SE Illinois News

City of Harrisburg City Council met March 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Harrisburg City Council met on March 07, 2024 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 Social Brethren 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 – February 15, 2024

Check Register & Warrant Report – February 2024

Uline - $1473.38 - #174358830 – Business District

Prestige Project Management - $46,000.00 - #3179 - DCEO Energy Transition Grant

Barnes Lumber - $423.88 - #551145 – Business District

Barnes Lumber - $81.98 - #551176 – Business District

Biggs & Moore Heating/Air - $250.00 - #85134012 – Veterans TIF

Diamond Equipment - $140,900.00 - #WL20984 – Business District

Prestige Project Management - $750.00 - #3183 – Business District

Barnes Lumber - $408.96 - #551603 – Business District

Barnes Lumber - $229.00 - #K51676 – Business District

Murphy Rental Center - $15,000.00 – Business District

Oasis Powersports - $16,030.00 – #NKUT500122 - 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 130 State Street. The bid was from Jeff Baker in the amount of $501.00. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the bid from Jeff Baker for 130 State Street in the amount of $501.00. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek opened three sealed bids for the demolition of 905 N. Main Street. The sealed bids are as follows: Lane Erectors in the amount of $15,360.00, Wasted Disposal in the amount of $7,500.00, and Cooley Excavating in the amount of $16,775.00. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid for the demolition of 905 N. Main from Wasted Disposal for $7,500.00. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

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

Attorney Kolby Smithpeters presented the ARPA resolution for a salt storage building. Superintendent Kenny Mayhall stated he needs additional storage for salt because cinders are no longer available. The new salt bin will be a replica of the existing bin. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve ARPA Resolution 24-0307. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek stated the TIF agreement form for Timber Trails Apartments is a request to change the assignee/name to now read Timber Trails Apartments/Budslick Investments LLC/Affordable Housing of Southern Illinois. This does not change anything else in the agreement. Commissioner Cynthia Potter made the motion to approve Resolution 24-0307A for the change of name on the TIF agreement. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

City Treasurer Alex Jackson discussed changes to the façade improvement grant program. This change will now allow businesses within the business district to apply for façade improvement funds. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the changes to the façade improvement grant program. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Attorney Kolby Smithpeters tabled property acquisition.

Attorney Kolby Smithpeters stated 200 Daytona Street needs to be torn down as a result of a fire.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to authorize Attorney Kolby Smithpeters to acquire 200 Dayton Street. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Council held a discussion regarding TIF. Treasure Alex Jackson gave an overview of how the TIF program works. TIF stands for Tax Increment Funding. This program works through real estate funds. The funds can be used for a new structure or to add on to an existing structure. There is an application process which begins with picking up the application at City Hall. The application is then submitted to the Moran Economic Development for advisement. They will give the city suggestions on funding a project. These are educated economic developers who help the city with the TIF applications.

One of the criteria to receive TIF funds is that you must be the property owner. You cannot rent a building to be eligible for TIF funds. The reason you must own the property is that this program is based off of real estate taxes. There are two ways to receive the funds. The business can take the fund upfront as start-up money to help with the expenses or over a period of time. These funds are incentives to help create new businesses, and to help the current business owner improve/grow their business.

The business that been scrutinized for utilizing TIF Funds put $1.2 million dollars into the business, created jobs, and improved the property value. She only received 6% of her total project, and chose to take the funds upfront for expenses rather than take it over a period of time.

The city encourages any business who is any TIF District to come to City Hall and discuss the possibility of receiving TIF funds. There is also a Façade Grant Program to help with the exterior of a business. This is to help with beautification of a building which helps make the city look nice. There have been several business utilize the Façade Grant Program.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the Fire Department contract as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Cynthia Potter reminded citizens with the warmer weather coming to please be watching for the motorcycles, bicycles, and kids who are outside playing.

Commissioner Roger Angelly wanted to thank Mayor John McPeek for the wonderful memorial service held on February 29 for the Lead Day Tornado.

Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to authorize the city clerk to advertise for sealed bids for a salt barn. 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 authorize the city clerk to advertise for demolition of surplus properties. Seconded by Commissioner Cynthia Potter. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Rupert Johnson authorized the city clerk to advertise for Spring Clean-Up. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. Spring Clean-Up is being held March 11 through March 22, 2024.

Mayor John McPeek thanked everyone who attended the Tornado Memorial Service, and he thanked Pastor Jerry Wells as he did an excellent job. The elevator lifts have been installed in City Hall. Once they pass inspection, council meetings will resume back at City Hall. He encouraged the citizens to take advantage of Spring Clean-Up and to clean up their yards. Mowing seasons is starting at the cemetery and we will stay on top of it this year.

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

Adjourn: 6:22 p.m.

Reconvene: 7:41 p.m.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning 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 Cynthia Potter made the motion to approve the non-contractual longevity step to .50 and a $1.00 an hour pay increase retro-active to May 01, 2023, and a $1.00 an hour pay increase effective May 01, 2024. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes, except Commissioner Raymond Gunning abstaining for Fire Chief John Gunning. Motion carried.

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: 7:43 p.m.

https://www.thecityofharrisburgil.com/minutes