South West Illinois News

City of Pinckneyville City Council met July 22.

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 Peradotta.

PREVIOUS MINUTES

Commissioner Peradotta made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 8, 2024, regular council meeting. 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.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Commissioner Stotlar reviewed the treasurer’s report and stated that the ending balance total for the period ending June 2024 was $10,417,435.30, up slightly from last year, and unrestricted balance total was $2,650,882.67, down from last year. Commissioner Stotlar made a motion to approve the treasurer’s report. 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.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Commissioner Stotlar made a motion to approve the accounts payable with three additional invoices: Companion Life $281.53; Sparklight $255.98; and Verizon Wireless $72.02; for a total added of $609.53. 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

None

PERRY COUNTY BACKSTOPPERS REQUEST TO COLLECT ON CITY STREETS SEPTEMBER 14, 2024

Commissioner Hicks presented a request from the Perry County Backstoppers to collect at the four-way stop for their “fill the boot” collection on September 14, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. to Noon. 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.

REQUEST APPROVAL TO ADD THREE FIREFIGHTERS TO THE PINCKNEYVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT

Commissioner Hicks requested approval to add three firefighters to the Pinckneyville Fire Department. Richard Emling, Jeremy O’Dell, and James Sroka. 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.

REQUEST FLASHING RED LIGHT BE ATTACHED TO EASTBOUND AND WESTBOUND STOP SIGNS AT 4-WAY STOP INTERSECTION OF WALNUT AND WATER STREETS

Commissioner Hicks read a request from Police Chief Kelley requesting a flashing red light be attached to the Eastbound and Westbound stop signs located at the 4-way stop intersection of Walnut and Water Streets. Mayor Spencer stated he talked to IDOT and the single flashing light doesn’t meet their standards as it requires power to be added to the stop signs at the intersection. However, they would approve the solar-powered flashing stop signs and would be happy to issue a permit for those. Commissioner Kuhnert stated this is the new style with the lights surrounding the stop sign edges. Commissioner Peradotta added they would be like the ones at the grade school. Commissioner Hicks made a motion to approve the request as approved by IDOT, which was seconded by Commissioner Kuhnert. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

ACCEPT RESIGNATION FROM JAMES D. GIELOW AS FIRE CHIEF UPON RETIREMENT ON JULY 31, 2024

Commissioner Hicks read Fire Chief James D. Gielow’s resignation letter. Commissioner Hicks made a motion to approve Mr. Gielow’s resignation, which was seconded by Commissioner Kuhnert. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried. Commissioner Hicks and Mayor Spencer then presented Mr. Gielow with a plaque of appreciation on behalf of the City Council and the City of Pinckneyville and congratulated him on his retirement.

HIRE AND POST A NOTICE OF BID FOR AN OPERATOR – WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS

Commissioner Kuhnert requested approval to post a Notice of Bid for an Operator – Wastewater Treatment Plants, and if no employees bid the position, to hire an Operator – Wastewater Treatment Plants. Motion made by Commissioner Kuhnert, seconded by Commissioner Hicks to approve the request. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

APPROVE QUOTE FROM MUNICIPAL EQUIPMENT FOR NEW LIFT STATION PUMP OR TO REPAIR CURRENT PUMP

Commissioner Kuhnert requested approval of a quote from Municipal Equipment in the amount of $5,500.00 plus freight for a new lift station pump or $3,079.38 to repair the current pump, to be paid from the sewer fund. Commissioner Kuhnert stated the new pump price seems like the better deal. Commissioner Hicks stated he may want to have the old pump repairs as well for use as a backup pump. Commissioner Kuhnert made a motion to approve the quote for the new pump purchase, which was seconded by Commissioner Peradotta. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

APPROVE QUOTE FROM UTILITY SAFETY AND DESIGN INC. TO REMOVE AND REPLACE TWO LEAKING VALVES ON BLUE BUNTING ROAD

Commissioner Kuhnert requested approval of a quote from Utility Safety and Design Inc. in the amount of $4,781.65 for the removal and replacement of two leaking valves on Blue Bunting Road to be paid from the gas fund. Commissioner Kuhnert made a motion to approve the quote, which was seconded by Commissioner HIcks. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

APPROVE TWO QUOTES FROM ILLINOIS ELECTRIC WORKS TO REFURBISH TWO PUMPS

Commissioner Kuhnert requested approval of two quotes from Illinois Electric Works to refurbish two pumps: One in the amount of $2,480.00 to repair one pump; One in the amount of $13,460.00 for worst-case scenario to repair the other pump. These are to be paid from the water fund. Commissioner Kuhnert made a motion to approve both quotes, which was seconded by Commissioner Peradotta. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

ORDINANCE NO. O-2024-07 TO VACATE A PORTION OF SOUTH DUCKWORTH STREET

Commissioner Peradotta introduced Ordinance No. O-2024-07, an ordinance to be placed on file, to vacate a portion of South Duckworth Street within the City of Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois. This Ordinance replaces Resolution No. R-2024-27 tabled at the June 24, 2024, regular council meeting. Mayor Spencer stated this is for remediation plan at the FS property. City Attorney Don Bigham stated a consultant for FS recommended the previously-presented resolution, which restricted what could be done with that portion of South Duckworth Street, but since the City has not been maintaining it as a street because it was part of the FS parking lot, the City can vacate this portion of the street and it will go back to the owner of the surrounding property. Commissioner Peradotta made a motion to place on file Ordinance No. O-2024-07, 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-2024-33 TO ACCEPT A BID PROPOSAL FROM SECURITY ALARM CORPORATION FOR A SECURITY CAMERA SYSTEM AT THE PINCKNEYVILLE COMMUNITY CENTER

Commissioner Stotlar introduced Resolution No. R-2024-33, a resolution to be placed on file, to accept a bid proposal from Security Alarm Corporation for a security camera system at the Pinckneyville Community Center. Commissioner Stotlar stated this is for 10 cameras and a DVR upgrade expandable up to 32 camera slots at a total cost of $8,866.00 plus $30 per month for remote video support. Commissioner Stotlar made a motion to place on file Resolution No. R-2024-33, which was seconded by Commissioner Kuhnert. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

ORDINANCE NO. O-2024-08 ENACTING AND ADOPTING A SUPPLEMENT TO THE CODE OF ORDINANCES FOR THE CITY OF PINCKNEYVILLE, PERRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS

Commissioner Stotlar presented Ordinance No. O-2024-08, an ordinance enacting and adopting a supplement to the Code of Ordinances for the City of Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois. This annual update incorporates all ordinances since the last supplement was approved. Commissioner Stotlar made a motion to approve Ordinance No. O-2024-08. Commissioner Kuhnert seconded the motion. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

ORDINANCE NO. O-2024-06 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PINCKNEYVILLE, PERRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS, TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT GRANTING VISIBILITY EASEMENT TO THE CITY OF PINCKNEYVILLE, ILLINOIS

Mayor Spencer presented Ordinance No. O-2024-06, an ordinance placed on file at the July 8, 2024, regular council meeting, approving and authorizing the City of Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois, to enter into an agreement granting visibility easement to the City of Pinckneyville, Illinois. Commissioner Kuhnert asked if the owners of the property had to do the clean up or if the City would. Mayor Spencer stated the City would be responsible for hiring someone to clean up the landscape. City Attorney Don Bigham also stated the easement is written to pass on to future owners of the property to keep landscaping to a minimum to provide better visibility in that area for safety purposes. Commissioner Peradotta stated this is the property on the corner of Laurel Street and Illinois State Route 127. Commissioner Peradotta made a motion to approve Ordinance No. O-2024-06, which was seconded by Commissioner Stotlar. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

RESOLUTION NO. R-2024-34 TO ENTER INTO A LEASE OF OFFICE SPACE LOCATED IN THE PINCKNEYVILLE COMMUNITY CENTER TO THE COUNTY OF PERRY, ILLINOIS

Mayor Spencer introduced Resolution No. R-2024-34, a resolution to be placed on file, authorizing the City of Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois, to enter into a lease of office space located in the Pinckneyville Community Center to the County of Perry, Illinois. Mayor Spencer stated there will be work done to the county office building south of town so they will probably need to lease space for at least a year. Commissioner Peradotta made a motion to place on file Resolution No. R-2024-34, which was seconded by Commissioner Stotlar. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

APPOINT RYAN SUMMERS TO THE ZONING BOARD

Mayor Spencer requested to appoint Ryan Summers to the Zoning Board. Commissioner Kuhnert made a motion to approve the request, which was seconded by Commissioner Peradotta. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Swimming Pool Manager Jo C. Summers wanted to thank the council members for their continued support of the swimming pool and to update them on what she’s accomplished in her second year as pool manager. She changed the pool hours to accommodate the swim team and swim lessons and added a third swim lesson period this year, and has had favorable input from the community. She complimented her assistant pool manager, Sarah Kemme, on her assistance with the lifeguards during swim lessons. They have had a lot of swim parties, sponsored dollar days with up to 97 people, and several teen nights, and all have been a big hit. Due to school starting a week later this year, the pool will be open one extra week until August 18th, which will go through Thresherman’s and she said she’s always had requests to be open during Thresherman’s, but school is usually back in session and so are the lifeguards.

Jeff Egbert of the Weekly Press requested to follow-up on the repairs and renovation of the swimming pool asking when it would start and when it would be completed. Commissioner Kuhnert stated it will start as soon as the pool closes. He stated renovations will be done to the locker rooms, the concrete outside the pool, and they are also adding new starting blocks for the swim team. Mr. Egbert wanted to confirm this is being done using the grant funds and matching funds and Commissioner Kuhnert confirmed it was.

ADJOURNMENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion by Commissioner Peradotta, seconded by Commissioner Kuhnert to move the meeting to Executive Session at 6:30 p.m. for the discussion of: Section 2 (c) (2) Collective negotiating matters or deliberations concerning salary schedules, Section 2 (c) (6) Setting of a price for the sale or lease of property owned by the public body, 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 Kuhnert to return to the regular meeting at 6:55 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 6:55 p.m. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

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