Sangamon Sun

City of Petersburg City Council met Nov. 19

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. CALL TO ORDER 

Mayor Rick Snyder called the City Council to order at 7:15 p.m. 

II. PRELIMINARY MATTERS 

A. Members present were Mayor Rick Snyder, Aldermen Neil Conklin, Tia Baugher, Andrew Gain, Bruce Gorman, Rick Sonnemaker, and Mike Allison. Also present were City Clerk Ken Ortman, Treasurer David Frick, and City Attorney Jason Brokaw. 

B. Mayor Snyder led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. 

C. A motion was made by Alderman Gain and seconded by Alderman Allison to approve the agenda as presented. VOTES: Sonnemaker, yes; Gorman, yes; Conklin, yes; Baugher, yes; Gain, yes; Allison, yes. Mayor Snyder declared the MOTION CARRIED. 

III PERSONNEL CHANGE CITY CLERK 

A. Resignation of City Clerk Ken Ortman. A motion was made by Alderman Gain and seconded by Gorman. VOTES: Conklin, yes; Baugher, yes; Gain, yes; Allison, yes; Sonnemaker, yes; Gorman, yes. Mayor Snyder declared the MOTION CARRIED. 

B. Swearing in of John Ramage City Clerk. A motion made by Alderman Gorman seconded by Alderman Gain to approve the Mayors appointment of John Ramage as City Clerk. VOTES: Baugher, yes; Gain, yes; Allison, yes; Sonnemaker, yes; Gorman, yes, Conklin, yes. Mayor Snyder declared the MOTION CARRIED. 

IV. CITY CLERK 

A. The City Clerk presented the Warrant List and Accounts Payable. A motion was made by Alderman Gain and seconded by Alderman Gorman to approve payment of the bills as listed on the Warrant List and Accounts Payable. VOTES: Gorman, yes; Conklin, yes; Baugher, yes; Gain, yes; Allison, yes; Sonnemaker, yes. Mayor Snyder declared the MOTION CARRIED. 

B. A motion was made by Alderman Sonnemaker and seconded by Alderman Conklin to approve, by omnibus motion, the minutes of the Regular Meeting Minutes 11.5.24, Executive Session Minutes Regular Meeting 11.5.24, Executive Session Minutes Personnel/Police 10.10.24, Executive Session Minutes Regular Meeting 10.1.24, Water and Personnel Committee Meeting Minutes 11.14.24, Executive Session Water and Personnel Committee Meeting Minutes 11.14.24. VOTES: Conklin, yes; Baugher, yes; Gain, yes; Allison, yes; Sonnemaker, yes; Gorman, yes. Mayor Snyder declared the MOTION CARRIED. 

IV. HEARING OF CITIZENS 

A. Roseanne Nance - Triathlon May 10, 2025. 

Motion was made by Alderman Gain and seconded by Alderman Gorman to approve the May 10, 2025 Triathlon. VOTES: Allison, yes; Sonnemaker, yes; Gorman, yes; Conklin, yes; Baugher, yes; Gain, yes. Mayor Snyder declared the MOTION CARRIED. 

B. Brie Allison - Road Closures December 6th Light Up the Square. A Motion was made by Alderman Gorman and seconded by Alderman Sonnemaker to approve the road closure for the December 6 th Light Up the Square. VOTES: Sonnemaker, yes; Gorman, yes; Conklin, yes; Baugher, yes; Gain, yes; Allison, yes. Mayor Snyder declared the MOTION CARRIED. 

C. Donald Tallman 

Abatement Inspection of Old School building. Donald presented options to manage the removal of the Old School building. A Motion was made by Alderman Gorman and seconded by Alderman Gain to approve $2500 for asbestos testing. VOTES: Gorman, yes; Conklin, yes; Baugher, Baugher, yes; Gain, yes; Allison, yes; Sonnemaker, yes. Mayor Snyder declared the MOTION CARRIED. 

V. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS 

A. Water 

1. Water collector's Monthly Report 

Collector Georgia Ed presented the monthly report, an adjustment request caused by a leak, and payment schedules. 

A Motion was made by Alderman Gorman and seconded by Alderman Conklin to approve the Water Collector's report, water adjustments and payment schedules, as presented.  VOTES: Conklin, yes; Baugher, yes; Gain, yes; Allison, yes; Sonnemaker, yes; Gorman, yes. Mayor Snyder declared the MOTION CARRIED. 

2. Water Superintendent's Monthly Report. Kyle Honkala presented the report for the month of October. 

3. New Hire Recommendation from Water and Personnel Committee. 

Two potential new hires, Darwin Rademaker and Mitchell Riley were presented to the council. After discussion, a motion was made by Alderman Gorman and seconded by Alderman Gain to approve both applicants at the starting rate of $18.00 per hour plus benefits, and starting December 1st. VOTES: Baugher, yes; Gain, yes; Allison, yes; Sonnemaker, yes; Gorman, yes, Conklin, yes. Mayor Snyder declared the MOTION CARRIED. 

B. Street 

1. Street Superintendent's Monthly Report. Brian Whitehurst presented the status of the Street Departments efforts. 

2. New Leaf Vacuum - The department has identified a leaf vacuum to be purchased. After discussion, it was agreed to purchase the leaf vacuum, by censuses. 

VI. OFFICERS' REPORTS 

A. Mayor's Report 

1. Colton Doerr - Accident Deductible. 

Volunteer firefighter Colton Doerr was in accident at the fire house and was wondering if the City would pay the deductible for his insurance. After discussion, the city council determined the city should not pay the deductible, by censuses. 

2. Nick Clemens Properties in town. Discussion on three small properties that could be donated to the City if costs of donating were small. After discussion, by censuses, the Mayor is to obtain the properties. Property ID's are 11-11-400-020 and 11-14-211-003 (with two small parcels). 

3. Discussion on Gaming for a piece of property by the South West corner of the stop light intersection. The Mayor does have a liquor license for that property but more information is needed before a decision can be made. By council census, the Mayor will pursue additional details. 

B. Treasurer's Report 

1. The Treasures report was presented. A motion made by Alderman Gorman seconded by Alderman Gain to approve the Treasures Report as presented. VOTES: Gain, yes; Allison, yes; Sonnemaker, yes; Gorman, yes; Conklin, yes; Baugher, yes. Mayor Snyder declared the MOTION CARRIED. 

2. City Auditor Exit Meeting Report. Mike Feriozzi gave his report on the economic health of the City. The Auditor noted that the trend of the City continues to be improving, significantly, from an economic standpoint. Additionally, the Auditor noted that the City continues to improve, and get better year in and year out. 

VI. STANDING COMMITTEES' REPORT 

1. None 

A. Building and Grounds 

B. Fire 

C. Parks and Playgrounds 

D. Personnel 

E. Streets 

F. Water/Sewer 

G. Police 

H. Finance 

VII. SPECIAL COMMITTEES' REPORT

1. None 

X. Old Business 

1. Work situation for Dale Naler. Dale will be removed from the Street Department and go part-time. He will be given a yearly contract for 999 hours per year. His pay will be $16.50 per hour, starting December Ist The Street Department will hire another person. This is per census of the City Council. 

2. Mayor discussed the status regarding the 2016 flood motor fuel tax issue with the State of Illinois. He expects to reach an agreement in the near future. 

X. NEW BUSINESS 

XII. ADJOURNMENT 

A motion was made by Alderman Gain and seconded by Alderman Baugher to adjourn the meeting. VOTES: Allison, yes; Sonnemaker, yes; Gorman, yes; Conklin, yes; Baugher, yes; Gain, yes. Mayor Snyder declared the MOTION CARRIED. 

https://www.petersburgil.org/documents/328/11.19.24_Regular_Meeting_Minutes.pdf