The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
from Minutes by the City Clerk Lucretia McPeak
The regularly scheduled monthly meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on June 13th.
Answering roll call were: Dave Clover, Deanna Stambaugh, Kelly Harkey, Randy Shumaker, Greg Wisslead, Brian Covert, Treasurer-Monalisa Graves, City Clerk-Lucretia McPeak, and Mayor Katherine Hasten-Reed.
Also present: Tim Graves, Kurt Dittmer, David Little, Larry Finch, Lacey Covert, Michael Rodeffer, Dan Gillett, Trevor Finch, Max Owsley, Daniel Carpenter, Terry Wermuth, Cindy Wermuth (IMEG), Lynn Hoyt, and Scott Rosson. Christopher Scholz came at 7:06 p.m.
Everyone recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Finance: Clover reported reading an article in the Journal Pilot about a school board member calling in to the Hancock County Police Department to cover the school zone. The city has a competent police officer that patrols that daily. There was a miscommunication concerning this issue. Clover complimented Scott Rosson on his covering school hours.
ESDA: Max Owsley informed the council of the bi-annual meeting coming up to cover disasters next week.
David Little had a tire repaired for $50.00. A flag at the west berm had a photo cell that went bad. Mike James replaced the photo cell.
Trevor Finch turned in a list of mowed properties. There was a front tire on the zero turn mower that was ruined.
Tim Graves reported it has been seeded around the new basketball court at City Park.
Larry Finch reported that scammers are thriving-Do Not Pay Forward!
Scott Rosson had an issue with a 4 wheeler and golf cart. There has been some graffiti reported in town. There was a runaway found in the Sr. Citizen Building. Apparently, he had been other places in town as well.
He has collected camping fees at the reservoir. He’s had a complaint on Kienast Apartments.
City Clerk McPeak asked the council to appropriate funds from MFT to pay Central Stone Company $112.35.Covert made the motion to appropriate funds from MFT to pay Central Stone Company $112.35. Stambaugh seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Treasurer Graves reported the Nicor Gas bill wasn’t on the list of bills to be paid. She reported receiving 2 checks for scrap-$703.50 for confiscated scrap, and $293.70 for the salt spreader parts.
Attorney Scholz reported on abandoned buildings:
Mr. Hilton on 3rd St. did not appear in court. His employer is willing to help. Attorney Scholz will work on getting the Judge to let a junkyard clean it up.
100 W Main St. is ready to make a judgement
117 S. Center St. is ready to make a judgement.
209 N. 2nd St. is up for tax sale.
603 W. Main St.- the summons was served, but it was expired. He will be in court June 30th. He (Mr. Hanna) was arrested for a driving violation.
Mayor Hasten-Reed reported on the garbage issue at the new restaurant.
IMEG: Cindy Wermuth was introduced to the council, and she went over MFT uses, and streets to be repaired.
Kurt Dittmer addressed the council with an update on the Sr. Citizen building. It is draining the Johnson Trust. He is looking to list it to sell. He will possibly list it with Eric Little.
Lacey Covert approached the council about a 3 on 3 basketball tournament on July 23, 2002. It would start at 10 a.m. Profits would go towards Parents of the Park for new playground equipment. They would have vendors, etc.
The Nauvoo Pageant would like to do a concert in the city park on July 30, 2022 at 3 p.m. This will be on the next agenda.
Shumaker made the motion to approve the May minutes. Covert seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Clover made the motion to approve the treasurer’s report and pay bills. Stambaugh seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Covert made the motion to approve the updated map sent with Cindy Wermuth for streets to be repaired. Wisslead seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Clover made the motion to have ABNG for the 2021-2022 audit. Covert seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Wisslead made the motion to spend $200.00 to reset and clean headstones at the cemetery, and $250.00 to repair, reset, and clean up per headstone. Harkey seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Covert made the motion to discontinue the current All Call System. Shumaker seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Clover made the motion to approve the Budget Appropriation Ordinance #2022-1. Wisslead seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
The school speed signs are ready to install. There needs to be a set up time to do so. Possibly put one at the old Nursing Home and one at Dallas Neff corner.
The permit at the Lagoons were addressed. Clover will call and ask about permit and the engineer approval to dispose of.
The fish for the reservoir have been ordered.
Laverdiere’s have worked on Siegworth’s drainage issue.
There was discussion on solar or hard wired cameras for the city park. This will be on the next agenda.
There was discussion of lights for under the shelter house at the city park. This will be on the next agenda.
Covert made the motion to cancel the June 27th council meeting due to 3 council members being gone. Shumaker seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
There was graffiti on the old Ayerco building. We will check on permission to clean it up.
The clutch is out of the dump truck. It would cost between $1,000 to $1,500 to repair. This will be on the next agenda.
The garbage at Park Lane wasn’t picked up last week.
Kienast Apartments put up 7 mailboxes, but claim only 4 apartments are rented.
There was a former resident who is moving back to La Harpe, who doesn’t feel she should have to pay a water deposit, since she lived here before. The council feels they should stay with policy and she should pay the deposit.
Trevor Finch would like to purchase the old basketball hoops from the old basketball court for $25.00 each. This will be on the next agenda.
There is a car ready to go to a consignment sale.
Wisslead made the motion to adjourn to executive session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific city employees (OMA Sec. 2(c)(1), to consider the performance of an occupant of a public office (OMA Sec. 2(c)(3), probable/imminent litigation (OMA Sec. 2(c)(11)-(5ILCS 120/2(c)(11), (5ILCS 120/2(c) (21), (5ILCS 120/2.06) and any other topics allowed. Covert seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
The regular meeting adjourned to executive session at 9:07 p.m.
The regular meeting resumed 9:35 p.m.
Answering roll call were: Dave Clover, Deanna Stambaugh, Kelly Harkey, Randy Shumaker, Greg Wisslead, Brian Covert, Treasurer-Monalisa Graves, City Clerk-Lucretia McPeak, and Mayor Katherine Hasten-Reed.
Wisslead made the motion to give all city employees a 5% cost of living raise, and Tim Graves and Trevor Finch each a $5,000 annual Merit raise effective July 1, 2022. Harkey seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Covert made the motions to adjourn the regular meeting. Shumaker seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
The regular council meeting adjourned at 9:37 p.m.
---------------------------------------------
<> Respectfully submitted,