West Central Reporter

City of Pittsfield City Council met Nov. 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, November 19, 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 Alderperson Bill Grimsley, Kevin Ketchum, Chris Little, Paul Lennon, Robert Ritchart, Beth White, Robert Wilson, and Kevin Wombles.

Alderperson Ketchum moved to approve the November 5, 2024, city council minutes. Alderperson White seconded the motion.

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

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Mayor’s Announcements:

Mayor Mendenhall announced that Ed Knight will now have the title of Project Manager. City Hall participated in the Girls Night Out event, which was successful yet again. A meeting was held with Damon Plumbing about the Honey Creek and Jill Street homes.

Mayor Mendenhall was the guest reader at an event at the Children’s Library at the Pittsfield Public Library.

Mayor Mendenhall attended the Pike County Endowment reception.

Mayor Mendenhall and Brittney Emerick met with Cole McDaniel from Hometown Consulting. The annual Airport TIPS meeting was held with IDOT Aeronautics and FAA.

A meeting with Hutchison Engineering about the Downtown Revitalization project. There will be a Gas Safety Meeting held at the Fire Department on Thursday, November 21.

Alderperson Ketchum moved to approve the September 2024 Treasurer’s Report. Alderperson Lennon seconded the motion.

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

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

The Public Safety Committee met tonight and discussed proposed changes to the FOP Contract to increase the hourly rate of any officer that hold the title of School Resource Officer. The Committee also heard the recommendation of Chief Starman to promote Officer Clendenny to Corporal. Chief Starman advised the committee that Officer Stamper has two weeks remaining in the academy.

Alderperson Ritchart moved to approve the addition of Section 19.4 to the current FOP Contract stating that any unit member assigned to the position of School Resource Officer shall receive an additional $1.00 per hour added to their hourly rate.

Alderperson Wombles seconded the motion.

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

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Alderperson Ritchart moved to promote Harmony Clendenny to the position of Corporal effective November 29, 2024.

Alderperson Ketchum seconded the motion.

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

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Mayor Mendenhall stated that the Airport Committee met with IDOT Department of Aeronautics and the FAA for the annual TIPS meeting. IDOT is concerned that we aren’t using our available funds for necessary improvements. The runway lights and vault project were discussed and funds could be used for that project. The grant funds are a 5% match. Our airport engineer, Jeff Olson believes the equipment grant should be funded in early 2025.

Alderperson Wilson moved to proceed with the runway lights and vault project at the Pittsfield Penstone Airport.

Alderperson Grimsley seconded the motion.

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

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Alderperson Ketchum noted that the Ordinance Committee met and discussed the model 1% Grocery Tax Ordinance and reviewed the Business Registration for that Brittney Emerick, Economic Development Director created and discussed the need for the business registration and license should be an ordinance.

Grocery Tax Ordinance – Tabled

Alderperson Wilson moved to approve Resolution 2024-11 MFT Maintenance Resolution in the amount of $29,450.45.

Alderperson Ritchart seconded the motion.

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

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Brenda Middendorf introduced Jamie Beasly who is the new Pike County Economic Development Director.

Alderperson White moved to approve payment to Diamond Construction for the agreed-upon amount for the Newburg Township City Lake road resurfacing.

Alderperson Ketchum seconded the motion.

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

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Mayor Mendenhall distributed the proposal from Hometown Consulting.

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

Alderperson White seconded the motion.

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

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

New Business:

Mayor Mendenhall stated that the East Boat Ramp is almost complete and looks very nice. Alderman Grimsley stated that there are low spots on the shoulder of Piper Lane.

Alderman Wombles asked what the status of the Memorial – Higbee intersection was. Max Middendorf stated we are waiting on IDOT Environmental review.

Tom Reinhardt reiterated that the East Boat Ramp is almost complete, a few gas main extensions should be completed in the next week and street patching should begin in the upcoming days.

Chief Starman state that Part-Time Officer Lemons has started and Officer Stamper should begin December 9, 2024.

Alderperson Whtie moved to adjourn this meeting at 6:41 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3374/Pittsfield/5081487/Minutes-Council_meeting_11-19-24.pdf