East Central Reporter

City of Altamont City Council met Feb. 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Council of the City of Altamont met in regular session at 6:00 pm on February 27, 2023, in the Council Room of the Municipal Building. The following members were present: Mayor Jason Rippetoe; Commissioner Dan Milleville; Commissioner Todd Slingerland; and Commissioner Tayler Polk. Also present – Jim Watts; Michael Tappendorf, Milano & Grunloh Engineers; Ryan Spade, Sewer Dept. Supr; and Sarah Stephen, City Clerk. Commissioner Mike Walker was absent.

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 Slingerland, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes. (Attachment 1)

Michael Tappendorf updated Council of current projects. He stated the Northwest Sanitary Project is progressing. Tenth Street will be lined this week.

Council approved Ordinance SP-1712 113 North Main Street for Place of Worship on a motion by Commissioner Slingerland and seconded by Commissioner Polk. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Milleville, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes. Jim Watts stated the Gathering Church would like to use the location for their worship services. He has spoken to neighboring businesses concerning parking. They had no concerns.

Council approved Appointment of Brent Vonderheide to Fill a Vacancy on the Tourism Board. Commissioner Slingerland motioned for approval and seconded by Commissioner Polk. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Milleville, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes.

Council approved 2023 Mowing Bid Groups on a motion by Commissioner Milleville and seconded by Commissioner Slingerland. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Milleville, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes. It was determined the water reservoir could be mowed by City employees.

Council approved Advertising 2023 Mowing Bids. Commissioner Milleville motioned for approval. Commissioner Slingerland seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Milleville, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes. Bids will be opened March 10, 2023 and presented to Council for awarding on March 13, 2023.

Council approved an Agreement Between City of Altamont & Walk Architecture for Schmidt Park & Gilbert Park Restrooms in the Amount of $7,000.00. Commissioner Slingerland motioned for approval. Commissioner Milleville seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Milleville, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes. Plans will be designed for ADA compliance. Completed plans will be presented to Council for approval. The initial objective is a new rebuild at Schmidt Park and remodeling of Gilbert Park.

Council approved Application for Payment to Kieffer Bros Construction in the Amount of $81,280.02 for Northwest Sanitary Project. Commissioner Slingerland motioned for approval. Commissioner Milleville seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Milleville, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes.

Council approved Ordinance 766-23 Authorizing Lease of Real Estate. Commissioner Polk motioned for approval. Commissioner Milleville seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Milleville, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes. Lease was a renewal of El Rancherito with changes to the late fee charge.

Commissioner Slingerland reported Altamont received the award of 2022 Runner Up Wastewater System of the Year from Illinois Rural Water Association. McGinnis Wildlife is trapping at the sewer lagoons. Some berm repair, due to muskrat damage, will be needed in the near future. Ryan is awaiting resulting of a sludge sonogram that was completed at the north treatment plant. Grease has not been an issue on the south side, as the line before the lift station is being treated on a regular basis. The new water department raw pump experienced an issue during the last outage. The manufacturer is investigating. Vaughn Voelker agreed the Water Department employees could mow the reservoir property.

Commissioner Milleville reported he met at Gilbert Park with the school Athletic Director. They discovered a team practiced on a field during wet conditions and did not condition the field after practice. A fence replacement quote for Diamond A was received. The cost for full replacement was a sizeable amount. Therefore, consideration is being given to permanently move the fence in for girls play at this time and address the remainder in phases. Lighting will need adjusted to accommodate the resizing.

Commissioner Polk and Mayor Rippetoe has nothing to report.

Clerk Stephen reported two resignations were received from Zoning Board members, Chairwoman, Susan Hoffmeister and Vice-Chairman, Wayne Schroeder. Mrs. Hoffmeister has served on the Board for 20 years.

Council Entered into Executive Session for the Purpose of Minute Review & Closed Session Minute Approval 5 ILCS 120, Section 2, (c )(21) on a motion by Commissioner Polk and seconded by Commissioner Milleville. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Milleville, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes.

Upon returning to open session Council approved Resolution 2023-02-01; Authorizing Release of Closed Session Minutes. Commissioner Slingerland motioned for approval. Commissioner Polk seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Milleville, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes.

Council approved Resolution 2023-02-02; Destruction of Audio Recordings of Closed Meeting Session. Commissioner Slingerland motioned for approval. Commissioner Polk seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Milleville, yes; Commissioner Slingerland, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Rippetoe, yes.

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

https://www.altamontil.net/images/forms/2023_Council.pdf#page=8