East Central Reporter

City of Altamont City Council Met June 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 Council Room of the Municipal Building. The following members were present: Mayor Jason Rippetoe; Commissioner Todd Slingerland; Commissioner Dan Milleville; Commissioner Mike Walker; Commissioner Tayler Polk. Also present – Carissa Sitki, Altamont News; Charles Mills, Effingham Daily News; Michael Tappendorf, Milano & Grunloh; Jill Wright, SAFE; Alan Heiens, Altamont Police Chief and Sarah Stephen, City Clerk.

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 Milleville. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Milleville, yes; Commissioner Walker, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes. (Attachment 1)

Chief Heiens presented the May 2021 Police Activity Reports.

Jill Wright, SAFE Awareness Director, addressed the Council requesting to conduct a Free Concert in the Park to be held in Schmidt Park on July 17, 2021 from 5:00-9:00. The event is to bring community awareness of the SAFE organization. Commissioner Slingerland motioned for approval of the event. Commissioner Walker seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Milleville, yes; Commissioner Walker, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes. Food trucks and a bag tournament are scheduled as well.

Council approved issuance of a Special Liquor License as Requested by Altamont Sesquicentennial Committee for Liquor Sales during the SAFE Concert in the Park. Commissioner Walker motioned for approval. Commissioner Polk seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Milleville, yes; Commissioner Walker, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes.

Council approved Resolution 2021-06-04 for the Effingham County Fair Parade to be held on August 01, 2021. Commissioner Slingerland motioned for approval. Commissioner Walker seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Milleville, yes; Commissioner Walker, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes.

Commissioner Slingerland motioned to approve Bid Advertising of PVC Pipe for Sewer Department South Lift Station Improvements. Commissioner Polk seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Milleville, yes; Commissioner Walker, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes. Commissioner Slingerland explained the City would purchase the pipe on this project and future construction bids will be for installation only. The cost of pipe is currently so volatile it will be difficult for contractors to bid the project. Commissioner Polk suggested checking the State procurement for purchases.

Council discussed amending the current liquor code to provide outdoor seating permits to liquor license holders. Temporary outdoor seating was created to help businesses during the COVID pandemic restrictions. However, the current municipal code restricts alcohol to the premises, which is the structure only and disallows alcohol on parking areas and adjacent grounds. Council suggested some restrictions to include a fence with egress, concrete or asphalt surface, meet all zoning requirement. The City attorney will be contacted to compose an amendment.

Commissioner Slingerland reported BHMG Engineers held a meeting to explain a SCADA system replacement. The current system cannot be upgraded and is on borrowed time. The overall estimated cost to the Water Department is $75,000.

Commissioner Walker reported also attending the BHMG meeting. The SCADA replacement will include continual upgrades. New computers and monitors will be needed within the Electric Department. The estimated Electric Department cost is $75,000. The largest sum of the cost is for writing the computer program specific to Altamont. Ethernet will be utilized for Win911 notification system, which will eliminate the cost of dedicated phone lines.

Commissioner Milleville had nothing to report.

Commissioner Polk reported two new employees were hired into the Street Department, Ben Moran and Jason Kreke.

Mayor Rippetoe had nothing to report.

Commissioner Polk motioned to enter into Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Personnel Matters 5 ILCS 120/2 (c ) (1). Commissioner Milleville seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Milleville, yes; Commissioner Walker, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes.

Upon returning to Open Session Commissioner Walker motioned to award a 3% wage increase to all non-union, full time personnel. Commissioner Milleville seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Milleville, yes; Commissioner Walker, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes.

The meeting was adjourned on a motion by Commissioner Walker and seconded by Commissioner Slingerland. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Milleville, yes; Commissioner Walker, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes.

http://www.altamontil.net/images/forms/2021_council.pdf#page=84