East Central Reporter

City of Altamont City Council met June 13.

Here are 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 Dan Milleville; Commissioner Mike Walker; Commissioner Tayler Polk; Commissioner Todd Slingerland. Also present –Charles Mills, Effingham Daily News; Mark Hoskins, Altamont News; Michael Tappendorf, Milano & Grunloh Engineers; Katy Huntley; Robert Durbin; 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 2022 Police Activity Report.

Council approved Resolution 2022-06-05; Effingham Co Fair Parade, July 31, 2022, Rain Date August 06, 2022 on a motion by Commissioner Polk. Commissioner Walker seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Milleville, yes; Commissioner Walker, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes.

Council approved Ordinance VA-1688; Real Estate Signage 300th Street 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. Variance allows for a larger real estate advertising sign at a location on 300th Street.

Council approved Resolution 2022-06-06; Accepting Bid & Awarding Contract for Sanitary Sewer Installation, South Point Subdivision, Kamadulski Excavating & Grading in the Amount of $282,179.90. Commissioner Slingerland 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 2022-06-07; Accepting Bid and Awarding Contract for Water Main Extension, South Point Subdivision, Marxman Excavating in the Amount of $40,786.00. 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.

Council approved Resolution 2022-06-08; Accepting Bid & Awarding Contract for Street & Drainage Improvements, South Point Subdivision, Kieffer Bros Construction in the Amount of $176,710.50. Commissioner Polk motioned for approval. Commissioner Slingerland seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Milleville, yes; Commissioner Walker, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes.

Council approved Appointment of Jeff Simpson to Fill Zoning Board Vacancy on a motion by Commissioner Slingerland. Motion seconded by Commissioner Walker. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Milleville, yes; Commissioner Walker, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes.

Council Approved Bid Advertising of Demolition of Residential Structures, 301 North Main and 301 South Edwards. Commissioner Slingerland 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. Bids for complete building removal will be opened July 1, 2022.

Council discussed Commercial Advertising Signs Program at Gilbert Park Ball Diamonds. A group interested in Gilbert Park fundraising suggested the idea to Commissioner Milleville, who presented options to the Council. He asked Council to consider 3x6 alumicore panels to be hung on ball diamond fences. Signs would be purchased by a businesses and pay an annual $100 calendar year display fee. Sign placements would be first come first serve. AYSC members would make the initial sales of the program and City would administer renewals. Logos would be preapproved by a City representative. Robert Durbin suggested an annual fee of $200 and field naming rights, which could be bid for, to include a 4x6 sign in a ten year contract. He was planning 10-20 signs a field, creating $14,000 annual park revenue. Families would be invited to participate. Commissioner Milleville stated the first year signs would be limited to 6-8 per field. Mayor Rippetoe stated he preferred to focus on advertising signs only for the first year. Commissioner Slingerland suggested a higher amount for prominent sign locations. Commissioner Milleville stated revenue would be deposited with the City and used at Council discretion.

Council approved Payment to BHMG in the Amount of $13,401.50 for SCADA Installation 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.

Council Awarded Bid for Sanitary Sewer & Manhole Lining Project to Visu-Sewer project and option in the amount of $86,360.00. 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. The sanitary main to be lined begins south of the grade school to the wastewater treatment plant.

Commissioner Slingerland presented financial information explaining the need for a water rate increase. He believed the urgent repairs have been completed, with the exception of the raw pump, which are in the process paid for with ARPA funding. The new budget reflects a $13,000 loss. Water loss has been decreased with repairs. However, water loss is ongoing and an industry standard. Commissioner Polk stated St. Elmo approved a recent increase. He asked if there were cost cuts to make to save money. Commissioner Slingerland stated a minimum of a 3% increase to gallons over the minimum would help with revenue.

Michael Tappendorf reported bids were opened for the northwest section sanitary repair/replacement project. Bids came in above the estimated cost. Cost cutting to line more sanitary than replace was suggested as the CDBG grant will only pay for $520,000 of project cost. Mayor Rippetoe stated the Ninth Street line has issues and he would like to see it replaced. Commissioner Polk suggested replacing everything the $520,000 would cover. Tappendorf also reported the City was denied a CDBG grant application for water line replacement. The next grant cycle will have an increased limit of $1.5 million. A future debriefing meeting will explain the missing points of the grant application.

Commissioner Slingerland reported the Water Department is back to relocating for fiber optic installs. A search continues for a new employee. SCADA for the wastewater treatment plant is being explored. In 2024 IDOT will conduct a bid letting to include encasement of the 12’ water main at the I70 overpass.

Commissioner Walker reported rate information was received from IMEA. Recent area reports of higher than average Ameren rate increases are not expected to affect the municipalities.

Commissioner Milleville reported prices are being obtained for more Gilbert Park improvements. Fence replacement estimates have been received. Storage shed repairs are being planned. Marking of a pickle ball court at Nori’s Yard is getting closer. The bubbler at the Triangle is temporarily shut off as modifications are needed to discontinue equipment failure water loss.

Commissioner Polk commended the Electric Department for contacting customers two days in advance of an outage for pole replacement.

Mayor Rippetoe had nothing to report.

Council entered into Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Personnel Matter 5 ILCS 120/2 (c ) (1) on a motion by Commissioner Polk and seconded by Commissioner Milleville. 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 Slingerland motioned to approve a 5% wage increase for employees, with the exception of Ellie Buennemeyer, Keith Braasch and Jason Kreke who will receive $1.00 hourly increase. Commissioner Milleville seconded the motion. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Milleville, yes; Commissioner Walker, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Commissioner Polk, no; Mayor Rippetoe, yes.

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

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