City of Harrisburg City Council met July 22.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The Harrisburg City Council met at 8:00 a.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 Commissioner Raymond Gunning, Roger Angelly, Rupert Johnson and Ron Morse answering call.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning led the group in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Matt Tosh with Brown and Roberts Inc. presented Change Order #10 for the 2014 Watermain Rehab Phase I project in the amount of $15,057.95 with Bryant Construction. This is amount is over the contract amount and we can utilize some contingency and project funds. We have talked with EPA and there are funds available. This is for material and the biggest portion is sidewalk quantity. Some of the item quantities are going down, but sidewalk is the bulk of the increase. Commissioner Roger Angelly is this includes the brick streets. Matt Tosh said it does.
Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to approve Change Order #10 19-035-10 for $15,057.95. Seconded by Commissioner Ron Morse. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Rupert Johnson discussed amending Ordinance 1729 regarding nepotism and conflict of interest. This would take out step brother/sister. The second item would consist of changing the supervision of the Public Property Department. This would make Commissioner Rupert Johnson the supervisor of the Public Property Department. Commissioner Ron Morse stated at the last meeting he thought everyone decided to wait on this until the City has resolved the current grievance. Attorney Kolby Smithpeters stated the arbitration was going to be held on July 23, 2020.
Commissioner Rupert Johnson said one is a union conflict and this is a City conflict. He stated one has nothing to do with the other. Commissioner Roger Angelly stated we are having a nepotism problem and this is what is part of the arbitration. He cannot support it just yet. Commissioner Raymond Gunning asked Attorney Kolby Smithpeters if this is passed today, will this affect the decision tomorrow. Attorney Kolby Smithpeters said possibly, but maybe not directly.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning stated he thinks a family member would work harder for another family member in his opinion. He stated the following: From time to time, there will be a situation where a supervisor will be supervising an immediate family member. If this occurs and a complaint is filed by an employee for favoritism, a written complaint must be submitted to City Council for review. The City Council will then address the complaint and determine if any action should be taken on this matter. Action could be that the superintendent must step down or the family member must be transferred.
Commissioner Roger Angelly stated the timing is not good to make this decision. The transfer was done because of nepotism and then the City received a grievance. Until this is resolved, he would like to wait for the grievance to be resolved before he votes for changing any policies. Commissioner Raymond Gunning does not want to see anything taken out of the nepotism policy. He stated that if anything, more needs to be added to it. He believes aunts and uncles should be added. Commissioner Raymond Gunning told Kenny that he is not for changing anything in the nepotism policy. He does not have a problem with making him the Commissioner over the department. He thinks something different can be done. If this causes a problem with contract negotiations or arbitration, we should wait. Commissioner Roger Angelly said we need to do something different. He said that in a small community, family members work together. He just can’t vote for it today.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning suggest making Kenny Mayhall the acting superintendent with pay along with backpay until the grievance is over. He believes it will cause an issue with the grievance. Commissioner Raymond Gunning is for Kenny Mayhall being the superintendent. Commissioner Roger Angelly suggest waiting until the next meeting to make him the acting superintendent with backpay. Commissioner Raymond Gunning suggest a time-to-time policy. The City has the right to make the determination on the situation.
Commissioner Rupert Johnson asked to table amending Ordinance 1729 and amending Chapter 2, Division 6, Section 2-114.
Commissioner Ron Morse made the motion to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Adjourn: 8:27 a.m.
https://www.thecityofharrisburgil.com/city-council-minutes
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