West Central Reporter

City of Pittsfield City Council met Oct. 1.

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, October 01, 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, Deputy City Clerk Holly Wade, and Alderperson Kevin Ketchum, Bill Grimsley, Paul Lennon Chris Little, Robert Ritchart, Beth White, Robert Wilson and Kevin Wombles.

Alderperson Ketchum moved to approve the September 17, 2024, city council minutes. Alderperson Grimsley seconded the motion.

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

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: Ketchum (1)

The motion carried.

Mayor’s Announcements:

Mayor Mendenhall stated the following:

City Staff attended the John Wood Community College fundraiser event.

City staff and Alderperson participated in the Blessing Hospital Golf Outing.

Several meetings and phone calls with Hutchison Engineering for the ITEP application for Phase II. There will be an Electrofishing event, hosted by IDNR, at Lake Pittsfield October 3 at 9am.

There will be a Domestic Violence Awareness Ceremony, hosted by Quanada, on the Courthouse Lawn at 11 am on October 2, 2024.

Picture Pittsfield is searching for volunteers.

There will be a used tire collection on October 14 & 15 from 7:30 – 3:30 pm, tires may be dropped off at the Public Works building during that time.

Alderperson Ritchart moved to accept the Zoning Committee’s recommendation to approve the variance as requested by Square 1838, LLC, owner of 226 S Jackson Street, providing the owner pays the $150.00 building permit penalty as well as the $100 building permit application fee. Alderperson Ketchum seconded the motion.

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

Nay: Little (1)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Alderperson White stated that the Finance Committee met tonight and discussed the Downtown Revitalization project and the funding of the expansion of the project. Alderperson White advised the Library is not officially a Library District as of September 1, 2024.

Alderperson Wilson stated that the Utilities Committee met tonight and discussed utility credit card payments and the costs associated with accepting credit cards. Shane Allen advised that both water towers are complete and that Billy Fitzmaurice, the new gas department employee will start on October 14, 2024.

Alderperson Wombles stated that the Street and Alley Committee met and learned that patching has been ongoing the last few weeks, and that milling will begin tomorrow on Adams Street and paving should occur on Friday and Monday. Alderperson Wombles stated that many Cherry Street residents have stated that they would like a pipe for their ditch and would be willing to pay for it. Kenny Gwartney stated that he has been working with Attorney Morris on Fix/Flatten properties.

Mayor Mendenhall presented estimates from Damon’s Plumbing to rectify the issues for the homes on Jill Street effected by the Honey Creek sewer issues. Discussion ensued about the issue and several scenarios were brought up. It was decided that this is an issue that should be reviewed in a Street and Alley Committee meeting and brought back to the table once additional information is gathered. The matter was tabled.

Alderperson White moved to approve the request to close Adams Street from Monroe Street to Madison Street on October 27, 2024 from 5pm to 9pm as requested by the Methodist Church for the Trunk or Treat event.

Alderperson 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.

Mayor Mendenhall reminded everyone that by ordinance trick or treating dates and hours in Pittsfield are October 30 & 31 from 6 – 8 pm.

Alderperson Ritchart moved to approve the closure of Lake Pittsfield Road from the Ball Diamond to the Pines on October 12, 2024 from 9 am to 12 pm for the Fire Department 5K walk/run. Alderperson 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.

Alderperson White moved to approve the Salvation Army Bucket Blitz on December 5 from 10 am to 2 pm at the intersection of Memorial & Jefferson.

Alderperson 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.

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

Alderperson Grimsley 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:

Alderperson Grimsley has received a request asking that the brush pile be open additional days or longer hours. Additionally, he stated that there continues to be a problem with parking on sidewalks on South Jackson Street.

Alderperson Lennon thanked the Public Works employees for their work. Mr. Lennon also stated that he has retired from teaching, again, effective today.

Alderperson White thanked the Police Department for their hard work and professionalism during the recent events that have occurred at our Pikeland Schools, as well as the Fire Department for the work they performed last week during as house fire. She commended both departments and thanked them for keeping our community safe. She also noted that the PCEDC & the Pike County Chamber has set Girl’s Night Out for this year on November 7, 2024 from 4-8pm.

Alderperson Little stated that our lake is a great asset to our community and is well used, however the lake road needs attention.

Alderman Wilson asked if there could be a hazardous waste disposal, like the tire disposal. Tom Reinhardt stated the EPA hosts those events and has never scheduled a hazardous waste disposal, and also noted that there would be an Electronic Disposal hosted by CNB on November 2, 2024 9-12pm.

Ed Knight stated that we are waiting for electricians before we can move forward next door.

Public Works Director Tom Reinhardt asked that everyone be patient with the upcoming road construction.

Mayor Mendenhall asked that everyone be mindful of their words and actions especially with social media. Many statements are made on social media that simply are not true. He encouraged everyone to contact City Hall if there are questions or concerns.

Alderperson Whtie moved to adjourn this meeting at 7:02 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3374/Pittsfield/4963411/Minutes-Council_meeting_10-01-24.pdf