SE Illinois News

City of Harrisburg City Council met Feb. 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Harrisburg City Council met on February 15, 2024 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. Commissioner Cynthia Potter was present via telephone.

Pastor Jerry Wells from Social Brethren Church led the group in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

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

Regular Meeting Minutes – February 01, 2024

Barnes Lumber - $24.64 - #K50679 - Business District

Barnes Lumber - $230.95 - #K50669 – Business District

Barnes Lumber - $653.74 - #550605 – Business District

Landis Wall & Ceiling - $25,800.00 - #020224 – Business District

Big Wall Décor - $1224.64 - #120899 – Business District

Brown & Roberts, Inc. - $600.60 - #2023-224

Sargent Electric - $7480.00 - #2530 – Veterans Drive TIF

Electrical Supply Group - $1154.08 – Veterans Drive TIF

Brown & Roberts, Inc. - $1285.50 - #2023-206

Carpet Masters - $387.00 - #004702 – Business District

Moran Economic Development - $840.00 - #2284 – TIF

Spillertown Seamless Guttering - $795.50 - #013124 – Veterans TIF

Rachel Wallace, LLC (Scooters Coffee) - $75,000.00 - TIF

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

Citizen Sharon Vandenberg thanked the sheriff’s department and the police department for helping to clean up Granger Street.

Matt Tosh with Brown and Roberts, Inc. gave an update on the 2020 DCEO/RLF Watermain Improvement Project.  He stated Eric Fodor from SIRPDC submitted a grant modification request to DCEO based upon the bid received, along with the supplemental information requested by DECO to expend the allotted funds.

DCEO is requiring the project to be re-bid due to only one bid received and large amount of modification requested.  Eric Fodor also requested a grant time extension for the re-bidding requirement.  Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to approve the re-bid of the projected as soon as DCEO approves the modification and authorizes the re-bidding.  Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson.  A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes.  Motion carried.

Matt Tosh stated the city received the lead service grant in the amount of $40,000.00.

 Mayor John McPeek had an open discussion with council about the agreement with Prestige Project Management.  The discussion included the scope of work that can be requested, projects, planning, specifications, and grant research.  Brown and Roberts, Inc. has an exclusion clause in the contract.  Commissioners Raymond Gunning and Rupert Johnson were unsure why council could not hire them on an as needed basis instead of entering into an agreement.  Prestige Project Management does not get paid to research grants.  The only time there is a fee is when they are asked to start a project. The city can still do in-house projects and it will not involve Prestige Project Management. 

Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to authorize Mayor John McPeek to sign the agreement with Prestige Project Management.  Seconded by Mayor John McPeek.   A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes, except Commissioners Raymond Gunning, Cynthia Potter and Rupert Johnson voting no at this time.  Motion failed.

Upon further discussion, Prestige Project Management agrees that these projects will be on an as needed basis for the type of jobs in the agreement.  Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to rescind the motion to authorize Mayor John McPeek to sign the agreement with Prestige Project Management.  Seconded by Mayor John McPeek.  A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes, except Commissioner Cynthia Potter voting no.  Motion carried.

Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to authorize Mayor John McPeek to sign the Prestige Project Management agreement to include this to be an as needed job basis agreement.  Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning.  A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes, except Commissioner Cynthia Potter abstaining.  Motion carried.

Commissioner Rupert Johnson and council discussed the track hoe purchase that had been tabled.  Council stated this track hoe can only be used in the business district.  Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to purchase the 2019 Hyundai HX160 excavator/track hoe with approximately 1300 hours from Diamond Equipment for $140,900.00.  Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning.  A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes with the understanding this must only be used in the business district.  Motion carried.

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

Fire Chief John Gunning spoke to council about the Harrisburg Park District acquiring a piece of property.  The Park District would like to build a bridge over the city creek.  The lot will be used as parking.  Superintendent Jason Haney would like to see the plans for this bridge.  He stated this is a ditch the city cleans out.  He wants to make sure they will still be able to clean it.  Fire Chief John Gunning stated he will get with the Park District to get the plans and to review the elevation level on this property.

Attorney Kolby Smithpeters stated the owners of 106 E. College Street is willing to transfer the property over to the city.  The house needs to be torn down.  Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to authorize Attorney Kolby Smithpeters to obtain 106 E. College Street.  Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning.  A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes.  Motion carried.

Attorney Kolby Smithpeters asked council for authorization to start the process of pursuing 108 W. Sloan Street and 25 Sloan Street.  Both properties need to be torn down as well.  Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to authorize Attorney Kolby Smithpeters to start the process to acquire these properties.  Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly.  A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes.  Motion carried.

There are several grants the City Treasurer would like to apply for.  Mayor John McPeek made the motion to authorize Treasurer Alex Jackson to apply for any grants as needed.  Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning.  A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes.  Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek stated personnel will be tabled.

Commissioner Cynthia Potter reminded council it is close to the end of the fiscal year and the budget is tight.  Please do not exceed the departmental budgets.  The new ambulance agreement will impact the budget. She and Treasurer Alex Jackson will work with everyone on the new budget.  

Commissioner Roger Angelly stated water bills are being delivered late due to the Harrisburg Post Office.  He reminded citizens that the water bills are due twice a month and if you don’t get your water bill, please call the water office so you can make your payment.  The late delivery issue is between St. Louis and the local post office.  He apologized, but said they have contacted the necessary officials about the delivery issue. 

Commissioner Rupert Johnson announced the playground at Harrisburg Lake is finished and ready for use.  He stated the projected dates for Spring Clean-Up is March 11 through March 22.

Mayor John McPeek announced the following:  Leap Day Tornado Memorial Service is on February 29, 2024 at 8:00 a.m., Eclipse Events will be hosted by Coleman Tri-County Services on April 08, 2024 starting at 10:00 a.m., and no weed killer is to be used at the cemetery when mowing season starts.

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

Adjourn:  8:38 a.m.

Reconvene:  8:59 a.m.

Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to return to open session.  Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning.  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, and Rupert Johnson answering roll call. Commissioner Cynthia Potter was absent.

Mayor John McPeek stated there is no action for 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:  9:00 a.m.

https://www.thecityofharrisburgil.com/_files/ugd/3acc7b_e6587553568f44ea86b079af1e2f7b18.docx?dn=R02-15-24.docx