South West Illinois News

City of Pinckneyville City Council met July 28.

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, Police Chief Kenneth Kelley, Fire Chief Curtis Miller, Fire Captain James Gielow, Economic Development Coordinator and Zoning Administrator Carrie Gilliam. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Peradotta.

PREVIOUS MINUTES

Commissioner Peradotta made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 14, 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 June 2025 was $11,847,067.29, up from last year, and unrestricted balance total was $2,558,972.58, down 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 which was seconded by Commissioner Kuhnert. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

CORRESPONDENCE

None

REQUEST TO PURCHASE A 2022 DODGE DURANGO PATROL VEHICLE FROM MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL

Commissioner Hicks requested approval to purchase a used 2022 Dodge Durango patrol vehicle from the Missouri State Highway Patrol at a total cost of $33,000.00 to be paid from the Police Account. He stated this vehicle is replacing the 2017 Ford Explorer which was totaled earlier this year. The City received an insurance payment in the amount of $16,285.81. Police Chief Kenneth Kelley stated this vehicle will have the same mileage on it as the Explorer, but is five years newer. He also stated he anticipates purchasing a new patrol vehicle later this year. Commissioner Hicks made a motion to approve the purchase, which was seconded by Commissioner Stotlar. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

REQUEST APPROVAL TO HIRE TWO FULL-TIME POLICE OFFICERS

Commissioner Hicks stated the Police Merit Board has provided two names on the Final Eligibility List, and Police Chief Kenneth Kelley said adding two more police officers would get the department back to full-strength, especially when Pinckneyville School Distsrict 50 has requested a School Resource Officer. Police Chief Kelley stated the Police Academy starts at SWIC August 18, 2025, and is a 16-week course, then he would need time to train them here, so it is likely the School Resource Officer would not be available this next school year. Two new officers would also allow for promotion within the ranks. Commissioner Hicks made a motion to authorize the Police Chief to fill two police officer positions. Names of the new officers will be provided when available. Commissioner Peradotta seconded the motion. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

PURCHASE THREE GLOBAL WATER REFRIGERATED WASTEWATER SAMPLERS

Commissioner Kuhnert requested approval to purchase three Global Water Refrigerated Wastewater Samplers for both sewer plants from Grainger at a total cost of $8,973.15 plus shipping to be paid from the Sewer Fund. Commissioner Kuhnert made a motion to approve the purchase, which was seconded by Commissioner Stotlar. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

REQUEST APPROVAL FOR AN OSLAD GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE BABY SARAH’S PLAYGROUND PROJECT

Commissioner Kuhnert introduced Gloria Przygoda and Kaitlyn Eret to discuss the Baby Sarah’s Playground Project fundraising and OSLAD Grant application request. Ms. Przygoda stated the grant application is up to $600,000 and is a 1:1 match. She stated their group has raised over $120,000 from businesses and individuals so far and fundraising continues. They have been working with the Greater Egypt Planning Committee, HMG Engineer Jesse Maynard, and Economic Development Coordinator and Zoning Administrator Carrie Gilliam in the OSLAD Grant application process.

Commissioner Hicks asked what would be the City’s part because the City already has to come up with $200,000 for the match on the OSLAD Pool Grant, of which $100,000 supposed to come from fundraisers. Mayor Spencer said that it was stated when the OSLAD Grant for the Pool was approved that there would be a group fundraising, but it was never done. Ms. Przygoda stated the total construction cost is $745,000, but they recently learned they will need two ADA paved parking spots which would add to the total construction cost. She stated the City’s cost, half of the grant funds, could be $375,000, but stated they have already raised $120,000, so they have $255,000 left to raise, and hopefully there would be nothing left for the City to pay out. She stated the Pinckneyville Garden Club has donated the shrubs and the Soil and Water Conservation has donated trees for the landscaping. Commissioner Kuhnert added there are some big donor commitments as well that have not yet been received.

Mayor Spencer asked Ms. Przygoda if she was familiar with OSLAD Grants and the bidding process, and she stated she has applied for grants in the past, just not an OSLAD Grant. Jesse Maynard of HMG added the playground equipment would be purchased directly from the vendor, so there would be no bidding for equipment, and that he has a co-worker working on the construction costs to get it ready to bid out. Ms. Przygoda stated she has two quotes for construction. The grant application deadline is September 30, 2025.

Commissioner Stotlar asked if this playground would go where the current one is. Ms. Przygoda stated it would and they would salvage as much as possible of the old equipment and move it to the ballfields.

Commissioner Kuhnert stated the community is behind the project and many businesses have been helping out. Ms. Przygoda stated she did a local survey of schools and parents. The goal was to get 200 responses and they received 300, which included parents with a total of 638 children and all said the playground should be accessible. One hundred families in the survey stated they would be in need of an accessible playground. Commissioner Hicks asked if they were aware of the cost. Ms. Przygoda stated the cost as well as the fundraising progress is all on the website. She stated they partnered with the Foundation for Pinckneyville, who are holding the funds raised in an account at Murphy-Wall State Bank. City Attorney Don Bigham stated the Foundation would need to provide a letter to the City stating they will commit to make all funds raised available to the City when needed for funding the construction.

Commissioner Kuhnert made a motion to approve an OSLAD Grant application for the Baby Sarah’s Playground Project with the condition that the Foundation for Pinckneyville make all funds raised available to the City when needed for construction. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Peradotta. On roll call: Commissioners Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: Commissioner Hicks. Motion declared carried.

RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-20 TO ACCEPT A BID PROPOSAL FROM BOBCAT OF MARION TO PURCHASE A BOBCAT COMPACT TRACK LOADER FOR THE STREET DEPARTMENT

Commissioner Peradotta presented Resolution No. R-2025-20, a resolution placed on file at the July 14, 2025, regular council meeting, to accept a bid proposal from Bobcat of Marion for the City of Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois, to purchase a Bobcat Compact Track Loader at a total cost of $71,487.49. Commissioner Peradotta made a motion to approve Resolution No. R-2025-20, 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-2025-19 TO ENTER INTO AN ADDENDUM TO THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH THE LABORERS’ INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA, THE SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL ILLINOIS LABORERS’ DISTRICT COUNCIL, AND LABORERS’ LOCAL 773

Mayor Spencer presented Resolution No. R-2025-19, a resolution placed on file at the July 14, 2025, regular council meeting, authorizing the City of Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois, to enter into an Addendum to the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Laborers’ International Union of North America, the Southern and Central Illinois Laborers’ District Council, and Laborers’ Local 773. Mayor Spencer stated this is to add a new position of Utility Department Supervisor. Commissioner Kuhnert made a motion to approve Resolution No. R-2025-19, which was seconded by Commissioner Peradotta. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

ORDINANCE NO. O-2025-09 AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF MUNICIPALLY OWNED REAL ESTATE LOCATED ALONG BLUE BUNTING ROAD, PINCKNEYVILLE, ILLINOIS

Mayor Spencer presented Ordinance No. O-2025-09, an ordinance placed on file at the July 14, 2025, regular council meeting, authorizing the sale of municipally owned real property located along Blue Bunting Road, Pinckneyville, Illinois. Mayor Spencer stated this property is being purchased by Sam and Anita Loyd of the Loyd Hauling trash business. Commissioner Peradotta made a motion to approve Ordinance No. O-2025-09, 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-2025-21 TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT FOR GRANT ASSISTANCE WITH BUILDING RENOVATIONS AT 104 WEST ST. LOUIS STREET (THE WORKS WELLNESS)

Mayor Spencer introduced Resolution No. R-2025-21, a resolution to be placed on file, authorizing the City of Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois, to enter into an Agreement for Grant Assistance with building renovations at 104 West St. Louis Street (The Works Wellness). Economic Development Coordinator & Zoning Administrator Carrie Gilliam introduced Leigh Blackorby-Sronce to discuss her new holistic health business. Ms. Blackorby-Sronce stated she opened her Lymphatic Enhancement Therapy business in March 2025 and said she can’t keep up. Her daughter took the training to assist with clients and now another person is interested in being trained to help, so she is needing to build another therapy room. She stated nearly 60% of her clients are from out of town. Ms. Gilliam stated the funds to support this project are Business District Funds. Commissioner Peradotta stated Leigh has fixed up several business properties in town and done a great job. Commissioner Stotlar made a motion to place on file Resolution No. R-2025-21, which was seconded by Commissioner Kuhnert. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

UPDATE ON CITY AND FUTURE PROJECTS FROM JESSE MAYNARD OF HMG

Mayor Spencer introduced Jesse Maynard of HMG to give an update on City and future projects.

1. Fairground Road Water Main – all new lines are connected, now they just need a contractor to remove the existing pipes under the railroad and highway. He hopes to have this completed in early August.

2. Sanitary Sewer Extension – easements for properties on First Street are being written. High School parking lot needs extended to the storm sewer.

3. Pool – the last permit application has been submitted to the Illinois Department of Public Health, so hopefully the permit will be issued soon; ready to go out for bid. The grant expires at the end of May 2026.

4. Mason Street Water Tower – bids will be opened at 10 a.m. Wednesday, August 6, 2025. Sparta is also bidding out, so hopefully one of the bidders will get both to do around the same time and they are still very busy.

5. Unsewered Community Grant for planning purposes – grant application approved by IEPA consists of $30,000 which covers Cedar Point, Charlotte Hills, and Oxbow subdivisions.

6. Wastewater Treatment Plant – environmentals are out again; EPA documents completed and submitted to EPA; in the process of entering data and wants a Project Plan by the end of the year.

7. Gas Pipeline Replacement Project – Illinois Commerce Commission requests gas lines be replaced; working on a grant application to assist with this project.

8. Grant Street Lift Station – last EPA inspection listed defects which City will try to address, but it is clear 100% runoff fills it up fast; City needs to address some culverts that need repaired. Commissioner Stotlar asked the cost to replace the sewer line and Jesse said it was around $100,000 per block.

RONDELL SWOPE, CEO OF HORIZON DEVELOPERS GROUP, TO DISCUSS FUTURE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

Economic Development Coordinator and Zoning Administrator Carrie Gilliam introduced Rondell Swope, CEO of Horizon Developers Group, to discuss future housing development within the City of Pinckneyville. Ms. Gilliam stated when businesses or factories are interested in coming to a community, they are looking for an interstate or 4-lane highway to be within 10 miles and affordable housing for middle class residents. She stated the median age of a home in Pinckneyville is 1976 and listings are averaging $176,400 while it costs over $200,000 to build the same home. Ms. Gilliam stated the Mayor’s plan to purchase derelict homes, demolish them, and make viable building sites will provide spaces for neighborhoods to be updated with new homes.

Mr. Swope stated Horizon Developers Group has partnered with Fading West in Buena Vista, Colorado, and is building a modular home manufacturing facility in Mounds, Illinois. They will ship homes within 500 miles on flatbed or rail. He stated big builders look at big towns, not small towns, and his organization provides affordable one- and two-story quality homes that are built in 11 days. They are placed on a foundation with a small crawlspace. They expect their temporary manufacturing facility to be operational by the end of the year, but it will take 14 months to build the entire facility in Mounds.

Commissioner Stotlar asked the price of an average house. Mr. Swope gave an example of a 2-story, 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home would be $195,000 - $250,000 and stated it can be customizable. His brochure listed several floor plans that are available. Commissioner Peradotta asked what our zoning was for the smallest house on a lot. Ms. Gilliam stated 900 square feet. Mr. Swope stated this could be a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom house at a cost of around $200,000. Commissioner Stotlar asked the size of the smallest home they build. Mr. Swope stated they can build a 600 square foot house, which is typically purchased by retirees for around $150,000. Commissioner Peradotta stated the City owns 15 small lots in town that they currently have to mow. Mayor Spencer stated that Mr. Swope came down and looked at those lots and made recommendations for homes based on those lots. Mr. Swope stated one-level homes are great for our City’s lots. He also stated they can build townhomes by putting 3-4 boxes together and even 3-4 story apartment complexes.

Fire Chief Curtis Miller asked about the building materials in the homes. Mr. Swope stated they are built with wood and meet all county and state ordinances and work with city codes and are approved by HUD. When asked about the life expectancy of these homes, he stated the oldest one they have built is seven years old. When asked if a home could be put over a basement instead of foundation, and he stated it can be done.

Beth Porter, realtor at Shamrock Real Estate, stated she has been selling homes in Pinckneyville for 45 years and the needs in our city has changed and the zoning needs to change as well. She stated the elderly need one-level homes and they are not available and they can’t afford the construction costs of a new home. Ms. Miller also said there is a need for duplexes where residents can share in expenses. Mr. Swope said stick-built homes have additional costs, permits, and waiting periods because builders are busy. He said while the Horizon homes are being built, the permits are being dealt with so this shortens that waiting period.

Mr. Swope said his goal is to get people in homes. He said they have a program where the purchaser can rent-to-own the home for three years, while they take the time to get HUD training and work on their loan approval. Then when they are ready to purchase the home, they already have equity in it. He closed by stating bringing in homes brings in businesses.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Jeff Egbert of the Weekly Press asked if the properties near the Grant Street Lift Station have run-off into the storm or sanitary sewer. Jesse Maynard of HMG answered that some have gutters and/or sumps going into the sanitary sewer system, which is why the city is required to have the Grant Street Lift Station to pump to the sewer plant for processing.

Beth Porter of Shamrock Real Estate said she can attest the City has lost people to other communities due to the lack of homes for sale or rent. She added the City did well while Contempri Homes was here, so this may be the answer.

Commissioner Stotlar stated he thinks a demo home on a city lot would help sell them so people can see what they would be getting. Mr. Egbert asked if the City would donate or sell the lot for the demo home. Ms. Porter stated there are demo lots on Monarch Drive. Mr. Egbert then asked if the City ordered 15 homes and 6 are sold, who pays for the rest of the homes. Mr. Swope said the City would pay for the homes they order at a lower rate, then the City would sell or lease them to make their money back.

Economic Development Coordinator and Zoning Administrator Carrie Gilliam stated she knows the zoning is restricted, but it protects the areas and homeowners. Beth Porter added the City needs to have occupancy inspections.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Commissioner Kuhnert, seconded by Commissioner Stotlar to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

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