East Central Reporter

City of Altamont City Council met June 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Council of the City of Altamont met in regular session at 6:00 pm on June 12, 2023, in the Council Room of the Municipal Building. The following members were present: Mayor Dan Milleville; Commissioner Tayler Polk; Commissioner Jason Rippetoe; Commissioner Mike Walker; and Commissioner Terry White. Also present – Mark Hoskins, Altamont News; Nick Taylor, Effingham Daily News; Alan Heiens, Altamont Police Chief; Mike Klitzing; Emma Klitzing; Logan Klitzing; Derek Abendroth; Bob & Dawn Hunsaker; Renee Buchanan; Aeusnee Bareristio; Michael Tappendorf, Milano & Grunloh 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 Walker and seconded by Commissioner White. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Walker, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Milleville, yes. (Attachment 1) 

Altamont Police Chief, Alan Heiens, presented the May 2023 Police Activity Report. 

Mike Klitzing addressed the Council concerning discussions of pickle ball courts on the tennis court area at Nori’s Yard. He explained he lives across the street from Nori’s Yard and witnesses the current tennis court are being enjoyed by kids and families on a regular basis for all types of activities such as basketball, whiffle ball, tennis, catch, etc. He stated he is against removal of the tennis court, as was suggested in the May 22, 2023 meeting. He tested setting up the temporary pickle ball nets and found it to be quick and effortless. He has nothing against pickle ball and recommended an exclusive court be located in another area. He offered assistance in raising money for such courts. He suggested restriping the current court. Commissioner Walker stated there were no definite plans to remove the tennis court after listening to comments from the public. Mayor Milleville stated he would like Nori’s Yard to remain a neighborhood, multi-use park. 

Michael Tappendorf, Milano & Grunloh Engineers reported contractors have a majority of construction of the northwest sanitary project complete. The ITEP project for sidewalk replacement has been discussed with plans to replace sidewalks on the east side of Main Street from Route 40 to Division Street; north side of Division toward Edwards; north side of Lincoln towards Fourth Street. A bid letting will be planned for Third Street sidewalk replacement from Division to Washington. South Point Subdivision sanitary will be tested as soon as electric is installed. 

Ordinance VA-1722; Variance for Side Yard Setback at 512 South Eighth Street was approved on a motion by Commissioner Polk and seconded by Commissioner Rippetoe. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Walker, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Milleville, yes. The setback will provide for a home addition. 

Ordinance SP-1725; Special Use Permit to Place a Manufactured Home at 312A North Eighth Street was approved on a motion by Commissioner Walker and seconded by Commissioner White. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Walker, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Polk, no; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Milleville, yes. 

Ordinance SP-1726; Special Use Permit to Place a Manufactured Home at 301 South Edwards Street was approved on a motion by Commissioner Rippetoe and seconded by Commissioner Walker. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Walker, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Polk, no; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Milleville, yes. Zoning Board recommended denial of the request. Council concurred with the Zoning Board. Therefore, request was denied. 

Council Approved Appointment of Mike Klitzing to fill a Zoning Board Vacancy. Commissioner Polk motioned for approval. Commissioner Rippetoe seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Walker, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Polk, no; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Milleville, yes. 

Resolution 2023-06-05; Effingham County Fair Parade July 30, 2023 was approved on a motion by Commissioner Rippetoe and seconded by Commissioner White. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Walker, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Polk, no; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Milleville, yes. 

Council Approved Resolution for 2023 Maintenance Program, Motor Fuel Tax Funds in the Amount of $69,800.00. Commissioner Polk motioned for approval. Commissioner Walker seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Walker, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Polk, no; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Milleville, yes. Much intersection work is planned this year. Streets to be oiled are located south of Division Street and East of Main Street, not including Ewing. 

Resolution 2023-06-04; Third Street Sidewalk Replacement in the Amount of $79,985.00 Utilizing Motor Fuel Funds was approved on a motion by Commissioner Polk and seconded by Commissioner Rippetoe. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Walker, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Polk, no; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Milleville, yes. Project includes ADA ramp, drainage improvements and curbing. Bids will be received in 3-4 weeks. 

Council Approved Pay Request #4 to Korte & Luitjohan Contractors; Raw Pumps in the Amount of $28,573.17. Commissioner Polk motioned for approval. Commissioner White seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Walker, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Polk, no; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Milleville, yes. 

Council Approved Purchase of 2007 Elgin Street Sweeper from Key Equipment in the Amount of $25,000 on a motion by Commissioner Polk. Commissioner Rippetoe seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Walker, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Polk, no; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Milleville, yes. 

Council Approved Purchase of Transformer for South Point Subdivision Sanitary Lift Station from Sunbelt Solomon in the Amount of $12,000. Commissioner Rippetoe motioned for approval. Commissioner Walker seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Walker, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Polk, no; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Milleville, yes. 

Council Approved Ordinance 770-23; Authorizing Execution of Second Notice of Extension of Option for Purchase of Real Estate (FCC Limited Partnership). Commissioner Rippetoe motioned for approval. Commissioner Walker seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Walker, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Polk, no; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Milleville, no. The property is located north of the existing South Point Subdivison. 

Council Entered into Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Legal Matters 5 ILCS 120/2 (c )(12) and Setting Sale Price for Sale of Property 5 ILCS 120/2 (c )(6). Commissioner Polk motioned for approval. Commissioner Walker seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Walker, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Polk, no; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Milleville, yes. 

Commissioner White, reported the crews repaired a broken water main on South Edwards. The water reservoir destratifier is out of service. A camera has been ordered to assist in identifying an unknown object is lodged in the system. 

Commissioner Rippetoe reported he discussed upcoming projects and budget with Supervisor Meier. 

Commissioner Walker reported grant requests for Gilbert Park lighting and ball diamond fence replacement and new restrooms for Schmidt Park were submitted to the Illinois Basin. Requests will be reviewed then requestors will be invited to make a detailed presentation for determination of the grant eligibility. He met with the FIELD’s group and discussed replacing 400 feet of chain link fencing on the west side of the entrance with vinyl fencing. Lion’s Club pavilion renovations are being planned. 

Commissioner Polk reported drainage improvements at Edwards Street and Division are underway. Bids are expected in 3-4 weeks for Third Street sidewalk Division to Washington. 

Mayor Milleville received resident thank you to the department for conducting a tree removal. 

Clerk Stephen reported notice was received that grant funding was awarded for the lead service inventory in the amount of $34,951. Funds will help pay for the company facilitating the lead survey and IEPA reporting. 

Commissioner Polk motioned to Enter into Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Legal Matters 5 ILCS 120/2 (c )(12) and Setting Sale Price for Sale of Property 5 ILCS 120/2 (c )(6). Commissioner Walker seconded. Commissioner Walker seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Walker, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Milleville, yes. 

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

https://www.altamontil.net/images/forms/2023_Council.pdf#page=37