Sangamon Sun

City of Petersburg City Council met May 20

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. CALL TO ORDER 

The City Council was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Mayor Snyder. 

II. PRELIMINARY MATTERS 

A. Prior to to this City Council meeting Mayor Snyder performed the swearing in of Aldermen Andrew Gain and Alderman Neal Conklin. This ceremony was witnessed by the folks listed in the "Roll Call" below. 

B. Roll Call. Members present were Aldermen Megan Loberg-Simmering, Neil Conklin, Mike Allison, Rick Sonnemaker, and Bruce Gorman. Alderman Andrew Gain was absent. Also present were Mayor Snyder, Former Treasurer David Frick, Treasurer Melissa Riley, Attorney Jason Brokaw and City Clerk John Ramage. 

C. 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. VOTES: Sonnemaker, yes; Gorman, yes; Conklin, yes; Loberg-Simmering, yes; Gain, yes; Allison, yes. Mayor Snyder 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 Conklin to approve payment of the bills as listed on the Warrant List and Accounts Payable. VOTES: Gorman, yes; Conklin, yes; Loberg-Simmering, yes; Gain, yes; Allison, yes; Sonnemaker, yes. Mayor Snyder declared the MOTION CARRIED. 

B. The minutes for May 6, 2025, were presented. A motion was made by Alderman Allison and seconded by Alderman Sonnemaker to approve the May 6, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes. VOTES: Conklin, yes; Loberg-Simmering, yes; Gain, abstain: Allison, yes; Sonnemaker, yes; Gorman, yes. Mayor Snyder declared the MOTION CARRIED. 

C. The minutes from May 13, 2025, Water Committee meeting was presented. A motion was made by Alderman Gorman and seconded by Alderman Gain to approve the May 13, 2025, Water Committee meeting minutes. VOTES: Loberg-Simmering, yes; Gain, yes; Allison, yes; Sonnemaker, yes; Gorman, yes, Conklin, yes. Mayor Snyder declared the MOTION CARRIED. 

D. Personnel Committee Meeting 5.13.25. These minutes will be presented in the near future. 

IV. HEARING OF CITIZENS 

1. First Baptist Church Street Closures 6.23.25. Penny Snyder, representing the First Baptist Church, asked the council to approve a street closure for June 23rd from 5:00 to 8:00pm. The closure would include the intersection of 7th and Sangamon Ave and extend northward for a block. Activities are planned for children and families. 

2. Street Closure 7.14.25. Additionally, Penny Snyder, representing the First Baptist Church, asked the council to approve a street closure for July 14th from 5:00 to 8:00pm. The closure would be Douglas Ave from the intersection of 7th Street, westward for approximately one-half block to the alley. Activities are planned for children and families. 

After discussion a motion was made by Alderman Gorman and seconded by Alderman Gain to approve the temporary closure of streets at both locations at the times and dates listed above. VOTES: Gain, yes; Allison, yes; Sonnemaker, yes; Gorman, yes; Conklin, yes; Loberg- Simmering, yes. Mayor Snyder declared the MOTION CARRIED. 

V. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS 

A. Water 

1. Water Collector's Monthly Report was given by Georgia Ed. This was the final report for the last fiscal year. Two sewer adjustments were requested for customers who were filling pools. A motion was made by Alderman Gorman and seconded by Alderman Gain to accept the Water Collector's Monthly Report and approval of the two sewer adjustments. VOTES: Allison, yes; Sonnemaker, yes; Gorman, yes; Conklin, yes; Loberg-Simmering, yes; Gain, yes. Mayor Snyder declared the MOTION CARRIED. 

2. The Water Superintendent's Monthly Report, oral and written, was given by Mayor Snyder for Brad Hermes. 

-The Water Department has turned in the final application for the operating permit, for new water well #11. A response will be given by the IEPA. 

-A mixing zone study to determine if invasive species of mussels are in our area will start in two to three weeks, weather permitting. -Information regarding the 2024 Consumer Confidence Report will be provided with the June water bills. 

-Lead/Copper sampling kits are ready for distribution. 

Regarding the sewer, chlorine application was started on May 1, 2025, at the outfall. Additionally, the initial application of Sludge Reducing Bacteria was completed on May 16, 2025. 

Next, there was a discussion related to the city's responsibility regarding the delivery of city water to customers that don't reside the city. In general, the city is not responsible for infrastructure beyond the water main. 

C. Street Department 

1.Street Superintendent's Monthly Report, oral and written, for May was given by Superintendent Brian Whitehurst. The department, -cleaned and provided maintenance to drop boxes and drains, 

-provided alley maintenance for the alley between 7-8 Lincoln Street and Jefferson Street, 

-repaired a broken storm drain on 9th and Monroe Street, 

-prepared Adams Street for oil & chip maintenance, 

-prepared Antle and Owens Rd for MFT oil & chip, 

-with assistance cut down three large trees that were dead, 

-poured the concrete for the Jaycee Park bathroom. 

Additionally, the department mowed lawns, picked up brush and bags, picked up garbage and cleaned dog stations, helped the library tables, chairs and shelves. 

2. Update on City Wide Clean-up. The cleanup serviced twenty-eight residents and $675 was collected to help with costs. The company, A- Team, did not charge anything for their part of the cleanup efforts. Thank you, A-Team! 

VI. OFFICERS' REPORTS 

A. Mayor's Report 

1. The mayor introduced Ordinance 2025-03 An Ordinance Authorizing City Expenditures Pending and Preceding Adoption of Annual Appropriation Ordinance. This ordinance authorizes the city to continue paying the bills as the formal budget is being developed. A motion made by Alderman Gain seconded by Alderman Gorman to approve the Ordinance 2025-03. VOTES: Sonnemaker, yes; Gorman, yes; Conklin, yes; Loberg-Simmering, yes; Gain, yes; Allison, yes. Mayor Snyder declared the MOTION CARRIED. 

2.Timers on Jaycee Park Pavilion. After discussion a motion made by Alderman Gain seconded by Alderman Conklin to approve the placement of timers on Jaycee Park Pavilion and have the timers set to opening and closing of the park. 

VOTES: Gorman, yes; Conklin, yes; Loberg-Simmering, yes; Gain, yes; Allison, yes; Sonnemaker, yes. Mayor Snyder declared the MOTION CARRIED. 

3.Change City Parks Closing Time to 9:00pm. 

Citizens have approached the mayor to suggest that closing time for parks should be 9:00pm instead of 10:00pm, to reduce noise in adjacent neighborhoods. After discussion the council decided the closing time should not be changed, instead police will provide a stronger presence in the parks in the evenings. 

4.Street Light Repairs. The street department repaired four streetlights around the city. 

5. City Hall Lights Repaired. The street department repaired some lights and light switches, and improved lighting in the city hall building. 

6. Request for a Work Phone for the Mayor. 

Recently the Mayor and two other city officials attended a Municipal Law Seminar, and a recommendation from the seminar was that the mayors should not use their personnel phones for city business because personal phones can be confiscated for evidence in certain litigations. There was general agreement that the mayor needed a work phone, and no vote was required for this action. 

B. Treasurer 

1. Treasurer's Report was given by Treasurer Melissa Riley. A motion made by Alderman Gain seconded by Alderman Gorman to approve the Treasurer's Report. VOTES: Conklin, yes; Loberg- Simmering, yes; Gain, yes; Allison, yes; Sonnemaker, yes; Gorman, yes. Mayor Snyder declared the MOTION CARRIED. 

2. Set Next Budget Meeting. The next budget meeting will be after the regular city council meeting on June 3rd, 2025, at approximately 8:00pm. 

XII. ADJOURNMENT 

A motion was made by Alderman Gain and seconded by Alderman Allison to adjourn the meeting. VOTES: Loberg-Simmering, yes; Gain, yes; Allison, yes; Sonnemaker, yes; Gorman, yes, Conklin, yes. Mayor Snyder declared the MOTION CARRIED. Meeting Adjourned at 8:09p.m.

https://www.petersburgil.org/documents/328/5.20.25_Regular_Meeting_Minutes.pdf