Rockford Sun

City of Carlyle City Council met May 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Public Budget Hearing

The FY25 Public Budget Hearing was called to order by Mayor Judy Smith at 6:45 p.m. at the Case Halstead Library, Carlyle, IL 62231.

The following alderman were present. Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, and Bruce Hilmes. Alderman Tammy Peters was absent.

City employees present were City Administrator Brad Myers, Chief of Police Mark Pingsterhaus, City Attorney Joe Heiligenstein, City Treasurer Chad Holthaus, Mike Meskil, Keith Housewright, and City Clerk Rita Jurgensmeyer.

Others present were Matt Wilson, Kelly Ross, Charlie Ferguson, Mike Warren, and Don Horrell.

City Administrator Brad Myers presented the FY25 budget. He said that it has been approved by the Finance Committee and sent to the city council.

Being no questions or comments Alderman Jeremy Weh made a motion to adjourn at 7:00 p.m. Alderman John Hodapp seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously by roll call vote. Aye: Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, and Bruce Hilmes. Nay: none.

Regular Meeting

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 Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, and Bruce Hilmes. Alderman Tammy Peters was absent.

City employees present were Chief of Police Mark Pingsterhaus, City Administrator Brad Myers, City Attorney Joe Heiligenstein, City Treasurer Chad Holthaus, Mike Meskil, Keith Housewright, and City Clerk Rita Jurgensmeyer.

Others present were Kelly Ross, Matt Wilson, Charlie Ferguson, Mike Warren, and Don Horrell. Labor Attorney Jim DeFranco arrived at 7:20 p.m.

Alderman John Hodapp made a motion to approve the minutes from April 22, 2024. Alderman Jim McClaren seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, and Jim McClaren. Nay: none.

Alderman Jeremy Weh made a motion to pay the claims against the city. The motion was seconded by Alderman John Hodapp, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Jeremy Weh, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Jim McClaren, and Scott Diekemper. Nay: none.

Alderman Jeremy Weh made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report as presented. Alderman Jeff Taylor seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, and Jeremy Weh. Nay: none.

Mayor Judy Smith reminded everyone that this Thursday is the kickoff for the IHSA Bass Tournament at Carlyle Lake. They will do the pre-fish on the evening of May 16th. The IHSA dinner will be at Bretz’s. It will include the city officials and the officials that come down for IHSA, Trent Purcell and his group that helps with the tournament. Friday morning the 17th at 7:00 a.m. the boats are launched from Dam West. Mayor Smith said the launch is very impressive. There will be between 60 and 70 boats and at 7:00 a.m. they start sending them out one by one and the sun is coming up and it is a beautiful site to see. It will also be done on Saturday, the 18th at 7:00 a.m. The weigh in is at 3:00 p.m. There will be a tent and places to sit. There is a Carlye High School team in the tournament.

City Administrator Brad Myers thanked the Chief of Police Mark Pingsterhaus for issuing warnings and citations for tall grass.

City Administrator Brad Myers said that they are on track to be in the new city hall by the end of June. The floors are in, and the basement floor is ready to have flooring put in. Earlier tonight the Finance Committee approved the quote for the egress window. This is scheduled for June 17th. Mayor Smith added that the lights and fans are all in. The doors are headed this way, and the cabinets will be going in the work/break room. They are planning to have an open house before they move.

Keith Housewright reported for the library saying the Friends of the Library book sale is going on to benefit the summer reading program. Mayor Smith said someone asked her if the library will accept donations of books in good shape. Keith Housewright said that yes, they do, if they need them, they will put them in the collection and if they don’t, they will save them for the book sale.

Alderman Jeff Taylor reported on the sign campaign. He said that he and Mayor Smith got together and decided to contact all the businesses that have digital signs to welcome visitors to Carlyle. They will have a different message each month. City Administrator Brad Myers said that they repurposed the old welcome sign. It is now at the south end of town. He thanked the Park and Electric Departments for working on it.

City Administrator Brad Myers presented the FY25 appropriation ordinance. He said it has gone through the Finance Committee and the budget hearing was held tonight before the council meeting. It has been available for review at city hall for two weeks.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve the FY25 budget. Alderman John Hodapp seconded it, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, and John Hodapp. Nay: none.

City Administrator Brad Myers presented the quote received by B-Dry Solution for an egress window at the new city hall. One other quote was received for approximately $6,500.00. City Administrator Brad Myers said he has scheduled the egress window to be installed on June 17th if it is approved.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve the quote from B-Dry Solutions for an egress window in the new city hall at a cost of $6,500.00. Alderman Scott Diekemper seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, John Hodapp, and Jeff Taylor. Nay: none.

City Administrator Brad Myers presented a request for cabinet installation from Tammy Viviano Interiors in the amount of $6,014.43. He added that they are very nice wood cabinets with soft close doors and drawers. This will be in the work/break room in the new city hall. Mayor Smith added that the utility bill stuffer, mail machine, and copier will be in this room.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve the quote from Tammy Viviano Interiors in the amount of $6,014.43 for cabinets in the work/break room in the new city hall. Alderman Jeremy Weh seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Bruce Hilmes, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, and Mike Jansen. Nay: none.

City Administrator Brad Myers presented the invoice from Ten-Point Drywall LLC for the drywall hanging, mudding, taping, and painting at the new city hall in the amount of $8,500.00. The original quote was for $9,961.00 but the city is only being invoice for $8,500.00 because this was completed on the main level of the new city hall. He will do the basement as soon as everything else is completed.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve the invoice from Ten-Point Drywall LLC in the amount of $8,500.00. 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, and Bruce Hilmes. Nay: none.

City Administrator Brad Myers presented a pay request from Holland Construction in the amount of $20,000.00. He explained that this request is the other half of what is owed to Holland Construction. The city has a preconstruction contract with Holland Construction for the proposed pool.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve the pay request from Holland Construction in the amount of $20,000.00. Alderman Bruce Hilmes seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, and Jim McClaren. Nay: none.

City Administrator Brad Myers said that the final invoice for brick reconstruction at the Electric Department from Warnecke Building Restoration in the amount of $47,008.00. The original contract was for $243,033.00 in which $200,000.00 was paid leaving a balance of $43,033.00. There were some additional expenses which were previously approved bringing the balance to $47,008.00.

Alderman John Hodapp made a motion to approve the final invoice from Warnecke Building Restoration in the amount of $47,008.00. 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, Jim McClaren, and Scott Diekemper. Nay: none.

City Administrator Brad Myers said the Water Department received three quotes for a push camera. One was from Minicam at a cost of $13,450.00. Another was from Key Equipment at a cost of 13,533.75. The third was from Coe Equipment at the cost of $13,077.90. This has gone through the Finance Committee and they recommended purchasing the camera from Coe Equipment.

Alderman John Hodapp made a motion to purchase a push camera from Coe Equipment in the amount of $13,077.90. Alderman Jeff Taylor seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, and Jeremy Weh. Nay: none.

Chief of Police Mark Pingsterhaus said they had a Police Committee meeting earlier this evening and they discussed putting stop signs at Lakeside Liquor and Gas. Chief Pingsterhaus spoke to City Attorney Joe Heiligenstein about creating an ordinance to place stop signs at the exits to Governor’s Drive at the Lakeside Liquor and Gas. City Attorney Joe Heiligenstein explained the steps to pass an ordinance for a stop sign at Lakeside Liquor and Gas. City Attorney Joe Heiligenstein said a motion wasn’t needed for him to go forward producing an ordinance and at that point the ordinance will be passed by the council. It was decided that Chief Pingsterhaus would talk to the owner of Lakeside Liquor and Gas and let him know what they would like to do.

City Administrator Brad Myers said the Finance Committee forwarded the request for the purchase of a Kubota Rough Terrain Vehicle to the city council. It will be used by the Park Department and any other city department that will need it.

Alderman John Hodapp made a motion to approve the purchase of a Kubota Rough Terrain Vehicle from Okawville Equipment at the cost of $23,084.54. The motion was seconded by Alderman Jeff Taylor and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, and John Hodapp. Nay: none.

City Administrator Brad Myers said the mulch at the Fish Hatchery Playground was discussed earlier and there is no need for a vote. He just wants to let everyone know what needs to be done at the playground before new mulch can be put down.

City Administrator Brad Myers told the council what they would like to raise the referee/umpire rates. T-Ball goes from $12.00 to $15.00; 1st and 2nd grade from $24.00 to $25.00; 3rd and 4th grade from $25.00 to $28.00, and 5th and 6th grade from $30.00 to $34.00.

Alderman John Hodapp made a motion to approve the referee/umpire pay rates. Alderman Jim McClaren seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, John Hodapp, and Jeff Taylor. Nay: none.

City Administrator Brad Myers said that the Park Department would like to go back to the 2022 pool fees and schedule. Last year they lowered it because they thought they would be shortening the season due to a new pool being put in. This was approved by the Finance Committee.

Alderman Mike Jansen made a motion to return to the pool fees and hours from 2022. Alderman Jeremy Weh seconded the motion, and it was unanimously by roll call vote. Mayor Smith said the pool hours will be Monday – Thursday, lap swim 9:00 a.m. -10:00 a.m., swim team practice is 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., open swim will be from noon to 6:00 p.m., swim team practice will be from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday it’s open swim from noon to 6:00 p.m. Any pool parties that are scheduled will be 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., or 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. They can only be scheduled on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Aye: Bruce Hilmes, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, and Mike Jansen. Nay: none.

At 7:30 p.m. a motion was made by Alderman Jeff Taylor to go into executive session to discuss Personnel 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity, and purchase/lease of property 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.

At 9:03 p.m. the council returned to open session.

Mayor Judy Smith asked for a motion to approve the park personnel pay raises. Jeff Miller will go to $22.00 per hour, Tom Schubert will go to $21.00 per hour, and Ryan Meyer will go to $29.44 per hour.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve the above park personnel pay raises. Alderman Mike Jansen seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously by roll call vote. Aye: Jeremy Weh, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Jim McClaren, and Scott Diekemper. Nay: none.

Mayor Judy Smith asked for a motion to approve the city administrator’s raise from $104,500.00 to $116,000.00, an additional seven days of vacation which will bring him to 25 days, and to be allowed to use the city administrator vehicle to and from work.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve the above city administrator’s raise. Alderman Jeremy Weh seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, and Jeremy Weh. Nay: none.

Mayor Judy Smith asked for a motion to continue the Maintenance Worker II position decision to the June 10th meeting.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to continue the Maintenance Worker II position decision to the June 10th meeting. Alderman Jeremy Weh seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, and John Hodapp. Nay: none.

At 9:06 p.m. a motion to adjourn was made by Alderman Jeremy Weh. Alderman John Hodapp seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, John Hodapp, and Jeff Taylor. Nay: none.

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