Council Minutes 05-21-26

Harrisburg City Council

City Hall

110 E. Locust Street

Harrisburg, Il 62946

May 21, 2026

8:00 a.m.

The Harrisburg City Council met on May 21, 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, Roger Angelly, Rupert Johnson, and Jonathan Brown answering the roll call.

Pastor Jerry Wells with the Dorrisville Social Brethren Church led the group in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor John McPeek thanked the EMS workers. It is EMS week.

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

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

Mayor John McPeek stated the following city owned properties will be advertised for sale:  

1017 Hobson Street

            724 W. Raymond Street (not out for bid at this time)

            719 W. Lincoln Street

            416 W. Elm Street

            519 W. Elm Street

            18 S. Cherry Street – Minimum starting bid at $5,000

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to authorize the city clerk to advertise the sale of city owned properties except 724 W. Raymond Street. 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. discussed the upcoming Sloan Street resurfacing project. The plans have been prepared and submitted to Carbondale. He presented the scope of work, and three staging options. This project is for milling and asphalting the area. There are loops buried in the asphalt that control the traffic lights.

A discussion was held on alternative traffic control for the surrounding businesses. The council and Jim Brown reviewed different options. An option was to do nighttime work which will cause a 15-20% increase in the cost.  Citizen Brad Ledbetter discussed how this project affects entering into his business. The council agreed to enough signage to detour traffic during this project.

Mayor John McPeek stated there is no need to discuss collective bargaining in executive session.

Mayor John McPeek stated the city received a DCEO sidewalk grant which will help replace the sidewalks around the square/uptown. Mayor John McPeek and Superintendent Kenny Mayhall have walked around and looked at the sidewalks to create the list. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to authorize the city clerk to advertise for sealed bids for the sidewalk project. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek stated the council will go into executive session to discuss property acquisition.

Mayor John McPeek stated the council will go into executive session to discuss potential litigation.

Fire Chief John Quisenberry informed the council that his department needs a new(er) brush truck. The current truck is thirty-five years old. The mechanic stated it is time to replace the truck. Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to authorize the city clerk to advertise for a truck for the Fire Department. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning thanked Mayor John McPeek for the great condition the cemetery is in. It looks great.

Commissioner Roger Angelly announced the Township has earn fare workers needing to work in order to receive their SNAP benefits. Please contact the Township Office for more information.

Superintendent Kenny Mayhall was asked to have a streetlight installed at the corner of Granger Street and Lincoln Street. The area has had increased foot traffic and there is not enough light in that area. Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to approve a streetlight on the corner of Granger Street and Lincoln Street. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Superintendent Kenny Mayhall discussed an issue with speeding on Dayton Street with the council. Police Chief Nathan Moore has had his officers monitoring the speed at various times of day, and it appears there is no speeding issue. He will continue to monitor the speed and will keep the council updated on any issues. Superintendent Kenny Mayhall has put up some slow children playing signs along Dayton Street as a caution to drivers.

Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to approve Resolution 26-0521 for the street closure during the July 4th parade. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek would like to install new flag poles in the cemetery. This purchase would come out of Business District. Mayor John McPeek made the motion to purchase new flag poles for the cemetery out of Business District Funds. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek made the motion to appoint Dan Medin to the airport board. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek reminded the citizens of the upcoming events:

            Memorial Day Service – 10:00 a.m. at Little Arlington        

BBQ Festival – June 13, 2026 at the amphitheater

            July 4th Festivities

            Jeep Run – August 15, 2026

Mayor John McPeek made the motion to go into executive session to discuss property acquisition and potential litigation. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Adjourn: 8:29 a.m.

Reconvene: 9:13 a.m.

Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to return to open session. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. 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.

Mayor John McPeek stated there is no action regarding property acquisition or potential litigation.

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: 9:13 a.m.