Spencer sworn in as Pinckneyville mayor

Monday night's Pinckneyville City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Leonard Heisner with the saying of the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call was taken with Commissioners Sam Fulk, Heisner, Kevin Hicks, and David Stone present. Outgoing Mayor August Kellerman was not present due to an urgent surgery at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis.

City Clerk Fran Thomas read a letter from outgoing Mayor August Kellerman wherein he reflected on accomplishments that were achieved while he was mayor, including, but not limited to, the zoning ordinance, additions to the business districts, vacant buildings that are now filled with businesses, such as Jennifer Martin Farmers Insurance Agency, Du Quoin Health Fitness Center, and Aunt Minnie's Nibble & Chat.

He also thanked his supporters, his wife, city council members, city employees, and included the late city attorney Roger Seibert for all the help he had provided. He also extended his best wishes to incoming Mayor Robert Spencer and the new city council. Motions were made to approve the previous meeting minutes, accounts payable, and the city treasurer report as given by city treasurer Rick Reese, with all being approved.

A motion was made by Fulk and seconded by Hicks to adjourn the meeting, and Heisner adjourned the meeting.

At this time, the new City Council, Mayor Robert Spencer, Commissioner of Accounts and Finance William Stotlar, Commissioner of Streets and Public Improvements Sam Peradotta, Commissioner of Public Health and Safety Kevin Hicks, and Commissioner of Public Property David Stone, were seated and sworn in by City Clerk Fran Thomas.

Spencer called the meeting to order. Hicks began the meeting by telling the council that he had been receiving complaints from people that drivers were spinning their tires and using loud mufflers in the areas of the city ball fields, where there are children playing ball and siblings of the ballplayers playing, as well as in the vicinity of the high school. Hicks told the council that the police would be made aware of this and if this does occur, the police will write tickets.

Hicks informed the council that George Culley of the Least of Brethren Food Pantry has requested police assistance and that Douglas Street be close in front of the Food Pantry on May 28 during the Least of Brethren Food Fair. Hicks made a Motion to provide the services and Peradotta seconded the Motion. The Motion was approved.

Also approved by the Council was a Motion by Hicks to use $2,500 from the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund for the Family Fun Night in the Park on July 31. This is a well attended event and everything is free to the public.

Peradotta requested that the approval for lease/purchase of a Bobcat T650 T4 compact track loader at a cost of $52,320.22, which was originally brought up at the April 13 meeting, be tabled until the next meeting on May 26 to give him the opportunity to review all the information regarding the lease/purchase.

Stone requested that the council review and consider a possible amendment to the City's pool manager contract. The City can either hire the manager as an hourly seasonal employee or as a contract employee. However, per the city's insurance, if they hire the manager as a contract employee, he has to have his own liability insurance. However, the premium quote the pool manager received for the required $1,000,000/$2,000,000 liability policy was $803 for 3 months.

Thomas told the council that a local insurance agent could get a lower premium for the same coverage and they would get that quote on May 12. Hicks said to wait until the city gets that quote. He also stated that he would prefer to keep the business local.

Attorney Don Bigham told the council that is better if the city hires the pool manager as a contract worker, there is going to have to be a city resolution amending the pool manager's contract regarding payment to allow for the insurance premium. The pool will open on May 25 and the resolution will be handled at the next meeting on the 26th.

Stone also made a Motion that the council approve the payment of $69,063.00 to Haier Plumbing and Heating, Inc. for the completed Walnut Street Sewer Rehabilitation Project. $62,464 will come from the grant the city received from DCEO-Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the remaining $6,599 will come from the water and sewer account. The motion was approved.

Stotlar made a motion authorizing the city treasurer to balance the 2014-2015 Municipal Budget by doing the necessary transfers. The motion was seconded by Peradotta and approved by the council.

The council also approved Stotlar's motion for the city treasurer to initiate the necessary documents to allow Spencer, Stotlar, Thomas and Reese's signatures on the City checking accounts.

Stotlar also made motions to approve Ordinance No. O-2015-05 which allows for the abatement of a direct annual tax levied to pay the principal and interest on $2,100,000 General Obligation Bonds Series 2011 and 2011B of the city, as well as Ordinance No. O-2015-16 regarding abatement of a direct annual tax levied to pay the principal and interest on $2,100,000 General Obligation Bonds Series 2012. Both motions were approved.

Spencer informed the city that he had received letters from Jack Stone and Rita Schwebel with each resigning from the Pinckneyville Zoning Board of Appeals, effective May 1. A motion to accept the resignations was made by Peradotta and seconded by Stone and was approved.

Spencer then asked for a motion to approved the recommendation of Ordinance No. O-2015-02 which amends Ordinance No. O-2014-06 as discussed in the Public Hearing prior to the city council Meeting. The motion to approve the Ordinance was made by Peradotta and was approved by the Council.

Spencer announced that he received a letter of resignation from Samuel Fulk from the Cemetery Board of Managers. Hicks made a motion that the resignation be accepted and the motion was approved.

The final business of the night was Spencer's recommendation to appoint Attorney Donald Bigham as the city legal counsel replacing the late Roger Seibert. The recommendation was approved by the Council.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be Tuesday, May 26 since Monday, May 25 is a holiday.