City of Harrisburg City Council met Feb. 2.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The Harrisburg City Council met on February 02, 2023 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, Roger Angelly, Rupert Johnson and Ron Morse answering roll call.
Pastor Bobby Gentry of the River of Life Pentecostal Church led the group in prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Ron Morse made the motion to approve the consent agenda.
Regular Meeting Minutes – January 19, 2023
Check Register and Warrant Report – January 2023
Earth Services - $4,125.00 - #500016468 – Business District
Harrisburg Electric, Inc. - $1,742.55 - #1172 – Business District
TIF Reimbursements 2021:
DSP Properties - $3,257.84
Morello’s Restaurant - $447.37
Wooded Hills - $5,867.45
Hollybrook - $93,947.51
Mackie’s Pizza Harrisburg - $113.17
Petition to Lease Lake Lot: Anita Carey: 4th Addition, Lot 18
Petition to Lease Lake Lot: Cindy Gully: 4th Addition, Lot 10
Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor John McPeek changed the order of the meeting as the City Attorney needed to leave the meeting early.
Attorney Kolby Smithpeters discussed the necessity of a wheelchair ramp or elevator to be located within City Hall. The elevator project would require an engineer to help with the design and oversee the project. A decision needs to be made tonight regarding this topic.
Attorney Kolby Smithpeters and council held a discussion about the demolition of dilapidated buildings with the city. He informed council he could get court orders to demolition the houses, but the city would not own the property. A lien could be placed against the property to recoup the cost in tearing down the dangerous buildings. Council was not in favor of tearing down a property that they did not own at this time. Council encouraged Attorney Kolby Smithpeters to make every effort to obtain the entire property. This would allow the city to demolition the building/home and then resell the property.
Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to purchase 509 S. Granger Street for $829.00 on back taxes, tear it down, and advertise for sale at a future date with the minimum bid to be set at $2,500.00. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Council was in agreement that city owned property will now have a minimum bid assessed before advertising the sale.
Attorney Kolby Smithpeters presented several other properties on the demolition list. He will work on getting the property, but in the event the owner or mortgage holder will not relinquish the property he will obtain a court order for demolition.
Citizen Cindy Potter thanked the Harrisburg Police Department for their timely response and polite manner in which they handled the break in of her mothers’ home.
Mayor John McPeek opened the only sealed bid for a water/sewer truck as advertised. The sealed bid was from Jim Hayes, Inc. for $39,850.00 for a 2023 Ford F-150. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to approve the sealed bid from Jim Hayes Inc, for a 2023 Ford F-150 at $39,850.00. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning.. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor John McPeek opened the two sealed bid for the police vehicle as advertised. The first sealed bid was from Jim Hayes, Inc. for $41,617.00. The second sealed bid was from Thomas Dodge Chrysler Jeep for $41,827.00. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid for a 2023 Dodge Durango Pursuit Vehicle from Jim Hayes, Inc. for $41,617.00 to be paid from the OPOID grant funds. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor John McPeek opened sealed bids for the renovation/remodel of City Hall:
Harrisburg Electric: Without plans it may cost anywhere from $300,000 to $400,000
Dennis Robinson Masonry: Tuck Point West, North, East Wall - $195,800.00
Dennis Robinson Masonry: Remove/Replace 40 steel Lintels/Brick Back - $41,500.00
Barter Masonry: Tuck Point North, West, East Wall - $182,250.00
Barter Masonry: Change 41 Lintels West and North Wall - $32,080.00
Murphy Elevator Co: Two Incline Wheelchair Platform Lifts - $91,200.00
Commissioner Raymond Gunning stated City Hall is a historical building and should remain open and preserved. Commissioner Rupert Johnson said it will be maintained. Commissioner Ron Morse stated this type of project needs to have a general contractor oversee a project this large. Commissioner Ron Morse said there is a lot to think about before spending this amount of money. If the city has the opportunity to move City Hall, there is no need to throw money into the current building. Commissioner Raymond Gunning asked if the repairs can be done a little at a time and over the span of a couple of year. Commissioner Rupert Johnson said he doesn’t want the building torn down and won’t let the building go downhill. Commissioner Raymond Gunning is an advocate for old buildings. Commissioner Rupert Johnson said there is a different between maintaining an old building and installing lift chairs. Commissioner Rupert Johnson stated the building needs to make sure the roof is not leaking and the rest can wait.
Council chose to table the bids for the remodel of City Hall for further discussion. Commissioner Ron Morse suggested moving the council meetings to the Pruett Building temporarily until a decision can be made about the wheelchair platforms. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to temporarily move council meetings to the Pruett Building. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor John McPeek stated he requested the dispensing fee go from $3,500 a year to $5,000 effective January 01, 2024. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve Ordinance 1855 to increase the cannabis dispensing fee license. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor John McPeek stated he requested the cannabis lounge fee be increased from $1,500 a year to $2,000 effective January 01, 2024. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve Ordinance 1856 to increase the cannabis consumption lounge fee license. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mike Roberts with Brown and Roberts, Inc. gave an update on the application process for the RAISE grant. Things are moving along and there was a meeting to discuss options for this grant. The city will address the safety issue at Small Street and Veterans Drive. The Police Department provided thorough reports to help with the application. The addition of sidewalks along Small Street and Sahara Street will be included in the grant. There will be a public hearing after the next council meeting for citizen comments about this project. Mike Roberts will keep the council updated on the progress.
Treasurer Alex Jackson discussed the RAISE letter of support. She asked council to allow her to obtain a letter of support from Farmers’ State Bank for this project. This would be added to the application showing the city has the funding. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to authorize the City Treasurer to obtain a letter of support from Farmer’s State Bank for the RAISE grant application. 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 authorize Mayor John McPeek to sign and execute the agreement between the City of Harrisburg and Little Taste of Sicily. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor John McPeek announced Scooter’s Coffee will be coming to Harrisburg. They have requested an easement for ten feet from the city. Superintendent Kenny Mayhall stated Scooters will take responsibility for constructing and installing a curb and sidewalk. This easement will also consist of allowing the city to have access their utilities while Scooters will maintain the area. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to authorize Attorney Kolby Smithpeters to draft an easement for Scooter’s Coffee. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor John McPeek discussed a future amphitheater to be located on Veterans Drive. Money has been set back to help fund this project. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to authorize the city clerk to advertise for sealed bids for the amphitheater project. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning and council discussed the ambulance service. Commissioner Roger Angelly asked if the city rates were going to be cheaper than other ambulance providers. Commissioner Raymond Gunning stated yes and this service is for the citizens. Commissioner Raymond Gunning stated the ambulance will not travel outside of the city unless it is an emergency situation for backup. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to authorize Attorney Kolby Smithpeters to draft and ordinance to establish the EMS rates. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to install a street light on South Main Street near Date Mining. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
A petition to vacate an alley was presented to council. A public hearing will be held on March 02, 2023 at 5:45 p.m. prior to the council meeting regarding this request. The alley is located between South Street and Lincoln Street. Superintendent Jason Haney commented there are service lines in that area that need to be taken into consideration. Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to authorize the City Clerk to advertise for a public hearing regarding vacating the alleyway as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor John McPeek thanked the employees for their hard work on clearing the streets during our recent ice storm. He reminded citizens to stop littering.
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: 6:54 p.m.
https://www.thecityofharrisburgil.com/minutes
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