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 25, 2023
I. CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Craig Neuhaus called the Staunton City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, September 25, 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 Dias, Kristy Berg, Ryan Machota, Matthew McKee, Terry Tipler, Mayor Craig Neuhaus, City Clerk Dennis Stiegemeier, City Treasurer Cindy Pirok, Public Works Director Mike Kuethe and Police Chief Jeff Doerr.
NOT ATTENDING: Alderman David Manning and City Attorney Phil Lading.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
Dias moved, seconded by Tipler to approve Consent Agenda with the following items:
Minutes
Regular Meeting – 09/11/2023
Collector’s Report
Staunton Police Department (Ordinance Violations)--$700.00
Staunton Police Department (Reports)--$5.00
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Fine Disbursement)--$462.35
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Arrest Agency Fee)--$359.00
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (FTA Warrant Fee)--$95.00
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (E-Citation Fee)--$16.00
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Police Vehicle Fund)--$.50
Staunton Area Ambulance Service (July & August Dispatch Fees)--$1,000.00
State of Illinois (State Use Tax)--$11,480.97
State of Illinois (Cannabis Use Tax)--$601.19
State of Illinois (Video Gaming Tax)--$9,334.46
State of Illinois (Telecommunications Tax)--$4,741.31
State of Illinois (Income Tax)--$45.308.53
Ameren Illinois (Utility Tax)--$19,085.01
Strassenfest Beer Sales--$2,728.00
Applications
Brett Cannon (Street Department)
Claims
September 25, 2023
Business Licenses Issued
Staunton High School Volleyball (Raffle License)
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Dias, Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Manning
Motion declared carried.
V. GUESTS
No guests were present to speak.
VI. CORRESPONDENCE
Received an email from the Staunton Lions Club regarding the upcoming Halloween Parade. Plans are to have the parade on Monday, October 30th at 6:00 P.M.with Tuesday, October 31st being the rain date. The parade will begin at the City Hall complex and proceed east on Main Street to Laurel Street and then south on Laurel Street to Henry Street, ending at the VFW Hall.
VII. TREASURER’S REPORT
Nothing to report.
VIII. CITY CLERK’S REPORT
The City of Staunton also operates a yard waste site out on LPT Road. The site is located on the south side of the soccer fields. Yard waste stickers are available at the City Clerk’s Office or the Staunton Police Department, and the cost of the sticker is $15.00. Hours of operation for the site are Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 8:00 to noon. The stickers are good until the end of the calendar year. All yard waste, except grass clippings can be dumped at the yard waste site.
IX. COMMITTEE REPORTS
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY -
Nothing to report.
PARK & CIVIC IMPROVEMENT –
Nothing to report.
FINANCE–
Motion by Tipler, seconded by Dias to pay Invoice #795268 from Sandberg Phoenix for Professional Services Rendered for Special Projects in the amount of $1,102.26. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler, Dias. Nayes: None. Absent: Manning. Motion carried.
Motion by Tipler, seconded by Dias to approve advertising for construction bids for the I-55 Diamonds Sewer Project. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Machota, McKee, Tipler, Dias, Berg. Nayes: None. Absent: Manning. Motion carried.
Motion by Tipler, seconded by Dias to approve authority of City to apply for Safe Routes to School grant application and authorizing Mayor to execute all necessary documents associated with same. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: McKee, Tipler, Dias, Berg, Machota. Nayes: None. Absent: Manning. Motion carried.
The City is applying for this Federal Grant that is run through the State of Illinois. If the City is a recipient of the Grant, this will provide for a safe route for school children to get to and from school safely. Sidewalks would be installed on North Street (near Hardee’s) and go west to Deneen Street and then north on Deneen Street to Lafayette Street. Grant awards will be given in 2024 and funds will be released ini 2025.
WATER-
Motion by Berg, seconded by Dias to proceed with final phase of Renken Road water main improvements. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Tipler, Dias, Berg, Machota, McKee. Nayes: None. Absent: Manning. Motion carried.
STREET / SEWER
Nothing to report.
PUBLIC GROUNDS-
Nothing to report.
TOURISM –
Nothing to report.
PERSONNEL –
Motion by Dias, seconded by Tipler to hire Sean Yates as Part Time Police Officer. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Dias, Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler. Nayes: None. Absent: Manning. Motion carried.
ANNEXATION –
Nothing to report.
SPECIAL COMMITTEES –
Nothing to report.
JUDICIARY—
1st reading of Ordinance #2219 Approving A Pre-Annexation Agreement With
Robert L. Hormel III and Suzann J.P. Hormel Regarding Property Located At
16136 VFW Road, Staunton, IL But Not Physically Annexing The Property To
The City’s Corporate Boundaries At This Time
Motion by Dias, seconded by Machota to waive 1st reading of Ordinance #2220 Approving A Charity Roadblock By Elbon Shrine Club To Conduct Their Newspaper Drive At The Intersection Of Main And Route 4 And Main And Union (October 7, 2023). At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler, Dias. Nayes: None. Absent: Manning. Motion carried.
Motion by Dias, seconded by Machota to approve Ordinance #2220 Approving A Charity Roadblock By Elbon Shrine Club To Conduct Their Newspaper Drive At The Intersection Of Main And Route 4 And Main And Union (October 7, 2023). At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Machota, McKee, Tipler, Dias, Berg. Nayes: None. Absent: Manning. Motion carried.
Motion by Dias, seconded by Machota to approve Resolution #2023-24 Appointing Terry Tipler Mayor Pro-Tem For The City Of Staunton, Illinois. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Dias, Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler. Nayes: None. Absent: Manning. Motion carried.
Motion by Dias, seconded by Tipler to approve Resolution #2023-25 Declaring Trick-Or-Treat Days And Hours In Staunton, Illinois. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler, Dias. Nayes: None. Absent: Manning. Motion carried.
X. UNFINISHED BUSINESS—
Nothing to report.
XI. NEW BUSINESS-
Mayor Neuhaus and the Staunton City Council would like to acknowledge local resident Jim Tsupros. Mr. Tsupros will be celeberating his 100th birthday on October 1st and he is the oldest living Veteran in Macoupin County. A celebration will be held at the home of his daughter and Jim will be wearing his Marines World War 2 Blues uniform. V.F.W. Post #1241 will be present to honor Mr. Tsupros on his special day. On behalf of the Mayor, City Council and the entire community of Staunton, we extend Happy Birthday wishes to Jim Tsupros.
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 Machota to adjourn at 7:11 P.M. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Machota, McKee, Tipler, Dias, Berg. Nayes: None. Absent: Manning. Motion carried.
Prepared by:
Dennis K. Stiegemeier, City Clerk