SE Illinois News

City of Harrisburg City Council met Dec. 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Harrisburg City Council met on December 21 2023 at 8:00 a.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 Bobby Gentry of the River of Life Pentecostal Church led the group in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the consent agenda. 

Regular Meeting Minutes – December 07, 2023

Barnes Lumber - $127.78 - #549034 – Veterans TIF

Street Sweeper - $83,720.00 – MFT

IDOT - $11,040.00 - #125860

Electrical Supply Group - $53.39 - #3419 – Business District

Electrical Supply Group - $1043.83 - #3412 – Business District

Electrical Supply Group - $5.39 - #3428 – Business District

Kyle Wahl - $5,000 – TIF Façade

Tri-State - $9.00 - #85074 – Business District

Moran Economic Development - $13,423.58 - #2238 – Business District

Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly.  A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes.  Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek opened the only sealed bid for the excavator from Diamond Equipment in the amount of $140,900.00.  The bid was for a 2019 HXI160 L Excavator with approximately 1300 hours and 39,000 pounds.  Due to the price, at this time council is choosing to table this purchase.

Matt Tosh with Brown and Roberts, Inc. presented the grant modification for the 2020 DCEO/RLF watermain improvements. He stated this has been previously discussed and there are leftover grant funds.  The modification is due to the increase is prices.  Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to approve the grant modification for the 2020 DCEO/RLF watermain improvements.  Seconded by Commissioner Cynthia Potter.  A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes, except Commissioner Rupert Johnson voting no.  Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek stated council will go into executive session to discuss collective bargaining.

Mayor John McPeek asked to move the ambulance discussion to the end of the meeting. 

Attorney Kolby  Smithpeters presented a purchase contract to council for 905 N. Main Street.  This property can be purchased from the Saline County Tax Agent for $820.00.  The property is beyond repair and needs to be tore down.  Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the purchase of 905 N. Main Street.  Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly.  A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes.  Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek stated council will go into executive session to review/approve the executive session minutes from August 2023 through November 2023.

Commissioner Cynthia Potter wished everyone a safe and happy holidays.  She thought the lights parade was excellent.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Commissioner Roger Angelly asked council if it would be okay to give dirt to the township. He stated they just need a few loads and he would like to help them out.  Council agreed with this request.

Commissioner Rupert Johnson wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Mayor John McPeek presented the request for proposals regarding the ambulance service.  During this portion of the meeting Abbott EMS and United Medical Response both gave a presentation on their RFP submissions.  There was an open discussion regarding the proposals.  County Board member Wes Sherrod spoke on behalf of the county.  Everyone agrees there needs to be an ambulance service which services the city and county. 

The city encouraged Wes Sherrod to send out RFP on behalf of the county. There was a discussion about the possible need for an intergovernmental agreement between the city and county.  Rocky James stated everyone needs to work together, but the other towns just do not have the money for an ambulance provider. 

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to go into executive session to discuss collective bargaining and approve executive session minutes.  Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly.  A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes.  Motion carried.

Adjourn:  9:11 a.m.

Reconvene:  9:28 a.m.

Mayor John McPeek 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 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 there will be no action taken regarding collective bargaining.

Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to keep all executive session minutes closed from August 2023 through November 2023.  Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning.  A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes.  Motion carried.

Members from the county board, Abbott EMS and United Medical Response returned to the meeting.  There was an open discussion on how to provide an ambulance service to the city and county.  Attorney Kolby Smithpeters suggested the county send out their own RFP.  Wes Sherrod stated the county has no money for the ambulance service and cannot budget for the service at this time. 

Council asked the county to work with the city on lowering their dispatch fees or waive the rent fee for the city police in exchange to provide ambulance coverage to the county.  Wes Sherrod stated all he can do is present the request to the county board.  He asked for direction on how to proceed.  Commissioner Raymond Gunning suggested sending out an RFP, make an offer to the city, and this will allow coverage to the county. 

The discussion was based on whether the city would be able to provide coverage to the county.  Abbott EMS and United Medical Response gave options regarding coverage, call volumes, number of ambulances, and transfer calls.  The proposals can always be revisited after the first year of service.  Depending on the call volume, the subsidy can possibly be lowered.  After several options discussed, council agreed to expand the coverage to the county.

Commissioner Cynthia Potter  made the motion to accept the request for proposal from Abbott EMS at $1,895,713.00 for five years.  Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning.  A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes, except Commissioner Rupert Johnson voting no.  Motion carried.

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: 10:13 a.m.

https://www.thecityofharrisburgil.com/_files/ugd/3acc7b_5b7eb4b9377c4b16a0fada0b7876edf3.docx?dn=R12-21-23.docx