South Central Reporter

City of Carlyle City Council Met Jan. 25.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The Carlyle City Council was called to order by Mayor Judy Smith, via zoom, at 7:00 p.m. at the Case Halstead Library, 550 6th Street, Carlyle, IL.

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Aldermen present were Kent Newkirk, Shannon Petrea, John Hodapp, and Mike Jansen. Alderman Scott Diekemper, Don Perez, and Jeremy Weh were present via zoom.

City employees present were Chief of Police Mark Pingsterhaus, City Administrator Andy Brackett, Joe Behrman, Dave Miller, and City Clerk Rita Jurgensmeyer.

Others present were Todd Marver, Kelly Ross, Peggy Hilmes, Bennett Quinn and family, Chloe Long and family, and Christian and Olivyah Nunn and family.

A motion was made by Alderman Kent Newkirk and was seconded by Alderman John Hodapp to approve the minutes from the January 11, 2021 regular meeting. The motion was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Kent Newkirk, Shannon Petrea, Scott Diekemper, Don Perez, John Hodapp, Jeremy Weh, and Mike Jansen. Nay: none.

City Clerk Rita Jurgensmeyer reported that the executive session minutes were due to be reviewed next month, and they will be available at City Hall. City Administrator added that they would be reviewed at the first meeting in February.

Alderman Don Perez informed the Council that the transfers will be done at the first meeting in February.

Alderman Don Perez made a motion to approve the payment of the claims against the City. The motion was seconded by Alderman John Hodapp and approved unanimously by roll call vote. Aye: Shannon Petrea, Scott Diekemper, Don Perez, John Hodapp, Jeremy Weh, Mike Jansen, and Kent Newkirk. Nay: none.

Joe Behrman reported that the Water Department is doing routine maintenance and the street department is trimming trees and taking trees down.

Dave Miller reported that 95 percent of the Christmas decorations at the park are taken down. He said that scrap prices are high right now, so they had Grapperhaus Metal Company put a dumpster out and they are trying to fill it.

Chief of Police Mark Pingsterhaus reported that they will be putting the old squad car up for sale soon and the new squad car was built today, so they should be getting it soon.

City Administrator Andy Brackett reported that everyone can do the statement of economic interest any time. It must be done my May 1st. It can be done on the forms that Martha has put in everyone’s mailbox or it can be done online through the County Clerk’s website. He also reported that he, John Hodapp, and Joe Behrman met with Scott Rakers from H. M. & G. and Byrne & Jones regarding the Krebs Hill project. He felt it was a productive meeting and Byrne & Jones will be submitting a proposal to H. M. & G.

Mayor Judy Smith announced the winners of the Piper the Penguin contest. She reported that they had 876 entries. The winners were selected at random and they are Chloe Long, Bennett Quinn, and Christian and Olivyah Nunn. They each received a gift basket.

Mayor Judy Smith then reported on the traffic count and donations received at the park this year. The 2020 Traffic Counter: 40,175 vehicles (Up from 29,180 in 2019). The 2020 Donations: $31,115.33 (Up from $15,900.93 in 2019). Mayor Smith thanked everyone that came through the park and everyone that donated. City Administrator Andy Brackett added that the video that was put on Facebook was viewed 250,000 times. Mayor Smith added the Southern Illinois Tourism promoted the park this year.

Mayor Judy Smith then announced that Ollie Robert passed away. She was the wife of long-time police chief Buster Robert and asked everyone to keep the family in your prayers.

Mayor Judy Smith then announced the appointment of Bruce Hilmes to alderman in Ward Four replacing Logan Speiser who resigned at the last meeting.

Alderman Kent Newkirk made a motion to approve the appointment of Bruce Hilmes as Ward Four alderman. The motion was seconded by Alderman Don Perez and approved unanimously by roll call vote. Aye: Scott Diekemper, Don Perez, John Hodapp, Jeremy Weh, Mike Jansen, Kent Newkirk, and Shannon Petrea. Nay: none.

Bruce Hilmes was then sworn in by City Clerk Rita Jurgensmeyer.

City Administrator Andy Brackett then presented the last TIF disbursement to Peter Neumann for $3,578.34.

A motion was made by Alderman John Hodapp to approve the TIF disbursement to Peter Neumann in the amount of $3,578.34. Alderman Mike Jansen seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Don Perez, John Hodapp, Jeremy Weh, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Kent Newkirk, Shannon Petrea, and Scott Diekemper. Nay: none.

Mayor Judy Smith gave the floor to Peggy Hilmes from the Fireworks Committee. Peggy informed the Council on the status of the 4th of July fireworks. She has been in contact with the Corp of Engineers and it has not been determined if they will be held this year. This year they received a 10 percent bonus from the fireworks company and if the City would donate $3,000.00, they could have a $23,000.00 show this year. She also thanked the Council for the support she has received from the City in the past.

Alderman Kent Newkirk made a motion to enter a partnership for the 2021 fireworks. The motion was seconded by Alderman John Hodapp and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: John Hodapp, Jeremy Weh, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Kent Newkirk, Shannon Petrea, Scott Diekemper, and Don Perez. Nay: none.

City Administrator Andy Brackett explained that with the street sweeper being totaled that an ordinance for a supplemental appropriation was needed. The ordinance would increase the revenue line item 03-3890 Miscellaneous $38,666.66 for a total of $38,866.66 and increase the revenue line item 03-3990 Transfer from Fund 1 by $90,000.00 for a total of $577,300.00. It would also increase the expenditure in Fund 1 – General Fund, subsection fund 03-3990 Fund 3 Street and Alley by the amount of $90,000.00 to a new total of $577,300.00. The expenditure account 03-3990 Equipment would also be increased by the amount of $128,666.66 to a total of $131,416.66.

The Street and Alley committee recommended the supplemental appropriation ordinance so that a new street sweeper could be purchased now instead of waiting until the appropriation is approved in the new fiscal year.

Alderman Don Perez made a motion to approve the supplemental appropriation ordinance. The motion was seconded by Alderman Scott Diekemper and was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Jeremy Weh, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Kent Newkirk, Shannon Petrea, Scott Diekemper, Don Perez, and John Hodapp. Nay: none.

City Administrator Andy Brackett explained an ordinance to approve a utility tap waiver program. The program would allow a waiver for up to $2,000.00 for applicable utility tap on fees.

Alderman Kent Newkirk made a motion to approve the utility tap waiver program ordinance. Alderman Mike Jansen seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously by roll call vote. Aye: Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Kent Newkirk, Shannon Petrea, Scott Diekemper, Don Perez, John Hodapp, and Jeremy Weh. Nay: none.

City Administrator Andy Brackett informed the Council that the Street and Alley employees tested a couple different street sweeper options. He said that they only had a couple vendors in the area to choose from and the Tymco 435 street sweeper is a new and improved version of what they had. Joe Behrman added that the updates that were included were things the employees have wanted. Andy Brackett said that this sweeper is quite a bit cheaper than the other sweeper they had reviewed. It is a demo unit with some hours already on it, but it is essentially a new unit. Joe Behrman added that the warranty is the same as a new unit. The cost for the Tymco 435 street sweeper from EJ Equipment is $164,769.00.

Alderman John Hodapp made a motion to waive competitive bidding and approve the purchase of the Tymco 435 sweeper from EJ Equipment at a cost of $164,769.00. The motion was seconded by Alderman Mike Jansen and unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Bruce Hilmes, Kent Newkirk, Shannon Petrea, Scott Diekemper, Don Perez, John Hodapp, Jeremy Weh, and Mike Jansen. Nay: none.

City Administrator Andy Brackett explained that at the first of the year Congress discontinued the Family First Coronavirus Response Act that mandated an 80-hour paid leave for COVID related reasons. The Employee Concern Committee met and discussed this, and it was decided and recommended to the City Council to keep the current COVID 19 policy the same and re-evaluate at the end of the first quarter.

A motion was made by Alderman Shannon Petrea to continue the current COVID 19 leave policy for employees and re-evaluate it at the end of the first quarter. The motion was seconded by Alderman Kent Newkirk and was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Kent Newkirk, Shannon Petrea, Scott Diekemper, Don Perez, John Hodapp, Jeremy Weh, Mike Jansen, and Bruce Hilmes. Nay: none.

City Administrator Andy Brackett explained that the Employee Concerns Committee met to talk about a new contract with Local 773 Clerical Union which expires February 1, 2021. An agreement was reached with the union for a contract effective February 1, 2021 – January 31, 2024. The three major changes were a three-year contract with 2.5 percent raises in the first year, 2.25 percent the second year, and 2 percent the third year. They will also add a $250.00 education bonus for any employee with an associate degree or higher which will be effective on the anniversary of the agreement. Article 18 includes provision for use of a mediator if future negotiations cannot be agreed upon by both parties. This wording is similar to the wording in the other union contracts.

A motion was made by Alderman Kent Newkirk to approve the clerical union contract effective February 1, 2021 – January 31, 2024. The motion was seconded by Alderman Shannon Petrea and approved unanimously by roll call vote. Aye: Shannon Petrea, Scott Diekemper, Don Perez, John Hodapp, Jeremy Weh, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, and Kent Newkirk. Nay: none.

Joe Behrman informed the Council that he is planning on retiring on June 1, 2021. He said he has 35 years between working for the City of Carlyle and Okawville. He thanked everyone for the privilege of working for the City.

City Administrator Andy Brackett said that with Joe retiring on June 1, 2021 there is a need to get someone in to be able to train with him. He is asking permission to post and advertise for the Street and Alley foreman position. This was discussed at the Employee Concerns Committee meeting and it was recommended to the City Council to post internally and externally for the Street and Alley foreman position. Andy Brackett added that he can have this ready to be posted by Wednesday for the required ten days. It will be posted on the City’s website and Facebook and an ad will run in the Union Banner and the Breese Journal. It will be followed by a review by the Employee Concerns Committee and interviews will be held on February 15th and 16th. Final recommendations will be brought to the Council at the February 22, 2021 meeting.

Alderman Don Perez made a motion to approve posting and advertising for the Street and Alley foreman position. Alderman Mike Jansen seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Scott Diekemper, Don Perez, John Hodapp, Jeremy Weh, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Kent Newkirk, and Shannon Petrea. Nay: none.

City Administrator Andy Brackett said that the position for the Water Distribution Foreman that was also held by Joe Behrman will need to be posted and advertised.

Alderman John Hodapp made a motion to approve posting and advertising for the Water Distribution Foreman position. The motion was seconded by Alderman Shannon Petrea and was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Don Perez, John Hodapp, Jeremy Weh, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Kent Newkirk, Shannon Petrea, and Scott Diekemper. Nay: none.

At 7:32 p.m. a motion to adjourn was made by Alderman Kent Newkirk. The motion was seconded by Alderman Don Perez and was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: John Hodapp, Jeremy Weh, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Kent Newkirk, Shannon Petrea, Scott Diekemper, and Don Perez. Nay: none.

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/carlyle/Board.nsf/Public#