South West Illinois News

City of Red Bud Public Works Committee met April 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: Rodney Nevois, Jeremy DeMond, 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, Finance Officer Liz Cowell, City Clerk Joanne Cowell

Committee Chairman Guebert called the meeting to order at 6:17 P.M.

Old Business

I. Power Plant

A. Plant Report

The generation runs are per schedule. The URGE tests are scheduled in June.

II. Utilities/Streets

A. Electric

The sports complex lighting project is finished. There will be some relocations for the SWIC new addition project retention basin.

B. Gas

Eckart is working on plans for the gas extension for the SWIC new addition project. The plan is to joint trench the services for the addition.

C. Water - Water Tower Asset Management Program

No update other than Eckart is working with Liz Cowell on the funding for the water towers. They are working on hydra flushing.

D. Sewer

Camera work has been rescheduled for Wednesday on Laverne Ct. and Clarence Dr. They will be working on normal semi-annual pm work.

E. Streets

They are working on seeding, tar potting and getting ready for oil and chip.

III. Utility Rate Studies

A. Electric – Utility Financial Solution, LLC

Eckart has a meeting on Friday to go over the data on the study.

IV. Succession Planning

Nothing to report

New Business

I. Approval of Prior Month’s Meeting Minutes – Meeting March 17, 2025

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Schwartzkopf to approve the minutes from the March 17, 2025, meeting. Carried

II. Authorization to Raise Blake Henry’s Pay Rate to Full Part-Time Rate

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Donjon, to authorize approval to raise Blake Henry’s rate of pay to the current part-time rate, effective with the first full pay period in May, since he is finished with co-op. Carried

III. Approval of Resignation – Sherry Salger and Logan Salger

Logan Salger will be training the new readers at the end of April.

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Schwartzkopf, to authorize approval of the resignation from Sherry Salger and Logan Salger, effective May 13, 2025. Carried

IV. Derek Allen Training Request – IRWA on June 3, 2025

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Donjon, to authorize approval of the request to send Derek Allen to the “IRWA Drinking Water Compliance” training on June 3, 2025, in Grand Tower, IL, NTE $500. Transportation is required. Carried

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

Committee Member Nevois questioned where Derek Allen stands in the licensing process. Eckart said Allen is at the C & D pay rate. Allen is at the bottom and is getting ready to schedule his D testing. There is a required number of hours of work experience for each level and the entire training schedule to earn the A license takes three to four years.

Council Member Hanebutt asked if there were any adverse effects on the water supply because of the Miller’s fire. Eckart said they switched the water plant to high service, and they were keeping up with it.

Eckart had a proposal come in late for a replacement lawn mower for the street department that is in the capital budget. The proposal is for $11,312.24 and will be on the May agenda for consideration.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:24 P.M.

https://www.cityofredbud.org/uploads/3/8/4/1/38410823/public_works_042125.pdf