Minutes 10-02-25
Harrisburg City Council
City Hall
110 E. Locust Street
Harrisburg, Il 62946
October 02, 2025
8:00 a.m.
The Harrisburg City Council met on October 02, 2025 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 Roger Angelly, Rupert Johnson, and Jonathan Brown answering the roll call. Commissioner Raymond Gunning was absent.
Pastor Bobby Gentry led the group in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to approve the consent agenda.
Regular Meeting Minutes – September 18, 2025
Carmean Electric - $1,715.65 - #2132 – Business District
Door Doctor - $95,310.00 - #36201709 - Business District
Anderson Overhead Door - $5,639.00 - #94250 - Business District
CM Renovations - $8,766.81 - #092925 - Business District
Brown & Roberts, Inc. - $33,234.78 - #24-201-01 – IDOT Roundabout Grant
Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Citizen Stephen Questelle discussed the supplemental plan rules and regulations. There are IRS regulations that must be followed with these plans. He stated the city treasurer is following those regulations. Another company approached several city employees and there is protocol when enrolling employees into these types of plans. The new company is required to send a notice of replacement. There is also an open enrollment period for plans. He asked the council to be aware of these guidelines when solicitors approach employees about enrolling in new plans.
City Treasurer Alex Jackson presented the resolution for the TIF redevelopment agreement with H.E. Mitchell as discussed at the last meeting. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to approve Resolution 25-1002 for the TIF redevelopment agreement with H.E. Mitchell. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. 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 TIF redevelopment agreement with H.E. Mitchell. Seconded by Commissioner Jonathan Brown. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
City Treasurer Alex Jackson presented the resolution for the TIF redevelopment agreement with JMAG as discussed at the last meeting. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to approve Resolution 25-1002A for the TIF redevelopment agreement with JMAG. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. 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 TIF redevelopment agreement with JMAG. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor John McPeek discussed the parking lease agreement with the First Presbyterian Church. The city and county both agree to take turns snowplowing the lot alternating the years. The church is requesting the county and city to provide maintenance to this lot. The council does not agree with maintaining the parking lot as the county employees use this lot. The council agrees to continue the snowplowing portion of the agreement. The council asked Attorney Kolby Smithpeters to reach out to the church regarding these new terms. They want the maintenance portion removed from the agreement except for snowplowing.
Mayor John McPeek read the definition and use of Kratom. This comes in multiple forms such as drinks and pills. This product has resulted in death. Attorney Kolby Smithpeters discussed the ordinance regarding Kratom. Kratom is basically an over-the-counter opioid. He said Marion, Vienna, Herrin, and Metropolis have banned Kratom.
The City of Harrisburg is non-home ruled; therefore, the city can only tie this to a license. Right now, the city only has a liquor license, and the city can restrict the sale of Kratom if you hold a liquor license. A tobacco license can be created to restrict the sale of Kratom. The council chose to table this until Attorney Kolby Smithpeters can do more research and look into legislation.
Attorney Kolby Smithpeters presented the SIH charging station subgrant. The city received a $50,000 grant through Ameren. This agreement is for the planning, setting up, and installation of electric vehicle supply equipment or charging stations at SIH hospital facility at 100 Dr. Warren Tuttle Drive in Harrisburg. SIH agrees to furnish the personnel, materials, services, facilities, and equipment with this agreement. The city will give SIG the grant money to begin this project.
Commissioner Roger Angelly asked if these charging stations can be used by all citizens. Mayor John McPeek stated yes. Commissioner Roger Angelly stated he believes the doctors at SIH will utilize them and then the citizens will not have access to them. He asked why this location was chosen. City Treasurer Alex Jackson stated SIH was the only location with a strong enough electrical structure.
Commissioner Jonathan Brown made the motion to authorize Mayor John McPeek to sign the SIH Charging Station Subgrant. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes, except Commissioner Roger Angelly voting no. Motion carried.
Attorney Kolby Smithpeters stated the owner of 415 W. O’Gara Street is willing to deed the property over to the city. This is a demolition project. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to accept 415 W. O’Gara Street and to authorize the city clerk to advertise for demolition. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Attorney Kolby Smithpeters said there is a two-story house behind Steam Café. The owner wants the city to purchase it for the price he bought it for. The owner paid $5,000.00 and this is a demolition project. He suggested that when the city is ready to advertise it for sale, they should put a minimum bid of at least $5,000.00. The council agrees with his suggestion.
Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to acquire 18 S. Cherry Street for $5,000.00. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Attorney Kolby Smithpeters stated the owner of 210 Short Street is willing to deed the property over to the city. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to accept the deed for 210 Short Street. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Attorney Kolby Smithpeters said 412 W. Vine Street is about to fall into the alley. The alleyway has been closed due to this issue. He suggested allowing him to begin the process to obtain a demolition order. The city will not own the property but will be granted an order for demolition.
Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to authorize Attorney Kolby Smithpeters to acquire an order for demolition for 412 S. Vine Street. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Attorney Kolby Smithpeters stated that 108 S. Jackson is a demolition project. The owner has agreed to let the city tear down the property, but the city will not own it. The owner needs a little time to remove some things from the house. This project can be done by city employees. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to accept the demolition agreement for 108 S. Jackson Street. Seconded by Commissioner Jonathan Brown. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Fire Chief John Gunning was unable to attend the meeting.
Commissioner Roger Angelly would like Attorney Kolby Smithpeters to research the best way to be able to clean out some ditches that require the city to get on private property. Attorney Kolby Smithpeters stated a release might work. Commissioner Roger Angelly said there are a couple of ditches that are not properly draining and in order to help fix the issue, the city would need to get on private property. Attorney Kolby Smithpeters said he will look into it and get back to the council with an answer.
Commissioner Roger Angelly said the committee is doing a wonderful job with the Sasquatch Festival. He said the golf tournament was fantastic.
Commissioner Rupert Johnson reminded the citizens about fall clean-up. It starts Monday October 06, 2025 through October 17, 2025. Please call: 618-253-7451 ext. 3 and leave a message with your address for the pick-up.
Superintendent Kenny Mayhall met with Ameren about the streetlights on Ford Street and Frank Leiberman Drive. The cost for two poles and lights would be $1,900.00. He said this could be paid out of the Business District. Commissioner Rupert Johnson made the motion to approve the two street light requests on Ford Street and Frank Lieberman Drive. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Superintendent Kenny Mayhall updated the council on the Sloan Street and Commercial Street roadway issue. He met with someone from IDOT. IDOT informed him that IDOT is only responsible for pavement line to pavement line, not curb to curb. He did not get any definitive answers and is still working on getting more answers. He will keep the council updated.
Mayor John McPeek announced trick-or-treating on October 31, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Mayor John McPeek reminded the citizens of the 5th Annual Sasquatch Festival on Saturday October 04, 2025. There will be a kickoff event on Friday October 04 at the Deer Shed with live music starting at 7:00 p.m.
Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Adjourn: 8:44 a.m.