City of Bushnell City Council Met Aug. 2.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor Wilt called the meeting to order
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was given.
Roll Call
Ald. Donna Coates -A Ald. Greg Yocum –P Mayor Robin Wilt – P Utility Manager Joe Fosdyck - P
Ald. Chuck Howell – P Ald. Stacey Allen –P City Clerk Teresa Ebbert - A Interim Police Chief Chaney Ferguson-P
Ald. Kim Havens –P Ald. Bruce Lorton –P Treasurer Betsy Rench –P Street Superintendent David Raymond –P
Ald. David Norton –P Ald. Mike Baker -P City Attorney Chuck Laegeler-P
Carol Holland reported on the B-PC Back Pack Program. They served 57-67 students or 21-25 families last school year. Their annual fund raiser is the 5K Run/Walk Fun Run to be held on Saturday August 28, 2021 at 7:00 a.m. This year’s event includes a 3- or 7-mile Bike Ride as well. Preregistration is required to receive a shirt.
City Attorney Chuck Laegeler arrived 5:35.
Treasurer Betsy Rench reported The City will be receiving $389,616.10 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), for Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund allotment for non-entitlement units of local Government. First half will be received within 30 days and the second half by the end of the year. These funds must be used by 2024 for Replacement income of lost revenue, employee compensation, or infrastructure projects etc. Treasurer Rench has been in contact with Craig Myers, who will be starting the May 2020 through April 2021 Audit, at the end of August. A year long detail ledger has been sent to begin the process.
A motion was made to approve the Consent Agenda:
1. Approval of Minutes from July19, 2021
2. Approve June Financial report
3. Approve and Pay July Bills
Ald. Lorton l made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Ald. Howell seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with the results as follows:
Ald. Howell “aye” Ald. Allen “aye”
Ald. Havens “aye” Ald. Lorton “aye”
Ald. Norton “aye” Ald. Baker “aye”
Ald. Yocum “aye” Ald. Coates A
Where upon Mayor Wilt declared the motion carried.
Ad hoc (Mayor’s Report)
*Mayor made a call to Eric Shangraw with Area Wigand Disposal Company about City wide issues with garbage. He was very apologetic and outlined some of their issues preventing the top-notch service we agreed to. Mr Shangraw will make every effort to communicate better and work out the City garbage issues.
*Mayor Wilt distributed profile informational sheets to all City employees as well as City Council members to have printed information for employee highlights.
*Saturday August 7th at the VFW, during their monthly breakfast, will be a Coffee with a Cop. Mayor Wilt encouraged the council to stop up and introduce themselves to the new police officers. Police Chief Chaney Ferguson will not be available Saturday but will be involved in a Meet and Greet Thursday August 26th during the Fall Festival week.
*September’s Council meeting will be Tuesday, September 7th in observance of Labor Day.
*Deadline for Street Department employee application is August 8th at 4:00.
Public Works
*West Davis Street Road work Bid opening at City Hall on August 11th at 10:00 am.
*Municipal Utilities Supervisor Joe Fosdyck received one bid for Utility Roof repair for 148 E Hail. Ald. Norton made a motion to accept the bid from Cassidy Construction for $19500 to be completed in 90 days. Ald. Yocum seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with the results as follows:
Ald. Howell “aye” Ald. Allen “aye”
Ald. Havens “aye” Ald. Lorton “aye”
Ald. Norton “aye” Ald. Baker “aye”
Ald. Yocum “aye” Ald. Coates A
Where upon Mayor Wilt declared the motion carried.
* Electric Department’s lineman position deadline is August 16th at 4:00
* Utility Supervisor Joe Fosdyck suggests starting Jesse Carter in the Gas Department’s position on August 16th pending drug test.
*Jaysen Delpierre would like to attend Lincoln Land Community College on Sept. 13-17 in Springfield for Electrical Equipment training. Ald. Norton made a motion to allow Mr Delpierre and a potential lineman applicate the schooling in the amount of $650 per person plus peri diem. Ald. Havens seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with the results as follows:
Ald. Howell “aye” Ald. Allen “aye”
Ald. Havens “aye” Ald. Lorton “aye”
Ald. Norton “aye” Ald. Baker “aye”
Ald. Yocum “aye” Ald. Coates A
Where upon Mayor Wilt declared the motion carried.
*A general consensus gave Utility Supervisor Fosdyck approval to purchase two Tablets for Gas and Street Department for mapping system.
*Lastly the IMEA Energy Efficiency has funds for changing uptown City Lights to LED lights saving money. The Bushnell Recreational and Cultural Center will also be targeted by getting bids and applying for some of the funds through an application with the IMEA.
*Public Works Meeting was set for Thursday August 5th 3:00 p.m. at City Hall to discuss
1. Street repairs caused by property owners, utility repairs
2. future infrastructure improvements
* TEST July 2021 report was presented by Greg Fulkerson
* Oil & Chipping will be Friday August 6th weather permitting. ESDA will send out a city-wide alert.
Parks/Recreation/Real Estate
* Ald. Yocum explained the floors at the Bushnell Recreational and Cultural Center will be cleaned and buffed.
* New hard drive for the Camera equipment at was installed to increase security as well as adding more police drive throughs.
*Mayor suggested more advertising for membership at the Bushnell Fitness Room.
Police/Liquor/ESDA
*Bushnell Police department activity report for July was presented.
* McDonough County Police reserves have Fall Festival Railroad Crossings covered for Wednesday and Thursday and will let the city know about Friday and Saturday.
*Next police meeting is Monday August 9th at 4:00 p.m. at the Municipal Complex.
*Mayor Wilt and Chief Ferguson have both touched base with McDonough County Housing Authorities to make connections and ask advise.
*ESDA held a AirVac training last week and Plan to have a Gas drill at the end of the month.
Economic Development meeting will on Tuesday August 3rd at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall to discuss:
*Railroad Crossings that need some cleaned
*Design logo for Zip Code Day
* Other ideas for Zip code Day
Attorney’s Report/Ordinances & Resolutions
*Letter was sent out on July 27th to 396 E Hail requesting they refill and reseed the city easement.
*The Patty Sullivan property is ready for the demolition on Monday August 9th.
Ald Allen motioned to Adjourn.
City Council closed at 6:15 p.m.
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