SE Illinois News

City of Harrisburg City Council met July 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Harrisburg City Council met on July 18, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. at the City Hall located at 110 E. Locust Street, Harrisburg, IL.

Mayor Pro-tem Jonathan Brown called the meeting to order. Mayor Pro-tem Johnathan Brown presided over the meeting with Commissioners Raymond Gunning, Roger Angelly and Rupert Johnson answering roll call. Mayor John McPeek was absent.

Pastor Lynette Barnett from the First United Methodist Church led the group in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the consent agenda with the exception of Prestige Project Management. The project is not completed.

Regular Meeting Minutes – June 20, 2024

Special Meeting Minutes – June 26, 2024

Check Register and Warrant Report – June 2024

Siegel’s Uniform - $302.45 - #573859-1 – Council Contingency

Siegel’s Uniform - $238.97 - #573322-1 – Council Contingency

Siegel’s Uniform - $60.49 - #574518-1 – Council Contingency

Prestige Project Management - $47,000 - #3226 Final – DCEO Energy Grant

Brown & Roberts, Inc. - $29,849.62 - #23-247 – MFT

Saline County Highway Dept - $8984.22 - #070124 – MFT

Southern IL Redi-Mix - $1,365.00 - #90084 – Business District

Brown & Roberts, Inc. - $51,715.26 - #1-20-128 – DCEO/RLF Watermain Imp.

Samron - $483,772.77 - #1 – Rebuild Illinois MFT

Moran Economic Development - $980.00 - #2423 – TIF/Business District

Lane Erectors - $45,010.00 - #6925 - ARPA

Barnes Lumber - $46.05 - #555406 – Business District

Barnes Lumber - $34.43 - #555471 – Business District

STAS - $641.46 - #5000061431 - TIF

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

There were no citizen comments.

Mayor Pro-tem Jonathan Brown opened sealed bids for the police department fence project. The city received four sealed bids. The bids were as follows: 360 Fencing at $16,758; Terrance Fence Co at $23,803; Stones Outdoor at $20,000; Buck Construction at $20,662.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid from 360 Fencing in the amount of $16,758.00. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor Pro-tem Jonathan Brown opened sealed bids for the Pontiac Firebird. The city received one sealed bid. The bids were from Kelly Melton in the amount of $6010.00 Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid from Kelly Melton in the amount of $6010.00. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor Pro-tem Jonathan Brown stated there was a public hearing at 7:45 a.m. to discuss vacating the alley as requested. There were no public comments. Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to approve Ordinance 1881 to vacate the alley located between 1200 Largent Street and 1130 Largent Street. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Matt Tosh with Brown & Roberts, Inc. presented the notice of award from the bid letting in June. Wiggs Excavating was the lowest bid at $374,732.75. Matt Tosh stated this project is from left over fund which will be spent on a watermain project near West Side School. The bid is over by about $24,000. If the city has the funds, they can help with the expense or there will be a change order completed. He believes the water/sewer department can do some of the work and he does not think they will need to repair as many sidewalks. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to approve the notice of award and other contracts to Wiggs Excavating in the amount of $374,732.75 for the watermain improvements project with DCEO approval. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

City Treasurer Alex Jackson presented the 2023 Personal Property Replacement Tax per the state statute. She stated the following amounts will be remitted to: Police Pension - $28,066.23; Fire Pension - $17,938.45; and District Library - $18,199.31. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion approve the 2023 PPRT. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

City Treasurer Alex Jackson discussed the budget line item adjustment regarding the Code Enforcer being moved back to the Mayor’s budget. This will have a net zero affect to the budget as the transfer is within the General Fund. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the line item adjustment. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Attorney Kolby Smithpeters stated there is a list of properties that he needs authorization to either attempt to acquire or to start the legal process for demolition. The list of properties was included in the council packet. Council is in favor of individuals rehabbing these properties. Attorney Kolby Smithpeters stated if the city is able to acquire the property, a sealed bid process will be required. The city is required to advertise the property and do a sealed bid opening. He suggests putting guidelines in the advertisement such as a time limit to rehab. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to authorize Attorney Kolby Smithpeters to proceed with the acquisition and demolition process. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Attorney Kolby Smithpeters discussed acquiring 100 E. Mable Street. The owner has agreed to deed the property over to the city. There was a discussion on whether this property can be rehabbed, and it was determined that it cannot be rehabbed. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the deed for 100 E. Mable Street. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Attorney Kolby Smithpeters stated during the previous council meeting, council agreed to cancel the contract with Satori. Effective July 26, 2024, the city can proceed with advertising solar installation projects. There is a list of properties the city would like to consider having solar installed to include: fire station, Pruett building, City Hall, street barn, cemetery office, street/alley storage, water office, water barn, and roundhouse/flood control. Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to authorize the City Clerk to advertise for the solar installation project effective July 26, 2024. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor Pro-tem Jonathan Brown presented council with the annual NPDES fee of $17,500. Mayor Pro-tem Jonathan Brown made the motion to pay the annual NPDES of $17,500 in protest. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes, except Commissioner Rupert Johnson voted no. Motion carried.

Mayor Pro-tem Jonathan Brown would like to begin having department updates during the second meeting of the month. This would allow each department to discuss what is going on with their department. He thinks this helps create transparency and will give some positive light to each department. This will also keep the council in the loop. The report doesn’t have to be lengthy. Mayor Pro-tem Jonathan Brown made the motion to have monthly department reports given during the second meeting of each month. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning discussed the need to replace some storm sirens. Curt Rowlen has researched the best type of replacement sirens. There are two types of storm sirens to consider. There is a 4-way sire or an automated voice siren. Commissioner Raymond Gunning will have the information to present at the August 01, 2024 council meeting.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning stated Rick Mallady has submitted his letter of resignation. The new hire is EMT certified, but will need to attend the Fire Academy. He currently lives in Carbondale, but will move to Harrisburg within six months. Commissioner Raymond Gunning stated the merit board gave him a name as a new hire firefighter. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to hire Ethan Giambelluca as a firefighter at the starting wage of $17.70 effective August 16, 2024 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 Roger Angelly discussed the need to paint the water tower at St. Mary’s Drive. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to authorize Brown and Roberts, Inc. to begin with the process of painting the water tower. 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 Attorney Kolby Smithpeters to draft a contract with Andy Freeborn for the sale of dirt. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor Pro-tem Jonathan Brown stated there is a public hearing immediately following the council meeting to discuss the Energy Transition Grant if anyone would like to stay and attend.

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: 8:28 a.m.

https://www.thecityofharrisburgil.com/minutes