Sangamon Sun

City of Petersburg City Council met Feb. 4

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. CALL TO ORDER 

The City Council was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Neil Conklin, acting Mayor. 

II. PRELIMINARY MATTERS 

A. Members present were Aldermen Bruce Gorman, Tia Baugher, Neil Conklin, Rick Sonnemaker and Andrew Gain. Also present were Treasurer Frick, and City Clerk John Ramage. 

B. Neil Conklin 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 Gorman to approve the agenda. VOTES: Sonnemaker, yes; Gorman, yes; Conklin, yes; Baugher, yes; Gain, yes. Acting Mayor Conklin declared the MOTION CARRIED. 

III. CITY CLERK 

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

B. The January 21, 2024 minutes were presented. A motion was made by Alderman Sonnemaker and seconded by Alderman Gorman to approve the January 21, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes. VOTES: Conklin, yes; Baugher, yes; Gain, yes; Sonnemaker, yes; Gorman, yes. Acting Mayor Conklin declared the MOTION CARRIED. 

None 

IV. HEARING OF CITIZENS 

None 

V. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

A. Water

None

B. Street

None 

C. Police 

1. Police Department Monthly Report was presented by Assist. Police Chief, Royce Shamhart. January was a slow month, probably related to the weather. The department was able to hire another part-time officer, in part, because of the increase in pay that was recently given to part-time officers. The new officer should be available to work at the end of this month. 

D. Fire 

1. The Fire Department Monthly Report was presented by Chief Eric Hubner. This was a busy month for the Fire Dept. with 35 calls for the month. Additionally, there has been a lot of training for individual firefighters, including some Battery/Electric Vehicle training. 

2. Fire Engine 1 is in the repair shop and a replacement truck is on loan to the city. Also, Fire Engine 2 has been sold and is gone. 

3. Potential Street Closure 7th Street between Jackson Street and Monroe Street on Sunday March 2, 2025, for training 8.00am to noon. Chief Hubner wanted the Council to know the Fire Dept. might need to close part of 7th Street for their training. 

4. Probationary Firefighters Mitchell Riley and Tucker Withers. Chief Hubner asked the City Council to add Mitchell Riley and Tucker Withers to the City Firefighters Roster. A motion was made to add Mitchell Riley and Tucker Withers to the City Firefighters Roster by Alderman Gorman and seconded by Alderman Gain. VOTES: Conklin, yes; Baugher, yes; Gain, yes; Sonnemaker, yes; Gorman, yes. Acting Mayor Conklin declared the MOTION CARRIED. 

E. ZONING 

1. Zoning Administrator Tom Walker gave an update to Zoning Department efforts, reporting the Planning Commission approved the short-term rental application for 215 8th Street. 

2. Administrator Walker gave status on some TIF efforts. 

3. Administrator Walker let the Council know that he will need to annex a small parcel of land as a cleanup, to an earlier annexation. 

VI. OFFICERS' REPORTS 

A. Mayor's Report 

None

B. Treasurer

None 

VI. STANDING COMMITTEES' REPORT 

A. Building and Grounds 

B. Fire 

C. Parks and Playgrounds 

1. Parks and Playgrounds Chair Andrew Gain let the Council know there will be efforts in the future to get information on potential uses of the "old school" property, and the steps that need to be taken. A meeting for the Public will be scheduled soon. 

D. Personnel 

1. Personnel Chair Rick Sonnemaker informed the Council of interviews coming up in the future. 

2. Informal discussion regarding establishing a Public Works Department ensued. 

E. Streets 

F. Water/Sewer 

G. Police 

H. Finance 

None 

VII. SPECIAL COMMITTEES' REPORT 

None 

X. Old Business 

None 

X. NEW BUSINESS 

XII. ADJOURNMENT 

A motion was made by Alderman Gain and seconded by Alderman Gorman to adjourn the meeting. VOTES: Gain, yes; Baugher, yes; Sonnemaker, yes; Gorman, yes; Conklin, yes. Acting Mayor Conklin declared the MOTION CARRIED. Meeting Adjourned at 8:25 p.m. 

https://www.petersburgil.org/documents/328/2.4.25_Regular_Meeting_Minutes.pdf