City of Altamont City Council met Sept. 14.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The Council of the City of Altamont met in regular session at 6:00 pm in the Community Room of the Municipal Building. The following members were present: Commissioner Dan Milleville; Commissioner Todd Slingerland; Commissioner Mike Walker; Commissioner Tayler Polk and Mayor Jason Rippetoe. Also present – Carissa Sitki, Altamont News; Charles Pagel; Charles Mills, Effingham Daily News; Michael Tappendorf, Milano & Grunloh; Gale Warner; Robert Bray; Lois Frost; Teri Beal; Alan Heiens, Altamont Police Chief; Terry Hahn, Sewer Dept Supr; and City Clerk Sarah Stephen.
The Omnibus Vote Agenda comprised of prior meeting minutes and payment of bills, was approved on a motion by Commissioner Slingerland and seconded by Commissioner Walker. Members voted as follows: Milleville, yes; Walker, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes. (Attachment 1)
Altamont Police Chief Alan Heiens presented the Altamont Police Department August 2020 Activity Report.
Charles Pagel informed the Council a tree, near the driveway at 17 West John Adams, has heaved the sidewalk. He suggested the tree be removed and the sidewalk be placed back down. He asked if the City could make the CSX Railroad repair the Main Street crossing. Clerk Stephen explained that residents need to file a report on the CSX website.
An Omnibus Vote consisting of Approving Grant Writing Services Agreement, South Central Regional Planning & Development Commission $2,500 and Resolution 2020-09-06 Supporting Community Development Block Grant for Sewer Main Replacement Project. Commissioner Slingerland motioned for approval. Commissioner Milleville seconded. Members voted as follows: Milleville, yes; Walker, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes.
Lois Frost, President of Altamont Garden Club, presented a Garden Club project to the Council for installation of a water fountain on the Triangle. They are proposing removal of three flower beds & brick planter, seeding the area and installing the fountain or bubbler. Commissioner Milleville motioned for approval of a water bubbler and rock on the Triangle. Commissioner Walker seconded. Members voted as follows: Milleville, yes; Walker, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes.
Council Approved Payment to Advanced Rehabilitation Technology for Manhole Lining in the Amount of $40,446.25 on a motion by Commissioner Slingerland. Commissioner Polk seconded. Members voted as follows: Milleville, yes; Walker, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes.
Council Approved Payment to Visu-Sewer in the Amount of $21,060.00 (Camera Sewer Lines $10,220.00 & Sewer Main Cleaning $10,840.00). Commissioner Slingerland motioned for approval. Commissioner Walker seconded.. Commissioner Walker seconded. Members voted as follows: Milleville, yes; Walker, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes. Terry Hahn explained the additional cost was for removal of mud and debris allowing camera access in the sewer main.
Council approved a Three Year Labor Agreement between the City and Illinois Council of Police. Commissioner Slingerland motioned for approval. Commissioner Milleville seconded. Members voted as follows: Milleville, yes; Walker, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes. Members of the Police Union will receive hourly wage increases of $2.00 for current year, 3% for years two and three.
Ordinance 696-20 Pertaining to the Local CURE Program was approved on a motion by Commissioner Slingerland and seconded by Commissioner Walker. Members voted as follows: Milleville, yes; Walker, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes. The ordinance provides participation in the CURE Program to make application for refunding of costs related to COVID-19.
Council approved Payment to WTR Solutions in the Amount of $39,400 for North Wastewater Treatment Plant Air Diffusers. Commisisoner Slingerland motioned for approval. Commissioner Milleville seconded. Members voted as follows: Milleville, yes; Walker, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes.
Council Approved Purchase of a Control Panel, from AquaTec for North Wastewater Treatment Plant to Accommodate New Aspirators in the Amount of $19,783.00. Commissioner Slingerland motioned for approval. Commissioner Milleville seconded. Members voted as follows: Milleville, yes; Walker, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes. The control panel will be placed near the aspirators rather than in the existing building as first designed.
Council approved Resolution 2020-09-07 for Sale of 1990 Chevy 2500 Crew Cab & Flat Bed. Commissioner Polk motioned for approval. Commissioner Slingerland seconded. Members voted as follows: Milleville, yes; Walker, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes.
Commissioner Slingerland explained to Council members how essential it is to select an engineer to design a water main replacement project to include with a Rural Development loan application. Commissioner Polk asked for reasons opposing phasing water main replacement. He presented rates of nearby communities and expressed his concern of raising water rates. Commissioner Slingerland stated phasing will result in construction and engineering fees to be paid upfront. Bob Bray, a member of the Effingham Regional Growth Alliance, suggested Council confer with the City of Effingham Administrator and engineer for guidance. Commissioner Walker expressed concern of burdening customers with an additional fee. Mayor Rippetoe stated he prefers replacement in phases and starting with cast iron lines. Commissioner Milleville stated an engineer needs selected to develop futuristic plans, time to obtain a firm project plan and he felt Curry & Associates have a good portfolio. Commissioner Slingerland motioned to Approve Curry & Associates as Engineering Firm for Water Main Replacdment Project. Commissioner Milleville seconded. Members voted as follows: Milleville, yes; Walker, no; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Polk, no; Mayor Rippetoe, no.
Commissioner Polk indicated he has received complaints about noise in the late night hours. The City does not have much listed in the noise ordinance. He compared Altamont to the City of Effingham who regulates outdoor music to ending at 10:00 or 11:00. He does not want to handcuff the businesses, but would also like to keep the peace for residents. Commissioner Walker suggested having an ordinance presented for voting.
Commissioner Slingerland reported the odor and taste has improved. Still waiting on dive team report.
Commissioner Walker reported new service is being installed for the Equity improvements. Diseased ash trees are being removed from Schmidt Park. September 25th 11:00 pm will be the IMEA ribbon cutting ceremony for the solar units.
Commissioners Milleville had nothing to report.
Commissioner Polk had nothing to report.
Mayor Rippetoe had nothing to report.
The meeting was adjourned on a motion by Commissioner Polk and seconded by Commissioner Walker. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Milleville, yes; Walker, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes.
http://www.altamontil.net/images/forms/2020_council.pdf#page=84
Alerts Sign-up