City Council Meeting Minutes--September 14, 2026
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, SEPTEMBER 14, 2026
I. CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Craig Neuhaus called the Staunton City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, September 14, 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, Kristy Berg, Ryan Machota, Anthony Bagaglio, Matthew McKee, Terry Tipler, Mayor Craig Neuhaus, City Clerk Dennis Stiegemeier, City Treasurer Cindy Pirok and Public Works Director Mike Kuethe.
ELECTRONIC ATTENDANCE: Police Chief Jeff Doerr and Attorney Michael Geaschel.
NOT ATTENDING: Alderman Ben Frank and City Attorney Phil Lading.
Following Roll Call, a moment of silence was held for Police Officer Ethan Hoese. Ethan passed away tragically in a motor vehicle accident on September 12th. The City Council sends their deepest condolences to all of Ethan’s family.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
Manning moved, seconded by Tipler to approve Consent Agenda with the following items:
Minutes
Regular Meeting – 08/24/2026
Collector’s Report
Staunton Super 8 Motel (Hotel/Motel Tax)--$3,818.51
Cash from Beer Sales (Ribfest)--$4,268.00
M.J.M. Electric Cooperative (Utility Tax)--$1,414.94
Robert “Chick” Fritz (Beer Refund – Ribfest)--$2,236.55
Staunton Police Department (Reports)--$15.00
Staunton Police Department (Fingerprinting)--$10.00
State of Illinois (MFT Tax)--$10,315.76
State of Illinois (MFT Renewal Fund)--$10,750.66
State of Illinois (Business District Tax)--$36,068.19
State of Illinois (Sales Tax)--$86,681.94
State of Illinois (Grocery Tax)--$8,209.64
State of Illinois (Video Gaming Tax)--$18,172.52
State of Illinois (Telecommunications Tax)--$3,175.79
State of Illinois (Cannabis Use Tax)--$704.80
State of Illinois (Income Tax)--$49,676.02
State of Illinois (State Use Tax)--$1,780.33
State of Illinois (Grant Reimb. from Avery Bourne for Main St. Project)--$200,000.00
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Fine Disbursement)--$1,124.34
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Arrest Agency Fee)--$649.00
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (E-Citation Fee)--$28.10
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (DUI Fund)--$21.11
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Police Vehicle Fund)--$1.00
Applications
Raymond Crosslin (Street Department)
Christopher Barnes (Police Chief)
Shawn Cisna (Police Chief)
Jeffrey Settles (Police Chief)
Terry Pruitt (Police Chief)
Donald Pezzuto (Police Chief)
Larry Darnall (Police Chief)
Walter Crigler (Police Chief)
Paul Alexandru Slabu (Police Chief)
John Simmons (Police Chief)
Timothy Margaritis (Police Chief)
Glenn Curtis (Police Chief)
Cory Huff (Police Chief)
Eric Owen (Police Chief)
Michael Gooch (Police Chief)
Kevin Thebeau (Police Chief)
Tony Smoote (Police Chief)
Brady Greene (Police Chief)
Cameron Reid (Police Chief)
Robin Simpson (Police Chief)
Jeff Moore (Police Chief)
Brian Foster (Police Chief)
Monthly Reports
Distributed by City Clerk’s Office
Claims
September 14, 2026
Business Licenses Issued
Bamboo Garden (Change of Ownership - Business License)
Main Street Smoke Shop (Business License)
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Berg, Machota, Bagaglio, McKee, Tipler, Manning.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Frank.
Motion declared carried.
V. GUESTS
No guests were present to speak.
VI. CORRESPONDENCE
Received an email from Tracy Hutton at Mississippi Culture, requesting to close West Pearl Street from Union to Elm Street for their annual Farmhouse Fest. The closure would need to be from 10:00 A.M. on Friday, September 25th and stay closed until noon on Monday, September 28th.
Received an email from Susan Pritchett at Community Hospital of Staunton, requesting to close Caldwell Street on Sunday, October 25th, from 2:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. for their annual Trunk or Treat community event.
Received an email from Becky Coalson, representing the Staunton High School Post Prom Committee, requesting permission to hold a “5K Holiday Hustle” run on Saturday, December 5th. The run would begin at 9:00 A.M. and they will be keeping the race route the same as in previous years.
Received an email from Jeanene Lucykow at Staunton High School, notifying the City that the Staunton High School Homecoming Parade will be on Friday afternoon, October 16th, at 1:00.
VII. TREASURER’S REPORT
Certificates of Deposit recently matured and cashed in at Constitution Bank:
Infrastructure Fund - $350,000.00 plus $7,872.74 interest
Water Fund - $100,000.00 plus $2,249.36 interest
Certificates of Deposit recently matured and cashed in at Bank of Springfield:
Bond / Interest Fund - $450,000.00 plus $11,583.47 interest
Depreciation Fund - $100,000.00 plus $2,574.11 interest
Reserve Fund - $75,000.00 plus $1,930.58 interest
Telecommunications Fund - $300,000.00 plus $7,722.31 interest
Certificates of Deposit recently purchased at Constitution Bank for 7 months at 3.90%:
Bond / Interest Fund - $750,000.00
Depreciation Fund - $50,000.00
IMRF Fund - $100,000.00
MFT Fund - $750,000.00
Telecommunications Fund - $300,000.00
TIF 1 Fund - $350,000.00
TIF 2 Fund - $100,000.00
Tourism Fund - $75,000.00
VIII. CITY CLERK’S REPORT
Information on the Consolidated Election and petition packets are available now at the City Clerk’s Office for prospective candidates for the April 6, 2027 Consolidated Election. The City of Staunton has up for election: Ward 1 Alderman, Ward 2 Alderman, Ward 3 Alderman and Ward 4 Alderman and these are all for a four year term. Petitions can be circulated now.
IX. COMMITTEE REPORTS
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY -
Motion by Manning, seconded by Tipler to grant request from Mississippi Culture to close West Pearl Street from Union to Elm Street for their annual Farmhouse Fest from 10:00 A.M. on Friday, September 25th until 12:00 P.M. on Monday, September 28th. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Machota, Bagaglio, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Berg. Nayes: None. Absent: Frank. Motion carried.
Motion by Manning, seconded by McKee to grant request from Community Hospital of Staunton to close Caldwell Street on Sunday, October 25th, from 2:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. for their annual Trunk or Treat community event. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Bagaglio, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Berg, Machota. Nayes: None. Absent: Frank. Motion carried.
Motion by Manning, seconded by Tipler to grant request from the Staunton High School Post Prom Committee to hold a “5K Holiday Hustle” run on Saturday, December 5th, 2026, beginning at 9:00 A.M. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: McKee, Tipler, Manning, Berg, Machota, Bagaglio. Nayes: None. Absent: Frank. Motion carried.
PARK & CIVIC IMPROVEMENT –
Motion by Berg, seconded by Bagaglio to pay 2026 Investor Invoice for the Macoupin County CEO Program in the amount of $1,000.00. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Tipler, Manning, Berg, Machota, Bagaglio, McKee. Nayes: None. Absent: Frank. Motion carried.
Motion by Berg, seconded by Tipler to approve Invoice #1008934 from Sandberg Phoenix for Professional Services rendered regarding Condemnation Proceedings for property at 1111 S. College Street in the amount of $1,437.34. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Berg, Machota, Bagaglio, McKee, Tipler, Manning. Nayes: None. Absent: Frank. Motion carried.
Motion by Berg, seconded by McKee to pay Invoice #1008939 to Sandberg Phoenix for Professional Services Rendered regarding Condemnation/Ordinance Violations at 515 S. Klondike Street in the amount of $3,202.37. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Manning, Berg, Machota, Bagaglio, McKee, Tipler. Nayes: None. Absent: Frank. Motion carried.
Motion by Berg, seconded by Manning to pay Invoice #1008937 to Sandberg Phoenix for Professional Services Rendered regarding Condemnation Proceedings for property at 834 North Easton Street in the amount of $2,112.04. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Berg, Machota, Bagaglio, McKee, Tipler, Manning. Nayes: None. Absent: Frank. Motion carried.
FINANCE–
Motion by Tipler, seconded by McKee to pay Invoices #141603 and #142486 to Fehr Graham for Professional Services Rendered regarding the construction of the North Street Lift Station and Force Main Project in the total amount of $5,500.00. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Machota, Bagaglio, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Berg. Nayes: None. Absent: Frank. Motion carried.
WATER-
Nothing to report.
STREET / SEWER
Nothing to report.
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 Manning, seconded by Tipler`to waive 1st reading of Ordinance #2362 An Ordinance Amending Staunton Revised Code Section 23-3-18 Regarding Mobile Home Restrictions Within The City Of Staunton. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Manning, Berg, Machota, Bagaglio, McKee, Tipler. Nayes: None. Absent: Frank. Motion carried.
Motion by Manning, seconded by Tipler to approve Ordinance #2362 An Ordinance Amending Staunton Revised Code Section 23-3-18 Regarding Mobile Home Restrictions Within The City Of Staunton. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Berg, Machota, Bagaglio, McKee, Tipler, Manning. Nayes: None. Absent: Frank. Motion carried.
Motion by Manning, seconded by McKee to approve Resolution #2026-26 A Resolution Approving An Agreement With Juneau For Professional Services Related To Acquiring Certain Railroad Owned Parcels Of Land For The City Of Staunton. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Machota, Bagaglio, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Berg. Nayes: None. Absent: Frank. Motion carried.
X. UNFINISHED BUSINESS—
Nothing to report.
XI. NEW BUSINESS-
Tomorrow morning (Tuesday, September 15th), a gentleman from Spain who is riding
Ranch. He should be at the ranch around 9:00 A.M. for a stop to celebrate Route 66.
The community is urged to come out and greet him and give him a warm welcome
into Staunton.
The dedication of Wally’s Park and the Mother Road Plaza will be taking place on
Monday, September 21st. Wally’s Park dedication will begin at 11:15 A.M. and the
Mother Road Plaza dedication will begin at 12:00 P.M. Representatives from the Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau will be on hand to assist with the dedication of the Mother Road Plaza. The entire community is urged to come out and celebrate the dedication of both parks.
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 Manning, seconded by Councilmember Tipler to adjourn at 7:13 P.M. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Bagaglio, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Berg, Machota. Nayes: None. Absent: Frank. Motion carried.
Prepared by:
Dennis K. Stiegemeier, City Clerk