City of Harrisburg City Council met Aug. 3.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The Harrisburg City Council met on August 03, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at the Harris-Pruett Building located at 107 E. Church 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 Cynthia Potter answering roll call.
Pastor Jerry Wells from the Dorrisville Social Brethren Church led the group in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the consent agenda.
Public Hearing Minutes – July 20, 2023
Regular Meeting Minutes – July 20, 2023
Special Meeting Minutes – July 21, 2023
Check Register and Warrant Report – July 2023
Crafted by Vintage - $5,000.00 - TIF Façade
Barnett Ready-Mix - $5,115.00 - #79881 – Veterans TIF
Barnett Ready-Mix - $537.00 - #80029 – Veterans TIF
Harrisburg Hardware - $17.03 - #96754 – Veterans TIF
Womack Concrete - $16,590.00 - #1031 – Veterans TIF
Barnes Lumber - $25.68 - #544088 – Veterans TIF
Barnes Lumber - $66.45 - #544035 – Veterans TIF
Barnes Lumber – $53.99 - #544021 – Veterans TIF
Barnes Lumber - $751.08 - #544079 – Veterans TIF
Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Citizens Carol Lowe spoke to council about some problems behind her business. She owns the business located on Sloan and Jackson Street. A dead tree fell on the back of her business. The neighbors drove a car onto the back of their property and the car caught on fire. They did not have water at their home resulting in them having to use a bucket line from across the street in an attempt to put the fire out. She had to assist in putting the fire out by giving them a fire extinguisher. There was a fire at that property again today. There have allegedly been gun shots at that location. She is asking council to address these issues.
Commissioner Roger Angelly stated the Code Enforcer should be addressing some of these issues. He should be writing tickets from some of these violations. Commissioner Raymond Gunning asked Police Chief Nathan Moore to speak with Citizen Carol Lowe after the meeting.
Mayor John McPeek stated council will go into executive session to discuss collective bargaining.
Mayor John McPeek stated the individuals who submitted the mobile home application for 1300 Longley Street is no longer installing a mobile home at that location. They are requesting a refund. Mayor John McPeek made the motion to refund the application fee and deposit fee back to Chase Maloney. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to authorize the city clerk to advertise for the sealed bids for the demolition of properties. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to authorize the city clerk to advertise for sealed bids for the sale of 435 W. Poplar Street with a minimum bid of $20,000 and closing cost. Seconded by Raymond Gunning. Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Attorney Kolby Smithpeters stated a property has been condemned and has graffiti all over it. It is located near the ballpark in Gaskin City and needs to be demolished. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to authorize Mayor John McPeek to sign the purchase agreement for 214 W. National Street. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor John McPeek and council discussed the condition of the building located at 22 S. Vine Street. Council all agreed they would like to see this building saved if possible. The front and side seem to be in somewhat good condition. The roof has caved in, but it is possible it can be repaired. Instead of demolishing the building, it is worth seeing if it could be saved and selling it to a business and getting it back on the tax roll.
Commissioner Cynthia Potter made the motion to contact the owners about acquisition of the following five properties per the Strong Communities Grant guidelines: 600 S. Webster Street, 437 W. Church Street, 815 S. Land Street, 605 N. Jackson Street, and 311 W. South Street. 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 hire Brandon Culkin as a firefighter at the rate of $16.55 an hour starting August 16, 2023 pending the passing of his physical and drug screen. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to hire Kenny Shires as a part-time police officer at the rate of $25.00 an hour pending the passing of his physical and drug screen. 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 hire Ryan Ward as a part-time police officer at the rate of $25.00 an hour pending the passing of his physical and drug screen. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to hire Dylon Yates as a part-time police officer at the rate of $25.00 an hour pending the passing of his physical and drug screen. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to request a new hire recommendation from the Merit Board for a police officer. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the hire Jacob Barriger as a police officer at the rate of $25.12 an hour starting August 16, 2023 pending the passing of his physical and drug screen. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Roger Angelly inquired about the repair work needing to be done at 1 E. Poplar Street. Mayor John McPeek stated we are next on Dennis Robinson’s list. Once he finished the church project, he will start on 1 E. Poplar Street.
Commissioner Rupert Johnson had a discussion council about allowing the city to give the citizen on Sloan and Webster a dumpster to clean up his property as he is in favor of this. Commissioner Raymond Gunning questioned whether the city could allow giving a dumpster to a private individual. Attorney Kolby Smithpeters stated the city has a process for cleaning a property which includes the use of dumpsters. Typically, this involves a cleanup expense to the homeowner and if not paid a lien is filed against the property.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning questioned if there was a time limit on the use of the dumpster. Commissioner Roger Angelly stated all citizens would start requesting dumpsters. He agrees the property needs to be cleaned. Commissioner Rupert Johnson stated the city does not help anyone. Mayor John McPeek stated that is not a true statement.
Commissioner Roger Angelly stated he will personally clean the property for nothing, and he might be able to get one of the trash providers to donate a dumpster. Commissioner Rupert Johnson stated he would have Superintendent Kenny Mayhall talk to the citizen to see if he is agreeable to this and get his okay. This will need to be in writing.
Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to approve the cleanup the property pending the approval of the homeowner with the agreement there will be a lien placed against the property for the use of the dumpster. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
There was a discussion about street lights in the Country Club area. They had originally requested eight lights and then narrowed it down to five lights. Commissioner Cynthia Potter asked the City Treasurer if there was money if there was money to pay for these lights. City Treasurer Alex Jackson stated there was not enough money in that line item to cover this expense. Commissioner Roger Angelly asked why these individuals could not install security lights at their own expense. Police Chief Nathan Moore stated he had met with a group from the Country Club who had formed a neighborhood watch group. He stated there are some areas in the Country Club that is dark.
Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to install three street lights in the Country Club. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor John McPeek encouraged the citizens to look at the progress being made at the old Durham’s Hardware building. The business should be open in the middle of September. It will be an antique mall. He reminded the citizens school starts next week, so please be careful when out driving especially around the school zones.
Mayor John McPeek made the following announcements: Sasquatch Festival is October 07, Boo in the Burg is October 26, Halloween is October 31, and please stop littering.
Mayor John McPeek made the motion to go into executive session to discuss collective bargaining. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Adjourn: 6:33 p.m.
Reconvene: 7:08 p.m.
Mayor John McPeek made the motion to return to open session. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor John McPeek called the meeting to order. Mayor John McPeek presided over the meeting with Commissioners Raymond Gunning, Roger Angelly, Rupert Johnson and Cynthia Potter answering roll call.
Mayor John McPeek stated no action will be taken regarding collective bargaining.
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: 7:09 p.m.
https://www.thecityofharrisburgil.com/_files/ugd/3acc7b_9691071212534d538c9dd75263d6a198.docx?dn=R08-03-23.docx
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