Rockford Sun

City of Carlyle City Council met Feb. 26.

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, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, and Bruce Hilmes.

City employees present were Chief Mark Pingsterhaus, City Administrator Brad Myers (via phone), Keith Housewright, Andy Wennerstrom, Steve Kerwin, and City Clerk Rita Jurgensmeyer.

Others present were Kelly Ross and Matt Wilson.

Mayor Judy Smith said that City Administrator Brad Myers is on the phone because he is in Washington DC.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve the minutes from February 12, 2024. Alderman Scott Diekemper seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Tammy Peters, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, and Bruce Hilmes. Nay: none.

Alderman Jeremy Weh made a motion to approve the transfers from Fund 1 General Fund to Fund 3 Street and Alley for $25,000.00, Fund 4 Police for $60,000.00, Fund 17 Parks for $10,000.00, and Fund 20 for $10,000.00 for a total of $105,000.00. Alderman John Hodapp seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, and Tammy Peters. Nay: none.

Alderman Jeremy Weh 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, Jeremy Weh, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Tammy Peters, and Jim McClaren. Nay: none.

Mayor Judy Smith reported that on Good Friday, March 29th the police K9 program will have a fish fry at Pinball Palace. It will be from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. It is a drive-through and the cost is $10.00. The tickets can be purchased at the Police Department, from any of the officers, or from Mayor Smith.

Mayor Smith then said that the spring city-wide yard sales are scheduled for May 3rd and 4th.

Keith Housewright reported for the library saying that they have been asked about programs for the eclipse. He said they will be getting plenty of glasses and on April 3rd in the Maddux Room and April 6th they will have presentations on the solar eclipse.

Mayor Judy Smith gave a street fair update. She said Kayla Heimann has been booking vendors for the street fair. It will be held on September 6th and 7th and any vendors that would like to participate should contact Kayla Heimann at city hall. It will be held at the courthouse square.

Alderman Jeff Taylor said that they went out for quotes for signs to be placed in all the businesses in town this summer. The businesses with digital signs will all change their message to the same message as on the signs.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to purchase the signs from Effingham Signs for $336.00 for 25 signs. Mayor Judy Smith read off the quotes from the different companies submitting bids. Effingham Signs was $336.00. Print Crazee was $485.70. Peak Sign Company was $400.00. Alderman John Hodapp asked if the signs were going in the businesses. Mayor Smith explained that they will purchase them to put in their business and residents can also purchase signs to put in their yard.

Alderman John Hodapp made a motion to accept the bid from Peak Sign Company in the amount of $400.00. He felt that if they are asking businesses in Carlyle to purchase them, they should at least purchase them from a business in Carlyle. Alderman Jeff Taylor seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Jeremy Weh, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Tammy Peters, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper. Nay: none.

Chief of Police Mark Pingsterhaus added to Mayor Smith’s comment about the K9 program fish fry on Good Friday. He said that you can also purchase tickets at Pinball Palace the night of the fish fry.

Alderman Jim McClaren, Employee Concerns Committee Chairman, told the council that they had interviews and they would like to recommend Steve Kerwin for the swing shift operator at the water plant.

Alderman Jim McClaren made a motion to hire Steve Kerwin for the swing shift operator position. The motion was seconded by Alderman Bruce Hilmes and was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Tammy Peters, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, and Jeremy Weh. Nay: none. Steve Kerwin’s first day as the swing shift operator will be March 6th.

At 7:12 p.m. Mayor Judy Smith asked for a motion to go into executive session.

Alderman Jim McClaren made a motion to go into executive session to discuss 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired. 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. Alderman Tammy Peters seconded it and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Tammy Peters, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, and John Hodapp. Nay: none.

The council returned to open session at 7:17 p.m.

Mayor Judy Smith asked for a motion to approve the union clerical contract.

Alderman Jim McClaren made a motion to approve the union clerical contract. Alderman Bruce Hilmes seconded the motion and it was approved. Aye: Bruce Hilmes, Mike Jansen, Jeff Taylor, Jeremy Weh, Scott Diekemper, Jim McClaren, and Tammy Peters. Nay: Alderman John Hodapp.

Mayor Judy Smith asked for a motion to approve the purchase of property at 930 Ridge Street from Laurie Berry at a price of $7,000.00.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to purchase the property at 930 Ridge from Laurie Berry at a price of $7,000.00. Alderman Jeremy Weh seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Tammy Peters, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, and Bruce Hilmes. Nay: none.

Mayor Judy Smith added that the property that was just approved for purchase backs up to Bruemmer Park and it will be used to put a restroom at the back of the property. The front part of the lot will be a parking lot.

At 7:19 p.m. a motion to adjourn was made by Alderman Bruce Hilmes. Alderman Jeremy Weh seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, and Tammy Peters. Nay: none.

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