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, NOVEMBER 27, 2023
I. CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Craig Neuhaus called the Staunton City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, November 27, 2023.
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, Attorney Michael Geaschel (in attendance for City Attorney Phil Lading) and Police Chief Jeff Doerr.
NOT ATTENDING: Public Works Director Mike Kuethe.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
Manning moved, seconded by Dias to approve Consent Agenda with the following items:
Minutes
Regular Meeting – 11/13/2023
Collector’s Report
Ameren Illinois (Utility Tax)--$15,625.98
M.J.M. Electric Cooperative (Utility Tax)--$244.50
Southwestern Electric Cooperative (Utility Tax)--$714.80
State of Illinois (Income Tax)--$58,994.20
State of Illinois (State Use Tax)--$15,346.15
State of Illinois (Video Gaming Tax)--$10,525.08
State of Illiinois (Telecommunications Tax)--$4,738.08
State of Illinois (Cannabis Use Tax)--$629.77
Staunton Police Department (Ordinance Violations)--$400.00
Staunton Police Department (Reports)--$10.00
Staunton Super 8 Motel (Hotel / Motel Tax)--$1,709.03
Applications
Michelle Jones (Janitorial)
Claims
November 27, 2023
Business Licenses Issued
Edward Jones / Andrea Kessler (Solicitor’s License)
Mohan Tulsi Corporation (Video Gaming 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
Nothing to report.
VII. TREASURER’S REPORT
Certificates of Deposit recently purchased at Bank of Hillsboro for 7 months at 5%:
Civic Improvement Fund -- $250,000.00
Infrastructure Fund -- $350,000.00
Reserve Fund -- $200,000.00
Telecommunications Fund -- $100,000.00
Water Fund -- $100,000.00
VIII. CITY CLERK’S REPORT
Nothing to report.
IX. COMMITTEE REPORTS
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY -
Motion by Manning, seconded by Dias to close Main Street from 3:00 P.M. on Friday, December 1st until 3:00 P.M. Saturday, December 2nd for Holiday Walk activities. This is an amendment to the motion that was made at the August 28, 2023 City Council Meeting, extending the hours of closure. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
PARK & CIVIC IMPROVEMENT –
Nothing to report.
FINANCE–
Motion by Tipler, seconded by Dias to approve 2024 Worker’s Compensation Renewal with Illinois Public Risk Fund at a cost of $67,150.00 (Policy Period is from Jan. 1, 2024, to Jan. 1, 2025). At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias, Berg. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
WATER-
Motion by Berg, seconded by Tipler to seek bids for the Easton Street 12” water main project from Leonard to Main. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias, Berg, Machota. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Berg, seconded by Tipler to approve low bid from Gillihan Concrete for sidewalk replacement related to the Franklin/Hibbard water main project in the amount of $36,475.00. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Tipler, Manning, Dias, Berg, Machota, McKee. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
STREET / SEWER
Nothing to report.
PUBLIC GROUNDS-
Nothing to report.
TOURISM –
Nothing to report.
PERSONNEL –
Motion by Dias, seconded by McKee to hire part time police dispatcher Rebecca Naecker as full time police dispatcher. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Manning, Dias, Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
ANNEXATION –
Nothing to report.
SPECIAL COMMITTEES –
Nothing to report.
JUDICIARY—
Motion by Manning, seconded by Dias to approve Ordinance #2222 An Ordinance Authorizing The Levy And Collection Of Taxes For The Corporate And Municipal Purposes Of The City Of Staunton, Macoupin County, Illinois, For The Fiscal Year Beginning May 1, 2023 And Ending April 30, 2024. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Dias, Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Manning, seconded by Dias to approve Ordinance #2223 Annexing Certain Territory To The City Of Staunton, Macoupin County, Illinois (1037 N. Easton St.; PIN #01-000-355-00). At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Manning, Dias, Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Manning, seconded by Dias to waive 1st reading of Ordinance #2224 Approving A Charity Roadblock By The Staunton High School FFA At The Intersection Of Main And Route 4. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Dias, Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Manning, seconded by Dias to approve Ordinance #2224 Approving A Charity Roadblock By The Staunton High School FFA At The Intersection Of Main And Route 4. 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 7:06 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