City of Pittsfield City Council met Oct. 18.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Pittsfield, Pike County, Illinois, was held at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was held in the Council Room at the Pittsfield City all at 215 N Monroe Street. The following officers were present: Mayor Gary Mendenhall, City Clerk Ann Moffit, and Alderman Bill Grimsley, Paul Lennon, Chris Little, Robert Ritchart, Beth White, Robert Wilson, and Kevin Wombles. Alderman Kevin Ketchum was absent.
Mayor Mendenhall presided.
Alderman Ketchum moved to approve October 04, 2022 city council minutes.
Alderman Lennon seconded the motion.
Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Lennon, Little, Ritchart, White, Wilson (7)
Nay: NONE (0)
Present: Wombles (1)
The motion carried.
Alderman Ritchart moved to approve the annual audit for fiscal year May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022 as presented by Franklin & Vaughn, LLC.
Alderwoman White seconded the motion.
Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Lennon, Little, Ritchart, White, Wilson (7)
Nay: NONE (0)
Present: Wombles (1)
The motion carried.
Mayor’s Announcements:
Mayor Mendenhall and Clerk Moffit attended the grand opening of Memory Lane at Liberty Village. This is the 18th Memory Lane Center that has been opened throughout their facilities.
Mayor Mendenhall attended a Historical Society Meeting featuring Greg Willard as guest speaker. Mayor presented him with a Mayoral Community Inspiration Citation for teaching, inspiring, encouraging, and challenging others to succeed.
An airport pre-bid meeting was held today.
Pittsfield was named a “Smart Rural Provider” by Cass Comm and the ribbon cutting for this award was held today, with Cass Comm representatives, Representative CD Davidsmeyer, PCEDC Director Brenda Middendorf, Economic Development Director Ed Knight, City Clerk Ann Moffit, and Mayor Gary Mendenhall attending.
Looking for Lincoln signs are being installed throughout town.
The City is working with the Senior Center to assist them with removal of old asphalt, as they plan to pour concrete in the area.
Mayor Mendenhall has been working on drafting a letter to residents in reference to the electric supply aggregate.
We received a NOFO in reference to a Cyber Security Grant. We are looking into the grant. Interviews were conducted for the Street and Alley Committee.
Alderwoman White moved to approve the September 2022 Treasurer’s Report. Alderman Ritchart seconded the motion.
Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Lennon, Little, Ritchart, White, Wilson, Wombles (7)
Nay: NONE (0)
Present: NONE (0)
The motion carried.
Alderman Grimsley moved to accept the Zoning Committee’s recommendation to approve the variance request of Mark and Julie Henderson to place an unattached accessory building, being a garage, which will exceed the two unattached accessory building limit.
Alderman Lennon seconded the motion.
Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Lennon, Little, Ritchart, White, Wilson, Wombles (7)
Nay: NONE (0)
Present: NONE (0)
The motion carried.
Alderman Grimsley moved to accept the Zoning Committee’s recommendation to approve the variance request of Merle McGlasson to place an unattached accessory building, which will exceed the two unattached accessory building limit.
Alderwoman White seconded the motion.
Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Lennon, Little, Ritchart, White, Wilson, Wombles (7)
Nay: NONE (0)
Present: NONE (0)
The motion carried.
Alderman Grimsley moved to accept the Zoning Committee’s recommendation to approve the variance request of Darrell and Christine Sydney to construct a garage with a front yard of approximately seven feet (7’) instead of the required twenty-five feet (25’).
Alderwoman White seconded the motion.
Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Lennon, Little, Ritchart, White, Wilson, Wombles (7)
Nay: NONE (0)
Present: NONE (0)
The motion carried.
Mayor Mendenhall has been approached by someone who would like to have mobile alcohol sales. This issue should be reviewed by Ordinance Committee.
There has been an inquiry as to whether or not alcohol can be sold as the Disc Golf Tournaments. This issues also should be reviewed by Ordinance Committee.
Alderwoman White moved to approve the closure of a portion, behind the Moose Lodge, of the east/west alley between Memorial and Madison Street on October 22, 2022.
Alderman Lennon seconded the motion.
Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Lennon, Little, Ritchart, White, Wilson, Wombles (7)
Nay: NONE (0)
Present: NONE (0)
The motion carried.
Alderman Ritchart moved to pay bills as stated by City Clerk.
Alderman Grimsley seconded the motion.
Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Lennon, Little, Ritchart, White, Wilson, Wombles (7)
Nay: NONE (0)
Present: NONE (0)
The motion carried.
New Business:
Alderman Grimsley thanked Tom Reinhardt for all that he has accomplished since being appointed to the position of Public Works Director.
Alderman Wombles asked Max Middendorf if they have a start date from Diamond Construction on the milling project. Mr. Middendorf is waiting to hear from Lincoln Hill with IDOT.
Alderman Little reminded everyone that the residents of North Liberty Street will host a Halloween event on October 31, beginning at approximated 6 pm.
Chief Starman stated that he is now using a vehicle that was seized and forfeited. The vehicle that he was previously using, which was also a seized and forfeited vehicle will now be used by the Public Works Director.
Max Middendorf stated that they have received approval from the Corp of Engineers to begin the drilling process for Well #4.
Tom Reinhardt stated that the burn pile is closed until harvest is complete. Mr. Reinhardt also stated that the Looking for Lincoln Signs are being installed. Trees on Fayette Street are being removed by the Street and Alley Department. Two more pads are scheduled to be poured at the campground.
Ed Knight, Economic Development Director, continues to work on the Cyber Security Grant. This grant will require a Cyber Security Advisory Committee. This committee will require an Alderman and a Police Department employee. Beth White and Chief Michael Starman each volunteer.
Alderwoman White moved to enter into closed session at 6:47 pm to discuss personnel. Alderman Wilson seconded the motion.
Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Lennon, Little, Ritchart, White, Wilson, Wombles (7)
Nay: NONE (0)
Present: NONE (0)
The motion carried.
Alderman Ritchart moved to enter into open session at 6:58pm
Alderman Lennon seconded the motion.
Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Lennon, Little, Ritchart, White, Wilson, Wombles (7)
Nay: NONE (0)
Present: NONE (0)
The motion carried.
Alderman Lennon moved to accept the mayor’s appointment of Todd Scranton to the position of Street and Alley Superintendent, with a 15% pay increase, effective October 21, 2022. Alderman Grimsley seconded the motion.
Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Lennon, Little, Ritchart, White, Wilson, Wombles (7)
Nay: NONE (0)
Present: NONE (0)
The motion carried.
Alderman Little moved to accept the mayor’s appointment of Kenny Gwartney to the position of Maintenance/Zoning/Building and Grounds, with a 10% pay increase, effective October 21, 2022.
Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Lennon, Little, Ritchart, White, Wilson, Wombles (7)
Nay: NONE (0)
Present: NONE (0)
The motion carried.
Alderwoman White moved to adjourn this meeting at 7:00 p.m.
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