South West Illinois News

City of Red Bud Public Works Committee met May 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Committee Members Present: Curt Guebert, Bill Hanebutt, Rodney Nevois, Bryce Parsons

Committee Members Absent: Kyle Donjon

Council Members Present: Patrick Mueller, 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, Administrative Officer Jill Landgraf, City Clerk Joanne Cowell

Committee Chairman Guebert called the meeting to order at 6:20 P.M.

Old Business

I. Power Plant

A. Plant Report

Business as usual, with the generation runs per schedule.

II. Utilities/Streets

A. Electric

The electric department is getting ready to work on the SWIC expansion relocations.

B. Gas

The gas department is getting ready to work on the SWIC expansion gas installations.

C. Water

1. Water Tower Asset Management Program

Eckart is still working to identify the finances for this project.

2. Plant Discussions with HMG

Eckart said he wanted to start discussions on future loans, funding, and grant possibilities, and expects it to be a six plus year project.

D. Sewer

1. Plant Discussions with HMG

Eckart said he wanted to start discussions on future loans, funding, and grant possibilities, and expects it to be a six plus year project.

E. Streets

No update.

F. Utility Rate Studies

1. Electric – Utility Financial Solutions, LLC

The report should be coming.

G. Succession Planning

No update.

New Business

I. Approval of Prior Month’s Meeting Minutes – Meeting April 21, 2025

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Nevois to approve the minutes from the April 21, 2025, meeting. Carried

II. Recommendation to End Cliff Crafton’s Six-Month Probationary Period, Effective June 1, 2025

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Hanebutt to end Cliff Crafton’s six-month probationary period, effective June 1, 2025. Carried

III. Recommendation to Increase Cliff Crafton’s Pay Rate to Full Electric Leadman Rate of $42.02 Per Hour

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Parsons to increase Cliff Crafton’s pay rate to full electric leadman rate of $42.02/hour, effective June 4, 2025. Carried

IV. Proposal from Gateway FS – Painting Two Fuel Tanks at Utility Office

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Parsons to accept the proposal from Gateway FS to paint two fuel tanks at the utility office in the amount of $6,621.78. Carried

V. Proposal from Nevois Construction – Door Replacements

Eckart noted that the costs will be distributed as follows: streets - $2,793, electric - $2,793, water - $23,813, sewer - $22,451, and this is in the budget.

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Hanebutt to accept the proposal from Nevois Construction for door replacements at the utility buildings, in the amount of $51,850. Carried

VI. Proposal from Moore Asphalt, Inc. – Streets and Walking Trail Sealing Eckart noted that the clean streets/sealer, Ratz Park entrance, W.S. 4th St. walking trail and SWIC connector walking trail will be paid from the streets budget and the Lincoln Park walking trail will be paid from the parks budget.

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Parsons to accept the proposal from Moore Asphalt Inc. for streets and walking trail sealing, in the amount of $17,885. Carried

VII. Proposal from Complete Concrete & Designs – Utility Buildings Flooring Upgrades

Eckart noted that the costs would be split between the streets and utilities budget and thinks the actual cost will be around $13,000. Nevois questioned whether asbestos had been checked for. Eckart will follow up with the asbestos issue.

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Nevois to accept the proposal from Complete Concrete And Designs, NTE $17,889.75. Carried

VIII. Proposal from Belleville Fence

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Hanebutt to accept the proposal from Belleville Fence Company to replace fencing at the Taylor Street lift station, NTE $17,232. Carried

IX. Proposal from Electrorep Energy Products – Power Plant Battery Backup Bank

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Hanebutt to accept the proposal from Electrorep Energy Products for the power plant battery backup bank, in the amount of $9,750. Carried

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

Mayor Harbaugh announced that she and Superintendent Eckart attended the IMEA Annual Meeting on May 15, 2025, and the City of Red Bud had been recognized for having achieved outstanding safety performance in the APPA’s 2025 Safety Awards of Excellence Competition Diamond – Group A Division.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:32 P.M.

https://www.cityofredbud.org/uploads/3/8/4/1/38410823/public_works_051925.pdf