Regular Minutes 12-04-25
Harrisburg City Council
City Hall
110 E. Locust Street
Harrisburg, Il 62946
December 04, 2025
8:00 a.m.
The Harrisburg City Council met on December 04, 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 Jerry Wells from the Dorrisville Social Brethren Church led the group in prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to approve the consent agenda.
Regular Meeting Minutes – November 20, 2025
Warrant Report and Check Register – November 2025
First Line - $214.35 - #232144 – Business District
Electrical Supply Group - $1,337.81 - #9828 - Business District
MC Enterprise - $2,212.76 - #1469 – MFT
Moran Economic Development - $2,380.00 - TIF
Seconded by Commissioner Jonathan Brown. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor John McPeek stated D & D Electric has submitted a TIF application. D & D Electric purchased some buildings on Poplar Street. Moran Economic Development has reviewed the request. D & D Electric would like the money upfront, and Moran Economic Development suggested funding them 15% of the total project cost upon completion. The total project cost is $110,500. The project overview is listed in the application. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to approve the TIF application from D & D Electric as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Jonathan Brown reminded the citizens that the TIF is for upgrading and improvements which include businesses and homes if you are in the TIF district. This improves the property and anyone within the TIF district can apply. City Treasurer Alex Jackson stated an offer has been extended to everyone that has applied. Mayor John McPeek stated an application cannot be submitted if you are a renter, you must own the property to utilize TIF funds.
Attorney Kolby Smithpeters presented an ordinance to increase the burial fees. The only changes to the ordinance are the fees. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to approve Ordinance 1927 regarding burial fees. Seconded by Commissioner Rupert Johnson. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Fire Chief John Gunning informed the council the new generator has arrived at the fire house. He has the old generator if anyone needs it. The fire house generator will go to the public property building since they are the only city building that does not have a generator. Fire Chief John Gunning told Superintendent Jacob Palmer to get it.
Mayor John McPeek suggested raising the tree limb site fee from $250.00 up to $1,000.00 for the contractors who are utilizing the tree limb site. There was a discussion regarding the gate and changing the settings to ensure the site is properly secure. Citizen Dusty DePew said raising the fee to $1,000 is still a great price. He said the contractors are getting a deal at $1,000 because it is much cheaper than taking their tree debris to the landfill and Eldorado charges $1,500.00. Commissioner Roger Angelly made the motion to increase the tree limb site fee to $1,000.00. Seconded by Commissioner Jonathan Brown. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Steve Williams from FSB Insurance presented the insurance renewal plans to the council. The city health insurance plan has a 16% increase. They looked at other carriers, and all declined giving a proposal. The council discussed changing providers. Steve Williams suggested moving the retirees to a separate plan. Mayor John McPeek is in favor of advertising for bids. Steve Williams said there have been a couple of bad years with health insurance.
Commissioner Jonathan Brown stated the city treasurer had budgeted for an 8% increase but was not expecting a 16% increase. He is also in favor of bidding out insurance and will have it on the next agenda. However, at this time the council must accept the plan as proposed because the city cannot be without insurance.
Steve Williams suggested increasing the employee deductible. The current deductible needs to be changed to reflect the times and reality. They can look at plans and other options with the adjustment of the deductible, and they might get another carrier to provide a proposal. They will get option with a modified plan and bring other options.
Steve Williams discussed the property and casualty insurance plan. This plan is down by $40,000 compared to last year. The general liability plan has an increase of 22% this year. They have addressed some issues and made some changes which should help with the premium next year.
Steve Williams was pleased to inform the council that the workman’s compensation premium is down $75,000 from last year. The carrier looks at the last five years of claims and one of the worst years was finally dropped which helped the premium. City Treasurer Alex Jackson stated encouraging light duty has helped. It gets employees off work comp and back to work. The city has been having quarterly safety meetings as well.
Steve Williams would like the city to look at the program that has been implemented with the county. You enter the restrictions from the doctor and create a light duty work plan and enhance a list of available job duties.. FSB has this program, and it does not cost the city anything and could work with getting employees off work comp.
The council agrees to look at different options, plans, and carriers; however, at this time they agree they have to accept what has been presented to maintain insurance. Commissioner Jonathan Brown made the motion to approve the renewal plans as presented by FSB. Seconded by Commissioner Roger Angelly. A roll call vote was taken with all present voting yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Jonathan Brown presented the council with the ground transportation agreement with the council. There was a meeting between Abbott, city treasurer, fire chief, and Commissioners Jonathan Brown and Raymond Gunning on how to work together and help the city utilize their own ambulance. The city ambulance will be used to transport patients along with the AirVac flight team when AirVac is not available. The city will charge AirVac plus charge mileage. Commissioner Jonathan Brown asked Attorney Kolby Smithpeters to review the ground transport agreement contract.
Commissioner Jonathan Brown discussed the option for a hiring freeze. He has a report that shows there are more staff now compared to 2018. The council discussed options and would rather implement a hiring freeze that consist of consider hiring on an as need basis. If someone retires or quits, then the council will determine if a new hire would be needed. Commissioner Jonathan Brown stated Commissioner Raymond Gunning is not in favor of a hiring freeze.
Commissioner Jonathan Brown informed the council that Commissioner Raymond Gunning has asked UMR to present their ambulance proposal at the next meeting. Commissioner Roger Angelly said he does not want to be made an offer and then the terms change six months later. He wants to figure out what will work best for the city. Commissioner Jonathan Brown wants to see numbers before decisions are made. Mayor John McPeek said their obligation is to the citizens of Harrisburg, not the citizens of other communities. Commissioner Rupert Johnson stated the Harrisburg residents are paying for the ambulance service.
Commissioner Roger Angelly said the uptown area looks great with all the holiday decorations.
Commissioner Rupert Johnson said his men are doing a good job.
Mayor John McPeek reminded the citizens about Christmas in the Courtyard on December 04, 2025 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. There will be carriage rides, Santa Clause, carolers, and crafts.
Please stop littering.
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: 8:55 a.m.