East Central Reporter

City of Altamont City Council met Aug. 25.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Council of the City of Altamont met in regular session at 6:00 pm on August 25, 2025, in the Council Room of the Municipal Building. The following members were present: Mayor Mike Walker; Commissioner Tayler Polk; Commissioner Terry White; Commissioner Kathryn Huntley. Also present – Charles Pagel; Mark Hoskins, Altamont News; Maria Adamick, Effingham Daily News; Jim Stuckemeyer; Casey Adam & Dale Laue, Unit 10 School; Mark Ritter & Tony Schenk of Gonzalez Engineers; Jason Kersey; Dan Milleville; Gale Warner; Dwight Homann; Mimi Mays; Dan Simmons; Kyle & Emily Stuemke; Bill & Connie Durbin; Bernadine Blakely; Darlene May; Amber Clark; Travis Pruemer; April Stuemke; Rich Frailey and Sarah Stephen, City Clerk. Commissioner Jason Rippetoe was absent.

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

Lee Beckman, Milano & Grunloh Engineers, reported the water line replacement installation is almost complete. Individual services will then be connected. There will be a public hearing 15 minutes prior to the September 8th regular meeting regarding the OSLAD grant application. He stated the land purchase would need to be completed prior to the grant application submission. Mayor Walker asked those present to provide letters of support for Gilbert Park improvements

Gale Warner requested the previous railroad property at Sixth & Grant be mowed.

Kyle Stuemke addressed the Council concerning enforcement of the yard maintenance ordinance. He requested Sixth Street be oiled & chipped. He then focused on the poor water quality condition. He felt something needed to be done and stated what is going on is unacceptable.

Connie Durbin suggested a credit be given to water customers to help with the expense of buying bottled water. She asked for a Council to vote for a customer credit. Mayor Walker stated it would not be voted on at the present meeting.

Commissioner White explained water department employees and himself have been working with engineers who are high respected by the Illinois EPA. Surface water is an ever-changing environment, which makes stabilization of the drinking water delicate. In previous months, water treatments were started to avoid a full boil order, of which has been prevented. He and an employee will be visiting other similar water plants to see if different processes can be found. There are solutions with a million dollar cost and continual expensive operational costs.

Casey Adam, Unit 10 Superintendent introduced Tony Schenk of Gonzalez Engineering to explain the school parking lot and Ewing Street drainage project. He explained the additional water to enter the Ewing Street ditch will be marginal. The roof drainage discharge pipes will also be improved. The project is scheduled for summer of 2026. Mayor Walker stated the City will have legal counsel review the agreement.

Council Approved Ordinance VA-1807; Front Yard Setback, 301 E Cumberland Road on a motion by Commissioner Polk and seconded by Commissioner White. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Huntley, yes; Mayor Walker, yes. The approval

provides the setback along Route 40 be reduced from 50 feet to 15 feet allowing for a public restroom addition to Andrew’s Eats.

Council Approved Upgrade of Itron Meter Reading System in the Amount of $43,360.00. Commissioner Huntly motioned for approval. Commissioner White seconded the motion. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, no; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Huntley, yes; Mayor Walker, yes. Prior to the vote, Clerk Stephen explained the current meter reading devices were soon becoming obsolete and reaching the end of support and repair. Device replacement was the least expense option.

Council discussed the current condition of the building at 600 South Main. Mayor Walker stated it is not worth investing in repairs and proposed tearing it down. Commissioner White concurred. Commissioner Polk motioned to Demolish the building at 600 South Main . Commissioner Huntley seconded the motion. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Huntley, yes; Mayor Walker, yes. Mayor Walker stated the area may be offered to food truck vendors in the future.

Council Approved TIF Administration Services Agreement with South Central IL Planning & Development on a motion by Commissioner Polk. Commissioner White seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Huntley, yes; Mayor Walker, yes.

Commissioner Polk reported road oiling will begin tomorrow. He requested Division St at Main be backfilled where the water main replacement was installed.

Commissioner White reported Third Street water main installation will be completed in one week. The installation has been issue-free with the exception of a gas main break. He received a quote form Hach for replacement turbidity meters for an amount less than $19,000. The new meters will help with monitoring water quality.

Commissioner Huntley reported six skunks have been caught at Gilbert Park. A defense barrier is being installed at the storage building to detour animal harboring. September 6th from 1:00-3:00 is a volunteer work time at Union Cemetery for stone cleaning.

Mayor Walker asked those present to consider writing a letter of support for the OSLAD grant and the projects planned at Gilbert Park.

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

https://www.altamontil.net/images/forms/2025_Council.pdf#page=46