East Central Reporter

City of Altamont City Council met Jan. 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 January 27, 2025, 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 –Janet Voelker; Richard Finn; Dwight Homann; Richard Frailey; Mimi Mays; Danny Simmons; Dan Milleville; Lee Beckman, Milano & Grunloh Engineers and Sarah Stephen, City Clerk. One vacant Council position remains.

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 White. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker, yes. (Attachment 1)

Lee Beckman of Milano & Grunloh Engineers reported the water main replacement bid opening date has been moved to 2:00 pm February 20th. Plans for a proposed street in the underpass from the frontage road to south of I70 will be provided to IDOT this week.

Mimi Mays asked about the purpose of the solar panels. She stated her concerns of the use of pea gravel rather than the white rock when oiling streets. She asked why the street sweeper had not been used. Commissioner Polk explained the pea gravel prevents blotting and holds up better. A different street sweeper was purchased in the fall that is more suitable to the contour of Altamont streets. The sweeper will be utilized in the spring.

Council Approved Change Order #1 Water Main Replacement Project, Effecting Bid Opening Date, Prevailing Wage & Salvaged Hydrants. Commissioner White motioned for approval. Commissioner Polk seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker, yes.

Council Approved Resolution 2025-01-01; Approving Preliminary Plat and Final Plat of Second Replat of South Point Subdivision and Further Approving Certificate of Platting for Second Replat of South Point Subdivision. Commissioner Polk motioned for approval. Commissioner Rippetoe seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker, yes. Commissioner White is not authorized to vote due to his TIF residency.

Council Approved Purchase of Filter Media in the Amount of $29,400 from Calgon for Replacement in Filters 1, 2, & 3 on a motion by Commissioner White and seconded by Commissioner Polk. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker, yes. Commissioner White explained the filters will not all be changed in the same year. Ordering in bulk reduced the cost.

Council Approved Resolution 2025-01-02; Regulating Employee On Call Time Compensation on a motion by Commissioner Rippetoe and seconded by Commissioner White. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker, yes. As a safety measure for the public and employees, employees are now required to be present during the normal working day to receive on call time.

Commissioner Rippetoe had nothing to report.

Commissioner White reported the reservoir is 22” below the spillway. A request for proposals for tree removals will be presented at the next meeting. A stipulation in the proposal is for logs 16’-20’ be taken to the north storage area for repurposing. The completion date is slated for April 30, 2025. Letters will be sent to residents adjacent to trees selected for removal.

Commissioner Polk reported the Street Department could grind stumps of the trees being removed. He thanked the electric and water departments for helping in snow removal.

Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker reported South Central Illinois Regional Planning and Development will write a second OSLAD grant application free of charge. Three of the six organizations have committed to continuing the pledges for future grant applications.

Commissioner Polk motioned to move into Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Personnel Matter 5 ILCS 120/2 (c )(1) and Lease of Property 5 ILCS 120/2 (c ) (6). Commissioner Rippetoe seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker, yes.

No action resulted from Executive Session.

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

https://www.altamontil.net/images/forms/2025_Council.pdf#page=3