City Council Meeting Minutes--December 9, 2024

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE STAUNTON CITY COUNCIL, HELD IN THE RALPH & JOSEPHINE OLTMANN COMMUNITY CENTER, 101 W. PEARL ST., STAUNTON, ILLINOIS ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2024

I.          CALL TO ORDER:

            Mayor Craig Neuahus called the Staunton City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, December 9, 2024.

II.        PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

            Mayor Craig Neuhaus led the Pledge Allegiance to the Flag.

 III.      ROLL CALL:

            City Clerk Stiegemeier called roll with the following persons:

            ATTENDING:  Aldermen David Manning, David Dias, Kristy Berg, Ryan Machota, Matthew McKee, Terry Tipler, Mayor Craig Neuhaus, City Clerk Dennis Stiegemeier, City Treasurer Cindy Pirok and Public Works Director Mike Kuethe.

            ELECTRONIC ATTENDANCE:  Attorney Michael Gaeschel (in the absence of City Attorney Phil Lading) and Police Chief Jeff Doerr.

   IV.    CONSENT AGENDA

Dias moved, seconded by Manning to approve Consent Agenda with the following items:

Minutes 

           Regular Meeting – 11/25//2024

Collector’s Report

                                Staunton Super 8 Motel (Hotel/Motel Tax)--$2,297.17

                                Staunton Police Department (Ordinance Violations)--$200.00

                                Staunton Police Department (Reports)--$15.00

                                Staunton Area Ambulance Service (Dispatch Fees)--$1,500.00

                                Southwestern Electric Cooperative (Utility Tax)--$972.72

                                Southwestern Electric Cooperative (Utility Tax)--$720.01

                                Prairietown Feed Service (Jarman Farm Income)--$554.57

                                State of Illinois (MFT Tax)--$10,179.50

                                State of Illinois (MFT Renewal Fund)--$10,233.96

                                State of Illinois (Busiiness District Tax)--$31,515.46

                                State of Illinois (Sales Tax)--$62,473.84

                                State of Illinois (Personal Property Replacement Tax)--$1,395.35

                                Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Fine Disbursement)--$675.99

                                Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Arrest Agency Fee)--$104.00

                                Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (FTA Warrant Fee)--$19.23

                                Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (E-Citation Fee)--$10.00

                                Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Police Vehicle Fund)--$1.00

Applications

                        Anfirnee Wilkinson (Police Officer)

                        Christoper Mathenia (Police Officer)

                        Jonathon Myers (Police Officer)

            Monthly Reports

                        Distributed by City Clerk’s Office

            Claims

                        December 9, 2024

Business Licenses Issued 

                        Staunton High School Drama Department (Raffle License)

            Roll Call Vote

            AYES:   Dias, Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning.

            NAYS:   None.

            ABSENT:  None.

            Motion declared carried.

V.        GUESTS

            No guests were present to speak.

VI.      CORRESPONDENCE

Received an email from David Cisler, representing the Staunton Chamber of Commerce, announcing that Mayor Neuhaus has been named the 2024 Citizen of the Year.  A copy of the email is attached to the agenda packet.  Congratulations, Mayor Neuhaus!

VII.     TREASURER’S REPORT

Nothing to report.

VIII.   CITY CLERK’S REPORT

The annual Sexual Harassment Training from the State of Illinois needs to be completed by December 31, 2024.  This must be done by all City employees and officials.  Please turn your Certificates of Participation in to me by the end of the year.

IX.      COMMITTEE REPORTS

PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY  -

Motion by Manning, seconded by Dias to approve Estimate #10442 from Advanced Communications to reprogram mobile and portable radios to new frequency information in the amount of $1,500.00.  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried. 

            PARK & CIVIC IMPROVEMENT –

Motion by Tipler, seconded by McKee to pay Invoice #413 to Christmas Décor Systems for Main Street Christmas decorations in the amount of $3,500.00.  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias, Berg.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried. 

FINANCE–

Nothing to report.

WATER-

Motion by Berg, seconded by Dias to approve Renewal Quote with Hach Co. for annual maintenance at the water treatment plant in the amount of $12,496.00.  Starting date is January 1, 2025 and end date is December 31, 2025.  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias, Berg, Machota.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried. 

The Ward 3 water main replacement project began today.  The project encompasses

areas from Leonard to Main Street and from Easton to Ash Street.  The City of

Staunton has received a DCEO Grant for project funding.   The contractor on the job

is Haier Plumbng.

STREET / SEWER

Nothing to report.

            PUBLIC GROUNDS-

Nothing to report.

            TOURISM –

Nothing to report.

PERSONNEL –

Motion by Dias, seconded by Manning to approve Christmas bonuses to City Employees as follows:

            $250.00 to Department Heads

            $150.00 to Full Time Employees

            $100.00 to Part Time Employees with more than 250 hours per year.

            At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  Tipler, Manning, Dias, Berg, Machota, McKee.  Nayes: 

            None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried. 

Motion by Dias, seconded by Tipler to hire Shailen Conlee as Full Time Police Officer, per recommendation by the Staunton Police Commission, and to authorize her attendance to the S.W.I.C. Police Academy.  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  Dias, Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried. 

ANNEXATION –

            Nothing to report.

            SPECIAL COMMITTEES –

            Nothing to report.

            JUDICIARY—

Motion by Manning, seconded by McKee to approve Ordinance #2267 Granting A Zoning Variance For Real Property Located At 503 South Hackman Street, Staunton, Illinois.  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried.    

Motion by Manning, seconded by Dias to approve Resolution #2024-36 Appointing Jason Dothager To The Staunton Library Board.  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  Manning, Dias, Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried. 

Motion by Manning, seconded by Tipler to approve Resolution #2024-37 A Resolution To Pay Bills For The Gensing Creek Box Culvert Project ($124,573.51).  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  Dias, Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried. 

Motion by Manning, seconded by Tipler to approve Resolution #2024-38 Approving The Second Addendum To Water Purchase Contract.  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried. 

X.      UNFINISHED BUSINESS—

          Nothing to report.

XI.     NEW BUSINESS-

           Nothing to report.

XII.    EXECUTIVE SESSION—

     No Executive Session was held.

XIII.  MOTIONS FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION –

.          

           No motions were made from Executive Session.

XIV.   ADJOURNMENT

With no further business to discuss, Councilmember Tipler, seconded by Councilmember Dias to adjourn at 7:08 P.M.  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias, Berg.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried.

                                                                        Prepared by:

                                                                        Dennis K. Stiegemeier, City Clerk