Members of the Gillespie City Council on Monday night approved an appropriation ordinance of about $14.7 million, voted to direct the Zoning Commission to schedule a public hearing on a variance requested by a solar power company, and approved the appointment of a new council member to represent Ward 4.

During a public hearing prior to Monday night’s council meeting, City Treasurer Dan Fisher again pointed out the appropriation, which covers expenditures from May 1 this year through April 30, 2024, is not a budget. Instead, the document merely sets the maximum amount the city is authorized to spend for specific line items.

“It’s kind of a formality, but it’s also a requirement,” Fisher said.

Coming in at a total of $14,655,990, the fiscal 2024 appropriation is about $1 million more than last year but nearly double the appropriation from two years ago. Fisher said the appropriation total is inflated by $4.5 million for a long-anticipated streetscape program and $1.2 million for water infrastructure improvement, both of which will be grant-funded if they take place during the coming year. Stripped of those two grant-funded programs, the appropriation would amount to about $11,000—up $4 million from the appropriation approved for fiscal 2022.

Broken down by individual funds, the appropriation ordinance authorizes expenditures of up to $4.5 million for the downtown streetscape program and up to $3,391,500 for the Water Department, including up to $1.2 million for water line improvements. Last year, the city appropriated $3,208,500 for the Water Department.

“We won’t spend $3 million (in local funds) for the Water Department,” Fisher said. “We might spend $1 million.”

The new ordinance appropriates $1,341,500 for General Administration expenses, compared with $1,313,400 last year; $1,281,000 for the Police Department, compared with $1,172,500 last year; and $1,120,500 for the Sewer Department, compared with $759,160 a year ago.

The new ordinance appropriates $961,500 for the Sewer Department, compared with $759,160 a year ago. A total of $500,000 is appropriated from the Motor Fuel Tax Fund for street maintenance, compared with $350,000 last year. The spending cap for Parks and Recreation is set at $553,300, more than double the $190,000 appropriated last year. For the $190,000 appropriation for Parks and Recreational Land includes $100,000 for park improvements, and is identical to last year’s appropriation.

The ordinance appropriates $270,000 in potential expenditures from the Tax Increment Finance Fund, which is the same amount appropriated last year.

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The ordinance sets a spending ceiling of $210,100 for the Administrative Building, compared with $201,300 last year. The document also sets spending limits of $40,670 for the Public Library, $33,900 for Emergency Services and Disaster Administration, $5,000 for the Municipal Band, $150,000 for FICA, $65,000 for Liability Insurance, and $42,020—all of which are identical to last year.

Freshman Ald. Dave Link asked about the purpose and limits of the proposed ordinance before voting on it.

“We are authorized to spend this amount, but we are not budgeting for this much?” Link asked.

Fisher confirmed the document is a formality required by law that only sets the maximum amount that can be spent from specific funds. Typically, in most years, actual expenditures do not approach the appropriated amount, except in the event of an emergency. Though rare, the council can amend the appropriation before the end of the year if the city is forced to exceed the appropriated amount in a specific fund. Technically, the appropriation is not a budgetary device but simply sets the amount of spending the city cannot legally exceed.

POTENTIAL SOLAR FIELD PROJECT

Council members voted 4-2 to direct the Zoning Commission to convene a public hearing to consider a petition from Cypress Creek Solar to rezone property that is technically located outside the city limits but subject to the city’s zoning ordinance. The hearing would be an initial step toward paving the way for Cypress Creek to develop a 45-acre solar panel field on Washer Road.

Fisher pointed out a public hearing requires a 15-day notification from the time of publication, meaning the earliest opportunity for a hearing would be about three weeks from Monday.

Headquartered in Durham, NC, Cypress Creek Renewables has plans to develop a 45-acre solar field on the south side of Washer Road, essentially adjacent to the city limits. Nick Standefer, who identified himself as a zoning attorney, told the council the company secured the approval of the Macoupin County Board to launch the project but were advised to consult with the City of Gillespie because the site is within 1.5 miles of the city limit. Gillespie’s zoning code addresses lands within a 1.5-mile radius, zoning those parcels as “open lands.”

Impetus for the project is the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act passed in Illinois two years ago, according to Standefer. The legislation sets a target of meeting 50 percent of the state’s energy needs with renewable energy sources by 2040, and establishes a 10-year ramp-up to build community solar projects capable of generating five megawatts each.

Standefer told the council Cypress Creek wants to ask the Zoning Commission to change the classification for the property in question from open lands to either “permitted use” or “conditional use.” Permitted Use would allow Cypress Creek, or any other company, to proceed with a project simply by acquiring a permit. A conditional use designation would require developers to petition the Zoning Commission on a case-by-case basis.

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“They would like us to make it a Permitted Use, meaning anyone could do a project at any time as long as they have a permit,” City Attorney Rick Verticchio said. “Instead of Permitted Use, I’d recommend making it Conditional Use” which would require the applicant have a hearing before the Zoning Commission and demonstrate how the project will benefit the community.”

Letitia Lew, an engineer for the project, which will be known as the Corfee Solar Project, told the council the company will conduct studies to ensure the project does not threaten endangered plant or animal species, and would conduct an archaeological survey to ensure no archaeological sites are threatened. While the project will take about 50 acres of farmland out of production, Lew said the project will “give the land an opportunity to rest for a bit.” During the estimated 40-year life of the solar field, the land under the solar panels will be seeded with plants utilized by pollinator species.

At the end of the 40-year lifespan of the solar field, Lew said the company is obligated to remove the solar panels and all associated equipment—essentially returning the land to its original condition.

Upon completion, the $10 million project will be capable of generating enough power to service 1,100 single-family homes. Local residents will be able to “subscribe” through their local utility provider to participate in the project. Lew said project subscribers should realize a savings of about 10 percent on their monthly electrical bill.

Cypress Creek expects to spend $4 million locally during construction and provide 21 local jobs during construction. When the system is operational, the company estimates it will contribute $40,000 annually to the local economy.

Ald. Landon Pettit questioned the provision for equipment removal at the end of the lease. “If your company goes bankrupt or you sell to another company, what guarantee do we have that everything will be removed?”

Lew reiterated that her company would be obligated by contract to remove the equipment. In the event the facility was sold to another company, according to Standefer, the new owner would have to petition the Zoning Commission and affirm it would comply with contract provisions calling for equipment to be removed.

Ald. Link had questions about the possibility of a fire at the facility. Lew said most fires associated with solar fields are related to batteries used to store power. The Gillespie facility will have no such storage devices. Instead, it will upload power to the grid as it’s generated. Moreover, she said, the facility will be remotely monitored 24/7 and local emergency service providers will be trained to respond to emergencies at the solar field.

Brought to a vote, the measure to direct the Zoning Commission to schedule a public hearing was approved by a vote of 4-2 with both Pettit and Ald. Wendy Rolando, voting “no.”

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“We just received this resolution tonight,” Pettit noted. “I don’t think there is anyone sitting around this table who is prepared to vote on this.”

Verticchio pointed out the council was voting to schedule a hearing, not approve the project. “You can delay the vote if you want,” he said, “but I strongly recommend that you approve this tonight.”

NEW COUNCIL MEMBER

On Ald. Pettit’s recommendation, the council voted to appoint Janet Odell-Mueller to replace Ald. Larry Greene, an appointee named to the council in 2021. Pettit recommended Odell-Mueller, saying she lives in a part of the city that needs representation on the council and has a background that would make her an asset to the council.

Verticchio pointed out the procedure for filling a vacant seat is for the Mayor to make an appointment to be ratified by the full council. Mayor John Hicks initially asked Odell-Mueller if she would like to meet with him and other council members individually before he formally appointed her, but changed his mind when several council members noted they had either met or knew her already. Her appointment was unanimously approved after Pettit moved to accept the mayor’s appointment of Odell-Mueller.

A civil engineer in the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Collinsville District, Odell-Mueller will replace Greene, who stepped down after serving two years.

Odell-Mueller will be formally sworn-in during next month’s regular monthly meeting but was allowed to take her seat on the council immediately after her appointment was affirmed.

ATHLETES RECOGNIZED

Early in the meeting, Mayor Hicks presented the Gillespie High School baseball team with a mayoral proclamation recognizing the team’s record-breaking season. This year’s team broke the school record of 29-0 with the most consecutive wins in the school’s history. The team also tied for an all-time IHSA record with 11 consecutive wins.

Reading from the proclamation, Hicks cited Coach Jeremy Smith and Assistant Coaches Adam Tallman, Tim Margo, Dan Smith and Tate Margo, along with team members, faculty members and students at GHS who “were integral in guiding the team to victory through their unwavering support.”

Further, the proclamation encourages Gillespie citizens to congratulate and support team members, coaches and parents.

“They have proven that they are individuals stringing for and obtaining success in their endeavors,” Hicks read. “They have already started down the path to fulfilling their dream of multiple accomplishments and becoming valuable young leaders in our community.”

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MOTOR FUEL TAX RESOLUTION

On the recommendation of City Treasurer Fisher, the council voted unanimously to approve a supplemental Motor Fuel Tax resolution increasing the amount of the appropriation for this summer’s street maintenance program from $250,000 to $500,000. The council approved the original resolution in December, anticipating the amount would be increased as estimated prices for materials were ascertained. Streets scheduled for resurfacing have not yet been identified.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Following a 30-minute executive session with Chief of Police Jared DePoppe and Lake Manager Gary Thornhill, the council voted unanimously to discipline an unidentified employee in accordance with the union contract for an unspecified infraction.

The council also voted to ban two individuals from Gillespie Lake property for unspecified infractions.

SURPLUS PROPERTY

On a motion by Ald. Bob Fritz, the council voted to declare as surplus and offer for sale the following pieces of city-owned property: 2007 Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck, Air 225/200 amp wasp ac/dc welder mounted to a four-by-eight-foot trailer, Leaf Vac-Agri-Fab Mow-N-Vac with a Briggs and Stratton engine, Stone four-inch water pump with an 18 horsepower engine mounted on wheels, and two ceiling-mounted Reznor natural gas heaters.

The items will be sold “as-is,” and will be advertised for sale by sealed bids.

OTHER ACTION

In other action, the council:

• Voted 5-1 to approve payment of $400 to Schuette Architectural Design, Staunton, for design work related to a possible new Street Department Garage. Ald. Frank Barrett voted against the measure.
• Authorized payment of $187,213.78 to Visa-Sewer, St. Louis, for renovation work done to downtown sewers in preparation for the Streetscape Program.
• Approved a $935 project to run a water line and install a lockable hydrant on the north side of the Civic Center.
• With one dissenting vote, retroactively approved payment of a $15,000 invoice to TDI Concrete for concrete work done to bring a fuel storage tank into compliance with OSHA regulations. Ald. Link voted “no,” presumably objecting to the fact the bill was paid before it was approved.
• Approved an $8,000 project at Big Brick Park to install a water line and two hydrants.
• Approved purchase of a $3,300 1.5-ton trailer for the Lake Department which will be used primarily for maintenance work on the hiking trail. Ald. Pettit said the trailer can be pulled with an ATV and is “big enough to do what we need but small enough to get down the trail.”
• Approved payment of a $5,000 invoice submitted by Sylvia Newingham for the repair of damage done to her yard during a sewer repair project.
• Approved a donation of $100 to the Fire Department to sponsor a hole for the Department’s upcoming golf tournament.
• Referred to the Police Chief the issue of drafting a stop sign ordinance for stop signs at Francis and West Elm Streets.

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