City of Harrisburg City Council met Sept. 17.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The Harrisburg City Council met 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 and Ron Morse answering call. Commissioner Roger Angelly was absent.
Mayor John McPeek asked everyone to keep Chief of Police Michael in your prayers as his mother passed away this week. Please keep Commissioner Roger Angelly in your prayers as his brother passed away this week. Also, please remember citizen Marvin Teckenbrock who passed away.
Pastor Paul Taylor of the Land Street Church of God led the group in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor John McPeek presented Citizen Sonny Dostson with the Mayor’s Service Award. This is a thank you to Sonny Dotson for his community involvement and dedication to the City of Harrisburg over the years. Sonny Dotson said everything he did was for the love of this town and the people. We have great people in our town. We are going through tough time, but we can make it. He said we need to work together and there is no reason why we can’t work together. It doesn’t matter who you are or the color of your skin. Don’t let your feelings get in the way. We must work together. He thanked everyone for this recognition.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the consent agenda.
Public Hearing Minutes – September 03, 2020
Regular Meeting Minutes – September 03, 2020
Special Meeting Minutes – September 10, 2020
Warrant Reports & Check Register – August 2020
Website hosting fees - Credit card payment
Illini Asphalt - $34,455.20 – MFT
Siegel’s Uniform - $157.99 – New FD Gear – A. Woolard – Council Contingency
Seconded by Commissioner Ron Morse. A roll call vote with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor John McPeek presented the ordinance establishing the Harrisburg Business District; approving a business district plan; authorizing the imposition and collection of a sales tax within such business district; and approving certain actions in connection with the establishment of such business district. He stated seeing the possibilities available through the Business District, this program can be the way that Harrisburg changes its course towards a more economically stable future without burdening the taxpayers by raising property taxes. This tax will reach some 50,000 individuals that shop in Harrisburg regularly, but do not live here.
He stated that looking toward the future of Harrisburg in the next 10 years, we have some financial insecurities ahead of us with the projected loss of more than ten million over the next ten years across all community organizations. In passing the Business District, the funds collected will be the only way that the City will be able to address repeated complaints and issues within the City. We will be able to tear down the Malan Junior High at the estimated cost of $500,000 by November 2021. While working to resolve the issues on the Harrisburg square and Vine Street that have become a public health hazard. We will also be able to help support our existing businesses in providing small grants aimed to stimulate our local workforce and provide more opportunities for growth, and begin our work towards developing new industries and source of employment in new fields.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning stated he is against any kind of tax raise. It is his duties to make judgements, but he understands the need. He has received numerous phone calls about the Malan Junior High. It is an eye sore, dangerous building and a health hazard. He stated the only way he is in favor of the business district is if each council member agrees to tear down Malan Junior High. All members agreed to tear down Malan Junior High.
Mayor John McPeek reminded everyone the importance of completing the Census. For every person not counted, the City will lose $18,000 per person per year.
Commissioner Ron Morse made the motion to pass Ordinance 1816 establishing the Harrisburg Business District; approving a business district plan; authorizing the imposition and collection of a sales tax within such business district; and approving certain actions in connection with the establishment of such business district. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Abby Reeves from Southeastern Illinois Regional Planning presented two resolutions regarding the State of Illinois Community Block Grant. A public hearing meeting was held prior to this meeting to discuss the grant. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve Council Resolution 20-0917 of support for the Community Development Block Grant. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Abby Reeves from Southeastern Illinois Region Planning stated the City can get extra points in the grant process by committing local funds. This could be up to $500.00 per home. The grant is limited to ten homes. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve Resolution 20-0917A Committing Local Funds. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Fire Chief John Gunning discussed tearing down Malan Junior High. The building is deteriorating even more. The building is not secured in some areas. Some of the windows need to be boarded up. We are waiting on a commitment from a contractor to tear down the property at Longley/Hobson. Once we receive a commitment, we can finalize the paperwork with the EPA and get the green light to tear down the property. Also, there are six houses needing to be torn down. There are potential buyers for the lots once the houses are torn down. We will advertise for those properties once we have finished tearing them down.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning announced the City of Harrisburg will be accepting sealed bids for three of the retired police vehicles. Sealed Bids will be accepted in the City Clerk’s Office until 4:00 p.m. on October 01, 2020. Sealed bids will be opened during the regularly scheduled October 01, 2020 council meeting. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to authorize the City Clerk to advertise for sealed bids of surplus property from the Police Department. Seconded by Commissioner Ron Morse. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Rupert Johnson requested to table the discussion of the lifting the hiring freeze.
This new hire is a result of an employee giving his retirement notice. Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to hire Brian Potter for the Street/Alley/Public Property Department effective October 01, 2020 at $17.00 an hour 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 Rupert Johnson announced Fall Clean-Up. The City fall clean-up will be held from September 28 through October 10. Please contact the Street/Alley Department at 618-252-4302 for details.
Mayor John McPeek announced that Trick-or-Treat will be held on Saturday, October 31 from 4:00-7:00 p.m.
Citizen Wes Sherrod who owns Sherrod’s Collision Center approached Council, and stated they are looking to enlarge their business. He chose to stay in the City of Harrisburg because it is a great community. There is great infrastructure. When other communities were decaying, the City of Harrisburg is not. Tonight’s decision was a difficult decision, but we all experience those decisions. He stated the City of Harrisburg will begin to bounce back. He thinks other communities are failing and those businesses will come into Harrisburg.
Citizen Wes Sherrod will be investing about $400,000 into a new building on Mill Street. He would like to discuss extending Mill Street and Ogara. This will give him two access points into his property. There is the potential growth for his business. He will keep his current business running and still open a new business. The portion of property he purchased is a great location. He needs the elevation level of the current road. He is doing all the financing and not asking the city for any funds. He would like to work together. He knows the city has funds for new roads.
Mayor John McPeek stated we will put this on the October 01, 2020 agenda. He would like extend that road down to Park Street. He will have Jim Brown look into getting you the elevation. Jim Brown stated the City can utilize some special MFT money. There is a total of six payment of $490,000 which can be used. It has to be utilized on bondable new sections. Mayor John McPeek said there are high hopes for that area. Citizen Wes Sherrod said three counties come to Harrisburg to shop. Rick Lane was able to make that property ready for commercial development.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Adjourn: 6:28 p.m.
https://www.thecityofharrisburgil.com/minutes
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