East Central Reporter

City of Altamont City Council met June 24.

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 24, 2024, in the Council Room of the Municipal Building. The following members were present: Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Mike Walker; Commissioner Tayler Polk; Commissioner Jason Rippetoe; Also present – Mark Hoskins, Altamont News; Derek Warren, Cromwell Media; Victoria Miller; Mike Klitzing; Buck Stephen; Connie & Bill Durbin; Dwight Homann; Doug Hammer; Yvonne Flanigan; Greg Warner; Gale Warner; Janet Voelker; Stan Mehl; Becky Turner; Lee Beckman, Milano & Grunloh Engineers; and Sarah Stephen, City Clerk. Commissioner Terry White was absent. Michael Walker will serve as Mayor Pro Tem until the April 2025 municipal election, as a result of Mayor Dan Milleville’s resignation, leave one empty council position.

The Omnibus Vote Agenda comprised of prior meeting minutes and payment of bills, was approved on a motion by Commissioner Rippetoe and seconded by Commissioner Polk. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker, yes. (Attachment 1)

Lee Beckman presented the engineering report. He reported DCEO released new census data indicating City of Altamont low to moderate income limit decreased 20%, placing Altamont in an ineligible status for DCEO grants. He suggested another funding opportunity would be IEPA 50% principal forgiveness loans. The replat of South Point Subd is at Taylor Law Offices.

Yvonne Flanigan thanked the City for support letters sent prior to the National Road Yard Sale event. She reported on participation of communities from Indianapolis to St. Louis. She requested a thank you letter be sent to those who participated, to include encouragement for the 2025 event. She also encouraged Altamont to do something special next year to interest tourism. Walker indicated the City could send such a letter. She requested the address of yard sales be put on the map provided by the City.

Mike Klitzing asked for clarification/verification that Nori’s Yard court would be repainted for three sports of basketball, tennis and pickleball. Walker confirmed plans are for a three function court.

Connie Durbin addressed the Council concerning property cleanup. She read from the Altamont Police Department facebook page, which indicated city-wide cleanup days were being conducted and those who continued to have properties with ordinance violation would be contacted by the City. She stated there are several properties she has been complaining about. She is asking for enforcement. Walker stated he would speak with Chief Heiens.

Doug Hammer spoke to the Council in opposition of schools requesting Diamond A fence removal to make the diamond suitable for girls softball. He stated the diamond was built by volunteers and recognized as the best Illinois fastpitch mens diamond. The integrity of the ball park would be changed. There were water and drain lines installed in the field, it would be a bad move if the City went along with the school. Walker stated the park is an ongoing project, the diamond is not being used as it is and the schools are in support of the renovation.

Gale Warner asked for the sidewalk in front of his residence, that was broken several years ago, by a stump grinder be replaced. He cautioned the Council to be responsible directing monies to the appropriate projects.

Stan Mehl asked the Council to have an ordinance on file regulating surveillance cameras to not invade a persons privacy. He complained about the street, ditches and culverts around Lucky Drive. He stated water backs up onto his lot following rains. Eighth & Ninth streets are narrow after the sanitary sewer

installation. He asked why South Point Subd was needed when the City has so many needed repairs. He requested more patrol during city-wide cleanup to keep roadways clear when scrap collectors block the streets.

Becky Turner again addressed the Council concerning the closing of Wurl Lane. Motorists continue to drive thru her yard and thru her circle drive to continue as if it were a thru street. Commissioner Polk stated he and Dan Milleville had walked the area and reviewed the easement. Wurl was not designed for two-way traffic. The best resolution is to make it a one-way street. Turner asked them to open the street. Walker stated the barricades where placed to accommodate Turner, against his better judgement. Turner stated she and others living on Wurl were not notified of the closing. Victoria Miller, neighbor to Turner, stated she watched cars and delivery trucks drive thru Turners yard. Turner and Miller stated they prefer one way to the highway. Commissioner Rippetoe stated the street cannot be maintained, because there is no drainage and no way to make the drainage. Commissioner Polk stated a vote would be taken at the next meeting to open Wurl Lane to one way traffic.

Commissioner Rippetoe motioned to table Approval Publishing of Request for Alternate Proposal Regarding Sale of 107 North Main St until all the Council could be present. Commissioner Polk seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker, yes.

Council Approved Resolution 2024-06-03; Effingham County Fair Parade, July 29, 2024 on a motion by Commissioner Polk and seconded by Commissioner Rippetoe. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker, yes.

Council Approved Payment to R&H Plumbing & Heating in the Amount of $137,899.00 for I70 Overpass Water Main Replacement on a motion by Commissioner Polk. Seconded by Commissioner Rippetoe. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker, yes. The cost will be reimbursed by IDOT.

Council Approved Change Order #2, Northwest Sanitary Sewer Replacement on a motion by Commissioner Rippetoe. Seconded by Commissioner Polk. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker, yes. The completed project cost was reduced by $5,079.10.

Council Approved Pay Estimate #7 (final) to Kieffer Bros Construction in the Amount of $9,462.55 for Northwest Sanitary Replacement on a motion by Commissioner Rippetoe. Seconded by Commissioner Polk. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker, yes.

Council Awarded 2024 Street Oiling to Larry Heuerman Trucking in the Amount of $56,724.00 on a motion by Commissioner Polk. Seconded by Commissioner Rippetoe. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker, yes.

Council Approved a One Month Garbage Contract Extension with DBS Sanitation on a motion by Commissioner Polk and seconded by Commissioner Rippetoe. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker, yes. Commissioner White will have a presentation at the July 10th meeting concerning a new garbage contract.

Commissioner Polk reported many stumps have been ground. A street department employee has accepted a position with another company. The department will be preparing streets for oiling. He met with Kyle Stuemke concerning the drainage area behind his residence. A solution is forthcoming.

Commissioner Rippetoe reported the Electric Department will be changing poles and trimming trees. Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker had nothing to report.

Clerk Stephen announced the regular scheduled July 8th meeting has been rescheduled to July 10th at 6:00 p.m.

Commissioner Polk motioned to Enter into Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Personnel Matter. Commissioner Rippetoe seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker, yes.

Upon returning to open session, Commissioner Polk motioned to award a 5% wage increase for all employees. Commissioner Rippetoe seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker, yes.

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

https://www.altamontil.net/images/forms/2024_Council.pdf#page=39