Rockford Sun

City of Carlyle City Council met Sept. 22.

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, Jeff Taylor, and Bruce Hilmes. Alderman John Hodapp and Mike Jansen was absent.

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

Others present were Matt Wilson, Corey Johnson, Bill Leith, Tiffany Wesselmann, Kylee Wesselmann, and Bob Crippen.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve the September 8, 2025, minutes. Alderman Scott Diekemper seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Tammy Peters, Jim McClaren, Jeremy Weh, Scott Diekemper, Jeff Taylor, and Bruce Hilmes. Nay: none.

Alderman Jeremy Weh made a motion to pay the claims against the city. Alderman Jeff Taylor seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, Jeff Taylor, 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 $120,000.00, Fund 4 Police for $220,000.00, and Fund 20 Library for $20,000.00, Fund 27 Parks for $50,000.00 for a total of $410,000.00. Alderman Jeff Taylor seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, Jeff Taylor, Bruce Hilmes, Tammy Peters, and Jim McClaren. Nay: none.

Mayor Judy Smith reported in the mayor’s report. She said she was glad to see Bob Crippen at the meeting. She added that if you haven’t been to the new facility that Crippen Automotive is at you need to go out and see it.

Mayor Judy Smith then thanked Kayla Heimann for the work she did planning the street fair. She said it takes months of phone calls, emails, and organization to pull it together and work during the street fair to make sure everything is going well. Mayor Smith said that Kayla does a fantastic job, as well as the girls at city hall, Staci and Martha. She also thanked all the city employees that helped with the setup and tear down. She said they all have the same attitude. This is for the city of Carlyle, the town where we live, the place that we work, and they all throw their best into it. She again thanked the girls at city hall and City Administrator Brad Myers. She said that Brad comes up and camps here for the weekend, so he is right here.

Mayor Smith then mentioned Molly Michaels. She said a couple of years ago we had a farmers’ market uptown on the square and then it went away, and we didn’t have it for a while. Molly Michaels stepped up and said she was going to try and run the farmer’s market. She moved it to the VFW, and she has done a tremendous job. It gets bigger every time they have it. They have it on the last Friday of the month. She said if you haven’t been there you need to go. This Friday will be the last one of the year.

Mayor Smith thanked the police department for the help at the street fair. They always make sure that there are officers up there among the crowds to make sure everyone behaves themselves. She thanked all the individuals and businesses who donated sponsorships for the fair.

Mayor Smith then reported on an issue at the General Dean Suspension Bridge. There has been quite a bit of graffiti on the pillars. She said she has received several complaints because the pillars were covered in graffiti. She thanked the fire department, because she received the complaints on Friday at 4:00 and all the guys were gone for the day. Eric Nordike and Nick Mioux went down with the fire truck and washed the pillars off on the east side and on the west side. They also washed off all the sidewalks. The sidewalk chalk that was left there was picked up and removed. There was a triathlon coming through this past Sunday and it was great to have the graffiti washed off. Mayor Smith said she has asked people not to leave sidewalk chalk down there. She said it doesn’t have anything to do with the content of what is written. The General Dean Bridge is a national monument. It is in honor of General Dean. She said she went down the other day and the writing on the pillars was so high up they had to stand on the railing of the bridge. She said that many people visit the bridge. They have pictures taken on it and she understands why they would not like to have the graffiti there.

City Administrator Brad Myers added that there was one group she forgot to thank for working at the street fair, and that it was the boy scouts. They were there all weekend picking up trash and emptying trash cans. We couldn’t do it without them.

City Administrator Brad Myers then said that the street crews have been working on Route 127. IDOT has an agreement with the city, and the agreement was that they pave it and put all new things in and the city has to maintain the storm sewers, culverts, and grates. In the last 30 years they have started to fall apart. The city has poured about 17 yards of concrete last week to fix the risers. The box culverts have to be sealed and there were cracks in them that had to be repaired. He said the guys did a great job. They filled from the back side, and they also cut into 127 and filled from the top. There are three done right now. They will be out there again because there is more to maintain. There are 91 more to go. Mayor Smith said the agreement with IDOT was put in place when William Dunnill was in office. It was around 1994.

Keith Housewright reported for the library. He said that they have mentioned General Dean Bridge, and he has several DVDs from the dedication ceremony in his office. He said he could post them on Facebook and if anyone wanted to see them, they could stop by his office.

Keith Housewright then reported that they are still working library card month. He said that the Friends of the Library gave them some prizes for the library card giveaway.

They are having a book sale, and all the proceeds go to the Friends of the Library.

Last month they had a great Lego Night. There were about 16 kids participating. They are going to be doing this once a month and the next one is scheduled for October 16th. If it keeps doing well, they may change it to every other week. The last Lego Night they built a little city of Carlyle. They all had to build a project inside their bag so the others couldn’t see it. When they finished, they pulled them out and had a contest of who built the best.

City Administrator Brad Myers said that he would like the council to approve the purchase of a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. It will replace a service vehicle in the water department. Currently they have an old Ford Explorer that had been a police vehicle. It has a transmission going out. Mayor Smith found this vehicle that suits their purposes. It has 67,000 miles on it. The price is $19,065.00.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve purchasing the Chevrolet Equinox at a price of $19,065.00. Alderman Jim McClaren seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Jeremy Weh, Jeff Taylor, Bruce Hilmes, Tammy Peters, Jim McClaren, and Scott Diekemper. Nay: none.

City Administrator Brad Myers said they sent out an RFP and received bids from three vendors for the Christmas in Carlyle shirts. He showed the three different designs from each vendor. He said this has gone through the Finance Committee and they recommended the council go with the second set of designs.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve the second set of designs for the Christmas in Carlyle shirt. Alderman Jeremy Weh seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Jeff Taylor, Bruce Hilmes, Tammy Peters, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, and Jeremy Weh. Nay: none.

City Administrator Brad Myers said the Finance Committee sent the request to transfer gambling revenue to the revolving loan fund to the city council. City Administrator Brad Myers said he is receiving requests for loans from the revolving loan fund. He said that we just gave Michelle Scott $100,000.00 loan for equipment for a veterinary clinic. He has had requests from a couple of other people. One wants a $50,000.00 loan or more if he can get it. Another person wants some also. After the last $100,000.00 loan there isn’t much left in the fund. Mayor Judy Smith asked where we could get money to transfer into the revolving loan fund. City Administrator Brad Myers said that last year the city received $145,000.00 in gambling revenue and it hasn’t been used. The finance committee approved transferring $100,000.00 into the revolving loan fund and asked the city council to approve the transfer.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to transfer $100,000.00 gambling revenue into the revolving loan fund. 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, and Jeff Taylor. Nay: none.

City Administrator Brad Myers explained the next agenda item, approve payment to Charlie Schaeffer for rental/purchase of a concrete saw. He said the city owes him $8,000.00 in rental and Charlie Schaeffer said if the city will pay him an additional $2,000.00, the city could purchase it. The city does not currently have a working concrete saw.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to pay the rental of $8,000.00 plus $2,000.00 for the purchase of a concrete saw from Charlie Schaeffer. Alderman Tammy Peters seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Tammy Peters, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, Jeff Taylor, and Bruce Hilmes. Nay: none.

City Administrator Brad Myers said the city has a concrete saw that is not working but would like to get it repaired. It would be a complete rebuild. It came from a rental agency probably four years ago. The city would like to repair the concrete saw so that the city would have two concrete saws.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve searching for a new motor for the current concrete saw. Alderman Jeremy Weh seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, Jeff Taylor, Bruce Hilmes, and Tammy Peters. Nay: none.

City Administrator Brad Myers said that sidewalk replacement and new sidewalks have come up. The city will do this on when we can basis. For example, Alderman Jim McClaren had a sidewalk replaced at a cost of half of the total cost to replace the sidewalk. This is the policy currently in place. He said there is no money earmarked for this program. Mayor Smith asked if the city could get some money for this program. City Administrator Brad Myers said he doesn’t have anything in the street and alley to reallocate this year. He is asking for approval to put a new line item in with $50,000.00 next year.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to allocate money for a yearly sidewalk replacement and new sidewalks. Alderman Tammy Peters seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, Jeff Taylor, Bruce Hilmes, Tammy Peters, and Jim McClaren. Nay: none.

City Administrator Brad Myers said a quote from Visu-Sewer for sewer lining was received. The quote that was asked for was 8,000 feet of sewer lining to be done. This will help with reducing the influent into the sewer lagoons, so the city does not have to build a new sewer plant. IEPA monitors it and as long as it keeps going down a new sewer plant will not have to be built. The quote is $425,183.28. There is money budgeted for the sewer lining project. Mayor Smith said we spent this much for several years, and we are getting ahead.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve the quote from Visu-Sewer for $425,183.28 for sewer lining. Alderman Scott Diekemper seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Jeremy Weh, Jeff Taylor, Bruce Hilmes, Tammy Peters, Jim McClaren, and Scott Diekemper. Nay: none.

City Administrator Brad Myers said that a bid was received from Visu-Sewer for sewer cleaning and inspection. The company will run a camera up the lines at Lake Vista and Valley View. There have been issues with roots growing into the laterals and they are falling down and going into the main. The bid was for $6,020.00.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve the bid from Visu-Sewer for sewer cleaning and inspection at a price of $6,020.00. The motion was seconded by Alderman Jim McClaren and was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Jeff Taylor, Bruce Hilmes, Tammy Peters, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, and Jeremy Weh. Nay: none.

City Administrator Brad Myers said a bid was received from Visu-Sewer for cutting out all the roots out of the sewer at Lake Vista and Valley View. This will involve cutting out all the roots they can reach in the main and as far as they can go in the laterals. They can go about three feet into the laterals. Laterals are the responsibility of the homeowner. The city will give them some chemicals that will be poured down the sewer to eat out the roots. The bid received is $9,065.00.

Alderman Jeremy Weh made a motion to approve the bid from Visu-Sewer to cut the roots from the sewer at Lake Vista and Valley View at a cost of $9,065.00. 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, and Jeff Taylor. Nay: none.

City Administrator Brad Myers said that the pickleball courts are converted tennis courts. The tennis courts were installed in 1967. In 2018 the tennis courts were resurfaced. They need repairs again. The courts are cracking, uneven, and trip hazards. City Administrator Brad Myers is trying to get an OSLAD grant ( Outside Space Land Acquisition and Development grant). This is from Illinois Department of Natural Resources to build new pickleball courts. Part of the grant application says that there must be a resolution approved by the city council saying, yes, we have the money to do the match. The total will be $500,000.00. The city has to match $250,000.00.

Alderman Jeff Taylor made a motion to approve the resolution needed to apply for an OSLAD grant. Alderman Tammy Peters seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Tammy Peters, Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, Jeff Taylor, and Bruce Hilmes. Nay: none.

Alderman Jeff Taylor asked what the turnaround time for the grant was. City Administrator Brad Myers said it is before the end of the year. City Administrator Brad Myers said that doesn’t mean that the city could start in the spring. He found out that the companies that install pickle courts are booked out over a year.

Mayor Judy Smith asked Bob Crippen to speak about what he had spoken to her about earlier. Bob Crippen said that in Beckemeyer for the last two years he has done a coloring contest for the kids in town. The winning drawing gets turned into a Christmas ornament that hangs on the electric poles. The company that was used in Beckemeyer fit all the brackets that are currently on the pole. He would like to do it for kids in first to fourth grade. Discussion was held concerning what poles it would hang on. Mayor Smith said that the first one would be by the grade school and then work out from there to lead the way to the park and then go back to Route 127. In Beckemeyer it would be issued at Thanksgiving and the drawing would have to be back by December 24th or the last day of school so all the drawings will be given to Santa so he can choose the winner. The winner will be announced on New Year's Day. This gives them eight months or so to get it done. He said he just got the winner from last year a couple of weeks ago. The council thought it was a good idea. Bob Crippen will contact the school.

At 7:34 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: Jim McClaren, Scott Diekemper, Jeremy Weh, Jeff Taylor, Bruce Hilmes, and Tammy Peters. Nay: none.

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