Macon Reporter

City of Sullivan City Council met Feb. 20.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

1. The City Council of the City of Sullivan, Illinois, met in regular session beginning at 6: 00 p.m. at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Li r ry, 2 West Water Street, Sullivan. The meeting was called to order byMayor Richard Glazebrook. A roll call was taken.

Commissioner Abbey Sherwood present 

Commissioner Mike Fowler present

Commissioner Chuck Woodworth absent

Commissioner Peggy Hargis present 

Mayor Richard Glazebrook present

2. Mayor Glazebrook asked if there were any comments from the public. Vibeke Larson from Imagine Nation presented information on the splash pad. The pad is made of broom finished concrete and can use 25- 100 gallons of water per minute. A filtration system can be installed to recirculate the water in the system, at which point it is then classified as a pool. This classification requires water testing, chemical level maintenance, and access to a restroom facility with showers. The system is equipped with a strainer/ diverter system that takes rainwater off of the pad and diverts it to the storm sewer. There is a controller for the pad that can be programmed to allow operation only during park hours. The state requires the engineer and the contractor for the project to be licensed by the State of Illinois and registered with the Health Department. Becky Ogle shared that the restroom facilities and a fence around the pad weren't included in the group' s budget. The companies that completed the pad in Paris have offered the same discounts to the SPARK group. Mike Piper presented the Council with his idea of installing concrete roads to support the heavy truck traffic in more industrial areas and on the edge of town. He also proposed a water looping for Pifer' s Lane and the replacement of an 8- inch water main on North Main Street to run from the water tower to Hamilton

Street. He also encouraged the use of rural water towers and the separation of Rural Water from City water services. Rich Rutledge added that a road on the edge of town could alleviate agricultural traffic through town.

3. Commissioner Sherwood reported on future budget items for the parks, the Civic Center, and the City Building. Short term items for the park included: adjusting jack boxes at the ball fields, installing a foul pole at the north diamond, setting up a process to reserve ball diamonds, liming the fields, replacing basketball nets, burning and blading Tabor trails, cutting dead trees at Tabor, brush hogging trails, painting picnic tables, install a backstop at the south diamond, replacing the flag pole at tabor and replacing the posts for the LED flag at the park. The long term items included: new playground equipment, addressing the erosion issues for the island in Wyman Lake, drudging the lake and planting new trees. Short term items for the Civic Center included: adding private swim lessons, increasing fitness classes, water exercise, yoga, and spin classes, some new equipment, adding a family fun night, starting a program from 2:30 to 5. 30 after park rec, a junior lifeguarding program, increasing the budget for summer help and instructors, replacing the big slide, a new gym floor, and new security cameras. Long term items for the Civic Center included: new coin lockers, converting the racquetball courts into two separate rooms, replacing the elevators, and a new facility. It was noted that the return pipes for the pool are 54 years old and if they fail, the concrete

will need to be busted up to replace them. Short term items for the City Building included: 2-3 scanners, the renewal of a printer and copier service agreement with Watts, and an increase in travel expenses for Sarah Golden and Nakayla Swisher to attend Treasurer' s Institute and for Carrie Creek to obtain her Clerk Certifications, an update to the billing software and an office supply agreement. Long term for the City Building was a new facility. Blake Eggleston's GIS budget included phone upgrades and upgrading computers for each department.

4. Commissioner Fowler shared budget items for the Electric Distribution and Electric Plant. Short and long term items for distribution included: a bucket truck, a half-ton 4X4 crew cab pickup, shop LED light fixtures, roof repair, the relocation of the furnace in the west building, tube heaters, electric garage door, blacktopping the parking lot, an upgrade at Hydro- Gear, replace transformers behind the theater, the thrift store

and at the sewer plant, new services to the welding shop at B & B tanks, development on Route 32, installation of a switch at the county farm, installation of 69 kV transmission lines to Agri-Fab, adding a journeyman and possibly an apprentice, and setting up a ten- year rotation for equipment and trucks. Short term items for the electric plant included:

changing engine oil pending the return of the oil analysis, the underground tank project, replacing front panel meters as they fail, plant-specific training, and radios/headsets. Replacement of the Fairbanks engines with CAT units was a long term budget item for the plant.5. Commissioner Hargis reported on budget items for the Street Department. These budget items included: the Jefferson Street sidewalk project, replacement of the

sidewalk on the north side of Harrison Street from Washington to Madison, sidewalk replacement, repairs to culverts and ditches on the north end, drainage issues in Eastview Subdivision, shoulder work on Cottontail Lane, adding intakes in areas where water stands, road repair in preparation for oiling and chipping, a plow truck, a concrete saw, new tires for the backhoe, adding a department employee and increasing the amount of

patch purchased.

6. Mayor Glazebrook shared budget items for the Gas Department, the Cemetery and the Police Department. Budget items for the Gas Department included: replacing the fence, adding security cameras, blacktopping the parking lot, minor building repairs, a new trencher, a new backhoe, and the replacement of nine gas regulators. Items for the Cemetery included: replacing the roof of the office, a new decorative black iron entry fence, and oiling and chipping the roads. The budget for the Police Department included a new air conditioner, updates to the website and a new

squad car.

7: The Mayor spoke to the council about setting aside TIF funds to use for sidewalk and gutter improvements. He asked that they also consider setting aside funds for projects such as the water plant, construction on the north end, and the 69 kV project with Hydro-Gear. He proposed the idea of pooling money for the purchase of new

equipment.

8. Mayor Glazebrook asked the Council for their views on the future of the Titus Home. He believes that spending money on the home would take funds away from other City improvements The Titus Home was purchased because of its location to the Civic Center and provides options for future expansion or construction. The property

could also be used to integrate the Civic Center and the splash pad. Commissioners

Hargis, Sherwood and Fowler, also believe the home should be demolished. The historical society will be allowed to preserve items from the home. There are plans to create a memorial garden on the northeast side of the property honoring Mrs. Titus.

9. Mayor Glazebrook initiated a conversation about the future of the Civic Center. He emphasized the fact that the roof cannot be repaired. Commissioner Sherwood believes that a new facility could be beneficial to the school and the community. Commissioner Hargis explained that she would hate to see putting money into the existing facility. Dave Walker commented that the discussion about both buildings sounded the same, the decision should also be the same. Carol Elder suggested funding a new Civic Center with the issuance of a bond.

10. A motion was made by Commissioner Hargis and seconded by Commissioner Sherwood to adjourn the meeting. Upon roll call being taken, the results were as follows:

Commissioner Peggy Hargis yea 

Commissioner Abbey Sherwood yea 

Commissioner Mike Fowler yea

Commissioner Chuck Woodworth absent

Mayor Richard Glazebrook yea

and the motion was declared carried and the meeting was adjourned at 7:33 p.m.

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