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

By Kelly Costa

During Monday night’s city council meeting, the city council extended special thanks to Wendy and Hunter Harbison for going above and beyond as they cleaned up the Jr. Service Pavilion after seeing a post on social media about broken glass and a potential hazard for children using the park.

Park and Recreation Chairman, Terry Tipler would like to encourage all citizens to contact

the City Clerk’s Office at 635-2233, when they see such things as unsafe conditions, graffiti, or sanitation concerns when using city parks. The seasonal employees will be back to work in the next few weeks, but this would help to expedite any community concerns that need to be addressed.

In Correspondence, the city received a letter from Concordia Hall requesting to close South Union Street from East 4th to 6th Street on Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. for the McKay Auto Parts Make-A-Wish Illinois Car Show. The city council approved the request.

In the Treasurer’s Report, City Treasurer stated that Certificates of Deposit have matured and have been recently cashed at Bank of Springfield are as follows:

Bond/Interest Fund - $750,000 plus $25,334.12 interest

Civic Improvement Fund - $100,000 plus $3,377.88 interest

General Fund - $250,000 plus $8,444.71 interest

Infrastructure Fund - $500,000 plus $16,889.42 interest

MFT Fund -$500,000 plus $16,889.42 interest

Sewer Fund - $200,000 plus $6,755.77 interest

Telecommunications Fund - $200,000 plus $6,755.77 interest

Certificates of Deposit recently purchased at Bank of Springfield for 7 months at 5.10% are as follows:

Bond/Interest Fund - $700,000

Civic Improvement Fund - $100,000

General Fund - $250,000

Infrastructure Fund - $500,000

MFT Fund - $500,000

Sewer Fund - $200,000

Telecommunications Fund - $200,000.

In the City Clerk’s Report, City Clerk Dennis Stiegemeier announced that it’s the time of year again to file Economic Interest Statements with Macoupin County. He sent an email last week with the links to file online. Please be sure to file all statements prior to May 1, 2024.

In Public Health and Safety, the city council agreed to pay Invoice #410150 to Leads Online for annual Total Track Investigation System Service Package for $1,749. The service dates are May 1, 2024 through April 30, 2025.

In Park and Civic Improvement, the city council approved Eli Henke’s Eagle Scout Project for bench replacement at Duda Garden.

The city council also approved funding up to $5,000 for new batting cages for the Staunton Baseball/Softball Association to replace existing batting cages at the baseball park.

The city council agreed to transfer $50,000 from the Civic Improvement Fund to the Park and Recreation Fund as budgeted.

In Finance and Claims, the city council approved Partial Pay Estimate #1 to J.P. Burns Excavating, Inc. for work completed on the Main Street Sewer Extension Project for $116,011.22. This will be paid from Line Item 37.71.853.0.

The city council agreed to pay Invoice #9556 from PSC Engineering for Inspection Work on the West Frontage Road Sanitary Sewer Extension Project for $11,305.00. This will be paid from Line Item 37.71.855.0.

The city council also agreed to pay Invoice #9557 from PSC Engineering for Inspection Work on the Main Street Sewer Extension Project for $8,075.. This will be paid from Line Item 37.71.853.0.

In Tourism, the city council voted to pay Invoice #58055 to Partners In Recognition, Inc. for plaques for the Wall of Honor display in the amount of $1,181.09.

In Economic and TIF, the city council approved Partial Pay Estimate #1 to Gelly Excavating & Construction for work completed on the West Frontage Road Sanitary Sewer Extension Project for $100,878.98. This will be paid from Line Item 20.25.890.0.

In Judiciary, the city council waived the 1st reading and approved Ordinance #2233 establishing No Parking on Miller Street and Franklin Street.

The city council approved Resolution #2024-04 a Contractor’s Application for Payment Number 1 to Kamadulski Excavating for work completed as well as Invoice #9555 to PSC Engineering for Inspection Work on the Gensing Creek Box Culvert Replacement Project from January 29, 2024 to March 1, 2024 for a total amount of $404,280.29.

Those present for the meeting were Mayor Craig Neuhaus, City Clerk Dennis Stiegemeier, City Treasurer Cindy Pirok, City Attorney Phil Lading, Police Chief Jeff Doerr, Public Works Director Mike Kuethe, Aldermen Ryan Machota, David Manning, Terry Tipler, Kristy Berg, and Matthew McKee. Alderman David Dias attended electronically. The next city council meeting will be on Monday, March 25, 2024 at 7 p.m.