South West Illinois News

City of Red Bud Public Works Committee met March 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Committee Members Present: Curt Guebert, Kyle Donjon, Bill Hanebutt, Ben Schwartzkopf, Mike Rheinecker

Committee Members Absent:

Council Members Present: Jeremy DeMond, Rodney Nevois, Alan Piel

Others Present: Acting Mayor Susan Harbaugh, City Attorney Paul Ray, City Superintendent Josh Eckart, Code

Administrator Jeff Mueller (Remote), Police Chief

John Brittingham, Admin. Assist. Pam Poetker, City

Clerk Joanne Cowell

Committee Chairman Guebert called the meeting to order at 7:12 P.M.

Old Business

I. Power Plant

A. Plant Report

Business as usual; Eckart is working with IMEA for the urge and NESHAP testing.

II. Utilities/Streets

A. Electric

Eckart has been working with Tom Caverly on minor changes needed to the ordinance for the LED rental lights.

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Schwartzkopf, to authorize approval to have Attorrney Ray update the ordinance in reference to the LED rental lights. Carried

B. Gas

None

C. Water-Aerator Replacement Project – Waiting on Agreement for the State of Illinois

Water testing came back fine. Eckart is still exploring options for the water operator position.

D. Sewer

None

E. Streets

None

III. Employee Succession Plan

Ongoing.

IV. Ice Machine for Utility Office

Eckart explained the ice machine options he had prepared. Eckart will get more details on the lease option from B&B Distributors. Table until April committee meeting.

V. Personnel, Pay Rate, and Schedule Proposed Changes

Eckart will rework the salary line items for his budget based on the finance committee budget discussion.

New Business

I. Approval of Prior Month’s Meeting Minutes – Meeting February 21, 2022

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Hanebutt, to approve the minutes from the February 21, 2022, meeting. Carried

II. Training Request – Joe Ledlow: IL Wastewater Professionals Conference – April 25-27, 2022

Eckart noted that the IEPA inspector put up Red Bud’s plan for the “Plan of the Year.”

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Hanebutt, to authorize approval to send Joe Ledlow to training entitled “IL Wastewater Professionals Conference” in Springfield, IL on April 25-27, 2022, with a fee of $350. Transportation, lodging, and meal are required. Carried

III. Public Comments/Anything for the Good of the City

Eckart noted that the sidewalk replacement request which he shared through his weekly update, was discussed in the department heads meeting and it looks like it is something that the city would not want to entertain, due to costs.

Committee Member Donjon requested clarification on the policy regarding insurance claims with sidewalks that need repair. Eckart said that in the past sidewalks are repaired when they exceed that certain threshold. If there is an insurance claim filed for a fall on a sidewalk, which needs repair, the work is not done until the claim is settled, per the insurance company. There is currently one claim, which may be settled by now; Eckart will follow up on it. Please report any sidewalk issues to Eckart.

Meeting was adjourned at 7:19 P.M.

https://www.cityofredbud.org/uploads/3/8/4/1/38410823/public_works_03212022.pdf