Council Minutes 07-16-26

Harrisburg City Council

City Hall

110 E. Locust Street

Harrisburg, Il 62946

July 16, 2026

8:00 a.m.

The Harrisburg City Council met on July 16, 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 Lynette Barnett with the First United Methodist Church led the group in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

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

Council Meeting Minutes – June 18, 2026

Special Meeting Minutes – July 02, 2026

Check Register and Warrant Reports – June 2026

Brown & Roberts, Inc. - $1,514.49 - #24-201-9 – Small Street/Veterans Drive Roundabout

Sullivan Lawn Care - $4,650.00 - #5162 – Business District

Relinquish Lake Lot – Grisham – 2nd Add, Block 1, Lot 1

Petition Lake Lot – Allison/Gray – 2nd Add, Block 1, Lot 1

Revoke – Unthank – 1st Add, Block 2, Lot 7

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

Mayor John McPeek informed the council that there was a sealed bid opening on July 14, 2026 in City Hall for the sidewalk project which is funded by a grant. Those present were Mayor John McPeek, city clerk, and city treasurer. The city received two sealed bids. The sealed bids are as follows:

            Hicks Concrete, LLC - $106,480.00

            AR Martin Construction - $112,975.00

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to accept the sealed bid for the sidewalk project from Hicks Concrete, LLC in the amount of $106,480. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to authorize Mayor John McPeek to sign the Road Use Agreement with Wild Cat Solar. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

City Treasurer Alex Jackson presented a Veterans Drive TIF agreement from Dr. Ethan Grounds. The estimated project cost is $1,207,423. The proposed work includes development of fourteen new operatory rooms, office space, restrooms, cabinetry, doors, water line upgrades, window replacement, lighting, parking lot improvements, and landscaping improvements. He is a dentist in Harrisburg and will keep his current office space but is expanding to a new office. She spoke with Dr. Grounds, and he would like the funds upfront. The suggestion is to fund this project at 15% up to $50,000.00

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to approve the Veterans TIF agreement at 15% a maximum of $50,000 of the project cost with Dr. Ethan Grounds. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek stated David Morse accepted the city’s offer for the purchase of 116 Veterans Drive. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to authorize Mayor John McPeek to sign the Real Estate Purchase Agreement for 116 Veterans Drive. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to approve Resolution 26-0716 for the purchase of real estate at 116 Veterans Drive. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Jim Brown discussed the sanitary sewer project on Lover’s Lane. This will tie on to the sanitary sewer at IYC, go under the ditch on Jones Road and cross to Lover’s Lane. This will serve that entire area.

Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to approve Resolution 26-0716A for the construction and maintenance of sanitary sewer along and under old State Highway 13 and Lovers Lane. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Jonathan Brown stated the annual NPDES fee is due. The $17,500 fee is for FY 2027 billing of sludge and domestic sewage. Commissioner Jonathan Brown made the motion to pay the annual NPDES fee of $17,500 in protest. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes, except Commissioners Raymond Gunning and Rupert Johnson voting no. Motion carried.

City Treasurer Alex Jackson presented the PPRT (personal property replacement tax) to the council per state statute. Commissioner Jonathan Brown made the motion approve the PPRT as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning stated the council will go into executive session to discuss personnel.

Commissioner Roger Angelly stated he advertised and interviewed three applications for the open position in his department. The individual he is hiring is qualified for the position. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to hire Blayne Pate effective August 03, 2026 at the starting rate of $21.935. 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 a city sidewalk project. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek stated he interviewed for the open position in his department. Mayor John McPeek made the motion to hire Brenndan Watson effective August 03, 2026 at the starting rate of $21.935 for Code Enforcer. Seconded by Commissioner Raymond Gunning. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mayor John McPeek thanked David Williams for his service to the City of Harrisburg. He is retiring at the end of July. He did a great job during his time with the city.

Mayor John McPeek said the July 4 parade and fireworks were a success. Mayor John McPeek announced the upcoming 2nd Annual Jeep Run on August 15, 2026. Please sign up online, in the city clerk’s office or the day of the event.

Mayor John McPeek stated the Sasquatch Festival needs donations. Please be sure to donate to keep the festival free for those who attend.

Commissioner Raymond Gunning made the motion to go into executive session to discuss personnel. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.

Adjourn: 8:12 a.m.

Reconvene: 8:21a.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 personnel.

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: 8:22 a.m.