Council Minutes 03-06-25

Harrisburg City Council

City Hall

110 E. Locust Street

Harrisburg, Il 62946

March 06, 2025

6:00 p.m.

The Harrisburg City Council met on March 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 Roger Angelly, Rupert Johnson, and Jonathan Brown answering the roll call. Commissioner Raymond Gunning was absent.

Pastor Laurie Fields First Presbyterian Church led the group in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to approve the consent agenda.

Regular Meeting Minutes – February 20, 2025

Special Meeting Minutes – February 26, 2025

Check Register and Warrant Report – February 2025

Buck Construction - $28,000.00 - #032 – Business District

Ray O’Herron - $35.97 - #3233037 – Council Contingency

City of Harrisburg Street Sweeper - $70,040

Relinquish Lake Lot – Robert Loomis – 1st Add, Block 2, Lot 1A

Petition to Lease – Barbara Henson – 1st Add, Block 2, Lot 1A

Relinquish Lake Lot – Barbara Henson – 2nd Add, Block 1, Lot 12

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

Fire Chief Nathan Moore stated there is slight price increase because the city does not own the poles. The price went from $21,714 to #23,453 and the lease amount went from $915 per month to $977 per month. Commissioner Jonathan Brown made the motion to approve the upgrade in price change to Security Alarm. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Jonathan Brown started the conversation by discussing the issues within the public property department. He received phone calls from citizens who are upset with weed spraying in the cemetery. He asked for feedback from the council on how to resolve any issues within this department, and he did not get any feedback. He believes the best way to improve this situation is to put the departments back the way they were several years ago. He stated this can save around $3,000.00 and would put Jacob Palmer as the manager of this department.

Superintendent Kenny Mayhall said he is hopeful of getting ahead of the weeds this year unlike last year. He said all the men spent three days weed eating last year. He stated that if he continues to send all the men to the cemetery, this will cause the streets to be neglected. Commissioner Jonathan Brown responded that their plan did not work last year

Citizen Cindy Potter spoke about how graves are not being taken care of in the proper manner. She stated there were very deep ruts in one of the burials. There is equipment to avoid this issue. She said the person in charge of the cemetery is not required to do the job properly. Superintendent Kenny Mayhall confirmed the men did not use the equipment that day to avoid the rut situation.

Commissioner Jonathan Brown stated when there was the issue with the code enforcement, the best solution was to change the code enforcer. He suggests taking the department back to the way it was previously. He asked what does it hurt to try something new. He said this is not an attack on anyone. Commissioner Roger Angelly agrees with looking at change and with putting public property under another commissioner or the mayor. He would like to get some qualified part-time help. He said money is getting tight and they need to look at all options to save money.

Commissioner Roger Angelly would like to look at all options and make a decision at the special meeting next Wednesday. Commissioner Rupert Johnson said both departments will work together and pitch in so they can get the work done. He would like to wait and see what the bids are for mowing and weed eating before making any decisions because this could free up those employees to do other things.

Commissioner Jonathan Brown thinks a different person needs to be in charge. Mayor John McPeek said tickets are being issued for code enforcement issues. Commissioner Roger Angelly does not want the cemetery issue to get behind again. He is in favor of putting the departments back the way they were in the past. He wants the cemetery to shine and suggest trying something else. Commissioner Jonathan Brown does not want the citizens to think they are not listening to them.

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

City Treasurer Alex Jackson presented an application from OTTD, LLC. The project will consist of renovations of the building. This is an upfront business grant with three options. The council can choose to offer 5%, 10% or 15% of the final cost. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to approve the request to OTTD, LLC for 15% of the business district grant. Seconded by Commissioner Jonathan Brown. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

City Treasurer Alex Jackson presented a façade grant from Stout House. The first request is from where Scott Stout tore the old building on Main Street. He has plans for beautification to include a water fountain. He will be reimbursed up to $5,000.00 with this grant. Commissioner Jonathan Brown made the motion to approve the façade grant from Stout House. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

City Treasurer Alex Jackson presented a TIF/Business District application from Stout House. This request is for the renovation of the old post office. He is working to make it an event space. There are several options for this proposal: 5%, 10%, 15%; however, the recommendation is 20% of the total project cost. His proposal stated this renovation could cost him up to $500,00.00. Mr. Stout has improved the downtown tremendously, has a vested interest in the community, and continues to support Harrisburg. Mayor John McPeek stated Mr. Stout has helped make Harrisburg look great. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to approve the Business District grant request at 20% as recommended. Seconded by Commissioner Jonathan Brown. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek stated there was a bid opening for the breathing air compressor on Tuesday March 04, 2025 at City Hall. The city received two sealed bids. The bids are as follows: Sentinel Emergency Solutions: $39,768.75 and Breathing Air Systems: $43,066.00. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to accept the sealed bid from Sentinel Emergecy Solutions in the amount of $39,768.75. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Fire Chief John Gunning addressed the council about requesting sealed bids for two new storm sirens and moving one storm siren. He would like to replace outdated storm sirens and add another storm siren to the community. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to authorize the city clerk to advertise for sealed bids for two new storm sirens and to move one storm siren. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Jonathan Brown reminded the council of the budget meeting next week. He asked for three ways to save money, and a monthly budget report will be given to keep track of funds during the next fiscal year.

Commissioner Roger Angelly presented a letter that he asked Attorney Kolby Smithpeters to send to Saline Valley Conservancy District. He stated the rate increase is not acceptable, and he requested to negotiate the price down. He appreciates Attorney Kolby Smithpeters help with this. He stated the rate increase is out of hand and would like to look at other options if possible. He has been informed there will be rate increases from Saline Valley Conservancy District for the next few years.

Superintendent Kenny Mayhall stated the restrooms in City Hall need repairs and renovations. He would like to get sealed bids for this project. Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to authorize the city clerk to advertise for sealed bids for the City Hall restroom renovations. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

The garage doors at the street and alley department need replaced. Superintendent Kenny Mayhall received a bid for $17,310.00 to replace the garage doors. Commissioner Rupert Johnson said this will be paid for out of business district funds. Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to approve the garage door project. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek stated he, City Treasurer Alex Jackson, and Commissioner Jonathan Brown met with a company interested in opening a call center in Harrisburg. They looked at the Annex building and the old Randy’s Uptown Market building. Saline County and Saline County Regional Development is on board with this company coming to Harrisburg. He will keep everyone update on this potential new business.

He reminded the citizens to please stop littering.

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

Adjourn: 6:45 p.m.

Reconvene: 7:37 p.m.

Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to return to open session. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. 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 Roger Angelly, Rupert Johnson, and Jonathan Brown answering the roll call. Commissioner Raymond Gunning was absent.

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

Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Adjourn: 7:38 p.m.