SE Illinois News

City of Harrisburg City Council met June 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Harrisburg City Council met on June 20, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. at the City Hall located at 110 E. Locust 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 Jonathan Brown answering roll call.

Pastor Chris Wilson from McKinley Avenue Baptist Church led the group in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to approve the consent agenda.

Regular Meeting Minutes – June 06, 2024

D & S Heating & Air - $4800.00 – 061124 – Downtown TIF

Earth Services – 58500.00 - #5128 – Business District

Moran Economic Development - $840.00 - #2394 – TIF

Ray O’Herron - $498.97 - #3200210 – Council Contingency

Saline Co. Highway Dept - $3108.95 - #060124 – MFT

LKB Wellness - $5000.00 - TIF

EJ & Carla Foster – Relinquish Lake Lot – 1st Add, Block 1, Lot 7

Robert Niedzwiedz – Petition Lake Lot – 1st Add, Block 1, Lot 7

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

Citizen Cynthia Potter spoke during this meeting. She thanked Mayor John McPeek for the beautification of uptown including the flower pots, street paving, and pole painting. She thanked each department for their work. She thanked citizen Tammy Smith for speaking before council during the last meeting regarding the disorder of the city and holding citizens accountable for the condition of their property.

She began her discussion by talking about the code book which went into effect in 1975. Section 7 states that it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation in the city to change or amend by additions or deletions, any section or portion of such code, or to insert or delete pages or portions thereof, or to alter or tamper with such code in any manner whatsoever which will cause the law of the City of Harrisburg to be misrepresented thereby. Any person, firm or corporation violating this section shall be punished as provided in Section 1-2 of the Harrisburg Municipal Code.

Section 8 states any person violating any of the provision or failing to comply with any of the mandatory requirements of any provisions of said code or any ordinance of the city is guilty of a petty offense unless such violation or failure to comply is specifically designated by said code or such ordinances as a misdemeanor. Any person convicted of a petty offense shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000 or by imprisonment not to exceed 6 months or by both a fine and imprisonment.

Citizen Cindy Potter discussion various building violations such as uninhabitable structures/burned/partially destroyed buildings, mobile homes, and dangerous/unsafe buildings. She discussed violating living in recreational vehicles and other structures. Every dwelling shall have properly installed sewer lines, water lines, plumbing fixers, vents, and drains, all of which shall be maintained free from obstruction, leaks, etc.

She discussed nuisance violations to include inoperable or abandoned vehicles on property, overgrown lots, open burning, stagnant, standing or foul water, land pollution/spill loads. There have been home in Harrisburg with old asphalt and concrete. Instead of disposing of it properly, it is being disposed of in an old piece of property in which no one lives.

Citizen Cindy Potter presented data to council from the code enforcer about the work he has performed in regards to mowing, yard clean up, vehicle towed, and pools complaints. The second page she presented to them was the expense reports from the code enforcer. The data does not match up from the data previously presented, even though both sets of data came from the code enforcer.

She stated it is a proven fact that people will rise up or lower down to whatever the bar or expectations place before them. I presented this data to “Let the data speak for itself.” Data speaks louder than words. Data does not lie.

Mayor John McPeek opened sealed bids for the sidewalk projects. There were five sealed bids for each sidewalk replacement projects. The sealed bids for each project are as follows:

Webster/Homer Street: Berry Construction: $16,530; Pinoy Construction: $10,867; AR Martin: $9,490; Womack Concrete: $15,972; Hicks Concrete: $13,260. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to accept the sealed bid from AR Martin Construction in the amount of $9,490. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

1006 S. Land Street: Berry Construction: $9,130; Pinoy Construction: $6,375; AR Martin: $5,280; Womack Concrete: $8,103; Hicks Concrete: $7,220. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid from AR Martin Construction in the amount of $5,280. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Walnut/Vine Street: Berry Construction: $19,090; Pinoy Construction: $9,500; AR Martin: $10,893; Womack Concrete: $18,073; Hicks Concrete: $14,160. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid from Pinoy Construction in the amount of $9,500. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

13 S. McKinley Street: Berry Construction: $5,970; Pinoy Construction: $6,900; AR Martin: $5,799; Womack Concrete: $9,207; Hicks Concrete: $7,440. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to accept the sealed bid from AR Martin Construction in the amount of $5,799. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

310 N. Sherman Street: Berry Construction: $5,970; Pinoy Construction: $7,475; AR Martin: $3,875; Womack Concrete: $5,621; Hicks Concrete: $4,820. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid from AR Martin Construction in the amount of $3,875. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Land/Mable Street: Berry Construction: $10,450; Pinoy Construction: $7,803; AR Martin: $5,984; Womack Concrete: $9,779; Hicks Concrete: $8,960. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to accept the sealed bid from AR Martin Construction in the amount of $5,984. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek opened the sealed bids for the house demolition bids. The sealed bids are as follows:

415 S. Vine Street: Cooley Excavating: $9,680; Pinoy Construction: $8,800; Stone Outdoor Service: $7,700. Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to accept the sealed bid from Stone Outdoor Service in the amount of $7,700. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

106 E. College Street: Cooley Excavating: $16,720; Pinoy Construction: $12,375; Stone Outdoor Service: $7,800. Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to accept the sealed bid from Stone Outdoor Service in the amount of $7,800. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

25 Sloan Street: Pinoy Construction: $9,600; Stone Outdoor Service: $18,000. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid from Pinoy Construction in the amount of $9,600. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek stated a mobile home application has been submitted, payment has been made, and Fire Chief John Gunning has inspected the site. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the mobile home application from Charles Lukancic at 1315 S. Ledford Street. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Attorney Kolby Smithpeters spoke with council regarding terminating the agreement with Satori Enterprises. This company is a consulting firm and the middle man for any solar projects within Harrisburg. By terminating this contract, this would allow other solar companies to come in and work with the city without having to go through Satori. There is a 30 day opt out clause in the contract. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to terminate the agreement with Satori Enterprises. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Attorney Kolby Smithpeters discussed with council the new proposal for floating solar with Third Pillar. Third Pillar will lease the retention pond from the City of Harrisburg. This could be a great project for the city. This will not affect any water fowl. He needs authorization to work out the details of the contract with Third Pillar. The city will be paid to use the property. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to authorize Attorney Kolby Smithpeters to begin working out the details and reviewing the contract with Third Pillar. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Johnathan Brown held an open discussion regarding the current code enforcer. This has been an issue for a long time. If he is mowing as many yards as he claims, where are the expense reports. Commissioner Rupert Johnson stated some of the properties belong to the county. Commissioner Jonathan Brown stated something needs to be done. We need to raise the bar and hold everyone accountable. His goals as a commissioner are to save the city money, make the city money and to make the city look good. Mayor John McPeek stated there is a problem. Commissioner Roger Angelly said some of these locations do not have running water/sewer. If there is no water/sewer, people cannot live there in accordance to the city ordinances. He has discussed this with the city attorney. We need to start addressing these issues.

Mayor John McPeek stated people do not believe in keeping their property clean. Commissioner Raymond Gunning stated we need to have zero tolerance. Commissioner Rupert Johnson stated the problem involves poverty. He stated when people cannot afford to eat, how can the city expect them to clean up the property. Commissioner Jonathan Brown stated that people believe it is cheaper for the city to mow/clean up rather than do it themselves. We can help some people, but they have to want to help themselves.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning stated the city should send the dump truck to an area and let the citizens fill it up rather than giving citizens dumpsters. Commissioner Jonathan Brown asked about city wide trash. Commissioner Raymond Gunning stated the city should have city wide clean-up more than twice a year. Mayor John McPeek stated there is no reason you can’t keep your property cleaned. Most of these properties discussed are rented. He stated until the city holds the landlords responsible, nothing will happen. He would like to see the landlords issued tickets and not the tenant. The landlords do not force the tenant to keep the property cleaned. Commissioner Jonathan Brown agrees and he believes there are people taking advantage of the city with the current clean up process. The ordinance is not being enforced.

Commissioner Roger Angelly likes the idea of quarterly clean-up. There was an open discussion about solutions to clean-up. Commissioner Roger Angelly would like the code enforcer to come in and talk to council. Commissioner Rupert Johnson said council just can throw David Williams under the bus. Commissioner Jonathan Brown said he knows several families who struggle, but they keep the property cleaned. Mayor John McPeek is in favor of ticketing home owners.

Commissioner Jonathan Brown stated that he and City Treasurer Alex Jackson spoke to Moran Economic Development about implementing a residential TIF for the city. The county and city are trying to get businesses within the city. This would help give incentives to help build rental houses. The downfall is the school district will lose on some tax money, but he would like to look into the number because he does not want to hurt the school district. However, new living and improved structures will help the tax base.

The first step is identifying an area to start a residential TIF. Citizens need roofs, build rental houses, or tear down houses. There has to be some incentives to help improve the city. The center of the town needs the most help. There are restrictions in creating a residential TIF which will be addressed. This will help rebuild the designated area. A proposed new business can bring in 200 employees. We need to work with the school district, let Jake from Moran draft a map, and begin the process.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning stated the animal control contract has expired and he would like to renew the agreement with Liz Mayhall. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to renew the animal control contract with Liz Mayhall authorizing Mayor John McPeek to sign the agreement. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning stated the fire department needs to hire a firefighter. He said Rick Mallady will retire in September. Commissioner Roger Angelly asked if Rick Mallady has turned in a letter of resignation, and that the city cannot bring on a new hire until he has retired. Mayor John McPeek stated there is no letter and he can come back to work. Commissioner Raymond Gunning stated he has spoken to Rick Mallady and requested a letter of resignation. Commissioner Raymond Gunning responded that Rick Mallady will be turning in his letter of resignation in the next couple of weeks. Commissioner Raymond Gunning stated he is only requesting the name of a new hire in order to be ready for when Rick Mallady turns in his letter of retirement. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to request the name for a new hire firefighter recommendation from the merit board. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning has an opening for a fire captain. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to request a recommendation for a fire captain once the testing is completed and list is updated. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Roger Angelly stated his department needs a boring machine. He has spoken to City Treasurer Alex Jackson about this purchase. Part of the machine will be paid out of the business district funds so that the equipment can be used throughout the city. The machine must be available within a week or so of the bid opening. We do not want to wait a year to get the machine. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to authorize the city clerk to advertise for a boring machine. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek reminded citizens of the upcoming 4th of July fireworks. This year, fireworks will be held at the Harrisburg Amphitheater, and there will be a DJ, food vendors, and lemonade shakeup stand. Fireworks start around 9:00 p.m.

Mayor John McPeek encouraged all citizens to clean up their yards. Please stop littering.

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: 9:18 a.m.

https://www.thecityofharrisburgil.com/minutes