South West Illinois News

City of Pinckneyville City Council met Aug. 11.

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 requested to add Executive Session for the discussion of 2 (c) (5) – Purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body. He then announced the agenda was set and Commissioner Kuhnert noted he would not need Executive Session for 2 (c) (1). Administrative staff present: City Clerk Melissa Kellerman, City Attorney Don Bigham, Fire Captain James Gielow, Economic Development Coordinator and Zoning Administrator Carrie Gilliam. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Stotlar.

PREVIOUS MINUTES

Commissioner Peradotta made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 28, 2025, Regular Council Meeting. 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.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Commissioner Stotlar reviewed the treasurer’s report and stated that Total Gross Payroll was $1,561,652.27 for the payroll period ending July 2025, up slightly from last year. He stated that the regular hours of 53,359.50 were down from last year, while overtime hours of 1,942 were up from last year. Commissioner Stotlar made a motion to approve the treasurer’s report. 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.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Commissioner Stotlar made a motion to approve the accounts payable with the addition of $1,349.58 to Clearwave for internet, four invoices from Egyptian Electric totaling $383.39, and two invoices from Rice Sullivan totaling $9,000.00 for audit work, for a total added of $10,732.97. 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.

CORRESPONDENCE

Commissioner Kuhnert announced the American Thresherman’s Show starts Wednesday, August 13, 2025, opening with the Power of Parade at 5 p.m. The show will continue through Sunday, August 17, 2025, and he stated campers and equipment are already moving in to the Perry County Fairgrounds.

PINCKNEYVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO HIRE KIRSTEN GILL AS FULL-TIME POLICE OFFICER

Commissioner Hicks made a motion to hire Kirsten Gill as a full-time police officer for the Pinckneyville Police Department. 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.

ASSIGN JORDAN BRAND TO UTILITY DEPARTMENT SUPERVISOR POSITION

Commissioner Kuhnert made a motion to assign Jordan Brand to the Utility Department Supervisor position effective August 11, 2025, stating he has been working in this capacity for eight months. Commissioner Peradotta seconded the motion. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

NOTICE OF BID FOR MAINTENANCE – UTILITY MJAINTENANCE/WATER & SEWER TREATMENT PLANT RELIEF OPERATOR

Commissioner Kuhnert made a motion to issue a Notices of Bid for Maintenance – Utility Maintenance/Water & Sewer Treatment Plant Relief Operator, to fill Jordan Brand’s position as he moves into the supervisory position. Commissioner Stotlar seconded the motion. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

ORDINANCE NO. O-2025-11 ENACTING AND ADOPTING A SUPPLEMENT TO THE CODE OF ORDINANCES FOR THE CITY OF PINCKNEYVILLE, PERRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS

Commissioner Stotlar made a motion to approve Ordinance No. O-2025-11, an ordinance enacting and adopting a Supplement to the Code of Ordinances for the City of Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois. Commissioner Hicks seconded by the motion. 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 presented Resolution No. R-2025-21, a resolution placed on file at the July 28, 2025, regular council meeting, 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). Commissioner Peradotta made a motion to approve 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.

RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-22 AUTHORIZING A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE 2026 CYCLE 17 ILLINOIS TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (ITEP) AND COMMITTING THE REQUIRED 10% LOCAL MATCHING FUNDS

Mayor Spencer introduced Resolution No. R-2025-22, a resolution to be placed on file, authorizing a grant application to the 2026 Cycle 17 Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) and committing the required 10% local matching funds. Economic Development Coordinator and Zoning Administrator Carrie Gilliam passed out a map of the proposed project which is a 10-foot multi-purpose path from the Junior High School to the Pinckneyville Community Hospital. She stated she has been working with the Greater Egypt Bike Plan, who has hired and paid for the consultant for the project, and she stated IDOT is on board as they intend to replace the Beaucoup Bridge and can incorporate the path into their plans. IDOT requires the 10% commitment to apply for the grant, and Ms. Gilliam stated she has budgeted and saved for this project, which is not to exceed $3,000,000.00, so the City’s 10% would not exceed $300,000.00. Commissioner Hicks stated his objection to the project, stating he doesn’t feel it is necessary and feels the funds could be used elsewhere. Ms. Gilliam stated the budgeted funds are restricted and can only be used for certain projects, and this is one of them. Mayor Spencer and Commissioner Peradotta stated this is only an application for grant funds and is not guaranteed to receive grant funds, but the application must be submitted now in order to get in the 2026 grant process. She stated she tries to keep ahead of the trends, and making the city walkable and passable attracts people to a safe community. Commissioner Hicks stated he agreed to the bike path on Illinois State Route 127 because the road replaced and it was part of that project. Ms. Gilliam stated this path would allow residents who are unable to drive to walk, bike, or take a golf cart on the 1.5-mile trail out to the hospital and fitness center. She believes it will attract businesses and residents to our community, and is asking for a commitment to apply for the grant. She also stated she hopes to add to the plan a path around the curve between the High School and Junior High School for safety in that area, and eventually even hopes to get the bike path to extend out to Rend Lake College – Murphy Wall Campus. Commissioner Peradotta made a motion to place on file Resolution No. R-2025-22, which was seconded by Commissioner Kuhnert. On roll call: Commissioners Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: Commissioner Hicks. Motion declared carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Laura Loos stated the businesses in town had donation boxes available and raised $2,500.00 for the Baby Sarah Playground Equipment and Kimberly Taylor of Modern Woodmen in Nashville matched the donations collected, so $5,000.00 has been added to the Baby Sarah Playground funds. Commissioner Kuhnert stated the total of donations has reached around $140,000.00 to date.

ADJOURNMENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion by Commissioner Peradotta, seconded by Commissioner Kuhnert to move the meeting to Executive Session at 6:19 p.m. for the discussion of: Section 2 (c) (5) Purchase or lease of real property for the use of 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 Peradotta, seconded by Commissioner Hicks to return to the regular meeting at 6:27 p.m. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Commissioner Kuhnert, seconded by Commissioner Hicks to adjourn the meeting at 6:27 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