South West Illinois News

City of Pinckneyville City Council met June 24.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

ROLL CALL

Mayor Spencer called the regular meeting of the Pinckneyville City Council to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall. Members present: Commissioners Kevin B. Hicks, Joshua L. Kuhnert, Sammy D. Peradotta, William B. Stotlar, and Mayor Robert L. Spencer. Mayor Spencer declared a quorum present. Mayor Spencer announced the agenda was set. Administrative staff present: City Clerk Melissa Kellerman, City Attorney Don Bigham, and Fire Chief Jim Gielow. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Hicks.

PREVIOUS MINUTES

Commissioner Kuhnert made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 10, 2024, regular council meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Peradotta. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Commissioner Stotlar reviewed the treasurer’s report and stated that the ending balance total for the period ending May 2024 was $10,654,181.54 and unrestricted balance total was $2,700,115.28, both down from last year. Commissioner Stotlar made a motion to approve the treasurer’s report. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hicks. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Commissioner Stotlar made a motion to approve the accounts payable with three additional invoices: Companion Life $281.53; Frontier $74.25; HMG Engineers $13,529.71; for a total added of $13,885.49. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Kuhnert. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

CORRESPONDENCE

Commissioner Hicks announced the Perry County Fair was successful and well-attended.

AMERICAN THRESHERMAN ASSOCIATION REQUEST TO CLOSE BALLPARK ROAD

The American Thresherman Association, Inc., requested permission to close Ballpark Road during the 2024 August ATA Show Monday, August 12, 2024, and reopen it on Monday, August 19, 2024. They also requested to have the Opening Power of Parade travel through town on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at 5:00 p.m., following the Mardi Gras parade route. Commissioner Hicks made a motion to approve the request, which was seconded by Commissioner Peradotta. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

AMERICAN THRESHERMAN ASSOCIATION DONATION REQUEST

The American Thresherman Association, Inc., requested a $1,500.00 donation from the hotel/motel tax fund to help offset some of the 2024 advertising costs. Commissioner Hicks made a motion to approve the request, which was seconded by Commissioner Stotlar. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH REQUEST TO CLOSE PART OF WEST ST. LOUIS STREET

First Baptist Church requested to close West St. Louis Street between the church building and parking lot Friday, July 26th and Friday August 9th from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for their Kidz Faith Camp. Commissioner Hicks made a motion to approve the request, which was seconded by Commissioner Peradotta. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

RESOLUTION NO. R-2024-28 AUTHORIZING AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PINCKNEYVILLE, PERRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS, AND THE PINCKNYVILLE RURAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

Commissioner Hicks introduced Resolution No. R-2024-28, a resolution to be placed on file authorizing an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois, and the Pinckneyville Rural Fire District. Commissioner Hicks made a motion to place on file Resolution No. R-2024-28, which was seconded by Commissioner Kuhnert. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

REQUEST TO INCREASE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER WAGES FROM $15.00 PER HOUR TO $20.00 PER HOUR

Commissioner Hicks requested approval to increase volunteer firefighter wages from $15.00 per hour to $20.00 per hour. Commissioner Hicks made a motion to approve the request, which was seconded by Commissioner Kuhnert. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

RESOLUTION NO. R-2024-29 AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PINCKNEYVILLE, PERRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS, TO ENTER INTO AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT FOR A PART TIME FIRE CHIEF – CURTIS MILLER

Commissioner Hicks introduced Resolution No. R-2024-29, a resolution to be placed on file authorizing the City of Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois, to enter into an employment contract for a part time fire chief – Curtis Miller. City Attorney Don Bigham stated the contract in the packet was the first draft and that Mr. Miller proposed changing from an hourly rate to an annual salary of $24,000.00 per year, payable monthly, and that he will work less than 1,000 hours per year including fire calls. He also proposed to set the hourly rate of $85.00 per hour for repair and maintenance on fire vehicles, which will be done as an independent contractor. Mr. Miler will be replacing Fire Chief Jim Gielow, who has over 40 years of service with the Pinckneyville Fire Department, including 15 years as Fire Chief. Commissioner Hicks made a motion to place on file Resolution No. R-2024-29, which was seconded by Commissioner Peradotta. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

ACCEPT RESIGNATION FROM MICHAEL SPENCE EFFECTIVE JULY 5, 2024

Commissioner Kuhnert made a motion to accept the resignation of Michael Spence from the Utility Department effective July 5, 2024. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hicks. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

RESOLUTION NO. R-2024-26 SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF STREETSCAPE ENHANCEMENTS FOR THREE CITY BLOCKS ON SOUTH WALNUT STREET IN THE CITY OF PINCKNEYVILLE, ILLINOIS, AND AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION FOR A GRANT THEREFORE

Commissioner Peradotta introduced Resolution No. R-2024-26, a resolution to be placed on file supporting the development of Streetscape enhancement for three city blocks of South Walnut Street in the City of Pinckneyville, Illinois bound to the North by Water Street (Illinois State Route 154) and to the South by West Randolph Street and authorizing submission of an application for a grant therefore. Commissioner Peradotta stated this type of grant is only available every two years and includes improvements to sidewalks, curbs, and gutters. Commissioner Peradotta made a motion to place on file Resolution No. R-2024-26, which was seconded by Commissioner Stotlar. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

REQUEST APPROVAL TO HIRE CARLY HEISNER FOR THE CITY CEMETERY BOARD TO UPDATE THE CITY CEMETERY MAPS

Commissioner Peradotta made a motion to hire Carly Heisner for the City Cemetery Board to update the City Cemetery Maps. He stated she will use the old maps to re-record, update, and digitize the maps for more accuracy for the sale of cemetery lots. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hicks. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

CITY STREETS TO BE OILED AND CHIPPED JULY 9, 10, AND 11, WEATHER PERMITTING

Commissioner Peradotta announced the city streets to be oiled and chipped in 2024 will be the streets between Sronce Automotive to Blue Bunting Road East of the prison to the North and St. Bruno and Columbian Club Hall area to the North edge of City Limits/Waterworks Road. This will be completed on Tuesday through Thursday, July 9, 10, and 11, 2024, weather permitting. Illini Asphalt has been contracted to do the work.

RESOLUTION NO. R-2024-27 TO APPROVE A HIGHWAY AUTHORITY AGREEMENT WITH SOUTHERN FS, INC. FOR REMEDIATION ACTIVITIES AFFECTING SOUTH DUCKWORTH STREET

City Attorney Don Bigham stated Southern FS, Inc., has developed a plan to remediate contamination from fuel tanks and the engineers for FS sent an agreement for the part of South Duckworth Street that runs north and south through the FS property. He stated the City is not liable for remediation, but must agree to not disturb the street to aggregate or spread the contaminated soil. He also stated since the City doesn’t maintain this area of the street because it is a part of the FS parking lot, the City may be able to vacate that part of South Duckworth Street. Mayor Spencer stated he had contacted Southern FS, but was unable to speak to the person in charge, therefore this item was tabled until the next meeting.

APPROVE ATTENDANCE AT IML 111TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 19-21, 2024

Mayor Spencer requested permission to approve for council members to attend the IML 111th annual conference September 19-21, 2024. Commissioner Peradotta made a motion to approve the request, which was seconded by Commissioner Stotlar. On roll call: Commissioners Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: Commissioners Hicks and Kuhnert. Motion declared carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Laura Loos stated that no one has contacted her regarding easement for the Streetscape project. Mayor Spencer stated the only land ownership changed since the last application was her property. Commissioner Peradotta stated he will notify the engineer in charge of the application for this project.

Mike Kovic requested to follow-up on a previous conversation regarding inspection of rental properties and asked if there had been any progress on this. Mayor Spencer stated he is working with Attorney Tyson Tanner on this subject. Jeff Egbert of the Weekly Press asked if this was regarding the conversation on the housing properties, and Mr. Kovic stated this is different.

ADJOURNMENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion by Commissioner Peradotta, seconded by Commissioner Kuhnert to move the meeting to Executive Session at 6:23 p.m. for the discussion of: Section 2 (c) (2) Collective negotiating matters or deliberations concerning salary schedules and Section 2 (c) (11) Litigation, pending or probable. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

RETURN TO REGULAR MEETING

Motion by Commissioner Peradotta, seconded by Commissioner Hicks to return to the regular meeting at 6:36 p.m. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Commissioner Hicks, seconded by Commissioner Kuhnert to adjourn the meeting at 6:37 p.m. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

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