City of Harrisburg City Council met March 2.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The Harrisburg City Council met on March 02, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at the Harrisburg Public Library located at 2. W. Walnut Street, 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 Jerry Wells, Dorrisville Social Brethren Church led the group in prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the consent agenda.
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Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Fire Chief John Gunning stated the mobile home installation at 1521 Dorris Heights Road has passed final inspection and can receive their damage deposit refund. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to issue the $500.00 damage deposit refund back to Kody Wright. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Fire Chief John Gunning stated the mobile home installation at 311 N. McKinley has also passed final inspection and can receive their damage deposit refund. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to issue the $500.00 damage deposit refund back to Thea Shaw. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to approve Ordinance 1857 vacating the alley as presented during the public hearing prior to the council meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor John McPeek opened the only sealed bid for the amphitheater project. Prestige presented two options. The first option was with a concession and restrooms at overall cost of $661,871.52. Option two was with no restroom and no concession at the overall cost of $403,570.08. Council would like to review the blueprints in detail before making a decision and chose to table this project at this time.
Treasurer Alex Jackson presented a TIF proposal for Murphy’s Rental Center. After discussions with our TIF Administrator, they recommend offering $75,000 for the current proposal. The funds would be divided between TIF and Business District with $50,000 from TIF and $25,000 from Business District. She stated if Mr. Murphy changes his plans, the proposal will need to be redrafted and the council will need to revisit the requested amount. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to approve the TIF application request for Murphy Rental Center for $75,000 as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Treasurer Alex Jackson presented the TIF Façade application from Skaggs Electric. They have installed gutters on their building and are eligible for up to $5,000 in façade funds. Skaggs Electric will be required to submit receipts in order to receive reimbursement funds. Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to approve the TIF Façade application from Skaggs Electric. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor John McPeek stated the resolution regarding the Shawnee National Forest will be tabled until the next meeting.
Attorney Kolby Smithpeters stated the owner of 330 W. Raymond Street is willing to deed over the property to the city. It is one of the burnt homes that has become a dangerous building. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to authorize Attorney Kolby Smithpeters to obtain the deed for 330 W. Raymond Street. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning discussed the police ride along program for potential new police officers and the law enforcement program at SIC. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the patrol ride-along program. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning discussed with council advertising Durham’s Hardware for sale. The building has been cleaned out, people are interested in the property, and he believes now is the time to obtain sealed bids. Council agrees there should be a minimum bid of $10,000 for this property. Council would like Attorney Kolby Smithpeters to draft an agreement much like the agreement the city has regarding 9 E. Poplar Street. This will be addressed for action at the March 16, 2023 meeting to advertise and approve the agreement.
Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to hire David Eddie Brookes with a start date of April 03, 2023 at $20.185 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 made the motion to install a street light on State Street and Orchard Street. 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 Hazel Street. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Rupert Johnson discussed Harrisburg Lake with council. It has come to his attention that the city does not know the entire boundaries of the lake property. He would like to have the property surveyed so the City of Harrisburg is aware of what they own and can proceed with additional projects at the lake. There was an open discussion regarding platting, legal descriptions, cost of surveying and where will the money come from. Commissioner Rupert Johnson stated American Coal is conducting their own survey on the South end of the property and he will know more at the next meeting.
Commissioner Ron Morse asked about the current timber project. Commissioner Rupert Johnson said timber had marked according to the map as presented by the city attorney Robert Wilson. There have now been 31 trees cut on American Coal property and 47 trees are left standing that have been paid for by the timber company. Superintendent Kenny Mayhall has talked to a representative from American Coal. American Coal is having a conference call regarding the timber cutting. Superintendent Kenny Mayhall is waiting to hear back from them in the next couple of days. Commissioner Rupert Johnson will give an update at the next meeting.
Mayor John McPeek discussed dangerous and dilapidated buildings within the city. The city needs to take action on cleaning up the city. Mayor John McPeek stated there is an individual living in a camper which violates an ordinance. The property is dangerous, looks bad, and the issue needs to be addressed. Mayor John McPeek made the motion to authorize Attorney Kolby Smithpeters to send notification letter to homeowners regarding their dilapidated/dangerous property. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor John McPeek thanked everyone who attended the Tornado Memorial Service on Tuesday. Mayor John McPeek stated Alan Nenis from the County Emergency Manager wanted him to thank Superintendent Kenny Mayhall for his quick response and help at Harrisburg Medical Center when the power pole broke.
Mayor John McPeek announced the March 16, 2023 council meeting will be held at the Harris-Pruett Building at the regularly scheduled time of 8:00 a.m.
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: 6:36 p.m.
https://www.thecityofharrisburgil.com/minutes
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