Council Minutes 03/20/25

Harrisburg City Council

City Hall

110 E. Locust Street

Harrisburg, Il 62946

March 20, 2025

8:00 a.m.

The Harrisburg City Council met on March 20, 2025 at 8:00 a.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 Lynette Barnette of the First United Methodist 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 – March 06, 2025

Special Meeting Minutes – March 12, 2025

Ray O’Herron - $40.99 - #3233037 – Council Contingency

Ray O'Herron - $313.41 - #3233037-1 – Council Contingency

Ray O'Herron - $153.19 - #3229767 - Council Contingency

Galls - $264.89 - #030673033 - Council Contingency

Siegel’s Uniform - $909.85 - #597531-1 - Council Contingency

We The People Roofing & More, LLC - $4,000.00 - #030725 – Business District

Wiggs Excavating – 23-268-03 - $19,125.70 – 2020 DCEO/RLF Watermain Improvement

Brown & Roberts, Inc. - #2023-268 - $8,095.85 – 2020 DCEO/RLF Watermain Improvement

Barnes Lumber - $291.36 - #563532 – Business District

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

Mayor John McPeek opened four sealed bids for the demolition of 1017 S. Hobson Street. The sealed bids are as follows:

            KL Boatright:  $3,995.00

            AR Martin Construction:  $5,300.00

            Wasted Disposal:  $4,800.00

            Pinoy Construction:  $6,400.00

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid from KL Boatright in the amount of $3,995.00 for the demolition of 1017 S. Hobson 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 1912 amending Ordinance 1753 for the Public Property Department. 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 cemetery mowing/weed eating project in City Hall on March 19, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. There was an open discussion about this project. There were seven bids received. The council has agreed to a thirty-day termination clause. There is plenty of work for the four public property employees. This will allow them to focus on the maintenance of the cemetery, code enforcement, and there will be no need to hire part-time employees. The sealed bids are as follows per cut:

Hickory Hills Woodworks – Glen Aulger

                Mowing/Weed Eating:              $4,760.00

                Mowing Only:                           $2,800.00

                Weed Eating Only:                   No Bid

Woolard Lawn Care:

Mowing/Weed Eating:               $11,153.00

                Mowing Only:                           $  4,000.00

                Weed Eating Only:                   $  7,153.00

White Oak:

                Mowing/Weed Eating:              $4,615.38

                Mowing Only:                            $3,000.00

                Weed Eating Only:                    $3,840.00

We The People Roofing & More, LLC:

                Mowing/Weed Eating:              $4,000.00

                Mowing Only:                           $2,600.00

                Weed Eating Only:                   $1,400.00

Buck Construction:

Mowing/Weed Eating:               $139,900.00

                Mowing Only:                           $  39,850.00

                Weed Eating Only:                   $115,200.00

Audie Lawn Care:

                Mowing/Weed Eating:              $4,800.00

                Mowing Only:                           $1,920.00

                Weed Eating Only:                   $2,880.00

Palmer Lawn & Landscape

Mowing/Weed Eating:              $6,153.84

                Mowing Only:                            $4,423.07

                Weed Eating Only:                    $4,153.84

Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to accept the sealed bid from We the People Roofing and More, LLC in the amount of $4,000 per cut. Seconded by Commissioner Jonathan Brown. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes, except Commissioners Raymond Gunning and Rupert Johnson voted no. Motion carried.

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

Police Chief Nathan Moore informed the council he received notification the lot and building price has been decreased. Mayor John McPeek stated a company came into City Hall yesterday who designs and builds municipal buildings. Commissioner Raymond Gunning stated he will have more details for the next meeting to present to the council.

Heather Morse spoke to the council regarding an ongoing issue with how the ambulances are being toned out by central dispatch. There has been some miscommunication that needs to be cleared up. She, Commissioner Raymond Gunning, Fire Chief John Gunning, 911 Director Tracy Felty, and Sherrif Whipper Johnson will have a meeting on Friday March 21, 2025 to create a clear directive for ambulance services. The City of Harrisburg entered into an agreement with AMR and some items need to be addressed moving forward.

Fire Chief John Gunning spoke about the letter giving the sheriff a directive for toning out the ambulance service. He kept it vague, but he will be in the meeting on Friday to work on a directive in accordance with the contract.

Commissioner Jonathan Brown thanked everyone involved with his first budget process. Everyone had great ideas and suggestions on working together, and he appreciates everyone’s help. He stated that he and City Treasurer Alex Jackson worked on the budget with each commissioner and superintendent/chief. City Treasurer Alex Jackson stated the proposed FY 25/26 budget will sit out in the City Treasurer’s office, City Clerk’s office and posted it on the city website. There will be a public hearing on April 17, 2025 prior to the council meeting. She is available for any questions, comments, or concerns.

Commissioner Jonathan Brown made the motion to authorize the city clerk to advertise a public hearing for the budget. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Roger Angelly announced he has a meeting with the president of Saline Valley Conservancy District next week. He is going to request a decrease in the proposed increase from Saline Valley Conservancy District. He will keep the council updated on this meeting.

Commissioner Roger Angelly stated an employee was struck by a vehicle while working on a sewer project. This worker was holding a “men at work” sign when he was struck by the car. He asked the citizens to be watching for the city workers.

Mayor John McPeek stated this project is for the new Verizon Store that will be built on the corner of IL Rt 13 and Commercial Street. Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to authorize Mayor John McPeek to sign the permit request from IDOT. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Attorney Kolby Smithpeters presented the request from the Harrisburg Park District. He said there are about eighteen alleyways on this request. The Harrisburg Park District has a grant they are applying for, and this will help with their grant request. They need to show ownership of this area. There will be a public hearing on April 17, 2025 regarding this request. Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to accept the request from the Harrisburg Park District. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes, except Commissioner Raymond Gunning abstained. Motion carried.

Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to authorize the city clerk to advertise a public hearing to vacate the alleyways for the Park District. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes, except Commissioner Raymond Gunning abstained. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek made the motion to reappoint Mike Gaugh to the Police Pension 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 reappoint Linda Mitacek to the Saline County Industrial Committee. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek informed the council that Nina Brown has a client who is interested in purchasing fourteen acres behind the movie theater that the city owns. He will get some information about this property as the city might keep it, but if the city decides to sell it, this requires a sealed bid process. He will update the council when he knows more.

Mayor John McPeek reminded the citizens to please stop littering.

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

Adjourn: 8:38 a.m.

Reconvene:  9:38 a.m.

Mayor John McPeek 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, Rupert Johnson, and Jonathan Brown answering the roll call. Commissioner Roger Angelly left the meeting prior to returning to open session, so he was absent at this time.

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

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Jonathan Brown. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Adjourn: 9:39 a.m.