SE Illinois News

City of Harrisburg City Council met Nov. 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Harrisburg City Council met on November 07, 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 Laurie Fields of the First Presbyterian 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 – October 17, 2024

Check Register and Warrant Reports – October 2024

D & D Electric - $24,961.37 - #4085 – Business District

D & D Electric - $22,820.42 - #4090 – Business District

D & D Electric - $55,867.34 - #4089 - Business District

D & D Electric - $5,000.00 - #4097 - Business District

Utility Pipe Sales - $385.18 - #1195840-02 – Energy Transition Grant

Core & Main - $1,173.30 - #V834897 – Energy Transition Grant

IMCO - $1,341.52 - #4068650 – Energy Transition Grant

IMCO - $467.94 - #4068634 – Energy Transition Grant

Utility Pipe Sales - $17,902.44 - #1195840-00 – Energy Transition Grant

Utility Pipe Sales - $2,013.00 - #1195840-01 – Energy Transition Grant

C & C Pumps - $3,681.99 - #32310 – Energy Transition Grant

Core & Main - $1,125.32 - #V768831 – Energy Transition Grant

IMCO - $1,000.00 - #4068555 – Energy Transition Grant

Perfect Solution Disposal - $19,800.00 - #5059 – Business District

Harrisburg Lake

Saline Co. Highway Dept - $6,037.96 - #1112024 - MFT

Relinquish Lake Lot – P. Jones – 4th Add, Lot 26

Petition Lake Lot – K. Fleeger – 4th Add, Lot 26

Petition Lake Lot – J. Vickers – 4th Add, Lot 17

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

Pastor Laurie Fields invites everyone to the community Thanksgiving dinner at the Presbyterian Church on November 26, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. There will be a collection offering which will benefit the Four C’s.

Megan Ragan spoke to the council about Southern Illinois Resource and Advocacy Center. This program helps with utility expenses, peer support, and community focus. This is a grant funded program to help support local communities. Lara Shaw is the Associate Director and will be in the new Harrisburg location. They have just signed a lease for a Harrisburg facility.

Ms. Ragan stated she is aware of the homeless situation within Harrisburg, and hopefully this program can help assist with this ongoing issue. They can help and offer housing assistance. She is excited about having an office in Harrisburg and looks forward to working with the community.

Mayor John McPeek opened two sealed bids for the advertised gate project. The sealed bids received are as follows: Buck Construction - $28,000.00 and Stone’s Outdoor Services - $11,000.00. There was a council discussion regarding the specifications of this project. The council does not believe Stones Outdoor Services complied with the advertisement specifications. Attorney Kolby Smithpeters advised the council to table this offer for further review. Commissioner Roger Angelly stated the advertisement did not agree to a 60% down payment to start the project nor did the ad ask for barbwire on the top. Commissioner Rupert Johnson believes Buck Construction met the required advertising specifications. Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to award the gate project to Buck Construction for $28,000.00. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek opened two sealed bids for the advertised fence project. The sealed bids received are as follows: Buck Construction - $81,000.00 and Stone’s Outdoor Services - $47,350.00. The sealed bids were discussed, and Commissioner Roger Angelly stated the council will not agree to the 60% down to start. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to award the fence project to Stone’s Outdoor Services for $47,350.00 without the 60% down payment. 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 approve the redevelopment agreement with Ridge Investments Group. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve Resolution 24-1107 for Ridge Investments Group. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve Ordinance 1894 for the sale of surplus property at 100 E. Mable Street. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve Ordinance 1895 for the sale of surplus property at 415 S. Vine Street. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve Ordinance 1896 for the sale of surplus property at 518 W. Lincoln Street. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve Ordinance 1897 for the sale of surplus property at 905 N. Vine Street. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve Ordinance 1898 for the sale of surplus property 1 Marshall Street. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve Ordinance 1899 for the sale of surplus property of lot #1 on Veterans Drive. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve Ordinance 1900 for the sale of surplus property of lot #2 on Veterans Drive. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek stated there was a public hearing prior to this meeting. There were no comments or concerns about vacating this alley. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to approve Ordinance 1901 for vacating the alley beginning at West Dorris Street and ending at Robinson Street. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek presented a tiny home application for 117 South Shaw Street. They have met the requirements and paid the application/deposit fee. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the tiny home application for 117 South Shaw Street from the Rodriguez-Barrero family. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

A petition to vacate an alley has been presented to the council for review from the Harrisburg Township Park District. They are requesting to vacate the alley located between 214 W. National Street and 218 W. National Street. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to authorize the city clerk to advertise a public hearing regarding this request. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call was taken with all present voting yes except Commissioner Raymond Gunning abstained. Motion carried.

A petition to vacate an alley has been presented to the council for review from the Harrisburg Township Park District. They are requesting to vacate the alley of Felton Street approximately three hundred feet from the intersection of N. Club Street. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to authorize the city clerk to advertise a public hearing regarding this request. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call was taken with all present voting yes except Commissioner Raymond Gunning abstained. Motion carried.

Park District is requesting to obtain the title for the trailer at 214 W. National Street from the city. The Park District has purchased the land at 214 W. National Street so they would like the trailer, and they will demolish the trailer. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to deed the trailer at 214 W. National over to the Park District. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call was taken with all present voting yes except Commissioner Raymond Gunning abstained. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek presented a Façade Improvement Grant Application from Shawnee Square Center. He informed the council that improvements are being made to the shopping center. The grant is for a reimbursement up to $5,000.00 upon completion of the work. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the Façade Improvement Grant Application from Shawnee Square Center. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

City Treasurer Alex Jackson presented a TIF application from Stout House, LLC. Scott Stout has acquired the building at 20 S. Main Street. He will be demolishing the building. Moran Economic Development has put stipulations in the agreement such as making sure the area will be beautified after the demolition. The recommendation from Moran Economic Development is to stay consistent with other projects so it has been recommended to offer Stout House roughly 10% of the completed project.

Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to approve the TIF application from Stout House, LLC in the amount of $12,000 upon completion. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Josh Knight with Brown and Roberts, Inc. discussed the upcoming Small Street/Veterans Drive Roundabout project. He requested the council to sign the agreement to move forward with this project. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the construction engineering agreement. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek would like to see new garage doors installed at City Hall. The current doors are deteriorating and need replaced. Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to authorize the city clerk to advertise new garage doors at City Hall from Business District Funds. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek informed the council of the need to start looking at replacing the façade on City Hall. It is starting to fall off the building. Commissioner Rupert Johnson said he will put that topic on the next agenda.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning discussed the Global Medical Response rent lease agreement with the council. He would not like this contract to be renewed as they need to find their own location for their ambulance service. Fire Chief John Gunning stated there is chaos, Abbott employees do not clean up after themselves, and his department takes pride in their building. Attorney Kolby Smithpeters stated he will send a letter on non-renewal. The council agreed to not renew the rental agreement with Global Medical Response. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to authorize Attorney Kolby Smithpeters to send a letter of non-renewal to Global Medical Response. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Fire Chief John Gunning talked to the council about repairing the front entrance and across the bay doors at the Fire House. The brick is pulling away from the building. He reached out to three contracts and Barter Masonry is the only company that responded. Their quote was $8,900.00 to repair the issue at the Fire Department. This project can be paid out of TIF. The council agrees the repairs need to be made and instructed Fire Chief John Gunning to proceed.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning discussed the policy and procedure for the automated license plate readers as drafted by Fire Chief Nathan Moore. This policy is for police use only. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the policy and procedure for the automated license plate readers. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning discussed the policy and procedure for the use of body worn cameras. This policy only consists of a company name change. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the policy and procedure for the use of body worn cameras. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Roger Angelly stated he helped during Boo in the Burg, and he was amazed by the number of businesses who participated and the number of people in attendance. He thanks Mayor John McPeek, Terri, Shelia, and Alex for putting this event together. He was proud of the positive community involvement with these events.

Mayor John McPeek requested to change the time of the December 05, 2024 council meeting from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. due to Christmas in the Courtyard. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to change the time of the December 05, 2024 council meeting to 8:00 a.m. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek made the motion to appoint Kerry Jones to the Merit Board. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek made the motion to appoint Charlie Holland 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 made the motion to appoint Charlie Holland to the Fire Pension Board. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek stated Boo in the Burg was a tremendous success. He thanked the businesses who participated and everyone who helped put this event together. He stated Christmas in the Courtyard is December 05, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. There will be free carriage rides, music, Santa Claus, food vendors, and much more. As always, 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: 6:43 p.m. 

https://www.harrisburgillinois.com/council-agenda-minutes/council-minutes-110724