Council Minutes 10/17/24

Harrisburg City Council

City Hall

110 E. Locust Street

Harrisburg, Il 62946

October 17, 2024

8:00 a.m.

The Harrisburg City Council met on October 17, 2024 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 roll call.

Pastor Lynette Barnett from 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.

Public Hearing Minutes – October 03, 2024

Regular Meeting Minutes – October 03, 2024

Moran Economic Development, LLC - $3080.00 - #2516 – Downtown TIF/Veterans Dr.

Barnes Lumber - $180.48 - #557809 – Downtown TIF

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

Citizen Janice Crow with Birth to Five Illinois spoke to the council about their organization. She discussed the services provided which includes head start, early head start, prevention initiative grants, preschool for all/expansion and licensed centers.  They created a postcard that has a QR code which takes you to the webpage for information.  It provides contact information.  It provides information about services such as clothing, shelters, jobs, major school and other information.  There are three takeaways from a survey conducted such as counselors at all schools, hospitals for behavioral health issues and transportation is an issue.  DHS funds CCAP which means possibly getting childcare at a reduced rate.  This information being provided will help a number of families.  She provided flyers which will be displayed at City Hall for anyone who would like to inquire about their services.  Birth to Five Illinois is throughout the state. 

Mayor John McPeek opened two sealed bids for the sale of 100 E. Mable Street. The sealed bids received are as follows: Amanda Hunt: $1001.00 and Nancy/Greg Speaks: $1025.00. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid from Nancy/Greg Speaks for 100 E. Mable Street in the amount of $1025.00. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek opened the only sealed bids for the sale of 415 Vine Street. The sealed bid is as follows: Jamie Wambugu: $1001.69. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid from Jamie Wambugu for 415 Vine Street in the amount of $1001.69. 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 the sale of 518 Lincoln Street. The sealed bid is as follows: Ashley Stange: $518.00. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid from Ashley Strange for 518 Lincoln Street in the amount of $518.00. 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 the sale of 905 N. Main Street. The sealed bid is as follows: Gavin Jenkins: $550.00. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid from Gavin Jenkins for 905 N. Main Street in the amount of $550.00. 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 the sale of 1 Marshall Street. The sealed bid is as follows: Gavin Jenkins: $500.00. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid from Gavin Jenkins for 1 Marshall Street in the amount of $500.00. 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 bid opening at City Hall on October 15, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. for the sale of two lots located on Veterans Drive. The minimum bid set was $7,500.00.

The sealed bid was for lot #1 on Veterans Drive north lot with 1.706 acres from Express Core Drilling – Wandol Nugent in the amount of $17,000.00. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid from Express Core Drilling for lot #1 on Veterans Drive north lot with 1.706 acres in the amount of $17,000.00. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek stated the following sealed bid for lot #2 on Veterans Drive south lot with 1.920 acres was from Express Core Drilling – Wandol Nugent in the amount of $13,000.00. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid from Express Core Drilling for lot #2 on Veterans Drive south lot with 1.920 acres in the amount of $13,000.00. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

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

Mayor John McPeek presented the council dates/times for 2025. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the 2025 council meeting dates and times. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

A mobile home application from Joe and Sandra Jerrells was presented to the council. Fire Chief John Gunning approves this installation. He has seen photos, and it appears to be in excellent condition. This mobile home is a 1999 Old Dutch mobile home. He recommends allowing the installation of this mobile home. Their application fee and deposit has been made to the city clerk. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the mobile home application from Joe and Sandra Jerrells. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

The council reviewed the ordinance regarding consolidating two lots in the Dorris Subdivision. Mayor John McPeek stated a new business will be going onto this property. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to approve Ordinance 1892 approving the consolidation plat of lots 1 and 2 in the block of 8 W.L. Dorris Subdivision. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Attorney Kolby Smithpeters discussed with council the ordinance plat for the Starbucks Subdivision which is roughly two acres. Mayor John McPeek announced the company has completed the necessary paperwork with FEMA and the issue with IDNR has been resolved. They are ready to proceed. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to approve Ordinance 1893 approving the Starbucks Subdivision. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning.  A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Each department gave their monthly departmental reports as follows:

Fire Dept.: Fire Chief John Gunning stated his department has implemented a new program that benefits the kids at school. A raffle is being held and each week a name is drawn, and the winner receives a ride to school on the fire truck. His department just finished with Fire Prevention Week and several tours were given of the Fire House.

There was a medical call to Carrier Mills and his employees assisted with the call. The child was in a pool for over five minutes. Lifesaving measurers were taken, he was flown to St. Louis, and he is pleased to report the child is doing well. There was a fall at Garden of Gods and fortunately they were able to get individual out and taken to the hospital. He is still in the hospital but is on his way to a full recovery. Council thanked the Fire Department for their continued good work.

Commissioner Roger Angelly asked if it was time for Abbott to be leaving the Fire House. Fire Chief stated they claim to be looking for another location.  The problem is the amount of equipment everywhere. Commissioner Raymond Gunning stated he will have this on the next agenda to address.

Police Dept: Sergeant Logan Leverett reported in the month of September there has been 24 court appearances, 52 traffic stops, 724 security checks, 45 training hours, 23 written warnings, 5 vehicles towed, 84 stationary patrols, 21 accidents, 56 criminal arrest, 1 juvenile arrest, 34 traffic tickets, 56 cases files, and 775 calls for service.

Cemetery Dept: David Williams stated solar panels have been installed, twelve burials totaling $5,400.00, mowing season is almost over and the mulching of leaves will begin. They helped with the Sasquatch Festival, and cleanup at Harrisburg Lake starts next week.

Street/Alley Dept: Superintendent Kenny Mayhall has had the gutters installed on the new salt building and patched/rolled some streets to fill potholes. His department helped with Homecoming, Sasquatch Festival, and fall cleanup is currently going on.  He reminded citizens that cleanup will continue through tomorrow. Please make sure to contact the Street/Alley Department no later than Monday as the cleanup trailer will be gone by Wednesday of next week. As of today, thirty-six (36) dumpsters have been filled and 235 locations have been cleaned.

The Park District asked to acquire two trailers from the city to begin demolition. This will save the city money since the Park District will do the demolition. The Park District also donated a pole for the new storm siren. This is a savings to the city.

Code Enforcement: Jacob Palmer has a total of seventy-one complaints. Of the closed complaints, fifty-one were weeds, two vehicles, seven garbage, six public nuisance, 2 stagnant pools, and 3 campers.  He issued five tickets, four bills sent, thirty-nine were owner corrected and the other thirty-two were city corrected.

Water/Sewer: Superintendent Jason Haney reported 99 Julie locations have been called in. There have been 98 service calls, 79 non-payments, 54 meter/radio repairs, work orders completed, a lift station was broken into.  He is looking at fencing in the lift stations to help prevent these break ins. There have been seven boil orders, and he is continuing to work on the lead service line project. They are working on the eight-inch waterline at Long John Silvers and McDonalds. The parking lot of the water department has finally been oiled and chipped.

City Treasurer Alex Jackson has been working on the upcoming tax levy. She has applied for additional solar grants. She discussed the new roundabout project. She made it clear that when you get grant funding, you cannot spend it on whatever you like. These grants are designated for specific projects. The roundabout could not be installed on an IDOT road, so the roundabout was placed on a city owned roadway that had a lot of accidents. The city is hoping this helps eliminate as many accidents as possible. She thanked the guys who came to help with the Sasquatch 5k, and she especially thanked Shelia for her help.

City Clerk Terri Jenkins has been working on Boo in the Burg, upcoming Christmas in the Courtyard, day-to-day work, and the new Coat/Blanket program Mayor McPeek has implemented. If you have any coats, blankets, gloves, hats, or scarves to donate, please come and bring the items to City Hall.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning said the Sasquatch Festival is one of the best festivals he has attended. There was a great turnout. He thanked everyone who helped with the event.

Commissioner Roger Angelly thanked each department who helped with the Sasquatch Festival.

Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to approve the installation of a streetlight located at 2300 W. Poplar Street. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to approve the installation of a streetlight located at 121 W. Park Street. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Rupert Johnson announced the fall cleanup at Harrisburg Lake beginning Monday October 21 through October 25, 2024.

Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to approve Resolution 24-1017 for the Christmas in the Courtyard Street closure. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to approve Resolution 24-1017A for the Lights Parade Street closure. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek announced Boo in the Burg on October 24 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. He thanked everyone who attended the Sasquatch Festival. He thanked all departments, and especially Terri, Alex, and Shelia for all the work that goes into planning the event. He announced that the stage and two bands have been confirmed for the 5th Annual Sasquatch Festival on October 04, 2025. He believes the festival will continue to grow.

Mayor John McPeek made the motion to adjourn 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: 8:41 a.m.

Reconvene:  9:22 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, Roger Angelly, Rupert Johnson, and Jonathan Brown answering roll call.

Mayor John McPeek stated there was nothing to act upon 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: 9:23 a.m.