West Central Reporter

City of Pittsfield City Council met Dec. 19.

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 on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, 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, Kevin Ketchum, Paul Lennon, Chris Little, Robert Ritchart, Beth White, Robert Wilson, and Kevin Wombles. Alderman Robert Ritchart was absent.

Alderman Ketchum moved to approve December 05, 2023, city council minutes. Alderwoman White seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Ketchum, Little, Lennon, White, Wilson (6)

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: Wilson (1)

The motion carried.

Alderwoman White moved to approve the November 2023 Treasurer Report.

Alderman Ketchum seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Ketchum, Little, Lennon, Wilson, White, Wombles (7)

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Alderwoman White moved to approve the appointment of Keisha Morris as attorney for the City of Pittsfield.

Alderman Lennon seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Ketchum, Little, Lennon, Wilson, White, Wombles (7)

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Mayor’s Announcements:

Mayor Mendenhall announced the following:

The IMGA has issued a refund from the ongoing lawsuit with Panhandle Eastern in reference to the transportation increase. The FERC has ruled that the funds should be returned to the municipalities involved. IMGA has advised us that the lawsuit is now in federal court and the funds may be ordered to be returned to Panhandle Eastern.

Congratulations to Alderman Robert Wilson and Charlie Gates for winning the Lions Club Fellowship Award.

The monthly wastewater was held with Tim Hasara, Mayor Mendenhall, Tom Reinhardt, and wastewater employees. Plant improvements and future improvements were discussed.

The local business owners meeting was held on December 13.

The Rumple property exchange closing will be held December 26 at 2pm.

Mayor Mendenhall had a very promising meeting with Interim Pikeland Unit 10 School Superintendent Todd Fox.

Mayor Mendenhall met with Northwater representative, Jeff Beckler, in reference the plan for identifying issues.

There will be a meal, hosted by the Public Works Department on Friday, December 22 at the Fire Department.

City Hall will be closed Monday, December 25 and Tuesday, December 26 and again on Monday, January 1, 2024.

Alderman Grimsley moved to accept the zoning committee’s recommendation to approve the variance as requested by Seth Roig, for the property located at 836 Jefferson Street.

Alderwoman White seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Ketchum, Little, Lennon, Wilson, White, Wombles (7)

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Alderman Lennon reported that the Public Safety Committee met today and learned that the 2 new license plate reader cameras have been installed at the lake.

The license plate reader resulted in a stolen vehicle arrest.

Rusty Camp has completed the transition course and is now full-time.

The newly hired Officer Richard Hubbard will begin at the academy January 8, 2024.

Alderman Ketchum reported that the Ordinance Committee met and discussed the need to review several ordinances to bring them up to date.

Alderman Wombles reported that the Street and Alley Committee met and discussed sidewalk repairs. Also discussed was the need to update the cost of street cutting due to increased cost of labor and material. Mr. Reinhardt will present a recommended cost at the next council meeting.

Alderwoman White moved to enter into an agreement with Make My Move, a remote worker recruiting program, at a contract cost not to exceed $51,000.00

Alderman Wilson seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Ketchum, Little, Lennon, Wilson, White, Wombles (7)

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Alderwoman White moved to set the location of the community burn site to the former dredge site off of 270th Avenue at Lake Pittsfield with hours of operation to be set by Public Works Director.

Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Ketchum, Little, Lennon, Wilson, White, Wombles (7)

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Alderwoman White moved to pay bills as stated by City Clerk.

Alderman Ketchum seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Ketchum, Little, Lennon, Wilson, White, Wombles (7)

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

New Business:

Alderwoman White stated that the recommendation is to place the Panhandle refund in a short term CD. A 6-month CD will be 5.32.

Alderman Grimsley stated that the City has made a lot of progress and will continue to do so.

Alderwoman White noted that she has had several employees express gratitude about the Christmas bonus and salary increase.

Alderman Wombles stated the terrace work has begun at the airport.

Public Works Director Tom Reinhardt stated that Cherry Street work will be happening tomorrow. Mayor Mendenhall would like to review the 1, 3, and 5 year plan soon.

Mayor Mendenhall welcomed Attorney Keisha Morris.

Alderwoman Whtie moved to adjourn this meeting at 6:52 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3374/Pittsfield/3854022/Minutes-Council_meeting_12-19-23.pdf