City of Harrisburg City Council met Oct. 15.
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.
Commissioner Ron Morse called the meeting to order. Mayor Pro-Tem Morse presided over the meeting with Commissioners Rupert Johnson, Roger Angelly, and Ron Morse answering roll call. Mayor John McPeek was absent.
Pastor Dan Masters of the First Church of God led the group in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the consent agenda.
Public Hearing Minutes – October 01, 2020
Brown and Roberts Inc. - $790.00 – IYC Property
Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Chief of Police Michael Riden recognized Officer Eric Gott and Officer Matthew Forrester. Office Eric Gott received the Life Saver Award. Officer Gott had three incidents that he responded to in which two calls where gunshot victims. He provided first aid and save their lives. He responded to a wreck and Officer Gott was able to get the gentleman out of the car and do CPR. Officer Matthew Forrester received a notification from Alliance Against Intoxicated Motoris. Each year they award an officer for enforcing the DUI law. He was the top office in the Harrisburg Police Department. Commissioner Raymond Gunning thanked the Police Department and stated they go above and beyond and for that, the City of Harrisburg appreciates their hard work and dedication.
Mayor Pro-Tem Ron Morse stated council will go into Executive Session for Pending Litigation.
Attorney Kolby Smithpeters informed council the ordinance regarding the sale of real estate is for the 900 square feet of property Illinois Department of Transportation requested to purchase for the US 45/Feazel project. They will maintain this property once they take possession. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to pass Ordinance 1818 for the Sale of Real Estate to the State of Illinois Department of Transportation. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning gave an update to council regarding the Police Department activity for offenses and traffic reports. He reminded the citizens Trick-or-Treat will be held on October 31, 2020 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Please remember to following IDPH and City guidelines for a fun and safe event. For a full list of restrictions and recommendations for October 31, 2020, please visit the City of Harrisburg’s Facebook page.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning stated the city is in possession of roughly 50 bicycles. The city has had these bicycles for over 90 days now. If someone has had a bike stolen, please contact the Police Department. A discussion was had between attending council members on what to do with the bicycles. It was determined that Commissioner Raymond Gunning will announce two dates in which citizens in need of a bicycles can come and get one for free. If there are any bicycles remaining, a sale will be held and the money will be put into the General Fund. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to authorize Commissioner Raymond Gunning to give away bicycles. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes.
Commissioner Roger Angelly would like to make a motion to extend the contract of Scott Timmerman, who is the operator of the sewer plant, with an increase compensation of ten percent. This is an increase of $3,276.00 per contract year. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Roger Angelly would like to look at new option for the sewer system/plant. These options could bring the City from a Class 1 operator to a Class 4 operator which would make it easier on the City. He would also like to look at repairing Garden Heights Road. This road needs fixed as it is in bad shape.
Commissioner Rupert Johnson and Council had a discussion regarding the extension of Mill Street. Mike Roberts presented the funding information and different options for an extension. A meeting was had with Commissioner Rupert Johnson and Superintendent Kenny Mayhall. Option one was around $300,00 which is an extension to the alley way. Option two is around $500,000 which includes the cul-de-sac and the extension all the way to Park Street. The funding is the Illinois Bond Funds. There is no guarantee Illinois will sell the bonds. The City has already received two of the six payments. These funds must be used on capital road way improvements. The money has to be expended by July 01, 2025.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning said he would like Council to consider doing this project in phases. Before he can decide on this project, he would like see something built first. He would hate to put money into this project and then nothing gets built. There should be some clause in a contract before the City extends the road. There needs to be some assurance businesses will be going on this road. Commissioner Raymond Gunning would like to see something started before he approves this project. Mayor Pro-Tem Ron Morse said it is not good business to build a road on a leap of faith. He does not believe the cul-de-sac is not necessarily needed. Council is in favor of advancement of the property, but the City does not need to get ahead of themselves.
Commissioner Rupert Johnson said we either use the money or we lose it. Mike Roberts stated the guidelines it must have a usable life of greater than 13 years. The money can be used to replace roads. The money can be used on the Garden Heights Road. Mayor Pro-Tem Ron Morse said there are plenty of roads that need replaced. Mike Roberts stated in order for the City to utilize the funds, the City needs to develop a list of projects that they anticipate as candidates. Those must be submitted to IDOT and approved as a fundable project or not. A resolution will be executed to do those and start the process. This is the same process as a construction project. This could take six to eight months of environmental clearance time. Keep in mind, this could take a year to start the project.
Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to authorize the design for the Mill Street Extension and preparation of the engineering agreement with Brown and Roberts Inc. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Rupert Johnson asked the citizen to please be mindful when using the bike path restrooms.
Mayor Pro-Tem Ron Morse made a few announcements on behalf of Mayor John McPeek. The City of Harrisburg will partner with the Saline County Chamber of Commerce and Harrisburg District Library for Boo in the Burg. Local Businesses will provide a safe, alternative to door-to-door trick-or-treating on October 29, 2020 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
We encourage residence to take part in the Egyptian Health Department’s “Community Unity” challenge and “mask up” for each other’s safety.
The Harrisburg High School Drama Department is doing a rendition of James and the Giant Peach at the Harrisburg Park District. Please enjoy the social distancing event.
If you would like to become a community focused individual wanting to see our town impacted positively, we encourage you to join the City’s Community Development initiatives by contacting Alex Watkins.
Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to go into Executive Session to discuss Pending Litigation. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Adjourn: 6:28 p.m.
Reconvene: 6:51 p.m.
Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to return to open session. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor Pro-Tem Morse presided over the reconvened meeting with Commissioners Raymond Gunning, Roger Angelly and Rupert Johnson answering roll call. Mayor John McPeek was absent.
Mayor Pro-Tem Ron Morse made the motion to allow Commissioner Raymond Gunning to act as the agent to enter into a settlement agreement with Kyle Chambers per the discussion with the City Attorney. 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 adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Adjourn: 6:53 p.m.
https://www.thecityofharrisburgil.com/minutes
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