South Central Reporter

City of Assumption City Council met Dec. 4.

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, Kim Porter, Selena Reed, Kandy Smith and Donny Walden. Also, present were Attorney Andrew Jarmer, Employee Dana Owens and City Clerk Janet Waller.

Absent were Alderperson Travis Sullivan and Treasurer Angel Palmer.

Present in the audience were Tom Gary the Director of Illinois Funds, Engineer Ron Legner from Chastain’s & Associates, Marilyn Ashinhurst, Janis Herbord, Bill Herbord, Joyce Throneburg, Dan Davis, Julie Holthaus, Seath Hubbs and wife Heather.

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

Approval of Bills:

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

Public Comments

The park handles need to be replaced and will be less than $1,000.00. Communications from the Mayor:

Mayor Page thanked everyone involved with the fire at Moore Brothers Shop. Communications from the City Attorney:

Attorney Jarmer will go over items as needed on the agenda.

Communications from the Treasurer:

No report.

Communications from the Alderpersons:

No comments.

Under New Business:

Mayor Page swore in Police Officer Seath Hubbs. Seath has agreed to be Acting Chief of Police. Mayor Page than swore Seath Hubbs in as Acting Chief of Police. A welcoming party will be held at a later date.

Mayor Page introduced Tom Gary from the Illinois Fund Program. The Illinois Funds program is an investment of funds that earn interest. There is no additional fee but there is an administrative fee of what money is invested. If the money that is invested is needed it can be taken out. The council will discuss later if they choose to invest any funds.

Engineer Ron Legner from Chastain & Associates gave an update on the Sewer Project. The project is 75% completed and will be finished in June 2025.

The Watermain and lead service project is all installed. The project is currently capping off old abandoned mains and is approximately 80% completed.

A change order for line stops will be $1,115.44.

A change order for $95,690.30 due to a 10 feet easement and expanded fence.

Motion to approve invoice for Sewer:

Petersburg Pay Request $570,530.17

Chastain Invoice 6886-60 $6,586.39

Total $577,116.56

Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Walden, made a motion to approve the Petersburg Pay request for $570,530.17 and Chastain pay request for $6,586.39 for a total of $577,116.56. Motion carried with Alderpersons Smith, Walden, Reed, Nelsen and Porter voting aye and 0 nays. Sullivan was absent.

Motion to approve invoice for Watermain Project

Petersburg Pay Request $101,510.05

Chastain Invoice 7644.01-28 $9,070.03

Chastain Invoice 7644.53 $4,169.46

Total $114,749.54

Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to approve payment of total of $114,749.54 for Petersburg Plumbing pay request of $101,510.05 and a Chastain invoice $9,070.03 and $4,169.46. Motion carried with Alderpersons Nelsen, Smith, Porter, Reed and Walden voting aye and 0 nays. Sullivan was absent.

Motion to approve invoice for Lead Service Line Replacement Project Petersburg Plumbing Disbursement $92,500.80

Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to approve Petersburg Plumbing Disbursement for $92,500.80. Motion carried with Alderpersons Reed, Walden, Smith, Nelsen and Porter voting aye and 0 nays. Sullivan was absent.

A change order for watermain line stops costs is $1,115.44. Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Reed, made a motion to approve the Sewer project change order CO 6 for $1,115.44. Motion carried with Alderpersons Porter, Reed, Nelsen, Smith and Walden voting aye and 0 nays. Sullivan was absent.

A change order for fencing to include the 10 feet easement is $95,690.30. Council Member Walden, seconded by Council Member Smith, made a motion to approve the change order for $95,360.00 for fencing at Leafland Lift Station. Motion carried with Alderpersons Reed, Smith, Porter, Nelsen and Walden voting aye and 0 nays. Sullivan was absent.

Mayor Page explained there is some electrical repairs needed for the downtown Christmas lights. The approximate costs is $1,000.00. Assumption Community Pride Association may be willing to share the costs. Council Member Reed, seconded by Council Member Nelsen, made the motion to approve $1,000.00 for electrical repairs for the downtown Christmas lights. Motion carried with Alderpersons Nelsen, Reed, Porter, Smith and Walden voting aye and 0 nays. Sullivan was absent.

The costs for signs at the Baxmeyer Subdivision showing lot size was $270.00.00. Joyce Throneburg purchased the signs and would like the city to reimburse. Council Member Walden, seconded by Council Member Reed, made a motion to pay $270.00 to Joyce Throneburg for the costs of the lot size signs. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Reed, Smith, Nelsen and Porter voting aye and 0 nays. Sullivan was absent.

The cost of rock for seal coating will be $15,000.00. Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Smith, made a motion to approve $15,000.00 for rock for seal coating. Motion carried with Alderpersons Smith, Walden, Reed, Nelsen, and Porter voting aye and 0 nays. Sullivan was absent.

Preliminary Ordinance 828 Tax Levy was presented. The increase was 4.5%. It was questioned about the rate increase and noted the increase could hurt some of our residents. Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to approve Ordinance 828 for 2025 Tax Levy. Motion carried with Alderpersons Nelsen, Smith, Reed and Walden voting aye and Porter nay. Sullivan was absent.

The cost of equipment for the new Police Officer will be $2,500.00. Council Member Reed, seconded by Council Member Porter made the motion to approve $2,500.00 for police equipment for the new Officer. Motion carried with Alderpersons Reed, Walden, Smith, Nelsen and Porter voting aye and 0 nays. Sullivan was absent.

The insurance stipend was discussed at the Committee of the Whole Meeting. The Alderpersons would like to raise the stipend to $750.00. $750.00 is the take home pay for the stipend. Council Member Smith, seconded by Council Member Reed, made the motion to raise the insurance stipend to $750.00 effective January 1, 2024. Motion carried with Alderpersons Porter, Reed, Nelsen, Smith and Walden voting aye and 0 nays. Sullivan was absent.

An insurance stipend for the collector was discussed by Attorney Jarmer.

The interest payment for the Baxmeyer Subdivision will be $18,600.00. Council Member Walden, seconded by Council Member Reed, made the motion to approve the payment of $18,600.00 to be paid by December 31, 2024. Motion carried with Alderpersons Smith, Walden, Reed, Nelsen and Porter voting aye and 0 nays.

Public Comments:

Council Member Walden, seconded by Council Member Nelsen, made a motion to adjourn at 8:22 pm. Motion carried with Alderpersons Nelsen, Porter, Reed, Smith, and Walden voting aye and 0 nays. Sullivan was absent.

Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion at the January 2, 2024 City Council to approve the minutes of the December 4, 2024 City Council Meeting. Motion carried with Alderpersons Nelsen, Porter, Reed, Sullivan and Walden voting aye and 0 nays. Alderperson Smith was absent.

https://cityofassumption.org/documents/397/12-_December_2024.doc.pdf