South West Illinois News

City of Red Bud Public Works Committee met July 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

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

Committee Members Absent: None

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

Members Absent: None

Others Present: Mayor Susan Harbaugh, City Attorney Rick Cooper, City Superintendent Josh Eckart, Code Admin./City Engineer Jeff Mueller, Police Chief John Brittingham, Administrative Officer Jill Landgraf

Others Present: City Clerk Joanne Cowell

Committee Chairman Guebert called the meeting to order at 6:36 P.M.

Old Business

I. Power Plant

A. Plant Report

NESHAP testing and URGE method nine testing for the new catalyst on unit #1 was completed on Monday, June 24th. On July 9th URGE and method nine testing was completed on units #3,4,7&8. Unit #2 had method nine testing only. The summer readiness testing was done today from 3:00- 5:00 and ran off without a hitch.

II. Utilities/Streets

A. Electric – IMEA Contract Extension Consideration and Approval Superintendent Eckart said that after the presentation last month by IMEA, there had been no questions concerning the contract extension.

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Schwartzkopf, to authorize approval of the contract extension capacity purchase agreement with IMEA (10/01/35 – 05/01/55) and authorize applicable signatures on the Ordinance. Carried

B. Gas

Nothing to report

C. Water

Nothing to report

D. Sewer

Nothing to report

E. Streets

Public Works

Oiling and chipping streets are scheduled for July 16th and 17th, with a rain date of July 19th. Street sealing for Locust Street from Sixth Street to Kaskaskia and Madison Street from the water tower to the utility plant is scheduled for July 22nd and 23rd. Notices have been issued.

III. Utility Rate Studies

A. Electric – Utility Financial Solutions, LLC

Superintendent Eckart has been in contact with Utility Financial Solutions, LLC for an electric rate study proposal. Both Freeburg and Highland have used this firm. Eckart does not have any further information. Leave it on the agenda.

B. Water & Sewer - IRWA

Superintendent Eckart has been in contact with Clark Cameron for a water/sewer rate study. Since the city is a member of IRWA, there will not be a cost for the study. Leave it on the agenda.

IV. Lori Rees – Mill Street Drainage

Chairman Guebert stated that the Mill Street drainage issue had been discussed with Superintendent Eckart and Code Administrator/City Engineer Mueller and Mr. Jaenke and Mrs. Rees have been told that it is not the city’s responsibility to take care of private property. The drainage has been a natural waterway for a long time. The railroad was there from 1876-1985 and had a culvert under it. When the railroad tracks were removed, it caused a massive erosion problem. The city will use culverts to divert flooding problems on their roads and rights-of-way but will not be responsible for private property. The Guebert farm hired Duclos to fix it and take care of their erosion problem. Guebert said that he will be making a motion to not make any repairs to Jaenke’s property. Rees said that the waterway was not on their property until the city installed curb and guttering on the south side of Mill Street and installed culverts under the street. City Attorney Cooper said that the city is not required to fix it and agree that they do not want to fix it and if Jaenke/Rees disagree, they have the option to consult their attorney and push it to the next level, but at this time nothing is going to change, and the city is not going to fix it.

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Hanebutt, to authorize approval that the City does not take any action on the Mill Street drainage issue. Carried

Mrs. Rees referred to her Freedom of Information Request and asked if she would receive the other documents she had requested. Superintendent Eckart said that he had sent Rees an e-mail stating that she had been sent all the items that city hall could find. Rees has the minutes from July 5, 1983, in which Mr. Mulholland said that he could have detailed plans ready in two weeks, he would advertise for bids on July 21st and 28th and have the bids opened in time for the August 1, 1983, meeting. Rees said the July 5, 1983, minutes state that the city approved running curb and guttering and a drainage ditch down Jaenke’s property. “Mr. Raffel moved that the engineer be authorized to draw up specs, as reviewed in each ward and to advertise for bids to be opened for review on August 1st. Seconded by Mr. Braun. Motion carried unanimously.” Rees has the minutes from July 5th and July 18, 1983, and then nothing until July 7, 1986. Administrative Officer Landgraf said she would be happy to check and see if she can find anything else that Rees had requested. Rees said she needs anything about the plans, proposal and whoever was awarded the bids. Reese questioned the County Club Drive project and Eckart said that it was a repair job to the road. Rees asked then if the city is saying that it is their (Jaenke’s) property, and they can fix their own problem. Guebert said that at this time he would not make any further comments. Attorney Cooper said that the committee is voting no at this time, so this discussion is over. If Rees gets those other minutes and it says something about it, just remember that just because it says that something was talked about forty years ago and it was not done, there was something else that had changed, or a misinterpretation may have happened. Rees said that the minutes say that the project was completed, and that the sewer would be run all the way to the railroad tracks and that was not done.

New Business

I. Approval of Prior Month’s Meeting Minutes – Meeting June 17, 2024 Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Rheinecker to approve the minutes from the June 17, 2024, meetings. Carried

II. Training Request for Steve Mertz & Clint Crafton – 2024 ICC Pipeline Safety Conference

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Donjon, to authorize approval to send Steve Mertz and Clint Crafton to the ICC 2024 Pipeline Safety Conference on November 7-8, 2024, in Effingham, IL, with a registration fee of $225/each and transportation and lodging are required. Carried

III. Consideration of Updating Part-Time Laborer Rate to Match Parks Part Time Laborer Rate

Superintendent Eckart asked that the part-time laborer rate and the parks part-time rate be made the same. Both are performing the same jobs. Currently the rates are $15.41 & $16.11 an hour.

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Donjon, to authorize approval to make both the part-time laborer rate and the parks part-time laborer rate the same, currently $16.11/hour. Carried

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

Superintendent Eckart asked as the Queen of Hearts raffle at Savannah Kate’s gets larger, whether part of the street should be blocked off as a public safety matter. Eckart will get with Chief Brittingham regarding this. Mayor Harbaugh asked if the radar trailer could be moved closer to that area to slow down traffic.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 P.M.

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