East Central Reporter

City of Altamont City Council met Oct. 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Council of the City of Altamont met in regular session at 6:00 pm on October 14, 2024, in the Council Room of the Municipal Building. The following members were present: Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Mike Walker; Commissioner Tayler Polk; Commissioner Terry White; Commissioner Jason Rippetoe. Also present – Maria Adamick; Effingham Daily News; Bill & Connie Durbin; Larry & Judy Pilger; Charlie Pagel; Gail Warner; Kyle Stuemke; April Stuemke, Beth Smith; Becky Turner; Alan Heiens, Altamont Police Chief; Ryan Spade, Sewer Dept Supervisor; and Sarah Stephen, City Clerk. One vacant Council position remains.

Friends of Altamont presented a check to the City Council in the Amount of $49,711.01. The funds will be utilized for rebuilding of the Schmidt Park Restroom. Friends of Altamont was a committee established to organize the Altamont Sesquicentennial in 2021. The donation is a result of funds raised during the sesquicentennial celebration.

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

Chief Heiens presented the September 2024 Police Activity Report.

Ryan Spade, Sewer Department Supervisor addressed those in attendance regarding the recent water condition. He explained the earthy taste and odor is a result of a mineral of Geosmin and MIB, which is not harmful, just unpleasant. It is a seasonal occurrence caused by the weather change. The IEPA and Illinois Rural Water have visited the plant. They have indicated all measures are being taken by the City and other communities are experiencing the same event.

Kyle Stuemke stated the water event is not a new problem. He asked for the estimated life span of the water plant. He recommended the Council have a utility assessment conducted. Commissioner White stated the monthly infrastructure fee is step one in the water system upgrade.

Becky Turner thanked the Council for opening Wurl Lane to one-way traffic. The issues with people driving in her yard or using her driveway as a turn around have ended.

Council Approved Ordinance 802-24; Regulating Development in Flood Plain Areas on a motion by Commissioner Rippetoe and seconded by Commissioner White. Members voted as follows: Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker, yes.

Council Approved the Purchase of Four Body Cameras from Axon Enterprises in the Amount of $19,551.20. Commissioner White motioned for approval. Commissioner Rippetoe seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker, yes. The purchase satisfies a January 2025 mandate.

Council Approved Ordinance 803-Authorizing Purchase of Real Property for Utility Purposes (2024 Water Main Replacement-Hoffmeister). Commissioner White motioned for approval. Commissioner Rippetoe seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker, yes. The water line easement is located on the east side of 202 West Cumberland Road.

Council Approved Resolution 2024-10-06; Amending Control of Travel Expenses. Commissioner Polk motioned for approval. Commissioner Rippetoe seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker, yes. The meal limits were increased for lunch from $10 to $15 and dinner from $20-$25.

Council Approved Sewer Department Purchase of 2017 Ford Truck in the Amount of $16,950.00 from Muncy’s Auto Credit on a motion by Commissioner White and seconded by Commissioner Polk. Members voted as follows: Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker, yes.

Commissioner Rippetoe reported northeast feeder rebuild will result in a lengthy outage on Tuesday, October 16th to change poles and pull new wire.

Commissioner White had nothing to report.

Commissioner Polk reported the restroom has been demolished at Schmidt Park. The Street Department worked on storm damage cleanup.

Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker expressed his appreciation for the donation by the Sesquicentennial Committee. He also thanked Ryan Spade, Vaughn Voelker and Terry White for keeping him informed of the water event and steps taken to remedy the situation.

Clerk Stephen reported the online payment portal is up and running. It has been well received by the public.

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

https://www.altamontil.net/images/forms/2024_Council.pdf#page=63