Rockford Sun

City of Carlyle City Council met Sept. 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Due to the absence of Mayor Judy Smith, the Carlyle City Council was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem John Hodapp 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, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, and Bruce Hilmes. Alderman Jeremy Weh was absent.

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

Others present were Matt Wilson and Corey Johnson.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve the August 25, 2025, minutes. Alderman Scott Diekemper seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Tammy Peters, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, and Bruce Hilmes. Nay: none.

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

Alderman John Hodapp made a motion to approve the treasurer’s report. Alderman Jeff Taylor seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Voting aye Scott Diekemper, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Tammy Peters, and Jim McClaren. Voting nay none.

City Administrator Brad Myers reported for the mayor and himself saying that the street fair was last weekend and everything went well. There was a good turnout, there were no fights, and the weather was perfect.

Alderman Mike Jansen reported for the library. He said that Library Director Keith Housewright was at a meeting and he sent a message saying that the Lego Club is starting tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m. and if you know anyone that is interested you can call the library to sign up.

Alderman John Hodapp said that the King Kat Catfish/Kids’ Event fishing series event was forwarded to the city council from the Finance Committee. City Administrator Brad Myers said the cost is $3,750.00.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve the King Kat contract for a cost of $3,750.00. 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, and Scott Diekemper. Nay: none.

Alderman John Hodapp said that the Finance Committee sent to the city council the Crappie Fishing Tournament at a cost of $3,750.00.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve the Crappie Fishing Tournament contract at a cost of $3,750.00. Alderman Mike Jansen 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, and John Hodapp. Nay: none.

City Administrator Brad Myers explained the Charter Franchise agreement. He said the city has been operating on an expired agreement. He said that there are some minor wording changes that did not affect the performance. The contract is for five years with a five-year extension. If there are no complaints it will roll into a five-year extension. City Attorney Joe Heiligenstein said that it is the contract that they will go out to Old State Commons.  City Attorney Joe Heiligenstein added that the new wording is if the city gets a new cable company in town that reached an agreement that pays less than the five percent that Charter pays the city and will agree to reduce it.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve the ordinance for the Charter franchise agreement. 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, John Hodapp, and Jeff Taylor. Nay: none.

City Administrator Brad Myers said that the sale of surplus vehicle – truck was forwarded from the Water Committee. They have a 2005 Chevy K2500 Silverado sitting in the parking lot at the Street Department. He said it needs to be declared as surplus and they will take sealed bids until October 8, 2025.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve the ordinance allowing for the sale of water and sewer’s surplus truck. Alderman Jim McClaren seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Bruce Hilmes, Tammy Peters, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, and Mike Jansen. Nay: none.

City Administrator Brad Myers explained the ordinance for a water rate increase. He said this has been discussed but an ordinance had not been created. He also said that the recommended rate increase comes from the water rate study done by the Illinois Rural Water Association and relying on the EPA. The city has to prove that our funding is sufficient for any future water production/distribution costs as well as sewer distribution costs. The study suggested that the increase would be $.51 per 1,000 gallons on water and for sewer, Currently, we charge per 2,000 gallons and it was suggested to charge per 1,000 gallons. He said the increase was nominal and for a family of four it would be a raise of approximately $5.00 - $10.00 per month. This will stay continuous with our current policy that says the city will raise the rate by 5 percent after the ordinance goes into effect. City Administrator Brad Myers displayed the new rates and costs. This will start January 1, 2026, and the 5 percent for the next five years and at the end of five years it will be reviewed again.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve the water rate increase ordinance. Alderman Mike Jansen seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Tammy Peters, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, and Bruce Hilmes. Nay: none.

City Administrator Brad Myers gave an update on the purchase of a township dump truck for $37,500.00. We should have it within the next 30 days. The purchase has already been approved.

City Administrator Brad Myers said that there are four manholes and culverts that need to be replaced. It is under contract that the city has to replace them even though it is on State Route 127.

City Administrator Brad Myers said the city went out for bids last month for 380 yards of concrete to be paid for by motor fuel tax funds. One bid was received from Beelman Logistics at a cost of $62,700.00. This will be used for road repair and part of the repairs on Route 127.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve the bid from Beelman Logistics for 380 yards of concrete at a cost of $62,700.00. Alderman Tammy Peters seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, and Tammy Peters. Nay: none.

Chief of Police Mark Pingsterhaus commented on the street fair. From the police perspective it was a very good event. There was little to no police activity with anybody.

City Administrator Brad Myers reported for the park department. He said they are still working on getting the new pavilion back up. They had to weld and make new doors for the pool maintenance room. They are now working on Christmas decorations and when that is finished, they will put up posts to put the new pavilion up.

Alderman Jim McClaren announced that the Employee Concerns Committee has a union negotiation meeting this Thursday.

At 7:16 p.m. Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to adjourn. Alderman Tammy Peters seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Scott Diekemper, John Hodapp, Jeff Taylor, Mike Jansen, Bruce Hilmes, Tammy Peters, and Jim McClaren. Nay: none.

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