South West Illinois News

City of Red Bud Public Works Committee met Oct. 21.

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 Rebecca Cooper, City Superintendent Josh Eckart, Code Admin./City Engineer Jeff Mueller, Police Chief John Brittingham, Admin. Officer Jill Landgraf, City Clerk Joanne Cowell

Committee Chairman Guebert called the meeting to order at 6:39 P.M.

Old Business

I. Power Plant

A. Plant Report

Nothing to report other than regular scheduled generation runs.

II. Utilities/Streets

A. Electric

Eckart is working with UltraPlay to sand blast and dip, (powder coating), the decorative light poles, as they can work it into their production schedule. The plan is to get ten lights a quarter to UltraPlay for resurfacing. This will be a four to-five-year project. The globes and total insides will be replaced.

Since the season is over, the sports complex lighting project on diamond one will be worked on, swapping out the lights, utilizing the Energy Assistance Funds.

B. Gas

Nothing to report

C. Water

Eckart is working on scheduling the hydrant replacement on North Main/East Pine Streets.

D. Sewer

Nothing to report

E. Streets

Nothing to report

III. Utility Rate Studies

A. Electric – Utility Financial Solution, LLC

UFS is working on updating spreadsheets and Eckart should be meeting with UFS next week or so to check on the progress. They have been collecting data, inputting it and will begin to review it.

B. Water & Sewer - IRWA

Superintendent Eckart has received the final report for Illinois Rural Water. Eckart will bring this report and recommendations to the committee.

IV. Backhoe Replacement Options

Superintendent Eckart has been working with three vendors for the backhoe replacement and has received one quote to date. Purchasing versus lease options will be reviewed. Eckart will present the results at a later meeting.

New Business

I. Approval of Prior Month’s Meeting Minutes – Meeting September 16, 2024

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Schwartzkopf to approve the minutes from the September 16, 2024, meeting. Carried

II. Request for Byron Schlueter’s Step-Pay Increase to $22.38/Hour – Effective with Pay Period Starting November 27, 2024

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Schwartzkopf, to authorize approval of Byron Schlueter’s step-pay increase to $22.38/hour, effective with the November 27, 2024, pay period. Carried

III. Succession Planning

Eckart reviewed the upcoming retirement succession plan. Tom Caverly plans to retire in April 2025. Eckart plans to fill the position internally, which will leave a journeyman lineman vacancy.

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Rheinecker, to authorize approval to accept the succession plan to allow for advertising, as needed. Carried

IV. Gas Department – FR Clothing Ordinance

Eckart is requesting permission to amend the Electric Department Clothing and Equipment Policy to fit the needs for FR clothing in the gas department.

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Hanebutt, to authorize approval for Superintendent Eckart to put together a clothing policy ordinance for the gas department. Carried

V. Proposal from Vandevanter Engineering

A. Sewer – Blower Maintenance & Replacement of Check Valves Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Donjon, to authorize approval to accept the proposal from Vandevanter Engineering for Blower Maintenance and Replacement of Check Valves, NTE $5,500 . Carried

B. Water – Vertical Turbine Pump Replacement (High Service Pump & Motor)

Superintendent Eckart noted that if the motor and pump are purchased together, they will both be under warranty and that the extra two motors can be used for the other high service pump. This is not a planned expense, but Eckart can make it work in the budget.

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Hanebutt, to authorize approval to accept the proposal from Vandevanter Engineering for Vertical Turbine Pump Replacement, NTE $43,000. Carried

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

Committee Member Schwartzkopf asked if the employees working on the gas lines wear four or six gas monitors for safety. Eckart said there are gas monitors on the trucks. They are not required to wear a monitor, but they do have one for confined spaces.

Committee Member Donjon asked where we are with sidewalks. Eckart said he is waiting on Hencke.

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

https://www.cityofredbud.org/uploads/3/8/4/1/38410823/public_works_102124.pdf