West Central Reporter

City of Pittsfield City Council met Feb. 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

February 06, 2024

The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Pittsfield, Pike County, Illinois, was held on Tuesday, February 06, 2024, 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 Ketchum moved to approve January 16, 2024, city council minutes.

Alderwoman White seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Lennon, Little,

Ritchart, White, Wilson (6)

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: Ketchum (1)

The motion carried.

Alderwoman White moved to accept the Planning Commission’s recommendation to permanently rezone Parcels 53-019-03, 53-019-04 and 53-019-03-A from I-1 Light Industrial to A-1 Agricultural.

Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Ketchum, Little, Lennon,

Ritchart, Wilson, White, Wombles (8)

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

Mayor’s Announcements:

Airport Committee Chairman, Kevin Wombles and Mayor Mendenhall met with Lipcamon Aviation to begin a discussion about a hanger lease renewal. Mayor asked everyone to send their opinion on a reasonable rental term and amount.

Mayor thanked everyone that attended the Holiday party.

Mayor Mendenhall met with Jellystone representatives in reference to their liquor license. None of our current classifications seems to fit their needs, the classifications need to be reviewed for their needs.

The Pike CEO Class visited City Hall and spoke with Mayor Mendenhall and Economic Development Director Ed Knight.

Mayor Mendenhall and Clerk Ann met with David Forsey from the Fall Festival Committee. Ed Knight attended the ribbon cutting for the Illini Drive-Through Clinic.

Mayor Mendenhall met with Anthony from Hutchison Engineering and plans should be coming soon for the Downtown revitalization.

Mayor Mendenhall and Clerk Ann Moffit attended the ribbon cutting for Clarity Healthcare.

Meetings have been held with City staff, USDA grant monitors and MECO Engineering on the City Hall Expansion.

Blake Ruebush with IDNR brought new employees in for introductions and discussion of lake and lagoon projects.

Mayor Mendenhall explained that he has been contacted by a few Commercial Real Estate Developers who are interested in working with Pittsfield to put together a Development Plan.

Mayor Mendenhall has met with a music producer to put together a music festival at the lake.

Fire Chief Jason White presented information on the replacement of a Fire Truck. The Public Safety Committee will discuss the options at their next meeting.

Alderwoman White reported that the Finance Committee met today Mayor Mendenhall discussed a potential music festival a Lake Pittsfield, as mayor mentioned. The committee had enough interest that they would like more information. The committee all heard from Mayor Mendenhall that he has been contacted by a development agency that would like to work with the City of Pittsfield. The committee has interest and would like to agency to present information to the full council. A Funding Request form was reviewed and approved for use.

Alderman Wilson reported that the utility committee met today and learned from Utilities Superintendent Shane Allen that the Border Station Building is complete. And Mayor Mendenhall went over the gas purchase from last month during the cold temps.

Alderman Ketchum moved to approve the Ty Rylander Run for March 16, 2024, at 10:00 am beginning at the Methodist Church with the route being the same as in previous years.

Alderwoman White seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Ketchum, Little, Lennon, Ritchart, Wilson, White, Wombles (8)

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Alderman Wombles moved to approve Ordinance No. 1727 An Ordinance Declaring Surplus Revenue TIF I on its first reading by title only.

Alderman Ketchum seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Ketchum, Little, Lennon, Ritchart, Wilson, White, Wombles (8)

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Alderman Wombles moved to suspend the rules and have the second reading of Ordinance No. 1727 An Ordinance Declaring Surplus Revenue TIF I on its first reading by title only.

Alderman Ketchum seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Ketchum, Little, Lennon, Ritchart, Wilson, White, Wombles (8)

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Alderman Wombles moved to approve Ordinance No. 1727 An Ordinance Declaring Surplus Revenue TIF I on its second reading by title only.

Alderman Ketchum seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Ketchum, Little, Lennon, Ritchart, Wilson, White, Wombles (8)

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Alderwoman White moved to approve Ordinance No. 1728 An Ordinance Declaring Surplus Revenue TIF II on its first reading by title only.

Alderman Lennon seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Ketchum, Little, Lennon, Ritchart, Wilson, White, Wombles (8)

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Alderwoman White moved to suspend the rules and have the second reading of Ordinance No. 1728 An Ordinance Declaring Surplus Revenue TIF II on its first reading by title only.

Alderman Ketchum seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Ketchum, Little, Lennon, Ritchart, Wilson, White, Wombles (8)

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Alderman Ritchart moved to approve Ordinance No. 1728 An Ordinance Declaring Surplus Revenue TIF II on its second reading by title only.

Alderman Ketchum seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Ketchum, Little, Lennon, Ritchart, Wilson, White, Wombles (8)

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Alderman Wombles moved to approve Ordinance No. 1726 An Ordinance Declaring Snow Route on its first reading by title only.

Alderman Ketchum seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Ketchum, Little, Lennon, Ritchart, Wilson, White, Wombles (8)

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Industrial Park Covenants was distributed for review.

Alderwoman White moved to approve the bid from Callendar Construction to build the road to the new brush yard in the amount of $ 24,730.00.

Alderman Ketchum seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Ketchum, Little, Lennon, Ritchart, Wilson, White, Wombles (8)

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Alderman Lennon moved to approve the rule change to allow for Bow Fishing at Lake Pittsfield year round.

Alderman White seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Ketchum, Little, Lennon, Ritchart, Wilson, White, Wombles (8)

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Street Cutting – tabled

Alderman Wombles moved to accept the low bid from BK Electric in the amount of $65,995.00 to complete the HVAC installation/work at 213 N Monroe Street.

Alderwoman White seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Ketchum, Little, Lennon, Ritchart, Wilson, White, Wombles (8)

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Alderwoman White moved to accept the low bid from RMG Electric in the amount of $65,357.00 to complete the electrical work at 213 N Monroe Street.

Alderman Lennon seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Ketchum, Little, Lennon, Ritchart, Wilson, White, Wombles (8)

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Alderwoman White moved to accept the following bids for the Yard Sale items: 2002 C6500, Mike Rohn, $250.00; 99 Chevy Silverado, James Daniels, $600.00; 2010 Ford F150 4WD, Michael Starman, $1375.00. And reject the following bids, 95 John Deere 310D Backhoe, Mike Rohn, $250.00; 2010 Ford F150 2WD

Mike Rohn $250.00. No bids were received for the Nevco Scoreboard, Air Conditioner, Misc Bathroom Fixtures, Magnavox Video/DVD Players, Water Fountain, and 4 interior doors.

Alderman Ketchum seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Ketchum, Little, Lennon, Ritchart, Wilson, White, Wombles (8)

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Alderman Wilson moved to accept the following bids for the Yard Sale Property Items: 620 West Jefferson Street, Richard Barger, $10,000.00; Chestnut Court Lot, Eric Lane, $2,000.00; Lot 3B Industrial Park, RMG Electric, $12,750.00. No bids were received on 427 N Mississippi Street, 10 Acres behind Farm & Home, and Zoe Theater.

Alderman Wombles seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Ketchum, Little, Lennon, Ritchart, Wilson, White, Wombles (8)

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, Ketchum, Little, Lennon, Ritchart, Wilson, White, Wombles (8)

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

New Business:

Mayor Mendenhall read a letter from Chief Starman commending Officer Clendenny for the work and involvement of a recent crime.

Alderman Ritchart has received complaints about tree limbs on Washington Street.

Alderman Grimsley stated that he was very happy with the cold patch and thanked the Street and Alley Department.

Alderman Ketchum stated someone has asked him about using the Boy Scout area as a bike or walking path.

Public Works Director advised that the Gas & Water Department has been very busy working on water main breaks.

Ed Knight advised that the Lake Advisory committee met yesterday and he distributed minutes from the meeting.

Alderwoman Whtie moved to adjourn this meeting at 7:11 p.m.

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