South West Illinois News

City of Pinckneyville City Council met Oct. 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

ROLL CALL

Commissioner Stotlar 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, and William B. Stotlar. Commissioner Stotlar made a motion to allow Mayor Spencer to attend the meeting by phone, which was seconded by Commissioner Kuhnert. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, and Stotlar voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried and Mayor Spencer joined the meeting by phone. Commissioner Stotlar declared a quorum present. Commissioner Kuhnert requested to add Executive Session for the discussion of Section 2 (c) (1) Appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of an employee, prior to the discussion of reappointment of the Zoning Board. Commissioner Stotlar 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 Stotlar.

PREVIOUS MINUTES

Commissioner Peradotta made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 22, 2025, Regular Council Meeting. 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.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Commissioner Stotlar reviewed the Treasurer’s Report of Comparative Payroll Cost and stated that Total Gross Payroll was $1,993,864.69 forthe payroll period ending September 2025, up from last year. He stated that the regular hours of 67,786.75 were down from last year, while overtime hours of 2,382 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 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

Commissioner Hicks congratulated the Pinckneyville Fire Chief and his staff on the new garage doors and trim on the fire house.

Commissioner Hicks congratulated the Pinckneyville Jr. High School Class M Boys Baseball Team on winning State at the Pinckneyville ball diamonds last week. He also congratulated Community Consolidated School District #204 Class S Girls Softball Team on getting second at State for the second year in a row and their Boys and Girls Cross Country Teams as they both advance to State.

Commissioner Kuhnert noted Mardi Gras is just around the corner October 25, 2025.

APPROVE CHANGE ORDER AND FINAL PAY APPLICATION NO. 2 TO HAIER PLUMBING & HEATING INC. FOR ILLINOIS 154 AND FAIRGROUND ROAD WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT

Commissioner Kuhnert made a motion to approve Change Order and Final Pay Application No. 2 from Haier Plumbing & Heating Inc. for the Illinois 154 and Fairground Road Water Main Replacement Project. Commissioner Hicks seconded the motion. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

APPROVE QUOTE FROM SUBSURFACE SOLUTIONS FOR NEW LOCATOR FOR UTILITY DEPARTMENT

Commissioner Kuhnert made a motion to approve a quote in the amount of $12,050.00 from Subsurface Solutions for a new locator for the Utility Department to replace the old one that is broken to be split between Gas and Water – Capital Outlay. Commissioner Peradotta seconded the request. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

APPROVE ESTIMATE FROM USDI TO REPLACE REGULATOR AND METER AT GRAIN ELEVATOR

Commissioner Kuhnert made a motion to approve an estimate in the amount of $27,473.41 from USDI to replace a regular and gas meter at the grain elevator to be paid from Gas – Capital Outlay. Commissioner Peradotta seconded the motion. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

FISCAL YEAR 2025 AUDIT

Commissioner Stotlar made a motion to approve the Fiscal Year 2025 Audit Report placed on file at the September 22, 2025, regular council meeting. 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.

APPROVE PROPOSAL FROM J.C.’S AIR CONDITIONING TO INSTALL NEW AIR CONDITIONING UNIT IN THE SOUTH SIDE OF CITY HALL

Commissioner Stotlar made a motion to approve a proposal in the amount of $5,700.00 from J.C.’s Air Conditioning to install a new air conditioning unit in the south side of City Hall to be paid from the General Fund – Capital Outlay. Commissioner Peradotta seconded the motion. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

APPROVE PROPOSAL FROM SECURITY ALARM TO UPGRADE THE ELEVATOR IN THE COMMUNITY CENTER TO ALIGHN WITH NEW ILLINOIS REGULATIONS

Commissioner Peradotta read the Mayor’s request for approval of a proposal from Security Alarm to upgrade the elevator in the Community Center to align with new Illinois regulations. Cost to install a fire alarm system is $6,892.00 with a monthly monitoring fee of $64.00 and cost to install a cellular communicator phone is $725.00 with a monthly monitoring fee of $75.00 for a total up-front cost of $7,617.00 to be paid from Community Center Capital Outlay and monthly monitoring fees of $139.00. City Clerk Melissa Kellerman explained these upgrades are required by the State Fire Marshall this year to allow the elevator to pass inspection. Commissioner Peradotta 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.

APPROVE CHRISTMER GIFT CERTIFICATES FOR ALL CITY EMPLOYEES INCLUDING VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS

Commissioner Peradotta made a motion to approve Christmas gift certificates in the amount of $50.00 to all city employees, including volunteer firefighters at a cost to the City of $4,000.00. Commissioner HIcks seconded the motion. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Jeff Egbert of the Weekly Press questioned if an Executive Session for the discussion of Section 2 (c) (1) Appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of an employee, would be allowed for Zoning Board members since they are not employees. City Attorney Don Bigham stated it could because they are considered City Officers by being on the Zoning Board.

Zoning Board member Michael Kovic wished to update the Council regarding the Saffron Solar Project. Commissioner Stotlar stated there is a lot of solar going up and asked if the City could restrict it within the City Limits. City Attorney Don Bigham stated the State of Illinois has standards that municipalities must follow. Mr. Kovic stated that Economic Development Coordinator and Zoning Administrator Carrie Gilliam received an e-mail on September 19 regarding a Special Use Permit request from the Saffron Solar Project that will back up to the east perimeter of Indian Trail and Imperial Heights subdivisions. He stated the Zoning Board had issues with their setbacks and fencing proposals and requested they provide a townhall style meeting for residents. The meeting was held last Thursday, October 9th at the Pinckneyville Community Center with several Indian Trail residents in attendance. The Zoning Board requested the solar company revise their permit request to allow for privacy fencing at a height that would conceal the solar panels from resident’s backyard views due to it being on rolling hills, suggesting 12 foot fencing. He stated the residents also requested a further setback. He also stated the Special Use Permit can set hours and days allowed for construction and noise levels from inverters. He stated the developer for the solar project is making revisions to allow for the requested adjustments. He also stated that the Saffron Solar Project has had an Interconnection Agreement with Ameren for two years and the Pinckneyville Zoning Board just found out about it last month. Fire Chief Curtis Miller asked how the property was zoned and Mr. Kovic stated it is considered R1 Residential/Non-Urban. Commissioner Peradotta stated he didn’t think that ground was in the City Limits. Commissioner Kuhnert stated any property in the City Limits should be considered personal use. City Attorney Don Bigham stated the City can’t do that; the State has standards that municipalities and counties must follow. Mr. Kovic asked the residents to filter their requests to Ms. Gilliam for consideration in the Special User Permit and has requested another residents’ meeting with the solar company. Mr. Kovic stressed that because there is a zoning ordinance, the Zoning Board is able to negotiate better terms for the residents with the Special User Permits. Commissioner Hicks asked if it would come to the Council for approval, and City Attorney Don Bigham stated the Zoning Board makes the decisions on the Special User Permits, but interested parties can come to the Council to appeal their decision. Commissioner Stotlar asked what the City gets from this, and City Attorney Don Bigham stated the project estimates they will pay over $800,000 in taxes over the life (40 years) of the Community Solar Project which will go to all of the taxing bodies. City Attorney Don Bigham also stated the State of Illinois wants to promote renewable energy and this is a community solar project. Mr. Kovic finished, stating the solar company seemed receptive to the comments from the Zoning Board and residents. City Attorney Don Bigham clarified this was an Open House provided by the solar company and not the City of Pinckneyville.

ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion by Commissioner Kuhnert, seconded by Commissioner Peradotta to adjourn to Executive Session for the discussion of Section 2 (c) (1) Appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of an employee at 6:35 p.m. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

RE-ENTER REGULAR SESSION

Motion by Commissioner Peradotta, seconded by Commissioner Kuhnert to return the meeting to regular session at 6:44 p.m. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

REAPPOINT CHERYL BIGHAM, MICHAEL KOVIC, BRIAN OYLER, AND JAMES WITTENAUER TO ZONING BOARD

Commissioner Peradotta made a motion to reappoint Cheryl Bigham, Michael Kovic, Brian Oyler, and James Wittenauer to the Zoning Board each for a 3-year term. Commissioner Hicks seconded the motion. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Peradotta, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: Commissioners Kuhnert and Stotlar. Motion declared carried.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Commissioner Kuhnert, seconded by Commissioner Hicks 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.

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