Council Minutes 03-19-26

Harrisburg City Council

City Hall

110 E. Locust Street

Harrisburg, Il 62946

March 19, 2026

8:00 a.m.

The Harrisburg City Council met on March 19 2026 at 8:00 a.m. at the City Hall located at 110 E. Locust Street, Harrisburg, IL.

Mayor John McPeek called the meeting to order. Mayor John McPeek presided over the meeting with Commissioners Raymond Gunning, Rupert Johnson, and Jonathan Brown answering the roll call. Commissioner Roger Angelly was absent.

Pastor Lynette Barnett from the Harrisburg First United Methodist Church led the group in prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the consent agenda.

Regular Meeting Minutes – March 05, 2026

Seconded by Commissioner Jonathan Brown. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Citizen Mary McGregor spoke to the council about the city drinking water. She is concerned about cancer and lead. She said the city can apply for a grant to get filtration systems for each household. She suggested adding a $10.00 fee to water bills and only a $5.00 fee for senior citizens and it will pay for filtration system. She asked the council to take it into consideration.

Citizen Mary McGregor expressed her concern regarding a police issue with an individual who is removing items from someone’s headstone. The individual recorded a confession of the crime. Mayor John McPeek stated the case has been turned over to the State’s Attorney.

Mayor John McPeek stated the council does not need to go into executive session for collective bargaining.

Jim Brown with Brown and Roberts, Inc. presented the design engineering agreement for the Sloan Street project. This project will include milling, resurfacing, pavement patching, pavement marking, traffic signal detector loops, staged construction, and contractor traffic control and protection. They will submit the design plan to Carbondale. Hopefully, the project will be approved and ready this fall. He said this will require the road to go down to one lane during different phases of the project.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the design engineering agreement with Brown and Roberts, Inc. for Sloan Street. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Sean Pluta, representative of the Triple S Solar, presented the plans for a solar farm on Triple S Road. They need an easement from the city to run a three-phase electric line.  A survey will be completed. They will bury the line underground and install a transformer box.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the easement once the survey is completed. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Fire Chief John Quisenberry presented a mobile home application to the council. The mobile home will be installed at 208 N. Sherman Street. He has inspected the site, fees have been paid, and they are ready to proceed. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the mobile home application for 208 N. Sherman Street. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek stated D & D Electric has submitted an application for 15 Poplar Street. Moran Economic Development recommends giving them 15% of the completed project. The project will include interior remodeling, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and some exterior work. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the Business District application at 15% from D & D Electric at 15 Poplar Street. Seconded by Commissioner Jonathan Brown. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek stated Hathaway Rental has submitted an application for 607 South Commercial Street. She is projected to invest $370,000 in this remodel. An optometrist will be moving into that location. Moran Economic Development recommended a reimbursement of $80,000. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the Business District application from Hathaway Rental for 607 S. Commercial for $80,000. Seconded by Commissioner Jonathan Brown. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek stated Stones Outdoor Service has submitted a Downtown TIF application for 1001 N. Webster Street. The improvements will include exterior work. Moran Economic Development recommends a range of 5% to 30% reimbursement. He will be investing around $105,000 in this project. The council decided to stay consistent with a 15% reimbursement. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the Downtown TIF for Stones Outdoor Service at 1001 N. Webster with 15% reimbursement. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek stated the council will not go into executive session to discuss personnel.

Commissioner Jonathan Brown held a discussion with the council regarding the budget meetings. He thanked the city treasurer for her help during the meetings. Some things have changed, and he thinks the departments should work together and save money. Several options were given regarding trading in tractors, a dump truck and police squad cars. He stated they were able to budget to save the last hire in the police department.

The budget will sit out for thirty days in the city clerk’s office, city treasurer’s office, and on the city website. Please review the budget, call with any questions, and it will need to be passed at the April 30, 2026 adjourned meeting.

Commissioner Jonathan Brown made the motion to authorize the city clerk to advertise a public hearing for the FY 26/27 budget. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Jonathan Brown would like each department to monitor the maintenance of their vehicles. Information needs to be included on the invoice stating which car is being maintenance and why. He said the fire department will start using the bulk fuel system. He inquired why the Dorris Heights storm siren is not working. Mayor John McPeek stated Novacom has been notified and will get it working.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning stated the merit board has given him the name of the next fire captain. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to appoint Brandon Culkin as fire captain effective March 16, 2026. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning stated the police department is needing a new squad car. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to authorize the city clerk to advertise for a new squad car for the police department. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to authorize the city clerk to advertise for a right-of-way tractor. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Rupert Johnson informed the council that 117 locations have been cleaned up as of yesterday. Clean-up continues through March 27, 2026.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Jonathan Brown. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Adjourn: 8:33 a.m.