South Central Reporter

City of Bunker Hill City Council met July 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, and COUNCIL’S PRAYER: Mayor Chapman called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.

Present: Mayor John Chapman, Council Members David Schick, Rick Girth, Carlos Arzuagas, Glenn Bruckert, and Grover Webb, City Clerk Heather Kraus, City Attorney Rick Verticchio (via phone), City Treasurer Lisa Webb, Chief of Police Zach Girth

Absent: None

Gallery: Ronnie Paul, Dwight Moore, Amy Pickleseimer, Dave McDonald

2. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA:

A. Review and Approval of Minutes and Reports: Reg. Mtg. Min., June 12, 2024; Special Meeting, June 17, 2024; Clerk’s Reports: June, 2024; Water Dept. Reports: June, 2024; Treasurer’s Reports: June, 2024. The motion was made by Council Member Bruckert to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion was seconded by Council Member Girth.

Roll Call

Ayes: Schick, Girth, Arzuagas, Bruckert, Webb

Nays: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

B. Approval of the Executive Session Minutes: There were no Executive Session Minutes.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

A. Mayor Chapman requested a Committee Meeting be scheduled to open the Solar Bids received to provide an opportunity to discuss differences in the proposals as explained to him by the representatives for each company. The Committee meeting was agreed to be held Friday, July 12, 2024 at 5:10 at the Chamber.

B. Agreement with Moran Economic Development: Council Member Bruckert made the motion to sign the Agreement with Moran to develop a proposal for Moran to complete a survey of sales and property tax to ensure all entities are correctly aligned. The Clerk was to contact the agency and schedule the project. Council Member Arzuagas made the second.

Roll Call

Ayes: Schick, Girth, Arzuagas, Bruckert, Webb

Nays: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

C. Approve Changes to Ordinance 4-3-5&12: Council Member Arzuagas made the motion to approve the following changes to the Peddler Section of the Ordinance Book: 4-3-5 to read “Monday- Friday from 10 am -5 pm. No Saturday, Sunday, State or Federal Holidays.” And 4-5-12 to read “Fees: Daily- $75/person/day Weekly- $150/person/week for a five day week.” And to remove the annual license fee.

Roll Call

Ayes: Schick, Girth, Arzuagas, Bruckert, Webb

Nays: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

A. Kiwanis Club Fundraiser Approved: Council Member Bruckert made the motion to approve the Peanut Day for the Kiwanis Club at the four way stop on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024 from sunup to 3:00 pm or until they ran out of peanuts. Council Member Schick made the second.

Roll Call

Ayes: Schick, Girth, Arzuagas, Bruckert, Webb

Nays: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

B. Fun Day at the Park Approved: Council Member Girth made the motion to approve the BHBS sponsored 2nd Annual Fun Day at the Park on Sunday, August 18, 2024 from 2 pm-6 pm. There will be numerous activities and concessions and item to be sold. Council Member Arzuagas made the second.

Roll Call

Ayes: Schick, Girth, Arzuagas, Bruckert, Webb

Nays: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

C. Fall Fest Approved: Council Member Bruckert made the motion to approve the Chamber of Commerce sponsored Fall Fest for Saturday, September 17, 2024 from 7am -11pm. Council Member Arzuagas made the second. Council Member Girth raised a concern about creating No Parking Areas to allow the mail truck access to the Post Office Building. The details will be worked out a future date.

Roll Call

Ayes: Schick, Girth, Arzuagas, Bruckert, Webb

Nays: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

D. Touchdown Club Fundraiser Approved: Council Member Arzuagas made the motion to approve the Touchdown Club Fundraiser to provide funds for meals for the football players. Ms. Pickleseimer requested permission to use the four way stop on July 13, 2024 from 8 am-12pm. Council Member Girth made the second.

Roll Call

Ayes: Schick, Girth, Arzuagas, Bruckert, Webb

Nays: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

E. Purchase of Banner Hardware for Street Lights: Tabled until Council Member Schick could determine if he could fabricate the hardware.

F. Water Improvement Update: Mayor Chapman summarized the Public Works Committee’s recommendation to make improvements to the water line infrastructure. The Council charged Mr. Paul to begin the preliminary engineering report with the improvements in the third plan presented to the Council at the last meeting. No vote was necessary as the work was approved last month.

G. Lagoon Cover Removal Project: Council Member Schick made the motion to approve using Killion Construction Co. Killion will remove the Lagoon cover, dispose of related materials, and install the ball system cover for $104,181. Council Member Bruckert made the second.

Roll Call

Ayes: Schick, Girth, Arzuagas, Bruckert, Webb

Nays: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

H. Purchase of Body Worn Cameras and Storage: Chief Girth submitted a bid by Digital Ally for five body cams, docking station, chargers, installation, service plan, and cloud storage for $21,160.24. Council Member Arzuagas made the motion to approve and Council Member Bruckert made the second.

Roll Call

Ayes: Schick, Girth, Arzuagas, Bruckert, Webb

Nays: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

I. Approval to hire Alec Bowman as FT police officer: Council Member Arzuagas made the motion to approve hiring of Alec Bowman as FT police officer subject to all contractual obligations. Council Member Bruckert made the second.

Roll Call

Ayes: Schick, Girth, Arzuagas, Bruckert, Webb

Nays: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

J. Grocery Tax Ordinance: The Council instructed Mr. Rick Verticchio to proceed with preparing an ordinance to reinstate the Grocery Sales Tax.

K. Discussion Concerning Bunker Hill’s 150 (+1) Anniversary: Discussion followed concerning celebrating Bunker Hill’s 150 years at Fall Fest. Any suggestions are welcome.

L. Approval of Funds for MCI Conference: Clerk Kraus requested funds not to exceed $2,000 for expenses for the MCI Institute in October. She has requested a scholarship to cover tuition. Council Member Arzuagas made the motion to approve the funds. Council Member Bruckert made the second.

Roll Call

Ayes: Schick, Girth, Arzuagas, Bruckert, Webb

Nays: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

M. Sidewalk Easement Discussion: The Council discussed obtaining an easement to build a sidewalk to connect the Mae Whitaker Park to the new sidewalks that will be installed in the IDOT renovation of Rt. 159. The Council instructed Mr. Rick Verticchio to proceed with investigating existing easements and recommend a course of action at the next meeting.

5. EXECUTIVE REPORTS:

A. Public Works: Discussion about the vandalism in the bathrooms at MWP indicated that action will need to be taken to prevent damage and misuse of these facilities. The bathrooms may have to be closed due to continuous misuse. Other strategies were discussed. If the misuse and damage of property continues there will have to be actions taken.

B. Police Department: Chief summarized his reports. There were several warrant arrests. He updated the status of the equipment installation in the new car.

C. City Clerk: The clerk provided an updated ordinance notification list. Most of the mowing violations have been resolved. There was discussion about trash in yards. She requested that official’s training be completed. Chris and she have applied for some grant training. She provided an update on grants that are being investigated. Mr. Paul explained the delay in the police car grant. She summarized information from the Illinois Archive concerning the condition of the documents in the office. The office has very old documents in the records. Council Member Arzuagas gave input from the point of view of the Historical Society.

D. Committee Reports: None provided.

6. ATTORNY MATTERS: Mr. Verticchio provided updates for ongoing ordinance issues: Mr. Tervasi did not appear at his hearing prepared a written notice of default effective July 25; Dennis Rull had an extension to repair the building till August 1; Tom Ament agreed to pay the closing costs and $200 for the property on 410 E Wilbur. Mr. Verticchio asked to discuss the police officer issue in Executive Session.

7. COMMENTS FROM VISITORS:

Mr. McDonald made comments praising the City on the condition of the parks and the events held this past weekend. He continued with comments about building tiny houses for immigrants in Bunker Hill. Mr. Verticchio cautioned him and reminded him of the Ordinance for new construction that was passed recently. After some clarification of the Ordinance he excused himself from the Chamber. Mr. Verticchio offered to send him a copy of the Ordinance for his inspection.

8. ROLL CALL FOR CONCERNS FROM THE COUNCIL MEMBERS: None

9. ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mr. Verticchio requested adjournment to Executive Session. Council Member Bruckert made the motion to adjourn to Executive Session. Council Member Schick made the second. The Council Adjourned to Executive Session at 8:46 pm. Voice Vote, Carried.

10. ACTION AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION: None

11. ADJOURN: Council Member Bruckert made motion, seconded by Council Member Schick to adjourn the Regular Council Meeting of the City of Bunker Hill of July 10, 2024. Voice vote. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:58 pm.

https://cityofbunkerhillil.org/agendas-minutes/