Harrisburg City Council met Feb. 20.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The Harrisburg City Council met on February 20, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Room of City Hall, Harrisburg IL.
Mayor John McPeek called the meeting to order. Mayor John McPeek presided over the meeting with Commissioners Raymond Gunning, Rupert Johnson, Roger Angelly and Ron Morse 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.
Regular Meeting Minutes February 06, 2020
Karpet Korner - $1144.56 – TIF
Wal-Mart - $127.27 – TIF
America’s Parking Remarking - $4,788.00 – MFT
Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Attorney Kolby Smithpeters presented the Ameren Franchise Agreement which was put into an ordinance form. They will pay an annual franchise fee of $76,210 per year for a thirty year term. They will maintain the electric utility system for the City of Harrisburg. This is the same number from the last agreement. In order to get the same amount, we had to agree to a thirty year term. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to approve the Ameren Franchise Agreement Ordinance 1806. Seconded by Commissioner Ron Morse. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor John McPeek opened the sealed bid for the new truck for the Street/Alley Department. The bid was from Jim Hayes Inc. for a 2020 Ford F-150 for $27,707.00 to include title and license plates. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the purchase of a new 2020 Ford F-150 Truck from Jim Hayes Inc. for $27,707. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Ron Morse addressed the Council and Citizens. As the Finance Commissioner, he can confirm there is a deposit missing. He and Treasurer David Cox requested the Harrisburg City Police and Illinois State Police investigate this matter. To his knowledge, everyone has cooperated fully with this investigation. When the investigation is finished, the Illinois State Police will make a report and he assures everyone the City Council will take the appropriate action when the police report has been received. In the meantime, Council has been advised not to make comments, speculate or address this matter because of the negative impact on the investigation. We will do the right thing and take appropriate action when the Illinois State Police investigation is concluded.
Commissioner Ron Morse stated there will be no need for Executive Session and removed litigation and personnel from his agenda.
Paul Taylor, Merit Board member, stated they had received a request to present the recommendation for next available individual to be hired as a new firefighter. Stephen Questelle, who is the Chairman, is out of town and asked Paul Taylor to present the recommendation. The recommendation from the Merit Board is William G. Woolard from Harrisburg, IL. Commissioner Roger Angelly asked if when Tristan Monroe returns, will the new firefighter lose his position on the list to be hired at a later time. Commissioner Raymond Gunning stated that if was to be laid off, he will return to the same position on the list. Paul Taylor stated William Woolard will return to his position on the eligibility list. Attorney Robert Wilson stated if he was to be laid off, he will retain his seniority according to the Firefighter contract. There will be no need to return to the Merit Board for a new recommendation.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to hire William G. Woolard as full-time firefighter pending the pass of his physical and drug screen, and with the understanding that when Tristan Monroe returns from the military that he could be laid off. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Ron Morse let the Council and Citizens know that Gordon Woolard of Eldorado passed away. He was a former Mayor of Eldorado. He will be missed.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning stated that he and Commissioner Rupert Johnson have taken care of the issue of the stop sign at Small Street. Commissioner Rupert Johnson stated signs have been ordered.
Commissioner Rupert Johnson discussed amending Ordinance 1241 regarding the boat motor horsepower for Harrisburg Lake. It is currently no more than 10 horsepower. He would like to increase to 150 horsepower. This allows people with pontoon boats to use Harrisburg Lake. Commissioner Roger Angelly asked if the Lake was big enough for 150 horsepower. Commissioner Rupert Johnson said most pontoons will not even have 150 horsepower. They are usually 99 horsepower. The 10 horsepower limits people from using the lake. If you are going to have a campground at Harrisburg Lake, you have to make it family friendly. Commissioner Raymond Gunning stated he believes 150 horsepower is too much of a motor. He has seen people flying up and down the lake. He is also concerned that it will wash out the banks. It will cause more erosion. Commissioner Rupert Johnson suggest putting out no wake zones. Commissioner Ron Morse suggest stating the 150 horsepower can only be for pontoon boats and not bass boats. Commissioner Rupert Johnson agreed. He stated most people on pontoon boats are not usually going fast. Commissioner Roger Angelly asked if jet skis were allowed on Harrisburg Lake. Commissioner Rupert Johnson said no jet skis. Commissioner Raymond Gunning stated he believes 150 horsepower will push a lot of erosion off the bank. He stated there needs to be a no wake zone. Commissioner Rupert Johnson said they will assess that and put no wake zones where they need to be to keep the erosion down. Commissioner Roger Angelly believes if there is going to be a campground at Harrisburg Lake, people will want pontoon boats out there.
Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to authorize Attorney Kolby Smithpeters to amend Ordinance 1241. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to authorize Attorney Kolby Smithpeters review the Timber Bid Sheets for select cutting of timber on Harrisburg Lake. This will generate funds and reuse the funds for infrastructure at Harrisburg Lake. This will be good for the forest. There are a lot of smaller trees that needs to be taken out. 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 hire Nathan Hayes for Public Property starting rate of $17.00 an hour effective March 02, 2020 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.
Mayor John McPeek made the motion to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Ron Morse. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Adjourn: 6:16 p.m.
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