City Council Meeting Minutes--March 23, 2026
- Apr 13
- 7 min read
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, MARCH 23, 2026
I. CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Craig Neuhaus called the Staunton City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, March 23, 2026.
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, Ben Frank, Kristy Berg, Ryan Machota, Anthony Bagaglio, Matthew McKee, Mayor Craig Neuhaus, City Clerk Dennis Stiegemeier, Public Works Director Mike Kuethe and Police Chief Jeff Doerr.
ELECTRONIC ATTENDANCE: Alderman Terry Tipler and City Attorney Phil Lading.
NOT ATTENDING: City Treasurer Cindy Pirok.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
Manning moved, seconded by McKee to approve Consent Agenda with the following items:
Minutes
Regular Meeting – 03/09/2026
Collector’s Report
State of Illinois (State Use Tax)--$4,716.70
State of Illinois (Cannabis Use Tax)--$584.33
State of Illinois (Sales Tax)--$97,942.68
State of Illinois (Income Tax)--$51,348.32
State of Illiinois (Business District Tax)--$31,508.73
State of Illinois (Telecommunications Tax)--$3,427.06
State of Illinois (Video Gaming Tax)--$11,499.60
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Fine Disbursement)--$1,581.75
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Arrest Agency Fee)--$395.42
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (E-Citation Fee)--$25.40
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Police Vehicle Fund)--$2.50
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (DUI Fund)--$354.61
Southwestern Electric Cooperative (Utility Tax)--$1,313.48
Applications
Lawrence Haustein (Street Department)
Daniel Eller (Police Officer)
Claims
March 23, 2026
Business Licenses Issued
None.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Frank, Berg, Machota, Bagaglio, McKee, Tipler, Manning.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.
Motion declared carried.
V. GUESTS
Larry Favre addressed the Council regarding the community garden that he and his wife maintain at the South Water Tower Park. Larry is hoping to expand the garden with more raised beds going to the west side of the property. He is also needing to replace some of the existing raised beds and will also need to be purchasing materials to complete the job. Larry had a bid from R.P. Lumber for materials for $195.20, a bid of $255.00 for compost and $40.00 for weed shield. Alderman Berg stated that she messaged her sister, Carrie Borgini, and Mayfield’s has agreed to donate topsoil for the project. Larry has also talked with Staunton Township and they have agreed to donate $550.00 to the City to help defray costs. The City Council is in full support of this worthy project for the community and the Council thanked Larry and his wife, Judy, for all of their time and efforts in maintaining the community garden.
VI. CORRESPONDENCE
Received an email from Julie Jarman, representing the Staunton Lions Club, requesting to use the Fireman’s Park on Saturday, April 4, 2026 for their annual Easter Egg Hunt. They would be using the park from 8:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. and they are asking to have the park rental fee waived.
Received a letter of resignation from Judy Coyne, resigning her position on the Staunton City Cemetery Board.
Received a letter of resignation from full time police officer Charles Lowe, effective March 16, 2026. He is requesting the opportunity to continue serving the department in a part time capacity.
Received an email from Krystle Morgan, Girl Scout Troop Leader, requesting to use the east field at the Fireman’s Park for a Glow in the Dark Easter Egg Hunt on April 3rd and April 4th from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., with the park rental fee being waived.
VII. TREASURER’S REPORT
Nothing to report.
VIII. CITY CLERK’S REPORT
The City Clerk’s Office will be closed on Friday, April 3, 2026 in observance of the Good Friday holiday. All public works employees, except on water treatment plant employee will be off that day as well.
IX. COMMITTEE REPORTS
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY -
Nothing to report.
PARK & CIVIC IMPROVEMENT –
Motion by Berg,seconded by McKee to grant request from the Staunton Lions Club to use the Fireman’s Park on Saturday, April 4, 2026 for their annual Easter Egg Hunt, with the park rental fee being waived. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Berg, Machota, Bagaglio, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Frank. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Berg, seconded by Manning to grant request from Krystle Morgan, representing Girl Scout Cadette Troop 6340, to use the east field at the Fireman’s Park on April 3rd and April 4th, from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. each evening, with the park rental fee being waived. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Machota, Bagaglio, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Frank, Berg. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
FINANCE–
Motion by Frank, seconded by Manning to pay Invoice #10358 to Potts, Smoot & Crawford Civil Engineering & Land Surveying for North Street Bridge Project Inspection in the amount of $38,995.00. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Bagaglio, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Frank, Berg, Machota. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Frank, seconded by Manning to pay Partial Pay Estimate No. 1 to Stutz Excavating, Inc. for work completed on the Main Street Improvements Project in the amount of $212,475.65. This will be paid from budget line item 56.45.860.2. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: McKee, Tipler, Manning, Frank, Berg, Machota, Bagaglio. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Frank, seconded by McKee to pay Invoice # 10415 to Potts, Smoot & Crawford Civil Engineering & Land Surveying for Inspection Services on the Main Street Improvements Project in the amount of $17,400.00. This will be paid from budget line item 56.45.532.0. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Tipler, Manning, Frank, Berg, Machota, Bagaglio, McKee. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
WATER-.
Nothing to report.
STREET / SEWER
Motion by Machota, seconded by McKee to purchase metal culverts for stock at a cost not to exceed $20,000.00. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Berg, Machota, Bagaglio, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Frank. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
PUBLIC GROUNDS-
Nothing to report.
TOURISM –
Nothing to report.
PERSONNEL –
Nothing to report.
ANNEXATION –
Nothing to report.
SPECIAL COMMITTEES –
Nothing to report.
JUDICIARY—
Motion by Frank, seconded by Bagaglio to approve Ordinance #2332 An Ordinance Approving A Charity Roadblock By The Lion’s Club To Conduct Their Annual Tootsie Pop Day Sale Drive At The Intersection Of Main And Route 4 And Main And Union (May 2, 2026). At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Manning, Frank, Berg, Machota, Bagaglio, McKee, Tipler. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Frank, seconded by Tipler to approve Ordinance #2333 An Ordinance Granting A Zoning Variance For Real Property Located At 603 North Edwardsville Street, Staunton, Illinois. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Frank, Berg, Machota, Bagaglio, McKee, Tipler, Manning. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Frank, seconded by Manning to approve Ordinance #2336 An Ordinance Approving A Pre- Annexation Agreement With Nea & Anthony Thompson Regarding Property Located At 9056 Renken Road, Staunton, IL, But Not Physically Annexing The Property To The City’s Corporate Boundaries At This Time. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Berg, Machota, Bagaglio, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Frank. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
1st reading of Ordinance #2337 An Ordinance Of The City Of Staunton That Sets
The Public Hearing Date For The Amendment Of A Business District In Staunton
Motion by Frank, seconded by Manning to waive 1st reading of Ordinance #2338 An Ordinance Repealing Staunton Revised Code Section 38-4-21 Regarding Surcharge Rates For Wastewater Facilities Within The City Of Staunton. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Machota, Bagaglio, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Frank, Berg. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Frank, seconded by Manning to approve Ordinance #2338 An Ordinance Repealing Staunton Revised Code Section 38-4-21 Regarding Surcharge Rates For Wastewater Facilities Within The City Of Staunton. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Manning, Frank, Berg, Machota, Bagaglio, McKee, Tipler. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Frank, seconded by Tipler to waive 1st reading of Ordinance #2339 An Ordinance Abating The Tax Levied To Pay The Principal Of And Interest On General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2024 Of The City Of Staunton, Illinois. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Frank, Berg, Machota, Bagaglio, McKee, Tipler, Manning. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Frank, seconded by McKee to approve Ordinance #2339 An Ordinance Abating The Tax Levied To Pay The Principal Of And Interest On General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2024 Of The City Of Staunton, Illinois. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Berg, Machota, Bagaglio, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Frank. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Frank, seconded by Manning to approve Resolution #2026-03 A Resolution Of The City Of Staunton, Illinois In Support Of Municipal Housing Authority. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Machota, Bagaglio, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Frank, Berg. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Frank, seconded by Manning to approve Resolution #2026-04 A Resolution Authorizing The Sale Of East Olive Street Surplus Real Property. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Bagaglio, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Frank, Berg, Machota. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Frank, seconded by Manning to approve Resolution #2026-05 A Resolution Declaring Surplus Property And Authorizing Its Disposition. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: McKee, Tipler, Manning, Frank, Berg, Machota, Bagaglio. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Frank, seconded by McKee to approve Resolution #2026-06 A Resolution Appointing Kathy Calcari To The Staunton Cemetery Board. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Tipler, Manning, Frank, Berg, Machota, Bagaglio, McKee. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
X. UNFINISHED BUSINESS—
Nothing to report.
XI. NEW BUSINESS-
One sealed bid was received and opened at the City Council Meeting this evening
for the property at 18476 Windy Hill Drive. The bid was received from David and
Miranda Turbyfill, who reside at 1233 West Pearl Street in Staunton and their bid
amount was $500.00.
XII. EXECUTIVE SESSION—
No Executive Session was held.
XIII. MOTIONS FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION –
.
No motions were made.
XIV. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to discuss, Councilmember Tipler, seconded by Councilmember Manning to adjourn at 7:17 P.M. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Manning, Frank, Berg, Machota, Bagaglio, McKee, Tipler. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Prepared by:
Dennis K. Stiegemeier, City Clerk