SE Illinois News

City of Harrisburg City Council met May 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Harrisburg City Council met on May 16, 2025 at 7:30 a.m. for a special meeting 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. 

Commissioner Raymond Gunning led the group in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

The council held an open discussion about the drug enforcement task program. Commissioner Jonathan Brown has done some research and is in favor of this program. He wants to make sure there is a plan in place before deciding. The city will be responsible for the overtime. He wants how the $25,000 grant money will be used. He wants a plan before proceeding. 

Police Chief Nathan Moore stated he will take request from within his department for this position. He will need to hire a replacement patrol officer. The grant fund will go toward the salary of the employee for this position. Commissioner Roger Angelly stated there is not an active hire list. Police Chief Nathan Moore stated the Master Sergeant is aware of the staffing issue and is willing to work with the city. The city will be testing in June for the Police Department.

Commissioner Jonathan Brown asked what happens if the city chooses not to participate in the program next year. Police Chief Nathan Moore stated employees can be laid off. Commissioner Roger Angelly asked if the grant is always $25,000.00. Police Chief Nathan Moore stated the grant could be the same, more or there could be no grant funds. 

Commissioner Jonathan Brown said the additional funds are the city’s emergency funds. City Treasurer Alex Jackson informed council that if the funds are used for this program, they will need to say no to other projects because there will be additional funds available. Police Chief Nathan Moore stated he needs one more officer. If the city does not hire, this will cause overtime. He can use part-time help to help offset the overtime.

The council discussed how to fund an officer for the drug task force. Police Chief Nathan Moore stated he could hold off on buying a new vehicle this year. The drug task force will provide a vehicle and gas card to the employee who takes this position. 

Commissioner Roger Angelly wants to see the surrounding communities help pay for the ambulance service. He will ask businesses to help with this drug task program. The community is not growing, but the drug problem is growing. 

Superintendent Jacob Palmer offered to give up one of his truck purchases to help cover the cost of this program. Commissioner Rupert Johnson asked what happens to the money that is seized. Police Chief Nathan Moore stated there is some language in the contract regarding seized property. It is divided by a percentage among the task force agencies that participate in the program. 

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to allow a new hire for the drug enforcement task for the MOU task force. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Jonathan Brown has concerns about hiring a firefighter with the possibility of laying them off. Attorney Kolby Smithpeters drafter an agreement the new hire will sign with the understanding there is a possibility of a layoff should John Meadows return to work in July. 

Fire Chief John Gunning stated he spent over $56,000 on overtime last year. Mayor John McPeek stated an employee was paid for an entire year because the council was told he had retired. Commissioner Raymond Gunning stated the contract needs to be changed. City Treasurer Alex Jackson stated she budgeted a new hire with the understanding that the employee is retiring in July. There is not enough money budgeted for both employees.

Commissioner Jonathan Brown would like to wait until July to hire a new firefighter. Fire Chief John Gunning wants to get someone hired and trained. He will be assigned to a shift and Commissioner Raymond Gunning said if the employee is willing to take the chance of a layoff and does not have a problem with it then it is not a losing situation. Then once the employee retires, the laid off employee can come back. Commissioner Rupert Johnson said this individual is going into this with his eye wide open.

Fire Chief John Gunning said the employee will begin training and the academy is twice a year. He will be trained in-house every shift and then goes to the academy. He will be trained to pump, drive, and take his six weeks of EMT training, and he will always be with a trained employee. The council discussed the overtime situation within the Fire Department. 

There was an open discussion about John Meadows accumulated time and time left to use if he comes back in July. If he gets to January, he will be awarded a new set of days. 

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to hire Mason Ratliff at the staring rate of $18.35 effective June 01, 2025 pending the passing of a physical and drug screen and signing the layoff/rehire agreement drafted by Attorney Kolby Smithpeters. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

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: 8:07 a.m.

https://www.harrisburgillinois.com/council-agenda-minutes/special-meeting-minutes-05-16-25