South West Illinois News

City of Pinckneyville City Council met met Nov. 25.

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 Curtis Miller. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Peradotta.

PREVIOUS MINUTES

Commissioner Kuhnert made a motion to approve the minutes of November 12, 2024, Regular Council Meeting. 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.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Commissioner Stotlar reviewed the treasurer’s report and stated that the ending balance total for the period ending October 2024 was $9,940,404.46, down from last year, and unrestricted balance total was $2,296,742.23, also 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 the addition of three invoices: $9,600.00 – AW Services; $74.58 – Frontier; $300.00 reimbursement to Jordan Brand; for a total added of $9,974.58. 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.

CORRESPONDENCE

None

CORPORATE ADVERTISING AT 2024 DUSTER THOMAS HOOPS CLASSIC BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

Commissioner Hicks presented a request from PCHS District 101 for corporate advertising at the 2024 Duster Thomas Hoops Classic Basketball Tournament December 28-30, 2024, to be paid from the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund. Commissioner Hicksstated there will be 16 teams in town over the three-day period and made a motion to approve corporate advertising in the amount of $1,500.00 for the tournament, which was seconded by Commissioner Kuhnert. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

PROPOSAL TO PURCHASE A FIRE PUMPER TRUCK FROM SENTINEL

Commissioner Hicks introduced Fire Chief Curtis Miller to provide information on his proposal to purchase a fire pumper truck from Sentinel. Fire Chief Miller stated the current fire engine is 24 years old and that after 25 years of age, they lose points with ISO insurance ratings. He also stated this new truck would replace two current trucks, one of which is a rescue truck without a pump and the other a custom cab engine. The new truck can do all three functions that the other two trucks can provide, and with a lower number of volunteer firefighters, one truck that can do all functions is a better option. He noted he obtained three bids, one of which was entirely too much, and the other two were within $50,000 of each other, with the lowest bid coming from Sentinel. He stated the Sentinel bid also includes more equipment with that quote. He stated when the current custom cab engine was purchased from Nashville Fire Department five years ago, it was intended as a patch until the City could look at purchasing a new truck. He has a guaranteed quote to sell the other two trucks for $90,000 but believes he can get at least $100,000 out of them. The City would also save on repairs of the old trucks. This would reduce the cost of the new firetruck. The proposal from Sentinel is for $462,858.00. He stated that price is only guaranteed until the end of this year and requires no money down to lock in the price.

Commissioner Hicks stated Fire Chief Miller knows the trucks as he repairs and maintains them as needed. Commissioner Stotlar asked about having a commitment to sell the trucks before contracting to purchase the new one. Fire Chief Miller stated he has $90,000 guaranteed from a broker, who will wait on them until the new truck arrives, and he doesn’t want to market the old trucks before he can confirm the purchase of the new truck. Commissioner Peradotta agreed there is a need to upgrade the equipment, but stated it is a big purchase price, so the City needs to look at financing the new truck. Commissioner Stotlar noted the current budget is already set, so it would be best to wait until the next fiscal year so it could be added to the budget. He also stated there is nearly $500,000 already committed in funds for other things. Mayor Spencer stated the Council has committed $150,000 for the new water tower, $220,000 for pool improvements, and $165,000 for the new water line by the fairgrounds, which totals $535,000. He suggested putting in at least $100,000-$200,000 in next year’s budget for the new fire truck. Fire Chief Miller stated he did talk to City Consultant Pat Kattenbraker, and City Clerk Melissa Kellerman and they felt optimist with financing the purchase in next year’s budget.

City Attorney Don Bigham stated because this is a contract to purchase, he would need a copy of the contract to incorporate it into a resolution to place on file at the next meeting. Therefore, this item was tabled until the next City Council Meeting.

C AND C PUMPS EMERGENCY REPAIR OF UNDERGROUND PIPE AT GORDON STREET LIFT STATION

Commissioner Kuhnert made a motion to approve an emergency repair by C and C Pumps at a cost of $11,792.86 to repair a busted pipe underground at the Gordon Street Lift Station to be paid from the sewer fund. He stated this was a temporary fix and EPA requires a permanent fix in the future. Commissioner Peradotta seconded the motion. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

RESOLUTION NO. R-2024-45 TO ACCEPT A PROPOSAL FROM SHEFFER INSURANCE AGENCY FOR INSURANCE COVERAGE THROUGH THE ILLINOIS COUNTIES RISK MANAGEMENT TRUST

Commissioner Stotlar presented Resolution No. R-2024-45, a resolution placed on file at the November 12, 2024, regular council meeting, authorizing the City of Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois, to accept a proposal from Sheffer Insurance Agency for insurance coverage through the Illinois Counties Risk Management Trust for property insurance. Commissioner Stotlar made a motion to approve Resolution No. R-2024-45, 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-2024-48 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING STOP LOSS INSURANCE COVERAGE WITH AMI GROUP, INC. AND NORTHWIND

Commissioner Stotlar presented Resolution No. R-2024-48, a resolution placed on file at the November 12, 2024, regular council meeting, approving and authorizing stop loss insurance coverage with AMI Group, Inc. (formerly IPMG) and Northwind. Commissioner Stotlar made a motion to approve Resolution No. R-2024-48, 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. R-2024-14 LEVYING FOR TAXES FOR CORPORATE PURPOSES OF THE CITY OF PINCKNEYVILLE, PERRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING MAY 1, 2024, AND ENDING APRIL 30, 2025

Commissioner Stotlar introduced Ordinance No. R-2024-14, an ordinance to be placed on file, levying for taxes for corporate purposes of the City of Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois, for the fiscal year commencing May 1, 2024, and ending April 30, 2025. City Attorney Don Bigham stated the estimated amount of the extension at the last meeting was under a 5% increase, so no truth in taxation hearing was necessary. He also stated the Library will have their truth in taxation hearing prior to the next City Council meeting on December 9, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. Commissioner Stotlar made a motion to place on file Ordinance No. R-2024-14, which was seconded by Commissioner Kuhnert. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

APPROVAL OF $50 GIFT CERTIFICATES TO ALL CITY EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS

Mayor Spencer requested approval of gift certificates in the amount of $50.00 to all city employees, including volunteer firefighters at a cost to the City of $4,050.00. 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.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Jeff Egbert of the Weekly Press asked Fire Chief Curtis Miller if the Rural Fire District would be sharing the cost of the new fire truck he had proposed to purchase, and Fire Chief Miller responded they would not. He then asked to confirm if the lowest bid came from the company he works for and he responded that was correct.

ADJOURNMENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion by Commissioner Peradotta, seconded by Commissioner Kuhnert to move the meeting to Executive Session at 6:31p.m. for the discussion of: Section 2 (c) (1) Appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of an employee 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 Stotlar to return to the regular meeting at 6:39 p.m. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

ASSIGN ANDREW STRAUB AS LEAD WORKER FOR THE SEWER DEPARTMENT

Commissioner Kuhnert made a motion to assign Andrew Straub as Lead Worker for the Sewer Department effective with the start of the current pay period. Commissioner Stotlar seconded the request. 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 6:40 p.m. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

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