South Central Reporter

City of Assumption City Council met Feb. 5.

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, Travis Sullivan and Donny Walden. Also, present were Mayor Page, Attorney Stephen Hedinger, Acting Police Chief Seath Hubbs, Treasurer Angel Palmer, Water Collector Tanya Rhoades, Employee Dana Owens and City Clerk Janet Waller.

Present in the audience were Engineer Ron Legner from Chastain’s & Associates, Engineer David Luca from Chastain and Associates, Felicia King, Janis Herbord, Bill Herbord, Julie Holthaus, Herbie Palmer, Joe Mink and Lynn Zuber.

Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to approve the minutes of January 2, 2025 City Council Meeting. Motion carried with Alderpersons Nelsen, Porter, Reed, Sullivan and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

Approval of Bills:

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

Public Comments

Communications from the Mayor:

A window was broken at Bond School. The City hired Kevin Butler to cover the window and a bill will be sent to the owner.

Mayor Page read a resignation letter from Alderperson Kandy Smith effective February 5th. Mayor Page will be looking for someone to replace her since it is more than 90 days until when the position would be filled from the election.

Mayor Page is working with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for creeks and Alderperson Kim Porter will be assisting him.

Mayor Page noted the City will be observing Lincoln’s Birthday and also President’s Day this month. He will also be adding Easter Holiday to the handbook in the near future.

Communications from the City Attorney:

Attorney Hedinger will go over things as on the agenda.

Communications from the Treasurer:

Nothing to report.

Communications from the Alderpersons:

No comments.

Under New Business:

Engineer Ron Legner introduced Project Manager David Luca. He will be focusing on the projects under construction.

2 Petersburg Plumbing crews have been on site. They are working on putting in mains and hooking up sewer services to the residents. The project is 80% complete. All watermains have been installed. They will be disconnecting and capping old mains in the near future. Clean up will be done along with seeding before the end of the project June 30, 2025. The lead service line is about 69% complete. There are 2 change orders that need approved. The first one is $78,298.60 for additional backfill. The other is for $5,790.36 for watermain capping.

Ron reviewed the contract with Chastain’s for the design and contract. There is no additional cost. They want to adjust the design amount down and put the amount to the construction amount. It will still be the $665,000.00 cost. It will be all loan eligible.

The forgiveness on the Sewer Loan will be 31.8% of the total of $7.763 million loan.

Motion to approve invoice for Sewer:

Petersburg Pay Request $152,218.77

Chastain Invoice 6886-60 $15,507.20

Total $167,725.97

Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Walden, made a motion to approve the Petersburg Pay request for $152,218.77 and Chastain pay request for $15,507.20 for a total of $167,725.97. Motion carried with Alderpersons Reed, Walden, Nelsen, Sullivan and Porter voting aye and 0 nays.

Motion to approve invoice for Watermain Project

Petersburg Pay Request $68,571.96

Chastain Invoice 7644.01-29 $5,375.84

Total $73,947.80

Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to approve payment of total of $73,947.80 for Petersburg Plumbing pay request of $68,571.96 and a Chastain invoice $5,375.84. Motion carried with Alderpersons Sullivan, Nelsen, Porter, Reed and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

Motion to approve invoice for Lead Service Line Replacement Project Petersburg Plumbing Disbursement $64,420.08

Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Sullivan, made a motion to approve a total of $64,420.08 for Petersburg Plumbing. Motion carried with Alderpersons Porter, Reed, Nelsen, Sullivan and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to approve the amended contract for Chastain and Associates. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Nelsen, Reed, Sullivan and Porter voting aye and 0 nays.

Additional rock for oil and chip will be $3,000.00 for the repair of the roads on the west side of town this summer. Council Member Reed, seconded by Council Member Nelsen, made the motion to approve the $3,000.00 for rock. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Sullivan, Reed, Nelsen and Porter voting aye and 0 nays.

Treasurer Palmer has checked rates at the First National Bank of Pana Assumption Branch for $335,344.00 to invest MFT funds. Their rate is 4.52% for 9 months and 4.0% for 12 months. The First National Bank of Assumption on Chestnut Street rate is 4.25% for 12 months and no penalty to withdraw early. The council agreed to do the First National Bank of Assumption on Chestnut Street. Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Reed, made the motion to approve the investment of $335,344.00 of MFT Funds for 4.25% for 12 months at the First National Bank of Assumption on Chestnut Street. Motion carried with Alderperson Nelsen, Sullivan, Walden, Porter and Reed voting aye and 0 nays.

The preliminary ordinance for the towing and impoundment of vehicles will be tabled until the Committee of the Whole meeting February 18, 2025 for further discussion.

The fee for the yearly audit will be a total of $24,400.00. This includes the $17,400 for the City audit and $7,000 for the Single Audit requirements related to Federal programs. Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Porter, made the motion to approve the yearly audit for a total cost of $24,400.00. Motion carried with Alderpersons Sullivan, Nelsen, Porter, Reed and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

A preliminary ordinance for an amendment to the Christian County Enterprise Zone was discussed by Mayor Page to include Edinburg and Stonington in the Enterprise Zone. Council Member Reed, seconded by Council Member Nelsen, made the motion to approve Ordinance 830 for the amendment to the Christian County Enterprise Zone to include Edinburg and Stonington. Motion carried with Alderpersons Porter, Reed, Nelsen, Sullivan and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

The Baxmeyer Subdivision Sanitary final pay disbursement for Burdick Plumbing and Heating is $35,303.70. Council Member Walden, seconded by Council Member Sullivan, made a motion to approve the Baxmeyer Subdivision Sanitary pay disbursement for Burdick Heating and Plumbing for $35,303.70. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Sullivan, Reed, Nelsen and Porter voting aye and 0 nays.

The change order for Baxmeyer Subdivision Sanitary for a deduct for Burdick Plumbing and Heating is $-3,750.00. Council Member Walden, seconded by Council Member Sullivan, made a motion to approve a change order deduct for Burdick Plumbing and Heating of $-3,750.00 for the Baxmeyer Subdivision. Motion carried with Alderpersons Nelsen, Sullivan, Walden, Porter and Reed.

A change order of $78,298.60 for additional backfill was needed for the Sanitary Sewer Project Phase 2. Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to approve $78,298.60 change order add on for additional backfill for the Sanitary Sewer Project. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Nelsen, Reed, Sullivan and Porter voting aye and 0 nays.

A change order of $5,790.36 for capping of watermains. Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council member Sullivan, made a motion to approve a change order of $5,790.36 for capping of watermains. Motion carried with Alderpersons Reed, Walden, Nelsen, Sullivan and Porter voting aye and 0 nays.

Engineer Ron Legner updated the council on the Water Treatment Plant. The loan has been signed and everything is going as planned. Mayor Page mentioned about President Trump putting a hold on federal grants.

Public Comments:

A member of the public informed the council they need to be held accountable on following the water ordinances and the public should be treated with respect at all times.

Council Member Reed, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to adjourn at 7:50 pm. Motion carried with Alderpersons Sullivan, Nelsen, Porter, Reed and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

Council Member Reed, seconded by Council Member Nelsen, made the motion to approve the City Council Minutes of February 5, 2025. Motion carried with Alderpersons Nelsen, Porter, Reed, Sullivan and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

https://cityofassumption.org/documents/397/2-_February_2025.pdf