South Central Reporter

City of Assumption City Council met April 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Bromwell Lodge by Mayor Derek Page who led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll call was answered by Alderpersons Gary Nelsen, Selena Reed, Travis Sullivan, Donny Walden and Ross Workman. Also, present were Mayor Derek Page, Attorney Stephen Hedinger, Treasurer Angel Palmer, Officer Jackson Bugg, Employee Dana Owens and City Clerk Janet Waller. Absent was Alderperson Kandy Smith.

Present in the audience were Joyce Throneburg, Engineer Ron Legner from Chastain’s and Associates, Bob Bantner, Dan Davis, Len Corzine, Joe Mink, Herbie Palmer, Alyssa Hunter, Jim McLeod, Mark McLeod, Jim Stoddard, Engineer Mark Bingham from Bingham Professional Services, Rob Bridgman, Matt Williams and Julie Holthaus.

Council Member Reed, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to approve the minutes of March 6, 2024 City Council Meeting. Motion carried with Alderpersons Workman, Walden, Sullivan, Reed and Nelsen voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Smith was absent.

Approval of Bills:

Council Member Workman, seconded by Council Member Reed, made a motion to approve the payment of bills as they appear on Warrant Sheets. Motion carried with Alderpersons Nelsen, Reed, Sullivan, Walden and Workman voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Smith was absent.

Public Comments on Agenda Items:

No comments

Communications from the Mayor:

Mayor Page has been talking to Senators and also to IDOT about the intersection of Rt 51 and Leafland. IDOT will be scheduling a public meeting to discuss the intersection.

Conner Rowcliff Clean Up Day is April 27. The event begins at 8 am at the Illinois Street Park.

French Heritage Days is April 27. The event begins at 11 am with various events on Chestnut Street.

There have been numerous calls about the peddlers in town. The City has to allow them but if they are rude they can be asked to leave town.

Mayor Page reminded the public that getting vocal with elected officials or employees will not be tolerated.

Communications from the City Attorney:

Attorney Hedinger will address things as we go over the agenda.

Communications from the Treasurer:

The Wastewater Loan will be due on May 6, 2024.

Communications from the Alderpersons:

None.

Under New Business:

Engineer Ron Legner gave an update on the Sanitary Sewer Phase 2 Project. The project is 45% complete and going well.

The watermain and replacement project is 30 to 40% complete.

The Water Treatment Plant Project will be bids due by May 14th. Engineer Legner asked to have the council approve bids at a Special Meeting on May 21st is possible.

The following disbursement was presented.

Motion to approve Sanitary Sewer Project

Petersburg Pay Request $279,468.25

Loan Disbursement $294,711.68

Total $574,179.93

Council Member Sullivan, seconded by Walden, made a motion to approve the Petersburg Pay request for $279,468.25 and loan disbursement for $294,711.68 for a total of $574,179.93. Motion carried with Alderpersons Reed, Walden, Sullivan, Workman and Nelsen voting aye and Alderperson Smith was absent.

The following invoices were present:

Motion to approve Chastain invoices:

8527-02 Street Maintenance Program $803.72

6886-52 Sewer Separation Phase 2 $15,308.18

7644-45 Water Improvements – Water Plant Addition $8,775.50

Total Amount $24,887.40

Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Workman, made a motion to approve the above listed invoices for a total of $24,887.40. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Nelsen, Workman, Reed and Sullivan voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Smith was absent.

A motion to approve a change order to add 24 feet of 15” trench backfill 12-16 feet deep for an addition of $3,720 due to additional granular backfill was needed. Council Member Walden, seconded by Council Member Sullivan, made a motion to approve the change order for an addition of $3,720 for additional granular backfill. Motion carried with Alderpersons Sullivan, Nelsen, Reed, Walden and Workman voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Smith was absent.

The payment for the Garwood lease is $2,200.00 is due. Council Member Workman, seconded by Nelsen, made a motion to approve the payment of the Garwood Lease for $2,200.00. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Workman, Sullivan, Reed and Nelsen voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Smith was absent.

The ordinance for Solar Farms with a ½ mile setback from the City of Assumption was presented to the council. The Zoning Board Meeting approved a ½ mile setback from the City of Assumption. Members of the audience were present for further discussion on the setbacks. A member of the public would like to change the ordinance to state any commercial solar project proposal between 0.5 and 1.5 miles from the city border will be dealt with on a case by case basis. Another member of the public noted a ½ mile is a compromise. Council Member Workman, seconded by Council Member Reed, made a motion to approve Ordinance 812 Solar Farm Setback of a ½ mile from City of Assumption. Motion carried with Alderperson Workman, Sullivan, Reed and Nelsen voting aye and Walden voting nay. Alderperson Smith was absent.

An ordinance to amend the Christian County Enterprise Zone to add and delete territory and the Intergovernmental Agreement was presented. Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Workman, made a motion to approve Ordinance 813 to amend City of Assumption Ordinance 746 dated October 2, 2019 and Ordinance 755 dated January 5, 2022 to add territory to and to delete territory from the Taylorville Christian County Enterprise Zone and Amend the Intergovernmental Agreement. Motion carried with Alderpersons Nelsen, Reed, Sullivan, Walden and Workman voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Smith was absent.

A request from Green Wave Consulting and the IEPA for a groundwater ordinance to address groundwater contamination. The site consists of portions of South US Business 51 (2600 East Road and the following parcels 01-20-02-404-004-00 and 01- 20-02-404-006-00. The council agreed on the fine of $250.00 for anyone violating this ordinance. Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Reed, made a motion to approve Ordinance 814 an ordinance prohibiting the use of groundwater as a potable water supply by the installation or use of potable water supply wells or by any other method. Motion carried with Alderpersons Reed, Walden, Sullivan, Workman and Nelsen voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Smith was absent.

The council reviewed a TIF application from the Assumption Fire District for equipment for the price of $18,332.16 for the Assumption Ambulance. Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Walden, made the motion to approve the TIF application from the Assumption Fire District for the Assumption Ambulance for equipment cost of $18,332.16. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Nelsen, Workman, Reed and Sullivan voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Smith was absent.

A resolution to authorize the City to enter into an agreement with the Fire District for the provision of TIF funds for the item cost of $18,332.16 was presented to the council. Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Workman, made a motion to approve Resolution 2024-3 authorizing the City to enter into an agreement with the Fire District for the provision of TIF funds for the item cost of $18,332.16. Motion carried with Alderpersons Sullivan, Nelsen, Reed, Walden and Workman voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Smith was absent.

Council Member Reed, seconded by Council Member Nelsen, made a motion to approve an agreement between the City and Fire District that outlines the one grant to them for the acquisition of the medical device. Motion carried with Alderpersons Nelsen, Reed, Sullivan, Walden and Workman voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Smith was absent.

Mayor Page informed the council the Vista Grant is not available this year to cover the cost of the Summer Recreation Employee. The City will need to hire an employee for Summer Recreation for the month of June and July. The employee will be paid $14.00 an hour. There was also discussion of possibly hiring another Summer Recreation employee to assist if needed as there was a great turnout last year. Council Member Workman, seconded by Council Member Nelsen, made a motion to hire a Summer Recreation Employee at $14.00 an hour from the Park Fund. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Workman, Sullivan, Reed and Nelsen voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Smith was absent.

8 benches will be purchased thru the plastic bottle cap program not to exceed $2,500.00. Council Member Reed, seconded by Council Member Nelsen, made a motion to purchase 8 benches thru the plastic bottle cap program not to exceed $2,500.00. Motion carried with Alderpersons Reed, Walden, Sullivan, Workman and Nelsen voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Smith was absent.

An ordinance amending the park hours was presented to the council. The park hours will be changed from dawn to dusk. Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Reed, made a motion to approve Ordinance 816 to amend Park hours from dawn to dusk. Motion carried with Alderpersons Workman, Walden, Sullivan, Reed and Nelsen voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Smith was absent.

A frame for the swings is needed for the Park. The cost of the frame is $2,419.75. Council Member Workman, seconded by Council Member Nelsen, made a motion to approve the purchase of a frame for the swings at the Park for the cost of $2,419.75. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Workman, Sullivan, Reed and Nelsen voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Smith was absent.

The cost of trees for the Park will be approximately $1,000.00. Council Member Walden, seconded by Council Member Workman, made a motion to approve the purchase of trees for the Park for $1,000.00. Motion carried with Alderpersons Sullivan, Nelsen, Reed, Walden and Workman voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Smith was absent.

Engineer Mark Bingham gave an update on the Baxmeyer Subdivision.

Motion to approve Subdivision Invoices:

Burdick Pay Request $139,990.50

Sorling Northrup Bill $2,056.25

Ameren Electric Line Extension $57,735.30

Ameren Gas Installation $23,634.92

Midwest Meter $6,544.00 Total $229,960.97

Council Member Reed, seconded by Council Member Workman, made a motion to approve payment of the above listed invoices for the Baxmeyer Subdivision for a total of $229,960.97. Motion carried with Alderpersons Sullivan, Nelsen, Reed, Walden and Workman voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Smith was absent.

A change order for the Baxmeyer Sanitary System will be an increase of $6,332.00 for a manhole external drop stack was installed per IEPA instead of internal. Council Member Reed, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to approve the increase of $6,332.00 for a manhole external drop stack that was installed per IEPA instead of internal. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Nelsen, Workman, Reed and Sullivan voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Smith was absent.

Council Member Walden, seconded by Council Member Sullivan, made a motion to approve $8,600.00 for roadway topsoil removal by Holthaus Beyers. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden Sullivan, Reed and Nelsen voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Workman abstained and Alderperson Smith was absent.

Council Member Walden, seconded by Council Member Sullivan, made a motion to approve $3,800.00 for roadway subgrade fill and compaction by Holthaus Beyers. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Sullivan, Reed and Nelsen voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Workman abstained and Alderperson Smith was absent.

Council Member Reed, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to approve purchasing 2,000 tons of CA6 Base Course for $23,000.00 from Nokomis Rock Quarry. Motion carried with Alderpersons Nelsen, Reed, Sullivan, Walden and Workman voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Smith was absent.

Council Member Walden, seconded by Council Member Workman, made a motion to approve placing/spreading 2,000 tons of CA6 base course for $4,448 by T&J Excavating. Motion carried with Alderpersons Reed, Walden, Sullivan, Workman and Nelsen voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Smith was absent.

Council Member Walden, seconded by Council Member Reed, made a motion to approve $16,000 for hauling 2,000 tons of CA6 Aggregate Base Course by Gaither Farms at $7.50 per Ton with additional hauling by Holthaus Beyers Drainage at $7.50 per tone and/or Big J Trucking at $8.50 per ton with any additional hauling necessary only if quarry has limited supply. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Nelsen, Reed and Sullivan voting aye and 0 ayes. Alderperson Workman abstained and Smith was absent.

Public Comments:

Council Member Workman, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to adjourn at 8:02 pm. Motion carried with Alderpersons Nelsen, Reed, Sullivan, Walden and Workman voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Smith was absent.

https://cityofassumption.org/documents/397/4-_April_2024.doc.pdf