Rockford Sun

City of Carlyle City Council met April 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Carlyle City Council was called to order by Mayor Judy Smith, at 7:00 p.m. at the Case Halstead Library, 550 6th Street, Carlyle, IL.

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Aldermen present were Tammy Peters, Shannon Petrea, Scott Diekemper, Don Perez, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, and Bruce Hilmes.

City employees present were Chief of Police Mark Pingsterhaus, City Administrator Joel Laws, Andy Wennerstrom, Brandon Pieron, Kevin Rolfingsmeyer, Keith Housewright, Ricky Huge, City Attorney Joe Heiligenstein, City Treasurer Chad Holthaus, and City Clerk Rita Jurgensmeyer.

Others present were Todd Marver and Kelly Ross.

A motion was made by Alderman Jeff Taylor to approve the March 28, 2022, minutes. The motion was seconded by Alderman Mike Jansen, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Tammy Peters, Shannon Petrea, Scott Diekemper, Don Perez, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, and Bruce Hilmes. Nay: none.

A motion was made by Alderman Don Perez to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Alderman Jeff Taylor seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Shannon Petrea, Scott Diekemper, Don Perez, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, and Tammy Peters. Nay: none.

Alderman Don Perez made a motion to approve the payment of the claims against the city. The motion was seconded by Alderman John Hodapp and was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Scott Diekemper, Don Perez, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Tammy Peters, and Shannon Petrea. Nay: none.

A motion was made by Alderman Don Perez to approve the transfers from Fund 1 – General Fund to Fund 3 Street and Alley for $85,000.00, Fund 4 police for $120,000.00, Fund 16 Retirement for $15,000.00, Fund 17 Parks for $15,000.00, and Fund 20 Library for $10,000.00 for a total of $245,000.00. Alderman Jeff Taylor seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Don Perez, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Tammy Peters, Shannon Petrea, and Scott Diekemper. Nay: none.

Mayor Judy Smith reminded everyone that while cleaning up your yard there is an ordinance stating that grass clippings or any other yard waste must not be blown onto the streets. She also said that if you are putting leaves out for pickup to please make sure there are no sticks or limbs in the leaves. The leaf vacuum cannot pick up sticks or limbs.

Mayor Judy Smith said that City Hall will close at noon on this Friday, Good Friday and the K9 fish fry will held on Friday at Pinball Palace from 3:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. There is a $10.00 donation being accepted for the meal.

Mayor Judy Smith said the city-wide yard sales will be held May 6th and 7th. Clean up week will be May 11th – 13th. The gates at the Street and Alley Department will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There will be extra dumpsters available. On May 14th, the gates will be open from 7:00 a.m. – noon.

City Administrator Joel Laws explained that the contract for the Cabela’s King Kat Sponsorship has not been received. It will be held on June 11, 2022. He said that the county and the city have usually split the cost of the sponsorship. For 2023 the promoter has approached him about bringing a television crew that will be filming for the Pursuit Channel. The price will be going up a little bit. If the city signs up for 2023, they will be bringing the television crew with them in 2022.

Librarian Keith Housewright reported for the library saying that they are having story time tomorrow and an Easter egg hunt in the building.

City Administrator Joel Laws reported that the city has been approached by Ridge View Properties, the Family Dollar/Dollar Tree developers. There will be a Zoning Board meeting on April 28th where Ridge View Properties will be subdividing the lots that are adjacent to the Family Dollar/Dollar Tree. The west lot will be developed for a doctor’s office.

City Administrator Joel Laws said he has been in contact with Charter regarding the franchise agreement that will be expiring November 8, 2022. He has to review the current contract and there will be a meeting with Charter to discuss the franchise agreement along with expanding the internet and bringing the service to areas of the city that is not currently covered.

Kevin Rolfingsmeyer reported for the Electric Department saying that at the last meeting he was asked about the LED lights that have been purchased. He took one of the new LED lights and one of the old ones and put them both on a meter and the LED lights are using less than 1/3 of the power of what the old lights are using. He said they have 20 new lights in and 10 have been installed. Mayor Smith asked where the new ones are. Kevin Rolfingsmeyer said they started at K & J and went west on Route 50.

City Administrator Joel Laws said that the bids for the 19th Street substation upgrade – interconnect are due on April 28th. He said that B. H. M. & G. are handling the bids.

Andy Wennerstrom reported for the Water Department saying that they are flushing hydrants and they are cleaning the chlorine residuals so if anyone tastes a little more chlorine in their water that is why. They should be done by the end of this month.

Brandon Pieron explained that they have no access to get into the sewer main on West Lake Drive. He said a manhole needs to be installed. He said they will need to have outside help because they cannot dig as deep as they need to safely. Alderman John Hodapp asked how deep it is. Brandon Pieron said it was 11 feet plus.

Alderman John Hodapp made a motion to approve the manhole on West Lake Drive. Alderman Scott Diekemper seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Tammy Peters, Shannon Petrea, Scott Diekemper, and Don Perez. Nay: none.

Andy Wennerstrom explained the need for a generator for the water booster station. He said that last summer they lost power and were very close to having to issue a boil order. Alderman John Hodapp asked if it would be on a trailer and Andy Wennerstrom said that it would be pad mount.

Alderman John Hodapp made a motion to waive competitive bidding and to accept the bid from Oakley Services in the amount of $51,465.36. Alderman Don Perez seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Tammy Peters, Shannon Petrea, Scott Diekemper, Don Perez, and John Hodapp. Nay: none.

City Administrator Joel Laws said that the purchase of an enclosed trailer has been reviewed by the Water and Sewer Committee and they recommended to purchase one from Kapp Trailers for $9,539.00. He said that they have been holding this for them for a couple of months. Brandon Pieron said they tried to get prices from other places but couldn’t find anything that would work for what he needs. They will be using it on the Livingston Street project and to be used for the new shoring equipment.

Alderman Mike Jansen made a motion to approve the purchase of the trailer from Kapp Trailer at a price of $9,539.00. Alderman Tammy Peters seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Tammy Peters, Shannon Petrea, Scott Diekemper, Don Perez, John Hodapp, and Jeff Taylor. Nay: none.

City Administrator Joel Laws presented a bid proposal for all the materials needed for the water line replacement on Livingston Street from 12th Street to 19th Street. He explained the different prices being the material costing $143,005.62, the next being tap sleeves at a cost of $19,600.00 and rental for a concrete saw plus the purchase of blade for a cost of $1,912.67. They did receive a second quote in the amount of $160,187.94 so they decided to go with the quote from Midwest Municipal Supply. They took all of this to a Water and Sewer Committee meeting, and the Committee recommended going with Midwest Municipal Supply. Brandon Pieron explained ways they could save money on this quote. City Administrator Joel Laws explained that there is $216,000.00 in ARPA funds to be used for this project. The remainder will be paid out of the Water Fund. He said that in the fall the city will be received a second round of ARPA for $216,000.00.

Alderman Scott Diekemper made a motion to approve the purchase of the materials for the Livingston Street water line replacement. Alderman Mike Jansen seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Bruce Hilmes, Tammy Peters, Shannon Petrea, Scott Diekemper, Don Perez, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, and Mike Jansen. Nay: none.

City Administrator Joel Laws said they just had a meeting tonight where the wastewater lagoon was discussed. He said the first thing they discussed was for the need to install a sewer plant. The second thing they discussed said an agency through the city’s risk management insurance went out and hired a third party to do a risk assessment of all the city’s properties. They access the evaluation of the sewer lagoons at higher amount than what they were assessed last year. The new company broke it down to three lagoons. Lagoon #1 was previously valued at $840,477 and is now valued at $5,400,953 lagoon #2 is valued at $2,814,000 and lagoon #3 is valued at $591,000 for a total of $8,805,953 previously valued at $840,477. They will be meeting with the risk management assessor to have them explain why this has gone up this much. City Administrator Joel Laws said no damage can be done at any of the lagoons because they are just ponds. The only thing that could happen is a dam breaking or an earthquake. They do have the option to not cover the lagoon. Discussion was held concerning other structures in the city that have increased.

Mike Meskil reported for the Street and Alley Department saying that they got the leaf vac back last week. This week they are out using it. He also said that the person putting up the fence was behind because of rain so he said he would be coming this week.

City Administrator Joel Laws said that he and City Attorney Joe Heiligenstein revised the parade route resolution. It is the same route as last year.

Alderman Don Perez made a motion to approve the parade route resolution. Alderman Jeff Taylor seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Tammy Peters, Shannon Petrea, Scott Diekemper, Don Perez, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, and Bruce Hilmes. Nay: none.

Ricky Huge reported for the Park Department saying that baseball will be starting up soon. The first practice was supposed to be today, but it was rained out. He said that he will have the summer hires ready for approval at the next council meeting.

City Administrator Joel Laws said that last week he and Jeff Miller had a phone call with Charter concerning consolidating the Wi-Fi between the buildings at the park. The person they were speaking to admitted that when they were here in December, they assessed the pool house but did not assess the maintenance building. They will need to come back out and do a survey of the maintenance building. Mayor Smith said she spoke to the guy that was here in December and he knew that he was supposed to do both buildings.

City Administrator Joel Laws gave an update on the park and recreation and capital improvement referendum. He said that they had a meeting this past month and got some nice brochures printed up by Print Crazee and they have been distributed to the volunteers to pass out. City Administrator Joel Laws said that he has been attending meetings with several organizations to explain the pool improvements. He said that they are having another meeting April 21st, and all are welcome to attend, including the press. The meeting will be at 6:00 p.m. at the VFW.

City Administrator Joel Laws said that due to the scare with the county last year the city decided to get cybersecurity insurance. He was contacted by them regarding renewing the policy saying that if the city renews by May 1st, they will give the city a $250.00 rebate. He said that he and Mayor Smith completed the application and sent it back. They are waiting on a response. When he receives it, he will be presenting it at the finance committee meeting. City Administrator Joel Laws added that he would have to get with Neil the IT consultant and the city has to improve the training for employees.

At 7:37 p.m. Alderman Don Perez made a motion to go into executive session to discuss 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting. The motion was seconded by Alderman Jeff Taylor and was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Voting aye Shannon Petrea, Scott Diekemper, Don Perez, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, and Tammy Peters. Voting nay none.

At 7:56 p.m. they returned to regular session.

At 7:57 p.m. a motion to adjourn was made by Alderman Don Perez. Alderman John Hodapp seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Voting aye Don Perez, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Tammy Peters, Shannon Petrea, and Scott Diekemper. Voting nay none.

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/carlyle/Board.nsf/Public