duties which have been presented to Council. She will also take on other duties as needed. These positions do not receive any overtime. This will eliminate the need for a new person in City Hall which saves in benefits and is a net savings of roughly $1,800.00. Commissioner Raymond Gunning stated the Public Safety Secretary can also assist in City Hall if needed during the absence of the City Clerk. Commissioner Ron Morse made the motion to enhance Terri Jenkins pay by $5.00 per hour. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning announced Trick-of-Treat will be held on October 31, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please be safe.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning discussed implementing a Mayor/Commissioner/Employee Handbook. He would like Attorney Kolby Smithpeters to start researching new handbook. Commissioner Ron Morse agreed that it was a good idea.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning stated Collective Bargaining will be discussed in Executive Session.
Commissioner Rupert Johnson announced the City wide Fall Clean-up will be held from October 01, 2019 thru October 14, 2019. The City Clerk will publish the ad in the Daily Register and Dollar Saver with all the details. A flyer will also be hung in City Hall with the details. Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to approve the Fall Clean Up. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Rupert Johnson presented a bid for the repair of the street sweeper. The street sweeper is a necessary part of keeping the streets clean. The repairs are much cheaper than purchasing a new machine. The repairs will be completed at Little Tractor with the cost to be $11,181.00. Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to approve the repairs work for the street sweeper with Little Tractor for $11,181.00. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Roger Angelly stated the ditch work has been started on and it looks good. The guys are doing a great job. Once this ditch is completed, he will be looking at fixing the ditch on Sloan Street depending on how the finances look. He bragged on his Water/Sewer employees. This watermain project has caused extra work and his employees have stepped up and worked hard. Commissioner Ron Morse pointed out the letter received from a citizens thanking our employees on the excellent work at the cemetery. Commissioner Rupert Johnson said his guys do great work, and that is what happens when you hire good people.
Mayor John McPeek reminded the citizens about the Homecoming Parade on September 19, 2019 which is the same day as our next council meeting.
Citizen Sharon Vandenberg announced a lot of food and donations were accepted at the Harrisburg Kroger for the 4-C’s food pantry. She thanked Council for getting her street light repaired. It is much brighter on her street. She would like to know when the sidewalks will be repaired. Jim Brown stated that it should be repaired by the end of the month pending the passing of the water sampling. She stated people do not contain their animals. She was advised to contact the Police Department. She believes Trick-or-Treat is getting too dangerous. Commissioner Raymond Gunning said the parents need to be with the children. He believes it is a blessing to be able to help these kids have fun.
Citizen Beth Montfort discussed the gambling report. Our town is too poor for gambling and it is heartbreaking. She stated when she became a Council member, the machines took in three million plus dollars. She said last year, the machines took about nine million dollars just in Harrisburg. She keeps track of that. She thanked Terri Jenkins, City Clerk for printing out those reports. We are averaging about one million dollars a month. We do get a percentage, but how much does it really help our town. She would like Council to take additional machines into consideration before allowing any more. She believes these machines are an issue.
Mayor John McPeek made the motion to go into Executive Session to discuss Potential Litigation and Collective Bargaining. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Adjourn: 6:38 p.m.
Convened: 7:00 p.m.
Mayor John McPeek made the motion to return to open session. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor John McPeek presided over the meeting with Commissioners Raymond Gunning, Roger Angelly, Rupert Johnson and Ron Morse present and answering roll call.
Mayor John McPeek stated no action was taken with Potential Litigation and no action with Collective Bargaining.
Mayor John McPeek made the motion to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Adjourned: 7:02 p.m.
https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/3acc7b_289ce216642043ae96391788b235d606.pdf
Alerts Sign-up