West Central Reporter

City of Pittsfield City Council met May 7.

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, May 07, 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 Kevin Ketchum, Bill Grimsley, Paul Lennon, Chris Little, Robert Ritchart, Beth White, Robert Wilson and Kevin Wombles.

Alderman Ketchum moved to approve the April 16, 2024, city council minutes.

Alderman White seconded the motion.

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

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: Ritchart, Wombles (2)

The motion carried.

Mayor’s Announcements:

Mayor Mendenhall announced that the Enterprise Zone expansion to the Industrial Plaza West has been approved.

The Library Board has a vacancy.

The band Confederate Railroad has been secured for the Pittsfield Music Festival. The date of the event will be July 27, 2024. The City of Pittsfield has been awarded a $5,000 accommodation tax grant for the event.

Meetings have been held with Rent Fun and the Kayak Rental stations should be installed soon.

Mayor Mendenhall, Clerk Ann Moffit, Attorney Morris and Finance Chairman Beth White has met to discuss the Tax Levy and how it works.

Mayor Mendenhall has worked with Steve Kline from The Economic Development Group to ensure that the new Industrial Plaza West is in compliance with the TIF regulations.

The Two Rivers Regional Council ribbon cutting with be May 10 at 10:00 am

Alderman Ritchart moved to accept the zoning committee’s recommendation to approve the variance as requested by Michael Johnson, owner of 407 Benson Street, to place a front porch, which will leave a front yard of Thirteen Feet (13’) instead of the required Twenty-Five Feet (25’).

Alderman Wombles seconded the motion.

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

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Alderwoman White advised that the Finance Committee met to discuss budget, tax levy, and salary increases for employees.

Utilities Committee did not meet.

Alderman Ketchum moved to approve a salary increase of $1.00 per hour for full-time, non-union, employees, exculuding the Chief of Police and the Deputy Chief of Police, and a .50 per hour raise for permanent Part-Time employees. Also to increase the high end Salary range 3%, as recommended by the Finance Committee.

Alderwoman White seconded the motion.

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

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Alderman Wombles moved to approve the 2024-2025 Committee Appointments as recommended by Mayor Mendenhall.

Alderman Ritchart seconded the motion.

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

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Alderwoman White moved to approve holding a Truth in Taxation hearing to discuss a possible 10% tax levy increase, and to have a truth in taxation hearing each year.

Alderwoman Wilson seconded the motion.

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

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Alderman Ritchart moved to allow Johnson Mobile Vet Clinic to use the parking area near King Park Dog Park for mobile vet services.

Alderman Wombles seconded the motion.

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

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Alderman Wombles moved to approve the Liquor License application from Cardinal Inn. Alderman Wilson seconded the motion.

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

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Hometown Consulting – tabled

Alderman Little moved to approve Resolution 2024-07 A resolution approving the release of the restrictions on real property held by Square 1838 LLC.

Alderman Ketchum seconded the motion.

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

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Alderwoman White moved to approve Ordinance No. 1732 An Ordinance approve and authorizing the execution of a redevelopment agreement between the City of Pittsfield and Christopher Nichols on its first reading by title only.

Alderman Ketchum seconded the motion.

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

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Alderman Ritchart moved to suspend the rules and have the second reading of No. 1732 An Ordinance approve and authorizing the execution of a redevelopment agreement between the City of Pittsfield and Christopher Nichols by title only.

Alderman Lennon seconded the motion.

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

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Alderwoman White moved to No. 1732 An Ordinance approve and authorizing the execution of a redevelopment agreement between the City of Pittsfield and Christopher Nichols on its second reading, by title only.

Alderman Ketchum seconded the motion.

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

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Alderwoman White moved to accept the bid from Damon Plumbing, in the amount of $21,000.00 for the plumbing project for the City Hall Expansion.

Alderman Ketchum seconded he motion.

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

Nay: Ketchum (1)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Alderman Ritchart moved to pay bills as stated by City Clerk.

Alderwoman White seconded the motion.

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

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

New Business:

Alderman Ritchart asked about the status of hydrant flushing. Public Works Director Tom Reinhardt will coordinate.

Alderman Grimsley stated that he has received complaints about the stop sign at Quail Ridge being disobeyed.

Alderman Lennon complemented lake staff.

Alderman Ketchum stated that he has received complaints about the hours of the burn pile. Chief Starman offered to close the gate later in the day on Saturdays. Mayor Mendenhall stated that the hours would be extended.

Alderman Wombles stated that a FAA completed an inspection at the airport and the inspector was very satisfied with the tree removal. The runway markings will need to be redone.

Alderman Little was very impressed with the gas and water department during a call that he was involved in. Additionally, he was impressed with he staff during city wide clean up.

Tome Reinhardt stated that USDI is in town completing a gas leak survey, brush pick up will be next week due to the ongoing City Wide Cleanup.

Chief Starman announced that Officer Banahan’s last day will be May 15. Officer Hubbard has graduated from the Academy and is completing road training. Ian Davis has started the academy. He also asked that all alderman email the police department with any ordinance violation complaints to ensure they are not overlooked.

Alderwoman Whtie moved to adjourn this meeting at 6:56 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3374/Pittsfield/4368826/Minutes-Council_meeting_05-07-24.pdf