South West Illinois News

City of Red Bud Public Works Committee met July 21.

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: Jeremy DeMond, Alan Piel

Council Members Absent: Patrick Mueller

Others Present: Mayor Susan Harbaugh, City Attorney Rebecca Cooper, City Superintendent Josh Eckart, Police Chief John Brittingham, Administrative Officer Jill Landgraf, City Clerk Joanne Cowell

Others Absent: Code Admin./City Engineer Jeff Mueller Committee Chairman Guebert called the meeting to order at 6:19 P.M.

Old Business

I. Power Plant

A. Plant Report

The generation run on July 17th enabling SIPC to do repair work on the 69 line near Griggs Road ran from 7AM-noon and went well.

II. Utilities/Streets

A. Electric

The RBBP installation is upcoming.

B. Gas

The RBBP installation is upcoming.

C. Water

No update

D. Sewer

No update

E. Streets

The culvert replacement on Theodore/Rock Hill riprap should be going on tomorrow. Oil and chip will be done on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Locust Street patching and paving from Fourth Street to the Catholic Church is waiting on the contractors to schedule and will be done at the same time as the permanent street program work and by the same contractor. Curb guttering and sidewalk replacements are coming up. The sidewalks will be finished before school starts.

III. Utility Rate Studies

A. Electric – Utility Financial Solutions, LLC

No update

IV. Succession Planning

No update

New Business

I. Approval of Prior Month’s Meeting Minutes – Meeting June 16, 2025

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Parsons to approve the minutes from the June 16, 2025, meeting. Carried

II. Personnel Matter (Potential Executive Session)

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Hanebutt to recess into executive session under Section 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (1) of the Open Meetings Act to discuss a personnel matter, including all council members. Carried

The committee recessed into executive session at 6:21 P.M.

The committee returned from the executive session at 6:38 P.M.

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Hanebutt to create a Water/Wastewater Operator Position and advertise the position internally. Carried

III. Proposal for Replacement Sewer Rodder/Jetter (Unit #17) The 1996 Unit #17 will be sold on Gov.Com.

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Parsons to approve the proposal from Coe Equipment, Inc. for a new Vactor RamJet T3030-750 sewer rodder/jetter, NTE $101,000.00. Carried

IV. Utility Tap Fee Recommendations

Superintendent Eckart stated that the recommended increased tap fees are just to cover the city cost, not to make money on them.

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Hanebutt to approve the Utility Tap Fee Recommendations Increases dated July 2025, and instruct the city attorney to prepare said ordinance. Carried

V. Acceptance of Resignation from Blake Henry

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Parsons to authorize approval of Blake Henry’s resignation as co-op student. Carried

VI. Recommendation to End Byron Schlueter’s Six-Month Probationary Period

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Nevois to end Byron Schlueter’s six-month probationary period. Carried

VII. Recommendation to Transfer Funds – Electric and Gas Accounts

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Guebert, seconded by Committee Member Parsons to authorize approval of the transfer of $275,000 each, from the Electric and the Gas Cash Accounts to the Electric and Gas Capital Fund accounts. Carried

VIII. Insurance Claim Settlement Options – Damaged Transformer at Ace Hardware

Eckart explained that Diewald Utility Services had damaged a transformer at Ace Hardware during snow removal. The city rented a transformer, but it was cheaper to buy the transformer than to rent it. Diewald’s insurance is depreciating the value of the transformer by 25%. The insurance is offering $9,450.85 for a $12,903.36 transformer. Eckart is requesting permission to sign the insurance release. Attorney Cooper said that, basically, the city is receiving a new transformer for $3,000.

Recommendation made by Committee Member Nevois, seconded by Committee Member Hanebutt to authorize approval of the settlement of $9,450.85 and affixing the proper signatures to the insurance release. Carried

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

Committee Member Hanebutt commended the city workers, who did an excellent job getting one lane of traffic opened after the street washed out from rain on Sunday.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 P.M.

https://www.cityofredbud.org/uploads/3/8/4/1/38410823/public_works_072125.pdf