Staunton Star - Times - Published in the Interest of the Staunton Community for Over 143 Years

During Monday night’s city council meeting, City Clerk Dennis Stiegemeier announced that the 7th Annual Gold Star Mission GS500 Bicycle Event taking place Sept. 19 through Sept. 23 will be coming through Staunton on Wednesday, Sept. 20 between 8 and 8:30 a.m. They will be making a brief stop at the VFW Post #1241. The 510-plus mile ride across central and southern Ill., honors and preserves the memories of fallen heroes.

In Correspondence, the city received an email from the Staunton Volunteer Fire Department requesting to close Wood Street from Pearl to Mill Street on Sunday, Sept. 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for an Open House. The city council approved the request. The city received an email from the Staunton Chamber of Commerce requesting to close Main Street from Edwardsville Street to Union Street on Friday evening, Dec. 1 from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 2 from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the Christmas Tree Lighting and Snack with Santa events. The Chamber is also requesting to keep Main Street closed from Wood Street to Elm Street all night long on Dec. 1 starting at 9 p.m. The city council approved the requests.

The city also received an email from Dana Neuhaus, representing the Staunton High School Post Prom Committee, requesting permission to hold a “5K Holiday Hustle” run on Saturday, Dec. 2. The run would begin at 8:30 a.m. and end by 10:30 a.m. with race set-up beginning at 7 a.m. The city council approved the request.

In the City Clerk’s Report, Stiegemeier announced that the on-site work for the Annual Fiscal Year Audit has been completed by C. J. Schlosser and Company. The complete audit should be finished by early Oct.

Stiegemeier also announced that the City Clerk’s Office will be closed on Monday, Sept. 4, in observance of the Labor Day holiday. All public works employees, except for one water treatment plant employee, will be off that day as well.

In Park and Civic Improvement, the city council approved a quote from Gillihan Concrete for sidewalk at Pickleball Court for $6,200.

In Finance and Claims, the city council approved the renewal for the City of Staunton’s Employee Dental, Life, Vision. and AD&D Insurance from CBIZ Benefits & Insurance Services of Illinois effective Nov. 1, 2023, at a renewal rate of $58.23 per employee, per month with Principal Insurance Co.

In Streets and Sewer, the city council approved the Estimate from E J Equipment for a TurboJet Root Cutter for $4,025. This will be paid from line item 52.43.831.0.

In Personnel, the city council agreed to hire Patricia Apponey as part time Office Administrative Assistant in the City Clerk’s Office

In Judiciary, the city council approved the Ordinance for a Charity Roadblock by the Staunton Knights of Columbus to conduct their Annual Tootsie Roll Drive at the intersection of Main Street and Route 4 and Main Street and Union Street on Sept. 23, 2023.

The city council approved the Ordinance for a Charity Roadblock by Adopt A Pet to conduct their Macoupin County wide drive at the intersection of Main Street and Route 4 and Main Street and Union Street on Oct. 14, 2023.

The 1st reading was given for Ordinance of a Pre-Annexation Agreement with Larry F. and Janice M. Spour regarding property located at 9425 Schaefer Road but not physically annexing the property to the city’s corporate boundaries at this time.

The 1st reading was given for Ordinance of a Pre-Annexation Agreement with Angela L. Rose regarding property located at 1928 N. Reservoir Road but not physically annexing the property to the city’s corporate boundaries at this time.

Those present for the meeting were Mayor Craig Neuhaus, City Clerk Dennis Stiegemeier, City Treasurer Cindy Pirok, Police Chief Jeff Doerr, City Attorney Phil Lading, Public Works Director Mike Kuethe, Aldermen Ryan Machota, David Manning, David Dias, Terry Tipler, Kristy Berg, and Matthew McKee. The next city council meeting will be on Monday, Sept.11, at 7 p.m.