Pittsfield City Council approves annual tax levy on second reading

By Lhalie Castillo

Dec 15, 2016

Pittsfield City Council met Tuesday, Nov. 15.

The council is the governing body for the city of Pittsfield. Members typically meets at 7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month from May through October, and at 6 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month from November through April.

Here are the minutes as provided by Pittsfield:

November 15, 2016

The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Pittsfield, Pike County, Illinois, was held on Tuesday, November 15, 2016, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was held at the City Council room at 215 North Monroe Street. The following officers were present: Mayor John Hayden, City Clerk Cindy Prentice, and Aldermen Kevin Ketchum, Ed Knight, Paul Lennon, Robert Ritchart, Bill Scheiwe, Robert Wilson, Kevin Wombles and Robert Wood.

Mayor Hayden presided.

Alderman Ketchum moved to approve the minutes of the last regular Council meeting.

Alderman Scheiwe seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Knight, Lennon, Ritchart, Scheiwe,

Wilson, Wombles, Wood (7)

Nay: None (0)

Present: Ketchum (1)

The motion carried.

Alderman Ketchum moved to approve the Treasurer’s Monthly Report for the month of October 2016.

Alderman Wood seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart,

Scheiwe, Wilson, Wombles, Wood (8)

Nay: None (0)

The motion carried.

Alderman Lennon moved to accept the recommendation of the Zoning Committee to approve the variance for Susan Beth Shaw, owner of the property located at 327 South Memorial Street in Pittsfield to permit placement of a portable building, which will be two feet six inches (2’6”) instead of the required six feet (6’) from the north property line, as long as she owns the property.

Alderman Wombles seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Ketchum, Knight, Lennon,

Ritchart, Wilson, Wombles (6)

Nay: Scheiwe, Wood (2)

The motion carried.

Alderman Ritchart moved to accept the recommendation of the Zoning Committee to approve the variance for the City of Pittsfield, owners of the property located between West Washington and West Fayette Streets and between the car wash and Ingersoll’s property in Pittsfield to permit the construction of a road, the grade of which will be 5.7% instead of the maximum 5% on a through street in order to obtain a permit from the Illinois Department of Transportation to connect with US Highway 54.

Alderman Lennon seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart,

Scheiwe, Wilson, Wombles, Wood (8)

Nay: None (0)

The motion carried.

November 15, 2016

Alderman Knight moved to approve Pay Request No. 4 for Shortridge Construction Co. Inc. in the amount of $125,823.87.

Alderman Wood seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart,

Scheiwe, Wilson, Wombles, Wood (8)

Nay: None (0)

The motion carried.

Alderman Wood moved to approve Pay Resolution No. 5, Estimate of Funds Needed, New Fire Department Building.

Alderman Wombles seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart,

Scheiwe, Wilson, Wombles, Wood (8)

Nay: None (0)

The motion carried.

Alderman Wood moved to approve Amendment No. 2 for the MECO Agreement for Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvement Project with an increase from $190,000.00 to $205,000.00.

Alderman Ritchart seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart,

Scheiwe, Wilson, Wombles, Wood (8)

Nay: None (0)

The motion carried.

Max Middendorf invited the Mayor and Council to join the SCADA training tomorrow at the Wastewater Treatment Facility at 9:00 a.m.

Alderman Wood moved to approve Ordinance No. 1574, An Ordinance Providing for the Annual Tax Levy of the City of Pittsfield, Pike County, Illinois, Commencing on the First Day of May, 2016, and Ending on the Thirtieth Day of April, 2017, on its second reading.

Alderman Knight seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart,

Scheiwe, Wilson, Wombles, Wood (8)

Nay: None (0)

The motion carried.

Alderman Ritchart moved to close Lake Pittsfield by the end of the week.

Alderman Ketchum seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart,

Scheiwe, Wilson, Wombles, Wood (8)

Nay: None (0)

The motion carried.

Zoning and Building Permit Administrator Tom Reinhardt said all of the bathrooms in the parks in town have been closed for the winter.

November 15, 2016

Alderman Wombles moved to approve a $200.00 Christmas bonus for all full-time City employees.

Alderman Lennon seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart,

Scheiwe, Wilson, Wombles, Wood (8)

Nay: None (0)

The motion carried.

Mayor Hayden stated that due to the difficulty of scheduling a City Christmas party he asked employees if they would rather have extra on their Christmas bonus. Most were in favor of the added bonus so an extra $100.00 per employee will be given in lieu of a Christmas party this year. It causes no additional cost to the City since that much was spent on the Christmas party in years past.

Mayor Hayden reported the Gas and Water Department was flushing hydrants in town today. Gas and Water Foreman Bruce McKee stated all went well except for a blown main by Pine Lakes.

Mayor Hayden said the Piper Lane loan has been paid in full. The last payment was made last week. He encouraged aldermen to make suggestions of streets needing maintenance. Niemann Foods will be moving forward with their new building project in the spring of 2017. The final inspection for the new Kamar road will be Friday from 11:00 to 12:00.

Mayor Hayden attended the meeting for the Florence bridge phase study, of which he is a member of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee, and said the bridge is critical for the economy in the area. Many grain trucks and trucks coming from the nearby quarry use the bridge frequently.

Liability, workers’ compensation and health insurance quotes are being reviewed and will soon be up for renewal. A Finance Committee meeting will be held soon to determine which policies will be selected.

Max Middendorf suggested perhaps SCADA training could be done as a group for the mayor and aldermen.

It was suggested that the new owner of the Irving building be sent a letter before winter requesting they pick up the metal in the alley before it is caught by the wind or the Fire Department needs through the alley, etc.

Alderman Ritchart moved to approve the Finance Committee Report and the Clerk be directed to issue the claims thereon.

Alderman Knight seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart,

Scheiwe, Wilson, Wombles, Wood (8)

Nay: None (0)

The motion carried.

Mayor Hayden said the extra equipment has been taken to the fairgrounds for the sale the first weekend in December.

November 15, 2016

Alderman Lennon moved to go into closed session at 6:23 p.m. to discuss personnel. Police Chief Kenny Yelliott was asked to stay for the session.

Alderman Knight seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart,

Scheiwe, Wilson, Wombles, Wood (8)