City of Harrisburg City Council Met March 18.
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, Roger Angelly and Ron Morse answering roll call.
Pastor Chris Wilson of the McKinley Avenue Baptist Church led the group in pray and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor John McPeek addressed the issue with Harrisburg Lake. There are numerous lies and rumors that the City of Harrisburg sold the lake which is not true. The City has not accepted any bids, has not advertised the property yet, and this is a long process. The Mayor and Council agrees to hold a Town Hall meeting in the next couple of weeks. The meeting will allow the Mayor, Council, and citizens to address issues, concerns and questions. Each lease holder needs to read the lease agreement. The Harrisburg Lake is not intended for lease holders to live on the property as a permanent residence.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the consent agenda.
Regular Meeting Minutes – March 04, 2021
Moran Economic Development, LLC - $2,042.50 - #1448
Ray O’Herron - $79.91 – #2094288 - Council Contingency – New Hire M. Casteel
Siegel’s Uniform - $232.92 – #468475 - Council Contingency – New Hire M. Casteel
Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Matt Tosh from Brown and Roberts, Inc. presented the 2021 MFT projects. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to approve the 2021 MFT Municipal Estimate of $309,933.56. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept Resolution 21-0318 for the 2021 MFT Maintenance Program. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to approve the 2021 MFT Engineering Agreement. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Roger Angelly asked the citizens to support the football team. The first game is Saturday at 1:00. Mayor John McPeek reminded the citizens the Harrisburg Homecoming Parade is Friday and begins at 3:00 p.m.
Commissioner Rupert Johnson reminded the citizens about 2021 Spring Clean-Up. It is in progress and continues through March 28, 2021.
Commissioner Ron Morse stated he did not feel that it was the time to being hiring. He suggested to wait until we can get through the current contract negotiations. He said we do not know what the contract with produce as far as the fiscal responsibility. He would hate to see someone get laid off because we cannot support a new hire. The Street/Alley Department has always maintained eleven employees plus the superintendent and there is nothing new to support additional staff. Commissioner Rupert Johnson said his department has been struggling to keep up with their work and they fell behind on the cemetery last year.
Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to hire Patrick Boone effective April 01, 2021 for the Steet/Alley/Public Property Department 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 Commissioner Rupert Johnson, Raymond Gunning and Mayor John McPeek voting yes, and Commissioner Roger Angelly and Commissioner Ron Morse voting no. Motion carried.
Citizen Nathan Hayes discussed a sewer issue as a result of Wiggs Construction. Wiggs drilled through the sewer line. About a month later, he noticed a sewer issue. Superintendent Jason Haney came out, had it worked on, got the problem fixed and everything has been fine ever since then. Superintendent Jason Haney did an amazing job. The damage caused has not been resolved yet. He was asked to get Wiggs three estimates. Mr. Hayes gave Wiggs two estimates. They asked for three estimates from someone who can do the job from start to finish for sterilization and construction. Wiggs Construction has refused to give him their insurance information. Commissioner Roger Angelly stated Wiggs Construction is probably going to pay for the repairs themselves instead of filing an insurance claim. Nathan Hayes is trying to work with Wiggs Construction to resolve the problem. Commissioner Roger Angelly said he would get with Wiggs Construction and will get back to Mr. Hayes.
Citizen Cindy Winters was asked by several residents from Harrisburg Lake to speak to Council regarding the lake. She was called and told the City is selling the lake. She believes there needs to be a city meeting. She said the building she purchased is over sixty years old. She said there are about twenty-five people who live at the lake permanently. She said Council needs to think about where these families will go if the lake sells. Commissioner Raymond Gunning said it is a lease, not a home, and the people take a gamble by putting up a permanent structure because they do not own the land. Most everyone she has talked to is willing to purchase their own lots. She asked what expenses are out there and where the money is going since the city is not making money off the leases.
Mayor John McPeek stated there will be a Town Hall Meeting and things are being made up about this topic. Commissioner Roger Angelly stated this is an opportunity to help Harrisburg. He does not want the lease holders to be done wrong, but the city is looking at options. There are many good options, but it cost money. Commissioner Raymond Gunning would like to see lease holders clean up their property at the lake. He would give them a sixty-day option to clean their property or it will get revoked. Mayor John McPeek suggest all lease holders read their current lease agreements.
Citizen Jonathan Stewart addressed Council about the benches removed from property. He came home from work and someone from the city taken his church benches. There was no reason for the city to take those benches. He had called and said he would have items out on Friday and Saturday, but he came home and the church benches were gone. He said the benches have been destroyed. He said the city had trespassed onto his property by 155 feet. Commissioner Roger Angelly asked Citizen Stewart what he would like the city to do. Citizen Stewart said he would like a bench or compensation. He doesn’t care if it is a piece of pallet bench. He wants something put back for the walkers to sit on. Commissioner Roger Angelly said he would get him a new bench.
Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Adjourn: 6:38 p.m.
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