East Central Reporter

City of Altamont City Council met May 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 May 27, 2025, in the Council Room of the Municipal Building. The following members were present: Mayor Mike Walker; Commissioner Tayler Polk; Commissioner Terry White; Commissioner Jason Rippetoe; Commissioner Kathryn Huntley. Also present – Lee Beckman, Milano & Grunloh; Mark Hoskins, Altamont News; Zain Parker; Samantha Hicks, Effingham County ROSC; Dan Milleville, Richard Frailey; Richard Finn; Kim McCain; Marie Adamick, Effingham Daily News; 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 Polk and seconded by Commissioner White. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner Huntley, yes; Mayor Walker, yes. (Attachment 1)

Lee Beckman, Milano & Grunloh Engineers, provided project updates. The Water Main Replacement is going well. Driveway entrance replacement will pose a challenge, which may require lowering of the sidewalks. ITEP grant will be a spring 2026 project. He met with the Mayor and Terry White concerning an IDOT grant application for downtown renovation of street lights and curbing. He suggested talking to State Representatives to bring the application to their attention.

Samantha Hicks, Effingham County ROSC (Recovery Oriented Systems of Care) Coordinator, introduced their community program to the Council. They offer addiction counseling, free laundry days & aid for mental health issues.

Council Approved Ordinance 826-25; Authorizing Sale of Real Estate (107 N Main St) on motion by Commissioner Rippetoe. Commissioner Huntley seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, recused; Commissioner White, ineligible; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner Huntley, yes; Mayor Walker, yes. The property will be sold to Ron Myers in the amount of $10,500.

Council Approved Ordinance 827-25; Implementing Grocery Retailer’s Occupation Tax and a Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax for the City of Altamont on motion by Commissioner Rippetoe. Commissioner White seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner Huntley, yes; Mayor Walker, yes. January 2026 the State of Illinois will discontinue charging a 1% grocery tax. Passage of this ordinance provides a City 1% tax, whereby all taxes will be deposited to the City’s General Fund.

Council Approved Ordinance 828-25; Authorizing Execution of Advertising Sign Permit Agreement with Jared Nelson Trucking (Gilbert Park 12-year term) on a motion by Commissioner Rippetoe. Seconded by Commissioner Polk. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner Huntley, yes; Mayor Walker, yes.

Council Approved Ordinance 829-25; Authorizing Execution of Advertising Sign Permit Agreement with Weber Optiks (Gilbert Park 5-year term) on a motion by Commissioner Huntley. Seconded by Commissioner Polk. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner Huntley, yes; Mayor Walker, yes.

Commissioner Huntley explained she spoke with a FIELD’s representative, who solicited for the sign revenue. The representative is willing to sign the agreements and agreed that FIELD’s will pay for the sign printing.

Council Approved Resolution 2025-05-08; Authorizing Sale of Surplus Equipment on a motion by Commissioner White. Seconded by Commissioner Polk. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Huntley, yes; Mayor Walker, yes. Water Department will be consigning with Schmid Auction Service to sell a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup.

Council Approved Payment to Courts & Cracks in the Amount of $12,700 for Repainting of Nori’s Yard Multi Use Court on a motion by Commissioner Polk. Seconded by Commissioner Huntley. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Huntley, yes; Mayor Walker, yes. 50% of the project cost was obtained from donations solicited by Sharon Harper.

Commissioner Rippetoe has some items waiting on information to report at the next meeting.

Commissioner White reported Kieffer Bros are 3-4 weeks into the water main replacement project and all is going well. He is continuing work with the Altamont Fire Department to find an interim solution to a storm siren.

Commissioner Polk reported stumps in the path of the water main replacement have been ground. He met with Milano & Grunloh regarding sidewalk replacement. New culverts will be installed in the next couple weeks on Division Street & Jackson Street.

Mayor Walker reported the multi-use court at Nori’s Yard is a great improvement. Plumbing installation of Schmidt Park restrooms will be starting soon.

Clerk Stephen commended the Electric and Street crews for their teamwork in restoring power and cleaning streets after the May 16th storms.

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

https://www.altamontil.net/images/forms/2025_Council.pdf#page=28