South West Illinois News

City of Red Bud Public Works Committee met Feb. 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

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

Committee Members Absent: None

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

Council Members Absent: None

Others Present: Acting Mayor Susan Harbaugh, City Attorney Paul Ray, City Superintendent Josh Eckart, Code Administrator Jeff Mueller, Police Chief John Brittingham, City Clerk Joanne Cowell

Others Absent: Admin. Assist. Pam Poetker

Committee Chairman Guebert called the meeting to order at 6:33 P.M.

Old Business

I. Power Plant

A. Plant Report

Units 1 & 4 were ran to test for a new IMEA start-up/shut down/malfunction rule that IEPA is considering. Both units passed.

II. Utilities/Streets

A. Electric

Nothing to report

B. Gas

Nothing to report

C. Water – Aerator Replacement Project

Eckart has been working with Volkert and Haier Plumbing. The water aerator should be delivered in May. Work is being done in the plant to make sure everything can be bypassed.

D. Sewer

Nothing to report

E. Streets

Nothing to report

III. Concrete Program Request – V8 Speed and Resto

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Rheinecker, to accept the request from V8 Speed & Resto to reimburse them for labor costs for the concrete work done on the sidewalk, curbing, gutters, island and apron, in the amount of $8,300. Carried

New Business

I. Approval of Prior Month’s Meeting Minutes – Meeting January 16, 2023

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Rheinecker to approve the minutes from the January 23, 2023, meeting. Carried

II. Keith Bauer Retirement Notice – Acceptance of Retirement

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Hanebutt, to accept the retirement notice from Keith Bauer, effective March 31, 2023. Carried

III. Acceptance of Daniel Koester’s Final Step Increase to $28.63 Starting with April 5, 2023, Pay Period (Full Power Plant Operator’s Pay Rate)

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Schwartzkopf, to approve authorization to increase Daniel Koester’s rate of pay to $28.63, (full power plant operator’s pay rate), effective with the April 5, 2023, pay period. Carried

IV. Training Request for Clint Crafton – GUA Spring Training Seminar – Mock Emergencies

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Donjon, to authorize approval to send Clint Crafton to training entitled “GUA Spring 2023 Training Seminar – Mock Emergencies” in Waterloo on April 6, 2023, with a registration fee of $100, transportation required. Carried

V. ComWell Contract – Employee Assistance Program for Gas Departments Drug & Alcohol Plan

This is required by ICC for the gas program.

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Rheinecker, to approve authorization to accept the amended “Agreement Regarding Counseling Services Provided by ComWell”. Carried

VI. Support Person Position – Recommendation to Hire Candidate Superintendent Eckart recommended hiring Scott Becker at a starting rate of $25.13 for the support person position. This is the middle of the pay scale, as no one is qualified to locate lines and after all qualifications are met, he would be increased to the full pay rate.

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Hanebutt, to approve authorization to hire Scott Becker as support person at a rate of $25.13 per hour, pending physical and drug testing results. Carried

VII. Recommendation to End Logan Salger’s 6-Month Probationary Period Effective 02-24-23

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Rheinecker, to approve authorization to end Logan Salger’s 6-month probationary period, effective 02-24-23. Carried

VIII. Symmetry Agreement Addendum

This amendment extends the net payment term to forty-five days.

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Schwartzkopf, to approve authorization to accept the “Amendment To Gas Sales Agreement” with Symmetry Energy Solutions, LLC. Carried

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

Committee Member Schwartzkopf questioned Eckart about rumblings he was hearing regarding the water reading/bills. Eckart explained that the water meters had been estimated for two months, the meters were read for the January bills and will be read again at the end of February, which will get the billings back on schedule. There have been some rereads and adjustments, but any over/under estimations will be automatically adjusted. Alderman Nevois questioned how the estimates work. Eckart will check how much more it will cost to read the meters monthly, as requested by Schwartzkopf.

Hunter Bauer addressed the committee regarding the support person position, which he applied for and then withdrew because he was told that it would start at $22/hour. Eckart stated that the range was between $22-$27 and if he misstated that he is sorry and apologizes, but the starting salary depends on training and Hunter would have qualified at the $25 range.

Jeff Koester, City Street Leadman, spoke in support of Hunter Bauer, as being “as hard of a worker as you would ever find” and asked the committee to reconsider and hire Hunter Bauer to fill the support person position.

Committee Chairman said the motion will go to the council meeting and will be discussed further there.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:47 P.M.

https://www.cityofredbud.org/uploads/3/8/4/1/38410823/public_works_022023.pdf