Council Minutes 04-03-25
Harrisburg City Council
City Hall
110 E. Locust Street
Harrisburg, Il 62946
April 03, 2025
6:00 p.m.
The Harrisburg City Council met on April 03, 2025 at 6:00 p.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, Roger Angelly, Rupert Johnson, and Jonathan Brown answering the roll call.
Pastor Bobby Gentry of the River of Life Pentecostal Church led the group in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the consent agenda.
Regular Meeting Minutes – March 20, 2025
Check Register and Warrant Reports – March 2025
Door Doctor - $3,321.00 - #31351243- Business District
Barter Masonry - $21,500.00 - $7 – Downtown TIF
Barter Masonry $3,425.00 - #2025-10 – Downtown TIF
Barter Masonry - $5,000.00 – Façade Grant
Office Supply - $1,199.94 - #6402959 – Business District
Amazon - $29.95 - #0577858 – Council Contingency
Ray O’Herron - $98.39 - #3233037 – Council Contingency
Tree Top Products - $2,075.71 - #31655 – Business District
B. Ward – Petition Lake Lot – Southeast Addition, Lot 2
B. Leonberger - Petition Lake – 1st Addition, Block 1, Lot 19
J. Hughes – Relinquish Lake Lot – 4th Addition, Lot 24
D. Gibbs – Petition Lake – 4th Addition, Lot 24
Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
There were no citizen comments.
Mayor John McPeek opened two sealed bids for the demolition of 417 S. Ledford Street. The sealed bids are as follows:
KL Boatright: $6,495.00
Wasted Disposal: $4,500.00
Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid from Wasted Disposal in the amount of $4,500.00. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor John McPeek stated there was a bid opening in City Hall on April 01, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. for the storm siren project. The city only received one bid, and it was Novacom in the amount of $72,900.00. This bid is for two outdoor warning sirens, move an existing siren, and work completed and sirens operational. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid from Novacom in the amount of $72,900.00. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning would like to repair the two that are being replaced. If these can be repaired, he suggested moving them to other locations such as Southwest Acres and Barnett Street. Council agreed to that suggestion.
Mayor John McPeek presented a TIF Façade grant application from Brent Turner of Turner Welding. He will be installing a new sign. He will be reimbursed up to $5,000.00. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the TIF Façade grant from Turner Welding. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve Resolution 25-0403 for the Shawnee Square Center. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor John McPeek said this agreement requires tenants in order to received funds. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the redevelopment agreement for the Shawnee Square Center. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve Resolution 25-0403A for 40 Main Street Stout House. Seconded by Commissioner Jonathan Brown. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor John McPeek stated this agreement will reimburse Scott Stout 20% of his project. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the redevelopment agreement for 40 Main Street Stout House. Seconded by Commissioner Jonathan Brown. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Jim Brown with Brown and Roberts, Inc presented the 2025 MFT project. He stated Eric Boe along with Commissioner Rupert Johnson, Superintendent Kenny Mayhall and Commissioner Jonathan Brown discussed the project. This project is designed to oil and chip roadways, concrete work as needed, purchase materials, and salt for the upcoming year. This information is created, signed, and submitted to the Illinois Department of Transportation.
There was an open discussion between council regarding how the areas are determined for oil and chip, the need to address the cemetery roadways, possible resurfacing of major roadways such as Sloan Street, Granger Street, and Mill Street. Jim Brown stated the weather does not help the current road conditions. He suggested looking into FAU money for possible funds. This program is Federal Aid Urban. Mayor John McPeek stated if the city was home ruled, there is additional funds to help with these projects.
Jim Brown presented the proposal with the total estimate for this year is $314,028.95. Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to approve the 2025 MFT estimate of maintenance as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Jim Brown with Brown and Roberts, Inc. presented the 2025 MFT resolution for maintenance. Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to approve the Resolution 25-0403B for the 2025 MFT maintenance. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Jim Brown with Brown and Roberts, Inc. presented the 2025 MFT engineering agreement. Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to approve the 2025 MFT engineering agreement as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Jonathan Brown thanked Jim Brown and his firm for allowing him to be involved to better understand the MFT process. Commissioner Roger Angelly inquired about the roundabout project. Jim Brown stated the bid letting will be held in June and will keep the council updated on this project.
Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to authorize Mayor John McPeek to sign the rock salt agreement. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor John McPeek announced the Local 318 has agreed with the last proposal presented by the council. The contract has been settled and is ready to be signed. Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to accept the Local 318 Union agreement. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning discussed purchasing a building for the Harrisburg Police Department. He and Police Chief Nathan Moore spoke to Karen Potter about the purchase of her building. She has dropped the price down to $100,000. This includes the building and the property behind it. She request the city pay the upcoming property taxes and pay to complete the paperwork such as title and deed filing. He stated Mr. Humm has reduced his price on the vacant corner lot to $69,000.00 Commissioner Raymond Gunning stated the city pays the county $45,000 a year for rent and this could pay for itself if four years.
Police Chief Nathan Moore stated he continues to look for grant money and informed the council, he was told the county is increasing the dispatch fee. The discussion included getting remodeling plans and numbers before making this purchase. The council would like to consider looking at other locations such as the Malan Junior High property. The council will need to look at how this will be paid for and how much the total cost will be for this project. Commissioner Raymond Gunning will have more information at the next meeting.
Commissioner Roger Angelly thanked the Water/Sewer department for their efforts in preparing for the possible flooding in certain areas of town. He said the guys have worked hard in filling sandbags for the community and getting additional pumps ready if needed. Commissioner Rupert Johnson said his department has been cleaning out the ditches and culverts to help water flow. Commissioner Raymond Gunning thanked his men for their work during the storm and setting off the storm sirens.
Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to accept the request to vacate an alleyway at N. Vine Street. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to accept the request to vacate an alleyway for JMAG/Subway at 4 S. Commercial Street as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor John McPeek stated Walgreens sold the building to JMAG. This business is a huge asset to the community. This will provide jobs and they take care of their employees. They provide an afterschool area for the employees kids. He is very impressed with this company.
Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to authorize the city clerk to advertise a public hearing to vacate the alleyways. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. 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 new truck. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Rupert Johnson said as of today, the city has cleaned up 100 locations with the city for Spring Clean Up. He reminded the citizens that clean up ends April 11, 2025.
Mayor John McPeek stated he would like to change the May 01, 2025 to April 30, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. This will take care of the year end line-item transfers and then there will be no need to have a May 01, 2025 meeting. Mayor John McPeek made the motion to change the meeting from May 01, 2025 to April 30, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor John McPeek stated he would like to re-establish the Dangerous Building Committee. The committee will consist of Mayor John McPeek, Fire Chief John Gunning, and Superintendent Jacob Palmer. This will expedite the process for acquiring property, getting the demolition order to the judge, and being able to demolish properties. Mayor John McPeek made the motion to re-establish a dangerous building committed to consist of Mayor John McPeek, Fire Chief John Gunning, and Superintendent Jacob Palmer. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor John McPeek would like to install a dog park on Vince Ashley Drive. He would like to start with obtaining sealed bids for the fencing. This will be called Harrisburg Bark Park. Mayor John McPeek made the motion to authorize the city clerk to advertise for sealed bids for fencing at the new dog park. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor John McPeek gave a big thank you to Jacob, Aaron, Dave and Nate from Public Property. He stated over the past two weeks, these guys have worked hard, stayed committed and truly operated as a team to get things done. There’s still more ahead, but he has no doubt they will tackle it together. He thanked Jason and the Water/Sewer team for letting them use their equipment. He stated it makes a difference. He appreciates everything they’ve done. He said “Your efforts do not go unnoticed. It shows what good teamwork will do.”
Mayor John McPeek announced the upcoming Farmers Market which will be on April 12, 2025 from 8:00 a.m. to noon. It will be located at 1 E. Poplar Street. He announced an upcoming mural for 1 E. Poplar Street. Be watching for it to start in May or June.
Mayor John McPeek said he will be beautifying uptown with more flowers. The Public Property team will be planting a wildflower garden on the bike trail.
Mayor John McPeek stated the council will go into executive session to discuss property acquisition.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to go into executive session to discuss property acquisition. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Adjourn: 6:41 p.m.
Reconvene: 7:12 p.m.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to return to open session. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor John McPeek called the meeting to order. Mayor John McPeek presided over the meeting with Commissioners Raymond Gunning, Roger Angelly, Rupert Johnson, and Jonathan Brown answering the roll call.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to authorize the city clerk to advertise fourteen acres of property for sale behind the Show Place Cinema with a minimum bid of $5,000.00. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to authorize the city clerk to advertise the Malan Junior High property for sale with a minimum bid of $10,000.00. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Adjourn: 7:13 p.m.