SE Illinois News

City of Harrisburg City Council met Feb. 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Harrisburg City Council met on February 06, 2025 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 the roll call.

Pastor Jerry Wells from Dorrisville Social Brethren Church led the group in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor John McPeek thanked the Scouts of America and Justin Businaro for attending tonight’s meeting.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the consent agenda.

Regular Meeting Minutes – January 16, 2025

Special Meeting Minutes – January 27, 2025

Check Register and Warrant Reports – January 2025

Electrical Supply Group - $493.91 – Business District

Prestige Project Management - $12,420.00 – Business District

Daniels Landscaping - $1,465.12 - #567 – Business District

Daniels Landscaping - $3,325.02 - #568 - Business District

Daniels Landscaping - $1,413.81 - #569 – Business District

Daniels Landscaping - $3,362.13 - #570 - Business District

Daniels Landscaping - $8,238.15 - #571 - Business District

Stone’s Outdoor Service - $47,350.00 - #012825 - Business District

360 Fencing, LLC - $16,758.00 - #011425 - Business District

Sargent Electric - $8,940.00 - #2658 - 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 519 W. Elm Street. The sealed bid was from Bart Schiff in the amount of $205.00. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid from Bart Schiff in the amount of $205.00. 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 629 W. Lincoln Street. The sealed bid was from Dale Stengel in the amount of $500.00. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid from Dale Stengel in the amount of $500.00. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Nathan Sumner with D & D Electric discussed a change order for the Fire Department solar project. The plan will revert to the original design, but this will not increase the price to the city. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the change order as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Justin Dartt with Dartt and Company presented the FY 24 audit. He is pleased to announce the city is up to date on all audits and he will be back soon to start the new audit. He discussed key points of the audit to include: internal controls over financial reporting (findings on page 76); balance sheet, statement of revenues/expenditures/charges in fund balances; statement of net position for proprietary funds; statement of revenues/expenses/changes in net position of proprietary funds; statement of fund net position fiduciary funds (breakdown on page 70); notes to financial statements; long term debt and interfund balances. He said everything looks great.

There is an individual interested in opening a taxi service. The application needed to be updated. City Clerk Terri Jenkins drafted a new application for the license. Attorney Kolby Smithpeters has reviewed the application, and it meets all the requirements per the ordinance. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the taxicab application. 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 1907 for the sale of surplus property at 105 E. Rose Street. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

The mobile home at 745 Water Street has been installed and is eligible to receive their $500.00 damage deposit. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made a motion to approve the $500.00 damage deposit to Linda Stovall. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

City Treasurer Alex Jackson presented a TIF Facade application for Barter Masonry. He is going to lay a concrete walkway pad. He will be spending $20,000 and the city will reimburse him $5,000.00. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the façade agreement with Barter Masonry. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

City Treasurer Alex Jackson discussed the TIF application for Shawnee Square Center. Moran Economic Development recommends that Mr. Ramadan receive funds for tenants as the locations are filled to encourage him to fill those spots. The first ten tenants will be reimbursed at $15,00.00 when the spaces are full and open for business. The next five tenant locations will be reimbursed at $10,000.00 not to exceed $200,000 in total to help incentive in filling those spaces.

The city will also do an 80/20 tax reimbursement for the next fifteen years. This means 80% of the taxes will go to the owner and 20% of the taxes will be kept in the city fund for future projects. Commissioner Jonathan Brown made the motion to accept the TIF application for Mr. Ramadan for the Shawnee Squar Center. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Roger Angelly informed citizens that the water/sewer department recognizes the issues with the new billing system. He hopes the glitches have been worked out. He apologizes for any issues, and he encouraged anyone to call him or the water/sewer department rather than Mayor John McPeek. Please call Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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

Commissioner Jonathan Brown stated it is time to set up meetings with him and City Treasurer Alex Jackson regarding the budget. He asked each department to come up with three ideas in ways to help save the city money. It is important that everyone in the department give ideas.

Commissioner Jonathan Brown also stated he will be doing research and getting information for an ordinance regarding the hiring process. There should be a hiring policy. He wants to make sure the city is in compliance, and he will be working with City Attorney Kolby Smithpeters to create the policy. This policy will include the starting salary, criteria for the job, posting the job, and the interview process, and he would like to hear other ideas before making the decision. The final decision for the new hire is up to the commissioner and superintendent with consent of the council.

Commissioner Jonathan Brown would like to propose bidding out the cemetery mowing and weed eating. He thinks it could save some money, but we do not know until we ask. We need to look at every option to save money. This could be paid for out of the business district. Commissioner Raymond Gunning asked if the employees in public property would be transferred. Commissioner Jonthan Brown said that brings up the point of why there are so many more people in that department compared to the past.

Commissioner Rupert Johnson said Superintendent Rick Brown had help from the prison and had summer help. Commissioner Jonathan Brown is in favor of summer help. He said there are three more employees in this department and the overtime is more than when there were less employees. He said he is not talking about laying anyone off. He said when someone leaves or retires, we just do not hire.

Commissioner Jonathan Brown stated several projects are now being contracted out. Commissioner Rupert Johnson stated we do not have the journeymen to do that kind of work. Commissioner Jonathan Brown stated the football team is willing to do some work, summer-time help, and it is cheaper than hiring full-time employees. He said the numbers are higher than when the city had less employees.

There was a discussion on how to save the city money. He wants justification for the purchases, hiring of employees, and doing what is in the best interest of the city. He wants to get the most out of what we have. Let us always do the research before making decisions. Commissioner Jonathan Brown wanted to let the council know he will have mowing/weeding of the cemetery on the next agenda.

Fire Chief John Gunning stated the Fire Department needs a new breathing air compressor. He is unable to get parts for the current compressor. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to authorize the city clerk to advertise for a new breathing air compressor for the Fire Department. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Fire Chief John Gunning presented an energy efficiency Ameren agreement. He presented two proposals. This program will allow the Fire Department to change their lights within their building. This will give higher intensity LED bulbs. This will also change the fixtures. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve Mayor John McPeek to sign the energy efficiency Ameren program. Seconded by Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to hire Dawson Nuding as a part-time officer at the rate of $25.00 an hour effective February 16, 2025 pending the passing of his physical and drug screen. Seconded by Commissioner Jonathan Brown. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Rupert Johnson announced spring cleanup will be held March 31 through April 11, 2025 and Harrisburg Lake cleanup will be April 14 to April 17, 2025. Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to authorize the city clerk to advertise for spring cleanup. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

The façade on the front of city hall is starting to crumble and fall off. This needs to be replaced and repaired. Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to authorize the city clerk to advertise for the front façade at city hall. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Rupert Johnson tabled the new hire. He stated his employees are concerned a new hire will their contract negotiations.

Mayor John McPeek thanked everyone who attended tonight's meeting. Jim Brown announced the City of Harrisburg was awarded 100% of the first phase of the unsewered project. Mayor John McPeek reminded citizens to please stop littering.

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

Adjourn: 6:43 p.m.

Reconvene: 7:24 p.m.

Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to return to open session. Seconded by Commissioner Jonathan Brown. 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 the roll call.

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

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: 7:25 p.m.

https://www.harrisburgillinois.com/council-agenda-minutes/minutes-020625