East Central Reporter

City of Altamont City Council met April 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Council of the City of Altamont met in regular session at 6:00 pm on April 28, 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 –Richard Finn; Mark Hoskins, Altamont news; Dan Milleville; Greg Warner; Gale Warner; Zain Parker; Dwight Homann; Charles Pagel; Lee Beckman, Milano & Grunloh Engineers; Danny Simmons; Mimi Mays; Stan Mehl; 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 Polk. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker, yes. (Attachment 1)

Lee Beckman, Milano & Grunloh Engineers reported the water main replacement preconstruction meeting is April 29th. Contractors will start May 5th. ITEP sidewalk replacement project is moving forward for bid letting. Exhibits and legals were prepared for the ditch south of West Grant Avenue. The attorney will draft easements.

Gale Warner asked if the standing water in front of the grocery store would be corrected during the water main replacement project. Beckman stated it would be looked at.

Stan Mehl informed Council the ditches around Northside Mobile Home Park do not drain and cannot be mowed. The water is not flowing on 8th Street or Jackson. He stated this is a ten year complaint.

Danny Simmons reported a possible water leak on John Adams & Main and Monroe & St Clair. It was determined these are sump pumps discharging into the curb.

Council Approved Ordinance 819-25; Regarding Execution of Option for Purchase of Real Estate (FCC Limited Partnership) on motion by Commissioner Polk. Commissioner Rippetoe seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner White, ineligible; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker, yes. The ordinance voids the agreement to purchase property from FCC Limited Partnership. Commissioner Rippetoe commended Frederking family for working with the City to build the community.

Council Approved Payment to Jay’s Tree Service in the Amount of $15,000 for Tree Removal. Commissioner White motioned to approve. Seconded by Commissioner Rippetoe. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker, yes. Commissioner White stated Jason Dunaway did excellent and professional work.

Council Approved Payment to Milano & Grunloh Engineers in the Amount of $13,474.03 for Watermain Replacement Design on a motion by Commissioner White. Seconded by Commissioner Polk. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker, yes.

Council Approved Payment to Whistle Stop Saloon LLC Pursuant to TIF Agreement (Ordinance 814- 24) in the Amount of $4,800.00 on a motion by Commissioner Rippetoe. Seconded by Commissioner Polk. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner White, ineligible; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker, yes.

Council Approved Ordinance 820-25 Authorizing Execution of Advertising Sign Permit Agreements (Gilbert Park 15 year) on a motion by Commissioner Polk. Seconded by Commissioner Rippetoe. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker, yes. Ordinance provides advertising sign placement at Gilbert Park for 15 years for the amount of $3,000.

Council Approved Ordinance 821-25 Amending Ordinance 749-22 and Authorizing Execution of Advertising Sign Permit Agreements (Gilbert Park Yearly) on a motion by Commissioner Polk. Seconded by Commissioner White. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker, yes. Ordinance provides the number of signs be increased from 8 signs per field to 32 signs per field .

Commissioner Rippetoe reported the recent outage was due to Ameren issues. There were scada issues which delayed generators to supply electric to customers. He met with the engineers who explained the PLC’s are failing and leaking and need replaced. Texting notification procedures have been modified to provide a text alert when lengthy outages occur. Commissioner White added the crews did a great job and had power provided in 42 minutes. Commissioner Polk visited the generation plant during the outage and commended the multiple employees helping to restore power.

Commissioner White reported a new IEPA permit has been applied for to change the carbon media. The watermain under I70 on Rt 128 will need to be moved. Reservoir is running 1” over the spillway, which equals 6” in the lake.

Commissioner Polk reported stump grinding is almost completed for the watermain replacement project. City wide cleanup starts Monday. He reported the street lights are off near ADM.

Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker reported the Industrial Arts class does not have enough time left in this school year to repair the Schmidt Park sign. The project is on hold until fall for the class, the work is hired out, or City employees do the repair.

Council Entered into Executive Session for the Purpose of Selection of Person to Fill Public Office 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(3) on a motion by Commissioner Polk. Motion seconded by Commissioner White. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker, yes.

Upon returning to open session, Commissioner Walker announced three people submitted letters of interest for the vacant Council position. Those being Richard Finn, Kathryn Huntley and Zain Parker. Commissioner Rippetoe motioned to Appoint Kathryn Huntley to the Vacant Council Position. Commissioner White seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, 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 Polk, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner Walker, yes.

https://www.altamontil.net/images/forms/2025_Council.pdf#page=21