South West Illinois News

City of Pinckneyville City Council met June 9.

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 Captain James Gielow. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Stotlar.

PREVIOUS MINUTES

Commissioner Peradotta made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 27, 2025, Regular Council Meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Kuhnert. 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 Total Gross Payroll was $1,097,619.29 for the payroll period ending May 2025, about the same as last year. He stated that the regular hours of 36,666.75 were down from last year, while overtime hours of 1,240 were up from last year. Commissioner Stotlar made a motion to approve the treasurer’s report. 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.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Commissioner Stotlar made a motion to approve the accounts payable with the addition of the following invoices: $1,349.64 to Clearwave for internet, four invoices from Egyptian Electric totaling $345.40, $14,452.30 to IMGA for gas, and $89.00 to Marlin Leasing Corp. for copier lease at the water plant for a total added of $16,216.34. 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.

CORRESPONDENCE

Commissioner Hicks announced the Perry County Fair is this week, and will end Saturday, June 14th. Mayor Spencer stated the recycling event at the fairgrounds had a good turn-out this year.

APPROVE NAMING ONE OF THE SOCCER FIELDS AFTER FORMER COMMISSIONER, DAVID STONE

Commissioner Kuhnert stated he had talked to former Commissioner, David Stone’s wife, Mary Stone, and suggested naming one of the soccer fields at the new soccer park after him and she liked the idea. Commissioner Kuhnert will have a sign placed at the field. Commissioner Kuhnert made a motion to name the field and order the sign, which was seconded by Commissioner Peradotta. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

GENEVIEVE HESTER REQUESTS ADDING NAME ON WAR MEMORIAL IN CITY PARK

Genevieve Hester requested adding Sylvester Paul Miller, MIA, to the war memorial stone in the City Park. She stated he was from Pinckneyville and his name is on the Courthouse memorial stone, but not at the Park. She had already contacted Nashville Monument Company and they stated it would be less than $300.00 to add the name and she would like it added to the right stone in the same format as the others, Sylvester P. Miler. Commissioner Kuhnert made a motion to approve request, which was seconded by Commissioner Stotlar. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

PURCHASE CHEMICAL PUMP FOR WATER PLANT FROM FLO-SYSTEMS

Commissioner Kuhnert requested approval of a quote from Flo-Systems to purchase a chemical pump for the water plant at a total cost of $3,085.25 to be paid from the Water Fund. Commissioner Kuhnert made a motion to approve the quote which was seconded by Commissioner Hicks. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-18 TO ACCEPT A BID PROPOSAL FROM VERMEER MIDWEST FOR THE CITY TO PURCHASE A VERMEER BORING MACHINE AND A TRAILER FOR TRANSPORT OF THE MACHINE

Commissioner Kuhnert introduced Resolution No. R-2025-18, a resolution to be placed on file, to accept a bid proposal from Vermeer Midwest for the City to purchase a Vermeer boring machine and a trailer for transport of the machine. He stated there are six miles of plastic gas lines to be replaced over the next three years, and it would cost over $900,000 to contract out the boring, so purchasing the machine at a purchase price of $279,585.00 is more cost-efficient and it can be used for other boring needs as well. Mayor Spencer stated it could be used for the lead line project. Commissioner Hicks asked if the gas line replacement was required, and Commissioner Kuhnert confirmed it is required by EPA. City Attorney Don Bigham stated the resolution authorizes Mayor Spencer and Commissioner Kuhnert to negotiate financing for the purchase. Commissioner Kuhnert made a motion to place on file Resolution No. R-2025-18, which was seconded by Commissioner Stotlar. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

ACCEPT RESIGNATION FROM JASON SCHLEIFER EFFECTIVE MAY 30, 2025

Commissioner Peradotta made a motion to accept the resignation from full-time employee, Jason Schleifer, from the Street Department effective May 30, 2025. Commissioner Hicks seconded the motion. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

HIRE KEITH HUBLER AS FULL-TIME WORKER FOR STREET DEPARTMENT

Commissioner Peradotta made a motion to hire Keith Hubler as a full-time worker in the Street Department to fill the vacancy left by Jason Schleifer, stating that Keith has been a part-time Street Department worker for over two years. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Kuhnert. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

HIRE ROGER HOLT AS PART-TIME WORKER FOR STREET DEPARTMENT

Commissioner Peradotta made a motion to hire Roger Holt as a part-time worker in the Street Department to replace the vacancy left by Keith Hubler. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Stotlar. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

OILING AND CHIPPING OF STREETS

Commissioner Peradotta announced to the public the oiling and chipping of certain city streets will be June 10 and 11, weather permitting. The area to be treated will be: South Walnut Street starting at Kaskaskia Street to West Parker Street, then West Parker Street to Mill Street, North and South Lake Roads and the lake area, Diamondtown area, Cedar Point Lane, Red Bud Lane, Cripple Creek, Charlotte Hills, Sunset Terrace, and Oxbow Road Extension.

RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-16 TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT FOR COMMUNITY CENTER MANAGEMENT SERVICES WITH RHONDA K. SHUBERT

Mayor Spencer introduced Resolution No. R-2025-16, a resolution to be placed on file, authorizing the City of Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois, to enter into an Agreement for Community Center Management Services with Rhonda K. Shubert. Commissioner Stotlar made a motion to place on file Resolution No. R-2025-16, which was seconded by Commissioner Hicks. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-17 TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR LEGAL SERVICES WITH STAG LIUZZA, L.L.C. AND GARDINER KOCH WEISBERG & WRONA IN CONNECTION WITH AFFF PFAS LITIGATION

Mayor Spencer introduced Resolution No. R-2025-17, a resolution to be placed on file, to enter into a contract for legal services with Stag Liuzza, L.L.C. and Gardiner Koch Weisberg & Wrona in connection with AFFF PFAS Litigation. Commissioner Peradotta made a motion to place on file Resolution No. R-2025-17, which was seconded by Commissioner Kuhnert. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

APPROVE COUNCIL MEMBER ATTENDANCE AT IML 112th ANNUAL CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 18-20, 2025

Mayor Spencer requested permission to approve Council member attendance at the IML 112th Annual Conference September 18-20, 2025, in Chicago. Commissioner Peradotta made a motion to approve the request. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Stotlar. On roll call: Commissioners Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: Commissioner Hicks. Motion declared carried.

DISCUSS REDUCING SPEED LIMIT ON WATER STREET AND REQUEST SURVEY FROM IDOT

Mayor Spencer would like to reduce the speed to 30 miles per hour throughout town, starting at Dollar General Store to the East side of the Junior High School on Water Street. He stated it currently is 40 miles per hour starting at Beaucoup Street eastbound to the Junior High School. Commissioner Kuhnert agreed it is a busy area and has had several accidents over the years in that area. Mayor Spencer stated the law has changed and IDOT requires a letter requesting to do a survey study. Commissioner Hicks argued the idea was to get traffic flowing through town, not to make it crawl. He also asked if accidents would go into the study, which they will. Mayor Spencer stated the curve by City Attorney Don Bigham’s office needs to have the speed limit enforced and tickets should be given out. Commissioner Peradotta made a motion to approve requesting a survey from IDOT, which was seconded by Commissioner Kuhnert. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta,

Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

KEVIN BURRIS REQUESTS TO DISCUSS A CONTRACT CHANGE WITH HOMEFIELD ENERGY

Mr. Burris stated he has had an ongoing battle with Homefield Energy, including the opt-out cards being lost in the mail. He requested a permanent opt-out option and was told this was not possible. He stated they opted out nine months ago, and just received another opt-out notice in May this year. He said they returned the opt-out card, but was switched anyway, and when they called Homefield Energy, they were told they didn’t receive the card in time and he was required to stay with them 30 days. He called Ameren who said since it was within 10 days of the conversion, they could switch them back to Ameren. He talked to City Clerk Melissa Kellerman, who told them they could opt-out on the internet to avoid the postal issue. Mr. Burris asked if the next time the City renews with Homefield if they could see if a permanent opt-out could be offered. Mayor Spencer stated he just called Ameren and told them he wanted to stay with them. Mr. Burris stated this also happened in 2023, when their card was lost in the mail. He stated if the card is lost, the action is taken against the homeowner. Commissioner Stotlar stated it would be better if the homeowner could opt-in instead of opting out. Commissioner Hicks said it is due to poor postal service. Commissioner Peradotta said it is confusing to older people. City Attorney Don Bigham stated the statue requires the company must follow procedure to opt-in or opt-out, and he thinks Ameren is required to take you back. Mr. Burris said he's had to deal with this in October 2023, July 2024, and May 2025, stating he has to constantly watch for the cards in the mail, and it seems like he has to opt-out every time there is a rate change.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Genevieve Hester stated the Splash Into Summer event was a success and thanked Mayor Spencer for judging the chalk contest.

Jeff Egbert of the Weekly Press asked if the AFFF PFAS is due to the threat of a lawsuit. City Attorney Don Bigham stated it is about joining a class action lawsuit as a Plaintiff with other municipalities.

ADJOURNMENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion by Commissioner Peradotta, seconded by Commissioner Kuhnert to move the meeting to Executive Session at 6:35 p.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 Kuhnert to return to the regular meeting at 6:42 p.m. 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 6:43 p.m. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

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