West Central Reporter

City of Pittsfield City Council met June 17.

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, June 17, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was held in the Council Room at the Pittsfield City Hall at 215 N Monroe Street. The following officers were present: Mayor Gary Mendenhall, City Clerk Ann Moffit, Alderperson Bill Grimsley, Kevin Ketchum, Chris Little, Paul Lennon, Robert Ritchart, Beth White, Robert Wilson, and Kevin Wombles.

Alderperson Ketchum moved to approve the June 3, 2025, city council minutes. Alderperson White seconded the motion.

Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Lennon, Little,

Ritchart, White, Wilson, Wombles (8)

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: Ketchum (1)

The motion carried.

Mayor’s Announcements:

Mayor Mendenhall read the resignation letter from Bill Jenkins.

Several ribbon cuttings were held recently: Quality Creations, Monroe Street Suites, and The Dome Coffee Shop.

A meeting was held with Two Rivers Council and the Illinois Rural Water Apprenticeship program has been approved.

A meeting was held with County Officials in reference to solar regulations.

A meeting occurred with Hutchison Engineering and County Officials about the downtown revitalization project and the tunnel that hold the county fiber lines.

Mayor Mendenhall met with Wal-Mart’s representative of Government Affairs in reference to water pressure for a fire suppression system.

Mayor Mendenhall will be on vacation July 5 – July 10. Alderman Wombles will be Mayor Pro Tem. Rise Broadband has notified us that the fiber installation will be delayed until Spring 2026.

Alderman Ritchart noted that the Public Safety Committee met, and Chief Starman stated that the new car is equipped and on the road and a discussion of neighborhood vehicles occurred.

Alderman Ketchum stated that the Ordinance Committee met and reviewed the final draft of the Appropriations Ordinance and the amended Weed Control Ordinance. Both will be presented at next council meeting for review.

Alderperson Ritchart moved to approve the request by Joe Petty Construction for a Temporary Alley Closure of the North / South Alley between the Courthouse Annex and Curless Auction Service from June 18, 2025 - July 7, 2025.

Alderperson Grimsley seconded the motion.

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

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

Alderperson Little moved to approve the request for a temporary lane closure of the inside lane of Adams Street, directly North of the Courthouse on July 18, 2025 4:30 - 9 pm for an Kids Art event. Alderperson Wilson seconded the motion.

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

Nay: NONE (0)

Present: NONE (0)

The motion carried.

Alley Closure Request – Passed

Alderperson Wombles moved to approve Resolution 2025-02 Fee Schedule.

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.

Tom Reinhardt noted that a meeting was held with the County in reference to the County Fiber Optic Line that will need to be rerouted due to the Downtown Revitalization project. He is obtaining a quote to have that line bored under the street, but it has not been received; therefore the issue was passed.

Mayor Mendenhall stated that he shared a bid source document with Attorney Morris from Utility Pipe Sales for a meter reading system. Utility Pipe Sales would like to bring test meters in to ensure their product will work with our system.

Senergy, a company that is working with Hutchison Engineering on the downtown revitalization sound system, has stated that that they would prepare engineering for the sound system. They plan to place a bid; however, if they are not the bid winner, there will be a charge of $800-$1,000 for the engineering work completed.

Appropriation Ordinance – presented for review. A public hearing will be set for 5:45 July 1 to review the Final Draft of the Appropriation Ordinance.

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

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.

New Business:

Alderperson Ritchart asked for the status of the Fire Truck. The last update received was that it would move to the next phase of production in early July.

Alderperson Wombles distributed the estimate for street repairs for the year from MECO engineering. The job will be sent out for bids.

Attorney Morris updated the council on her conversation with CASS Communication in regards to our Franchise Agreement. The agreement that we have is for Cable television service. They did ask that Rise Broadband include them in any public meetings to discuss the locations of installation of fiber.

Max Middendorf states that Cody, Tom, and the team were very helpful with data collection on hydrants. The Higbee Memorial intersection has been requested by IDOT to have an environmental study.

City Clerk Moffit presented the Audit Engagement Letter that was received from Franklin and Vaughn. Alderperson White moved to adjourn this meeting at 6:30 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3374/Pittsfield/5868512/Minutes-Council_meeting_06-17-25.pdf