SE Illinois News

City of Harrisburg City Council met Sept. 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Harrisburg City Council met on September 05, 2024 at 6:00 p.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 Jerry Wells with the Dorrisville Social Brethen 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 – August 15, 2024

Check Register and Warrant Reports – August 2024

Beelman Logistics LLC - $439.04 - #1012372 – MFT

Siegel’s Uniforms - $1,033.95 - #579209-1 – Council Contingency

Flock Safety - $47,500.00 - #46046 – Business District

Little Tractor - $8,077.00 - #082824 – Business District

Illini Asphalt - $88,064.84 - #3661 - MFT

Brown & Roberts, Inc. - $1,571.03 - #2023-247 - MFT

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

Citizen Natasha Barger spoke to council regarding the speeding issue on Hazel Street. She expressed her concerns for kids, family and neighbors. Cars are driving at extreme rates of speed on Hazel Street. She thanks Superintendent Kenny Mayhall for always assisting with putting up Children at Play signs and a speed limit sign. Her daughter walks to McHaney to get on the bus for school, and it is very concerning to her with the erratic driving in the area. Commissioner Raymond Gunning and Commissioner Rupert Johnson will get together to see what can be done to help resolve the issue. She and her husband think speed bumps will deter some of the traffic. They thanked council for listening to their concerns. They finished by telling council that Superintendent Kenny Mayhall and Animal Control Officer Liz Mayhall are always very helpful when they call.

Citizen David Peckinpaugh spoke about the condition of the cemetery. He and many others are opposed to the use of weed killer. Just recently, the Street/Alley employees along with the cemetery employees managed to get the ground weed eated in a day and half. He volunteered his time this summer in weed eating. He proposed that every two weeks, all the Street/Alley employees along with the cemetery employees weed eat the grounds. It would eliminate the need for weed killer and will properly maintain the cemetery grounds.

He suggested applying for grants to help get summer help or to utilize earn fair workers. He stated cemetery work is hard work. He will continue to help with weed eating. Commissioner Rupert Johnson stated he has a started a program where three employees from Street/Alley will be at the cemetery on Fridays.

Citizen Sharon Vandenberg asked if the mosquito spray is different. The last time the mosquito spray occurred, it caused her dog to have an allergic reaction. She had to take her dog to the veterinarian twice because of it. If she could receive advance notice, she would appreciate it and she would keep her dog inside for at least 24 hours.

Mayor John McPeek opened sealed bids for the sale of property. The sealed bids are as follows:

442 W. Church Street: D & D Development: $500.00 Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion accept the sealed bid from D & D Development. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried

521 W. Barnett St: Sandra Morris: $100.00 Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid from Sandra Morris. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

106 E. College St: Brian and Cindy Potter: $1015.00 and Jeff Siler: $5001.00. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid from Jeff Siler. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek opened sealed bids for the sidewalk projects. The sealed bids are as follows:

501 W. Raymond St: Pinoy Construction: $5,347.50; Womack Concrete: $3,000.00; Hicks Concrete: $2,000.00; AR Martin: $4,290.49. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid from Hicks Concrete. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

1 North Main St: Pinoy Construction: $1,728.00; Womack Concrete: 1,800.00; Hicks Concrete: 1,280.00; AR Martin: 4,187.99. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid from Hicks Concrete. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Webster/Raymond St: Pinoy Construction: $13,560.00; Womack Concrete: $17,900.00; Hicks Concrete: $9,120.00; AR Martin: $12,729.99. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid from Hicks Concrete. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

South/Mill St: Pinoy Construction: $11,088.00; Womack Concrete: $12,700.00; Hicks Concrete: $7,380.00; AR Martin: $9,405.40. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid from Hicks Concrete. 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 demolition projects. The sealed bids are as follows:

200 E. Dayton: Pinoy Construction: $5,520.00; Wasted Disposal: $5,000.00; Stones Outdoor Service: $7,700.00; Lane Erectors: $6,100.00. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid from Wasted Disposal. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

315 E. Poplar St: Pinoy Construction: $16,200.00; Wasted Disposal: $14,900.00; Lane Erectors: $18,500.00. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid from Wasted Disposal. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

727 W. Sloan: Pinoy Construction: $10,810.00; Wasted Disposal: $8,500.00; Stones Outdoor Service: $9,700.00; Lane Erectors: $13,200.00. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid from Wasted Disposal. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

100 E. Mable: Pinoy Construction: $5,520.00; Wasted Disposal: $6,000.00; Stones Outdoor Service: $8,600.00; Lane Erectors: $6,800.00. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid from Pinoy Construction. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

105 E. Rose St: Pinoy Construction: $7,950.00; Wasted Disposal: $7,500.00; Stones Outdoor Service: $8,400.00; Lane Erectors: $8,700.00. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid from Wasted Disposal. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

108 W. Sloan: Pinoy Construction: $5,9500.00; Wasted Disposal: $5,500.00; Stones Outdoor Service: $7,900.00; Lane Erectors: $8,400.00. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid from Wasted Disposal. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

On August 21st, 2024 at 10 am, we held a bid letting here at City Hall for solar projects. D&D Electric was the lowest bidder on all 9 solar sites. The way these bids work is they have a gross cost and a net cost. The gross cost is the upfront cost to the City. The net cost is what we will end up out of pocket after we receive all the incentives back from the Federal and State government. It is estimated that we will have received all the incentives within 6 to 8 months.

The bids came in as follows:

Fire station: Gross amount $97,024.35, Net amount $22,553.18

Pruett building: Gross amount $59,309.19, Net amount $18,351.23

City hall: Gross amount $113,865.34, Net amount $23,741.23

Street barn: Gross amount $47,143.36, Net amount $13,744.02

Cemetery office: Gross amount $49,595.37, Net amount $11,609.99

Street and alley storage: Gross amount $51,815.91, Net amount $15,523.29

Water office: Gross amount $99,130.71, Net amount $23,029.38

Water barn: Gross amount $53,744.44, Net amount $15,228.00

Roundhouse: Gross amount $32,814.11, Net amount $13,529.86

All of the sites would pay for themselves in 5 years or less, with the exception of the roundhouse because it does not use a lot of electricity. I do not think we should install solar at the roundhouse for this reason. We also are not going to install at the Pruett building at this time, due to the need for a new roof in the future. All of the other sites would be paid for out of business district funds. This means that it would have absolutely no effect on the tax levy. The gross cost is $512,319.00 and the net cost to the city is $125,429.00 without the Pruett Building and Roundhouse.

This would be a massive savings for the citizen over the next 25 years. The savings is projected to be over $1.2M. This breaks down to about $48,000 of savings a year to go directly back into the water and general funds. I think a savings like this is absolutely imperative to jump on. This savings will help both us currently and future generations to come. This will eliminate electric bills for these locations. The city will consider adding solar to the Pruett Building once a new roof is put on it in the future.

Mayor John McPeek made the motion that we accept D&D Electric’s bids to install solar at the fire station, city hall, street barn, cemetery office, street and alley storage, water office, and water barn to be paid for out of business district funds and authorize the mayor to sign the necessary agreements. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Attorney Kolby Smithpeters presented the lease for the floating solar project #2. There are several ponds that can be utilized, so it is suggested to put the second array of floating solar. This will generate roughly $32,000 for the sewer department. This project is still through Third Pillar. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to authorize 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.

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

Citizen Jordan Patterson submitted a petition to vacate the alleyway between Beggs Place and Roberts Street. Superintendent Kenny Mayhall stated Mr. Patterson owns the property on both sides of the alleyway. He does not see any issues with vacating the alley. Mayor John McPeek made the motion to authorize the city clerk to advertise for a public hearing regarding vacating the alleyway. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Commissioner Roger Angelly stepped out of the meeting, so he was not present for voting. Motion carried.

Citizen Linda Estovall submitted a mobile home application for 745 Water Street. She has paid the application fee and deposit. Fire Chief John Gunning has inspected the property and she can proceed with the installation. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the mobile home application for 745 Water Street. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Attorney Kolby Smithpeters presented an ordinance increasing the rental inspection fee from $25.00 to $50.00 Code Enforcer Jacob Palmer will begin the rental inspection process starting September 09, 2024. The increase will help offset the cost for the process and research. Mayor John McPeek said all fines, outstanding water bills, liens, and outstanding tickets will be paid prior to water being turned on. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve Ordinance 1885 for the rental inspections. Seconded by Commissioner Jonathan Brown. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes, except Commissioner Rupert Johnson voted no. Motion carried.

Attorney Kolby Smithpeters presented a mobile home ordinance. This ordinance will eliminate the $100 yearly fee that was frozen in 2018. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve Ordinance 1886 eliminating the $100.00 mobile home fee. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Attorney Kolby Smithpeters tabled the discussion for the fill dirt sale agreement.

Attorney Kolby Smithpeters tabled the surplus property ordinance.

Attorney Kolby Smithpeters discussed the jurisdictional transfer of 0.43 miles of South Feazel Street from Saline County to the City of Harrisburg. This property has been maintained by the city since 1979. The current IDOT map shows it should be maintained by the county. By making this change, it will change the IDOT map showing the city will own it and maintain it instead of the county. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to approve Resolution 24-0905 for the jurisdictional transfer of .043 miles of South Feazel Street in the City of Harrisburg. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek stated the city has two parcels on Veterans Drive, and there are a couple of individuals interested in purchasing them to establish businesses. Council determined the minimum bid would be set at $7,500 per lot with stipulations regarding a time frame for the businesses to be open. Superintendent Jason Haney stated there are currently no utilities on those lots. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to authorize the city clerk to advertise the property on Veterans Drive for sale as discussed. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

An open discussion was held regarding the issue at the roundhouse site. Mayor John McPeek discussed the need for a fence at the property. Citizens continue to take their household trash and furniture to the tree limb site. This area needs to be secured. Several options were discussed to include a fence, concrete barriers, electronic gate, and additional cameras. There will be additional information at the next meeting to decide on the best plan to secure that area.

Mayor John McPeek would like to have a building installed behind City Hall. This would be used for storage. He has a quote from Cardinal Portable Buildings for $19,146.00. That includes installation. This building would be paid for out of Business District funds. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the purchase of a storage building in the amount of $19,146.00 from Business District funds. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Fire Chief John Gunning talked to council about the Station Rehabilitation Grant. The bay doors are in need of replacement. The doors are 33 years old. This grant is for $350,000. He will be working with Alene Carr from Southeastern Illinois Regional Planning. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to authorize Fire Chief John Gunning to apply for the Station Rehabilitation Grant. 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 potential litigation.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning stated there is a vacancy in the police department. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to request a new hire name from the lateral list from the Merit Board. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Police Chief Nathan Moore informed council his department has some surplus LESO equipment that is no longer needed. There is six pieces of equipment to dispose of and he would like to donate one item to the SIC diesel program. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to authorize the city clerk to advertise an auction for surplus property from the Police Department, and to donate the equipment to SIC for the diesel program. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Police Chief Nathan Moore discussed purchasing in car cameras for all squad cars. This would allow all squad cars to have two cameras. One camera in the front and one in the back seat. This will also replace all current body cameras. This is a state mandated requirement and there is a grant program in conjunction with the Safety Act. He believes the city will be awarded this grant since this is a state requirement.

The cost over a five-year period is $175,000 with the grant covering about 95% of the cost. City Treasurer Alex Jackson stated there is no guarantee the city will receive the grant. The upfront expense will come out of the Police Department's capital asset line item along with their budget.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to purchase the in-car cameras for the police department. 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 approve Resolution 24-0905A for the 4th Annual Sasquatch Festival. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Rupert Johnson announced fall clean-up will be October 07 through October 18, 2024. Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to authorize the city clerk to advertise fall clean up. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek stated someone resigned from the Police Pension Board and the Fire Pension Board. He still needs to find someone for the Fire Pension Board. Mayor John McPeek made the motion to appoint Mike Gauch to the Police Pension Board. 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 Annual Sasquatch Festival on October 05, 2024. He announced the resurfacing project starting in front of CVS and continuing down to Rt. 145. Please be patient and maybe take a different route during this project. It is going to make a huge improvement on this roadway. Please stop littering.

Mayor John McPeek made the motion to go into executive session to discuss collective bargaining and potential litigation. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Adjourn: 7:26 p.m.

Reconvene: 8:01 p.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, Rupert Johnson and Jonathan Brown answering roll call.

Mayor John McPeek stated there is no action regarding collective bargaining or potential litigation.

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: 8:02 p.m.

https://www.thecityofharrisburgil.com/_files/ugd/3acc7b_1abe2dbf194b46efb701ff83e039c83b.docx?dn=R09-05-24.docx