Rockford Sun

City of Carlyle City Council met May 12.

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 City Administrator Brad Myers, Chief of Police Mark Pingsterhaus, City Attorney Joe Heiligenstein, Kyle Berry, Keith Housewright, Andy Wennerstrom, and City Clerk Rita Jurgensmeyer.

Others present were Matt Wilson, Corey Johnson, and Josh Butts.

At this time Mayor Judy Smith swore in newly elected City Clerk Rita Jurgensmeyer. City Clerk Rita Jurgensmeyer then swore in newly elected Mayor Judy Smith. City Clerk Rita Jurgensmeyer then swore in newly elected aldermen, Tammy Peters, Scott Diekemper, Jeff Taylor, and Mike Jansen.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve the April 28, 2025, minutes. Alderman Jim McClaren pointed out a mistake. The minutes said that the cost of the two dumpster enclosures was listed in the minutes at a cost of $20,270.00 and it should be $27,000.00. City Clerk Rita Jurgensmeyer said she would make that correction. Alderman Jeff Taylor changed his motion to approve the minutes as amended. Alderman Bruce Hilmes 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 pay the claims against the city. The motion was seconded by Alderman John Hodapp 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 Treasurer’s Report as presented, he added that City Treasurer Chad Holthaus was not here tonight and if anyone has any questions to get ahold of him. Alderman John Hodapp 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.

City Clerk Rita Jurgensmeyer reported that she and Deputy Clerk Martha Reinkensmeyer will be attending the International Institute of Municipal Clerks conference in St. Louis. She explained that it would be four days of training and there will be clerks from all over the United States as well as from other countries.

Mayor Judy Smith reported that the Senior Center sincerely thanked the city council for the utility waiver that they get from the city every year. They service the county with Meals on Wheels from this site. They are very happy to get the waiver because they work on a very tight budget.

Mayor Judy Smith then spoke concerning the Fritz family. She said Dale Fritz and his sisters have donated between $15,000.00 - $20,000.00. They have purchased trees that will be planted with IDOT’s blessing at the entrance to Carlyle where Route 127 and Route 50 meet. Dale has put a drawing on Facebook showing where the trees will be planted. He is working with Jamie Nordike. The planting should start within two weeks. He is also working with Carlyle in Bloom. The city will install a spicket by the digital Carlyle sign. Carlyle In Bloom will be able to access it and Jamie Nordike will have the trees set up with water bags. Mayor Smith explained Dale Fritz’s plan. She said he grew up in Carlyle and Carlyle used to be known as the city of trees with trees lined from the east end of town to the west end of town on old Route 50. Dale Fritz remembers this, and his father was big into forestry, and the Boy Scouts, and he also enjoyed fishing as he was the state fish biologist at Carlyle Lake. This is a way to honor their family.

Mayor Smith reported that a couple of new businesses have opened in Carlyle recently. One is the Pinball Palace Restaurant which Maverick Taylor has opened. They are open until 8:00 p.m. and you can get sandwiches and they are also posting their menu each week on Facebook. The other business is Crippen Automotive, which has opened on the west end of town.

City Administrator Brad Myers added to the city’s donation to the tree planting. He said the city is installing the water meter, service line, and spicket. They will be taking care of the watering at no charge. He added that Carlyle in Bloom has planted flowers at city hall. He also said that the bench in front of city hall has been redone for people to sit.

City Administrator Brad Myers then reminded citizens that the height limit of grass is 8”. If it is taller than that they will get a ticket, and when grass is cut, do not blow it out into the street.

Keith Housewright reported for the library saying that he is always getting asked about having something at the library for the older kids. They are working on some crafts, Legos, and game days this summer and if it works out, they will take it into fall.

Keith Housewright then mentioned that they have a program coming up with Bob Hammel. He has researched and found that there are two planes in the park in Centralia that were flown by Colonel William Pachura. He was a graduate of Carlyle High School in 1951. He received two distinguished flying awards for flying in Vietnam. There was a documentary made about him 10 years ago by his brother-in-law. He will be here on Thursday, May 15th at 7:00 p.m. and they will show the documentary and Bob will talk about how the planes ended up in Centralia.

Mayor Judy Smith asked the council for their approval to appoint Brad Myers as City Administrator. Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to appoint Brad Myers as the city administrator and Alderman Tammy Peters 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, and Scott Diekemper. Nay: none.

Mayor Judy Smith asked the council for their approval to appoint Mark Pingsterhaus as Chief of Police. Alderman John Hodapp made a motion to appoint Mark Pingsterhaus as Chief of Police. Alderman Jeff Taylor 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.

Mayor Judy Smith asked the council for their approval to appoint Ryan Meyer as Park Director. Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to appoint Ryan Meyer as Park Director. Alderman Jim McClaren 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.

Mayor Judy Smith asked the council for their approval to appoint Joe Heiligenstein as City Attorney. Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to appoint Joe Heiligenstein as City Attorney. Alderman Jim McClaren 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.

Mayor Judy Smith asked the council for their approval to appoint Chad Holthaus as City Treasurer. Alderman Tammy Peters made a motion to appoint Chad Holthaus as City Treasurer. 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.

City Administrator Brad Myers said that the FY26 budget was already approved but the vote wasn’t listed on the agenda so it needed to be approved again. Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve the FY26 budget. 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.

City Administrator Brad Myers explained that the Motor Fuel Tax oil and chip quotes were discussed but not listed on the agenda for the last meeting so they need to be approved at this meeting. He said that Doug Ratermann was at the last meeting and the accepted bids were from DMS Contracting which will be doing the oil and Zachry Farms will be doing the rock. They were quoted at $2.85 per gallon for 23,600 gallons which amounts to a price of $67,260.00. They were quoted for seal coated aggregate $19.30 per ton for 800 tons which amounts to a price of $15,440.00. They were quoted for CA6 $12.40 per ton for 400 tons which amounts to a price of $4,960.00. Alderman John Hodapp asked if they were able to get slag this year and City Administrator Brad Myers said that they were not, but they have a very good stockpile from last year and it may be enough to do everything.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve the Motor Fuel Tax quotes. 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.

Chief of Police Mark Pingsterhaus reported for police saying that on May 2nd the DARE golf scramble was held. He said they had 45 teams and they made $10,000.00 for the DARE program. He thanked everyone that was involved and everyone who donated.

At 7:22 p.m. Alderman Jeremy Weh 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 and 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. Alderman Jim McClaren seconded the motion and it was unanimously 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 7:28 p.m. the council returned to open session.

City Administrator Brad Myers said that the Chief of Police works under the employee handbook plus the police union. The Employee Concerns committee approved forwarding to the city council that Mark Pingsterhaus be reappointed at $115,000.00 in the first year, $120,000.00 in the second year, $125,000.00 the third year, and $130,000.00 the fourth year.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve the contract with Mark Pingsterhaus for Chief of Police with the preceding salary amounts. Alderman Tammy Peters 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.

Alderman John Hodapp made a motion to hire Kyle Berry for the Street and Alley foreman position. Alderman Jeff Taylor 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.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to hire Josh Butts for the street and alley MWII position. Alderman Jim McClaren 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.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to hire Steve Kerwin for the Water Tech/Relief Operator position. 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.

At 7:34 p.m. a motion to adjourn was made by Alderman John Hodapp. 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.

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