South West Illinois News

City of Pinckneyville City Council met June 23.

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. City Attorney Don Bigham requested to add Opening of Bids for the sale of City-owned property on Blue Bunting Road after Correspondence. Mayor Spencer requested to add an Executive Session for the discussion of Section 2 (c) (1) Appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of an employee. Mayor Spencer then announced the agenda was set. Administrative staff present: City Clerk Melissa Kellerman, City Attorney Don Bigham, Fire Chief Curtis Miller, and Fire Captain James Gielow. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Hicks.

PREVIOUS MINUTES

Commissioner Peradotta made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 9, 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 the ending balance total for the period ending May 2025 was $11,992,803.48, up from last year, and unrestricted balance total was $2,623,756.08, slightly lower than 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 $879.00 to CDS Lease Payment Services for the phone system and $266.83 to Companion Life for a total added of $1,145.83. 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 Peradotta notified the public that Illini Asphalt will return June 26th at 7 a.m. to sweep the excess cinders off South Walnut Street and West Parker Street. He also stated they will return July 16th, weather permitting, to finish oiling and chipping the remaining streets on the schedule for this year, which will include Red Bud Lane, Cripple Creek, Tiger Road, Short Street, Sunny Lane, Wabash Street and roads and parking lots inside the fairgrounds.

OPENING OF BIDS

City Attorney Don Bigham opened the one sealed bid received for the sale of City-owned property on Blue Bunting Road. The bid was from Samuel and Anita Loyd for a purchase price of $15,000.00 to erect a 74’ x 114’ building to house trash trucks to adjoint to the office of their trash business. If the Council accepts the bid, an ordinance will be drawn up to approve the sales agreement at a future council meeting.

REQUEST FROM PINCKNEYVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO COLLECT ON CITY STREETS

Pinckneyville Chamber of Commerce requested permission to collect at the 4-way stop intersection of Walnut and Water Streets for the Chamber Mardi Gras Queen Pageant Fundraiser on September 27, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dana Carney was present representing the Chamber. Commissioner Hicks made a motion to approve the collection request, which was seconded by Commissioner Kuhnert. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

AMERICAN THRESHERMAN ASSOCIATION INC. REQUEST TO CLOSE BALLPARK ROAD AND HOLD PARADE

The American Thresherman Association, Inc., requested permission to close Ballpark Road during the 2025 August ATA Show Monday, August 11, 2025, and reopen it on Monday, August 18, 2025. They also requested to have the Opening Power of Parade travel through town on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., following the Mardi Gras parade route. 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.

AMERICAN THRESHERMAN ASSOCIATION INC. DONATION REQUEST

The American Thresherman Association, Inc., requested a $1,500.00 donation from the hotel/motel tax fund to help offset some of the 2025 advertising costs. Commissioner Hicks made a motion to approve the request, which was seconded by Commissioner Kuhnert. 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 presented Resolution No. R-2025-18, a resolution placed on file at the June 9, 2025, regular council meeting, 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 made a motion to approve 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.

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

Mayor Spencer presented Resolution No. R-2025-16, a resolution placed on file at the June 9, 2025, regular council meeting, 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 approve Resolution No. R-2025-16, which was seconded by Commissioner Kuhnert. 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 presented Resolution No. R-2025-17, a resolution placed on file at the June 9, 2025, regular council meeting, 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 approve Resolution No. R-2025-17, which was seconded by Commissioner Hicks. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Londa Campbell, representing Friends of the Pool, requested an update on the Pool Grant and status of updates to the pool. Commissioner Kuhnert stated it has been discussed in previous meetings that the engineers have been dealing with delays on receiving the permit from the Illinois Department of Public Health, and they keep adding items to fix prior to issuing the permit to start the construction project. Mayor Spencer added he told them this is the last list or he will make a visit to Springfield. Ms. Campbell stated she was concerned about the water level, and had been told “they” wouldn’t let them add water to the put and there was a leak. Commissioner Kuhnert replied that was a determination made by the prior Utility Superintendent, and that he does not agree with that determination and water is being added to the pool. Judy Mayer later asked what updates had been done to the pool as required by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Mayor Spencer and City Attorney Don Bigham clarified they are telling them what needs to be done to change the plans for the project in order to comply with their new standards. Commissioner Hicks added the City could use help with the funds for the cost of improvements over the grant amount. Mayor Spencer stated the grant was only for half the amount of the projected construction costs at the time of application. Ms. Campbell stated the community has been extremely giving and has purchased items for the pool. She stated she understands the pool does not make any money, but it very important to the community.

Rita Schwebel stated a City worker told her the new curbs in front of the Thrift Shop weren’t done correctly and will be taken out. Mayor Spencer stated the is not a correct statement, and that the driveway wasn’t wide enough. He stated the plan is to widen the driveway and backfill the area afterwards. She then asked about the status of the house at 101 East Hawkins Street. Mayor Spencer stated the owner has been out of state and the attorney is in the process, but waiting on the owner to sign papers. She stated she has issued on Hawkins Street with storm drains and then asked for an update on the clock on the square. Mayor Spencer said a company has determined that lightning had struck the bottom panel, so the computer in that part had to be sent off to the factory. That part was returned, and now the City is waiting on the company to come back to put it back in.

Genevieve Hester thanked Commissioner Peradotta and his crew for the help with the storm drain near her yard. She also stated America turns 250 years old next year and she’d like to see Pinckneyville, Du Quoin, and the American Legions have a meeting to plan to honor the City founders and five revolutionary war veterans who called Perry County their home when they died. Mayor Spencer stated he’s heard of another community doing something like this, so it would be good to do the same.

ADJOURNMENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion by Commissioner Peradotta, seconded by Commissioner Kuhnert to move the meeting to Executive Session at 6:33 p.m. for the discussion of: Section 2 (c) (1) Appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of an employee and Section 2 (c) (6) Setting of a price for the sale or lease of property owned by the public body. 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 Kuhnert, seconded by Commissioner Peradotta to return to the regular meeting at 6:45 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 6:46 p.m. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

https://ci.pinckneyville.il.us/government/agendas___city_council_minutes.php