Rockford Sun

City of Carlyle City Council met March 24.

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

City employees present were City Administrator Brad Myers, Chief of Police Mark Pingsterhaus, Andy Wennerstrom, and City Clerk Rita Jurgensmeyer.

Others present were Matt Wilson, Peggy Hilmes, Corey Johnson, Todd Marver, Nathan Columbo, and Aaron Silvers.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve the minutes from February 24, 2025, and March 10, 2025, regular meetings. Alderman Scott Diekemper seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Voting aye Tammy Peters, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, and Bruce Hilmes. Voting nay none.

Alderman Jeremy Weh made a motion to pay the claims against the city. The motion was seconded by Alderman Jeff Taylor 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 transfers from Fund 1 General fund to Fund 3 Street and Alley for $110,000.00, Fund 17 Parks for $30,000.00, Fund 20 Library for $20,000.00, for a total of $160,000.00. Alderman Jeff Taylor 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, Tammy Peters, and Jim McClaren. Nay: none.

Mayor Judy Smith reminded everyone that on April 18, 2025, there is the K9 fish fry at Pinball Palace. You can purchase tickets from the police department or from Garrett Wade. The fish fry starts at 3:30 p.m. and goes until 7:00 p.m.

City Administrator Brad Myers reported that the Street and Alley, as well as all the departments, have been extremely busy because of the storm last Friday. They have been picking up as many leaves and limbs as they could. The last leaf pickup for the season is this week. He reminded everyone to put them at the edge of the lawn and not in the gutter. He explained that the reason not to put them in the gutter is because if there is rain, they wash into the catch basin and clog them up.

Alderman Mike Jansen reported for the library saying that the friends of the library are hosting an afternoon jazz concert on April 11th at noon. It will be an afternoon of great music and a light lunch will be provided. Contact the library to register.

City Administrator Brad Myers said that the Finance Committee forwarded a request from Peggy Hilmes to help finance the fireworks show. Peggy is asking for the same amount as last year, $7,500.00.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to donate $7,500.00 for the fireworks show. Alderman Scott Diekemper seconded the motion and it was approved by voice vote. Aye: Jeremy Weh, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Tammy Peters, Jim McClaren, and Scott Diekemper. Nay: none. Alderman Bruce Hilmes abstained.

City Administrator Brad Myers said that Discover Downstate Illinois is a large tourism conglomerate. Carlyle goes through them to advertise many events happening in Carlyle. They are asking for a commitment for FY2026. In the past the city has spent $20,000.00 going through them for advertising and City Administrator Brad Myers is asking for a $20,000.00 commitment for FY206. This has gone through the Finance Committee and the recommended approval through the city council.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve the $20,000.00 commitment to Discover Downstate Illinois. Alderman John Hodapp seconded the motion and it 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.

City Administrator Brad Myers said he had a meeting last week with Nathan Columbo from Clearwave Fiber. Clearwave is wanting to do a project in Carlyle installing fiber on the southwest corner of town. City Administrator Brad Myers told Nathan Columbo that he really needs to come to a council meeting to explain what they would like to do because their last effort in Breese did not go well and the city does not want that to happen here. Nathan Columbo explained that they have one item come up that they may not be able to overcome. It is a request that Clearwave hire a third party to locate city water services. They will be checking to see if they have anyone that can do the locates in lieu of the city doing the locates. Nathan Columbo said he was the one working in Breese to help clean up the messes that were made there. He said over the last couple of years Clearwave has done a very good job of cleaning up their act. He said in the past they were trying to do things too fast. He said now that they have identified their problems and slowed their pace. In Carlyle over the course of a six month or yearlong construction, it would not be the same feeling or effect that had occurred in other municipalities. He asked if anyone had any questions. Alderman John Hodapp asked if the fiber they would be installing would be all underground. Nathan Columbo said that, yes, it would be all underground. He added that they have fiber distribution areas that the engineering plans that they have presented are for a single fiber distribution area that will run about 300 units. They have about three or four fiber distribution areas that they carved out for Carlyle that they would like to build between 2025 and 2026. Mayor Judy Smith asked if this would be a fiber optic that would be available for businesses and residents. He said yes it would be for both. He added that the resident pricing can be found on their website. Commercial contracts work differently. With commercial contracts they plan out what the cost to construct is and advertise it over a five-year contract and that is what the pricing the business receives. The thing that the building up the residential network is that the closer they get to businesses the overall cost will be down for businesses. Mayor Judy Smith said that when they talked to Clearwave before the thing that was brought up was what are the chances that the city get fiber optic into all the different city buildings for free. Mayor Smith said she understood that they would be paying a monthly price but will the city get the installation free? Nathan Columbo said he would have to refer this to another employee of Clearwave, but he thought they could probably work something out. A discussion was held concerning the service provided. Mayor Judy Smith asked about a timeline for the first phase. Nathan Columbo said he does not have an official timeline. He added that they like to construct around 5,000 – 8,000 linear feet in each week. Alderman John Hodapp asked what their projection time in Breese to get the whole project done. He wasn’t as familiar with Breese because he was hired in October 2022 and the problems were in November 2022. He lived through construction in Carbondale before he was hired at Clearwave. In Carbondale they have between 8,000 – 10,000 households that was done in a four-month process. He said they have five to six crews working at this time. He thought Breese was probably a two-month process getting everything in the way they used to run things. He explained some of the problems they ran into in Breese. They were told to stop until everything they caused was fixed and that took about four months. City Administrator Brad Myers asked when they would start in Carlyle. Nathan Columbo said that would be a question for the construction manager. He felt they were probably a month to a month and a half for a start time. He said they will use third party contractors to do the construction, but the third-party contractors are overseen by the in-house engineers and in-house construction managers. Alderman Bruce Hilmes asked about start times and end times. Nathan Columbo said the city will set the parameters on the start and end times. City Administrator Brad Myers said that there will be a site manager here and that he and Mayor Smith will know who it is. The council thanked Nathan Columbo for coming and explaining the process.

City Administrator Brad Myers said the Finance Committee sent to the city council the purchase of a generator fuel tank from Oakley Services Inc. in the amount of $7,410.00. This is to replace the fuel tank on the generator that they are moving from the old city hall to the power plant. It is a two-layer tank and the outside layer has a hole in it and a rust pattern. If it is fixed now, it will be easier than trying to do it after it’s installed.

Alderman Jim McClaren made a motion to approve the purchase of the fuel tank from Oakley Services, Inc. in the amount of $7,410.00. Alderman Jeremy Weh seconded the motion 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.

City Administrator Brad Myers explained the request from the Clinton County Fair Board to close Route 127 at Fairfax Street and Route 50 at 17th Street for the Clinton County fair parade to be held on July 14th from 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. with a rain date of July 16th.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve a resolution closing Route 127 at Fairfax Street and Route 50 at 17th Street for the Clinton County fair parade on July 14th from 6:00 p.m.– 9:30 p.m. with a rain date of July 16th. Alderman Tammy Peters seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Tammy Peters, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, John Hodapp, and Jeff Taylor. Nay: none.

Chief of Police Mark Pingsterhaus spoke concerning agenda item 12.3 No Parking Sign by East Garage Door at 811 Washington Street. He said there is no need to have any action with this since Kyle Berry is going to put up a sign by the garage door and the police will keep an eye on it.

City Administrator Brad Myers said that the purchase of a Kubota snowplow was forwarded to the city council by the park committee. This is for a snowplow attachment for the Kubota that was bought last year. They would like to go with Okawville Equipment for the price of $5,700.00.

Alderman John Hodapp made a motion to approve the purchase of the Kubota snowplow from Okawville Equipment at a price of $5,700.00. Alderman Jeff Taylor seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Bruce Hilmes, Tammy Peters, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, and Mike Jansen. Nay: none.

City Administrator Brad Myers said that the Park Committee referred the purchase of a new scoreboard to the city council. They received a quote from Nevco for a new scoreboard at a price of $14,873.69.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to purchase a scoreboard from Nevco at a price of $14,873.69. The motion was seconded by Alderman Tammy Peters and 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.

City Administrator Brad Myers said that Andy Wennerstrom asked to hire Noah Miller for a part time position in the Water Department. Andy Wennerstrom explained that he is going through a water sewer program in Edwardsville. This will be an internship starting May 12th for ten weeks.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to hire Noah Miller for a part time position in the Water Department. 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.

At 7:34 p.m. Alderman John Hodapp made a motion to go into executive session to discuss 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. 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, Tammy Peters, and Jim McClaren. Nay: none.

At 7:41 the council returned to regular session.

City Administrator Brad Myers explained that the MWII position in the Water Department has been vacant for almost a year. He asked to move Ryan Drake who was an applicant for this position. This is a vacant position that does not need to be posted.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to move Ryan Drake to the MWII position in the water department. Alderman Jim McClaren seconded the motion and it 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.

City Administrator Brad Myers said that they have had a temporary Street and Alley Foreman for awhile and it is time to make it permanent so the position will need to be posted. The person that is in the position is doing very well and City Administrator Brad Myers feels that he will apply for the position.

Alderman John Hodapp made a motion to approve posting for the Street and Alley position. Alderman Tammy Peters seconded the motion 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.

City Administrator Brad Myers said that the Street and Alley MWII position is open. A few weeks ago, they received a letter of resignation from Mike Meskil, so his position needs to be filled.

Alderman John Hodapp made a motion to approve posting for the MWII in the Street and Alley department. Alderman Jeff Taylor seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Tammy Peters, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, John Hodapp, and Jeff Taylor. Nay: none.

City Administrator Brad Myers said that with Ryan Drake being approved to move him to the MWII position in the Water Department it leaves a vacancy for the Water Technician/Relief Plant Operator.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve the posting of the Water Technician/Relief Plant Operator. Alderman Jeremy Weh seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Bruce Hilmes, Tammy Peters, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, and Mike Jansen. Nay: none.

Mayor Judy Smith said that she would like to take a moment to recognize two past mayors in Clinton County that recently passed away. Herb Schlarman and Marcel Langenhorst. She then asked for a moment of silence.

At 7:46 p.m. a motion to adjourn was made by Alderman John Hodapp. Alderman Tammy Peters 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.

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