East Central Reporter

City of Altamont City Council met July 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 July 14, 2025, in the Council Room of the Municipal Building. The following members were present: Mayor Mike Walker; Commissioner Terry White; Commissioner Jason Rippetoe; Commissioner Kathryn Huntley. Also present –Zain Parker; Richard Frailey; Richard Finn; Charles Pagel; Mark Hoskins, Altamont News: Gale Warner; Dan Milleville; Mimi Mays; Danny Simmons; Mark Workman; Jerry Hoffmeister; Police Chief Alan Heiens and Sarah Stephen, City Clerk. Commissioner Tayler Polk was absent.

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 Huntley. Members voted as follows: Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner Huntley, yes; Mayor Walker, yes. (Attachment 1)

Chief, Alan Heiens, presented the June 2025 Police Activity Report.

Gale Warner brought to the Council’s attention Fourth Street off of Rt 40. He stated there are weeds, tree limbs, and structures needing attention.

Mimi Mays suggested free Disney movies in the park for the youth. She has a collection of Disney movies she would share. Commissioner Huntley stated a license would need to be obtained to show the movies.

Concerning lease arrangements at 600 South Main Street, Commissioner Huntley motioned to not proceed with lease arrangements at 600 South Main to Juan Carols Jacinto Jr & Partners. Commissioner White seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner Huntley, yes; Mayor Walker, yes. The vote denied proceeding with the lease.

Council Approved a Special Use Liquor License, SP-66; Dr Charles M Wright Wine, Beer & Music Event, September 13, 2025 9:00 am- 11:30 pm on motion by Commissioner Rippetoe. Commissioner White seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner Huntley, yes; Mayor Walker, yes. Jerry Hoffmeister stated this year will include live entertainment and Altamont Sports Boosters will be selling food as a fundraiser. He thanked the City, tourism and the community for the past support.

Council Approved Amendment of 25 Year Extension of a Wireline Crossing Agreement with CSX Transportation, in the Amount of $6,750.00 (Third St) on a motion by Commissioner Rippetoe. Commissioner Huntley seconded the motion. Members voted as follows: Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner Huntley, yes; Mayor Walker, yes.

Council Approved Payment of Pay Request #1 to Kieffer Bros Construction for Water Main Replacement in the Amount of $288,758.70 (DCEO Grant Agreement 19-242036). Commissioner White motioned for approval. Commissioner Rippetoe seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner Huntley, yes; Mayor Walker, yes.

Council Approved Pay Request #2 to Kieffer Bros Construction for Water Main Replacement in the Amount of $205,124.55 (DCEO Grant Agreement 19-242036). Commissioner White motioned for approval. Commissioner Rippetoe seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner Huntley, yes; Mayor Walker, yes.

Commissioner White reported the water main installation has been completed on Main Street from Rt 40 to Jackson and Ewing Street from Rt 40 to Division Street. The project is now on South Edwards St. He is relieved the water reservoir shows no sign of algae bloom as occurred last year and currently in neighboring communities. The lake level is down 4 ½” Some of the dirt has been hauled in for rebuild of the North sewer lagoon berm.

Commissioner Rippetoe reported truck #6 is down with a cylinder issue, which delays the north feeder rebuild. The outage Friday morning, July 11th, was due to an Ameren issue. The generators were powered up in 50 minutes to provide power to Altamont customers.

Commissioner Huntley reported she obtained a quote for insulating the storage shed, soon to be an additional batters building, at Gilbert Park in the amount of $5,000. Field B has some damage from moles of last fall. Schmidt Park restrooms are scheduled to be operational by the Back to School Bash.

Mayor Walker stated pickle ball players are considering lessons about the game. If anyone is interested, please reach out and you will be connected with the instructors.

Clerk Stephen reported an estimated FYE 2026 appropriation in the amount of $9,288,651. This is an increase of $2,032,977 over the previous year, due largely to the water main replacement and sidewalk projects. Those projects are heavily grant funded. The final appropriation ordinance will be presented at a public hearing on July 28th at 5:45 pm with the vote at the following regular meeting. She also reported an upgrade was needed this year for the automatic meter reading system. Estimates have been received for replacement of meters and transferring to smart meters in the range of $300,000 – $520,000. An alternative, in the amount of $42,000, to upgrade the meter reading unit, , leave the existing meters and not transfer to smart meters, is being studied.

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

https://www.altamontil.net/images/forms/2025_Council.pdf#page=37