East Central Reporter

City of Altamont City Council met Sept. 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Council of the City of Altamont met in regular session at 6:00 pm on September 08, 2025, in the Council Room of the Municipal Building. The following members were present: Mayor Mike Walker; Commissioner Jason Rippetoe; Commissioner Tayler Polk; Commissioner Terry White; Commissioner Kathryn Huntley. Also present –Charles Pagel; Mark Hoskins, Altamont News; Dale Laue, Unit 10 School; Jason Kersey; Dan Milleville; Gale Warner; Mimi Mays; Dan Simmons; Kyle & Emily Stuemke; Bill & Connie Durbin; April Stuemke; Lori McCain; Mark Workman; Zain Parker; Jodi Waymouth; Police Chief, Alan Heiens; 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 Huntley. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Huntley, yes; Mayor Walker, yes. 

Chief Heiens presented the August 2025 Police Activity Report. He was questioned about having 24 hour police coverage. Chief Heiens responded with three full time officers, it was not possible. However, calls to the City are answered by the Effingham County Sheriff’s Department when an Altamont officer is not available. He addressed transients in the City park. One was arrested, there were no known others. Mark Workman informed the Chief of some counterfeit $50 bills in circulation.

Connie Durbin asked if there would be a credit provided to water customers as reimbursement for buying bottled water. Mayor Walker responded the Water Department is not financially able to provide a credit. Charles Pagel placed a bottle of water on the Council table and challenged the Council members to drink the water.

Mark Workman asked about the possibility of food trucks at 600 South Main hurting the current business owners. Mayor Walker responded the trucks would lease the location. Lori McCain expressed concerns about parking of the food trucks and asked about removing the curbing along Main Street. Commissioner Rippetoe explained IDOT will not allow the curbing to be removed, as they control the number of entrances off a state highway.

Mimi Mays asked again if there could be a movie night for the young kids of the City.

Council Approved a Resolution Authorizing the OSLAD Grant for Gilbert Park Improvements on a motion by Commissioner Huntley and seconded by Commissioner Polk. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Huntley, yes; Mayor Walker, yes.

Council Approved a Roadside Fundraiser Request by Altamont Lions Club October 17, 2025 for Lions Club Candy Day. Commissioner Rippetoe motioned for approval. Commissioner White seconded the motion. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Huntley, yes; Mayor Walker, yes.

Sealed bids were opened for the purchase of 703 Field Street. Two bids were received Tony & Nina Pals $6,112.00 and Alex Wendling $7,500.00.

Commissioner Polk motioned to Award the Bid of $7,500.00 to Alex Wendling for the purchase of 703 Field Street. Commissioner Rippetoe seconded the motion. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Huntley, yes; Mayor Walker, yes.

Council Approved an Intergovernmental Agreement with Altamont Community School District Regarding High School Parking Lot Improvements & Ewing Street Drainage on a motion by Commissioner White. Commissioner Huntley seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, no; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Huntley, yes; Mayor Walker, yes. Commissioner Rippetoe expressed concerns of the language of the agreement placing liability solely on the City. Dale Laue, Unit 10 School Board President, responded the design will cause a catch basin in the drainage system until the high water in the Ewing Street ditch recedes. During a normal rain a great improvement to the parking lot will be noticed.

Council Approved Ordinance 836-25; An Ordinance Authorizing Execution of Contract for Private Development Pursuant to the City of Altamont Redevelopment Plan for Tax Increment Area (RDM Designs Cabinetry LLC in the Amount of $55,000. Commissioner Polk motioned for approval. Commissioner Huntley seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner White, ineligible; Commissioner Huntley, yes; Mayor Walker, yes.

Council Approved the Purchase of Three Turbidity Meters for the Water Treatment Plant in the Amount of $18,563.42 on a motion by Commissioner White. Commissioner Huntley seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, no; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Huntley, yes; Mayor Walker, yes. Commissioner White stated the current turbidity meters were past support and parts replacement. They are IEPA required to monitor the water plant.

Council Approved Payment of Pay Request #2 to Kieffer Bros Construction for Water Main Replacement in the Amount of $205,124.55. (DCEO Grant Agreement 19-242036) on a motion by Commissioner White and seconded by Commissioner Rippetoe. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Huntley, yes; Mayor Walker, yes. Payment was comprised of $165,199.90 grant funds and $39,924.65 City monies.

Council Approved Pay Request #3 to Kieffer Bros Construction for Water Main Replacement in the Amount of $163,938.55. (DCEO Grant Agreement 19-242-36). Commissioner White motioned for approval. Commissioner Rippetoe seconded. Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Huntley, yes; Mayor Walker, yes.

Council Approved Pay Request #4 to Kieffer Bros Construction for Water Main Replacement in the Amount of $203,286.62. (DCEO Grant Agreement 19-242-36) on a motion by Commissioner White and seconded by Commissioner Rippetoe. . Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Huntley, yes; Mayor Walker, yes.

Council Approved Auction Agreement with Local Liquidators for Sale of Equipment at 600 South Main Street. Commissioner Rippetoe motioned for approval. Commissioner White seconded. . Members voted as follows: Commissioner Polk, yes; Commissioner Rippetoe, yes; Commissioner White, yes; Commissioner Huntley, yes; Mayor Walker, yes. The auction company will administer an online auction of the items and manage item pickup, for a 35% commission fee.

Commissioner Rippetoe reported the Electric Department was not awarded a grant for infrastructure improvements. There are plans to reapply at the next opportunity. A new employee has been hired for the department. The northwest feeder project needs two poles changed.

Commissioner Polk reported oiling was completed.

Commissioner Huntley thanked the volunteers for their work at Union Cemetery on Saturday. Some stones were cleaned and the entrance white posts were repainted. Animal traps have been removed at Gilbert Park. A contractor will be inspecting the batter building for ventilation ideas. It was good to see Klitzing Park utilized for soccer this past week. Trunk or Treat is being held at Schmidt Park this year rather than the parking lot near the grocery store. All participants are welcome.

Commissioner White addressed the water quality by stating the bottom line is IEPA testing has proven the water is safe. He and a water operator toured water treatment plants in Nashville and Salem looking for a procedure to determine future outbreaks and remedies. An engineer from Curry & Associates will attend the next council meeting to explain the events. MIB Jasmine is the major causing factor. Conflicting IEPA procedures for changing carbon in the filters were received. One procedure is a rapid replacement, while the other takes three days for each of the three filters. With employees working thru the weekend, two of three filters will be changed by the next meeting, Commissioner White was asked if the new water main could contribute. He indicated it did not. However, before the line can provide potable water, it must be chlorine burned and pass testing twice. He was also asked about purchasing water from EJ Water. Commissioner Rippetoe responded EJ would increase rates a considerable amount the first year and each year thereafter. Kyle Stuemke commented that in previous years he was told the City could process water for less than EJ could provide it for. White confirmed that is still the case. White stated he is trusting in the science of engineers and the operators. There are currently 50-60 comparable water systems fighting the same battle.

Mayor Walker has nothing to report.

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

https://www.altamontil.net/images/forms/2025_Council.pdf#page=51