South West Illinois News

City of Red Bud Public Works Committee met Nov. 18.

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: Rodney Nevois

Council Members Absent: Jeremy DeMond, Alan Piel

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 6:36 P.M.

Old Business

I. Power Plant

A. Plant Report

Nothing to report other than regular scheduled generation runs.

II. Utilities/Streets

A. Electric

The decorative light poles painting is ongoing. The sports complex lighting project on diamond one will be finishing, swapping out for energy efficient lights, utilizing the Energy Assistance Funds from IMEA.

B. Gas

Nothing to report

C. Water

The semi-annual round of hydrant flushing is finished. The lead copper sampling is upcoming. The high service pump work is upcoming.

D. Sewer

The blower maintenance is upcoming.

E. Streets

The MFT street work has been completed.

III. Utility Rate Studies

A. Electric – Utility Financial Solution, LLC

No update.

B. Water & Sewer - IRWA

Superintendent Eckart has received the final report from Illinois Rural Water and sent it out to everyone. Please contact him with any questions. Eckart will bring recommendations to the December committee meeting.

IV. Backhoe Replacement Options

A. Consideration of McCoy Construction & Forestry Proposal

Superintendent Eckart received proposals from Cat, Case and McCoy (formerly Erb Equipment). Eckart reviewed the bids and the buy/lease options and is recommending purchasing the backhoe from McCoy Construction & Forestry and working the backhoe into the five-year plan for replacement in six years. This includes a 12” and 18” bucket, which we do not need the 12” bucket.

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Rheinecker, to authorize approval to accept the proposal from McCoy Construction & Forestry for a John Deere 310 P-Tier Backhoe, with trade-in, less the 12” bucket, NTE $128,000. Carried

V. Succession Planning

Eckart will present a formal recommendation at the December council meeting.

New Business

I. Approval of Prior Month’s Meeting Minutes – Meeting October 21, 2024 Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Hanebutt to approve the minutes from the October 21, 2024, meeting. Carried

II. 2025 APPA Legislative Rally – Authorization for Mayor & City Superintendent to Attend

Airfare and hotel expenses will be reimbursed by IMEA.

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Hanebutt, to authorize approval for Mayor Harbaugh and City Superintendent Eckart to attend the 2025 APPA Legislative Rally on February 24-26, 2025, in Washington DC. Carried

III. Proposal from Vandevanter Engineering – Water Valve Retrofit (Check Valve) Eckart said there is a leak on the check valve for the other high service pump, and this needs to be done before the pump replacement.

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Hanebutt, to authorize approval to accept the proposal from Vandevanter Engineering for water valve retrofit – check valve – plumbing, NTE $9,600. Carried

IV. Proposal from BHMG Engineers, Inc – Preliminary Design of a New Distribution Substation

Eckart said this is for a new electric substation for the Red Bud Business Park. Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Donjon, to authorize approval of the proposal from BHMG Engineering for $15,000, for Preliminary Design of a New Distribution Substation. Carried

V. Recommendation to End Byron Schlueter’s Six-Month Probationary Period, Effective November 14, 2024

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Donjon, to authorize approval to end Byron Schlueter’s six-month probationary period, effective November 14, 2024. Carried

VI. Recommendation to End Blake Henry’s Six-Month Probationary Period, Effective November 27, 2024

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Hanebutt, to authorize approval to end Blake Henry’s six-month probationary period, effective November 27, 2024. Carried

VII. Approval of Lead & Copper Sampling Coupons - $10/each for 14 Customers & $5/each for 26 Customers – Total of $270

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Hanebutt, to authorize approval to issue coupons for lead and copper sampling at $10 each for fourteen customers and at $5 each for twenty-six customers. Carried

VIII. Holiday Lighting Coupons

There were 295 of 1800 customers who made use of the coupons in 2023. Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Donjon, to authorize approval to issue $15 holiday lighting to residential customers. Carried

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

Superintendent Eckart said that there will be a training request for Derek Allen for an IRWA training in Washburn on the December council agenda.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:51P.M.

https://www.cityofredbud.org/uploads/3/8/4/1/38410823/public_works_111824.pdf