Members of the Gillespie City Council on Monday night voted unanimously to approve an appropriation of $15,758,490 for the fiscal year that began May 1. State law mandates an annual appropriation to set spending ceilings for specific municipal funds. The ordinance sets spending limits only and does not serve as a budget, according to outgoing City Treasurer Dan Fisher, who conducted a 15-minute public hearing prior to the council meeting. 

Actual city expenditures are likely to be no more than a third of the appropriation total, Mayor Landon Pettit said. The city’s actual annual expenditures average around $3 million to $4 million. 

The newly approved appropriation is about $1.4 million less than last year’s appropriation of $17,130,799, which was inflated by anticipated grant funds for the city’s ambitious streetscape project and Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) funds. The new appropriation also inflated somewhat by $4.5 million, representing grant and local funds, for the streetscape project, and $1.3 million in anticipated CEJA grant funds. Removing those two items would take the appropriation of primarily local funds down to about $10 million, which is significantly less than pre-COVID appropriations.

The new ordinances authorizes expenditures of up to $2,400,600 for the Water Department, compared with $2,845,700 last year. The Water Department appropriation includes up to $200,000 for water line system improvements and $100,000 for a water tower improvement project.

Up to $1,855.000 in expenditures is authorized for the Police Department, compared with $2,316,000 last year. The appropriation of General Administrative Expenses comes in at $1,364,500, compared with $1,356,500 a year ago. A spending ceiling of $929,000 is set for the Street Department, compared with $1,281,500 last year. The appropriation for Parks and Recreation is $697,800, compared with $846,000 a year ago.  A total of $200,000 is appropriated for Parks and Recreational Areas, which is the same as last year’s appropriation. The ordinance appropriates $665,000 for Motor Fuel Tax expenditures, compare with $600,000 last year. Expenditures of up to $200,000 are appropriated from the Tax Increment Financing Fund, compared with $280,000 last year.

The new ordinance sets spending limits for the Emergency Services and Disaster Administration (ESDA) at $58,900, which compares with $33,900 last year and includes money to replacement storm/emergency sirens.

The ordinance appropriates $170,500 for Administrative Building costs, down from $220,000 last year. The ordinance sets a spending limit of $165,000 for FICA, compared with $160,000 last year; $65,000 for Liability Insurance, which is the same as the previous year. 

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The ordinance appropriates $42,020 for Salaries of General Elective and Appointed City Officials, which is unchanged from last year.

A total of $40,670 is appropriated for the Public Library, and $5,000 for the Municipal Band, both of which are the same as last year.

Presenting the Public Hearing was the last official act for Fisher. Soon after convening the council’s regular monthly meeting, Rusty Fredericks was sworn in to serve a two-year appointive term as City Treasurer. Fredericks will have the option to run for election to the office in April 2027.

STREETSCAPE UPDATE

Mayor Pettit told the council the long-awaited streetscape project to enhance the downtown shopping district is set to begin soon. In the meantime, he said the city will schedule public meetings with downtown business owners to advise them about when and how construction might affect their businesses. 

The streetscape project has been in discussion for about six years. Aimed at improving aesthetics and the business climate downtown, the plan calls for establishing downtown as a cultural center for small festivals, farmers markets, concerts and other activities. The plan includes converting parking from perpendicular spaces to diagonal spaces. The parking arrangement will marginally reduce the number of spaces. Triangular “dead spaces” at intersections will be converted into “green spaces” with small trees and other plantings, along with green spaces interspersed along each block. Sidewalks will be replaced, drainage will be improved with grates leading to the city’s storm sewer system, and new, more attractive light poles will be installed. With the creation of green spaces at intersections, the distance for pedestrian crossing will be reduced from 76 feet to 46 feet, not only improving aesthetics but also improving safety for pedestrians. 

The city received a $4 million grant from Rural Development, a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and awarded a construction contract in March to Stutz Excavating, Inc., Alton, contingent upon the federal funds being released to the city. Pettit said the first installment of the grant money has been received, enabling the city to start construction.

In a related matter, the council voted unanimously to employ Lake Manager Ethan Martin to the city’s on-site manager for the project. Martin basically will monitor construction to ensure the work is congruent with contract provisions. Martin will be paid a supplemental salary in addition to his earnings as Lake Manager for the duration of the project, after which his wages will return to their original level.

WELFARE PARK IMPROVEMENTS

On the Mayor’s recommendation, the council voted unanimously to spend up to $50,000 for new bleachers and playground equipment for Welfare Park. Pettit said the existing wooden bleachers at the park are deteriorating and dangerous to spectators. He recommended replacing them with six four-row aluminum bleachers—two for each athletic field—which require less maintenance than the existing bleachers. The aluminum bleachers are low enough to not require handrails and will cost a total of $15,480, plus about $380 for hardware. Pettit said he also located playground equipment with plastic covered metal for about $3,000 from Uline, Inc., not including shipping and engineered mulch.

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Improvements are nearing completion at Big Brick Park, which includes new playground equipment, picnic tables and other improvements. 

“I’d like to see a little more focus on our parks,” Pettit said. “They’ve been let go for too long.”

“That’s why it’s so expensive when we do improvements,” said Ald. Wendy Rolando, who moved to authorize the expenditure.

Pettit said the city is due to received $70,000 in CEJA funding as part of the current grant cycle. That money should arrive in two to three months.

In the meantime, he said the city can pay for the improvements with existing funds and reimburse itself when the grant funds are available.

In a related matter, the council authorized the mayor to apply for a new round of CEJA grant funding for the current fiscal year.

BENLD POLICE CONTRACT

The council approved Ald. Dona Rauzi’s proposal to cease police protection services to the City of Benld if Gillespie and Benld can not reach an agreement for a new contract within 30 days. The current contract expired April 30, and Gillespie has continued to provide police protection to Benld for $20,000 per month under terms of the current contract. In April, both parties agreed to a 90-day extension to continue negotiations.

The 90-day extension will end next month, after which the City of Gillespie will terminate services.

Gillespie has provided police protection services to Benld for five years after the Benld Police Department was disbanded. 

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NUISANCE PROPERTIES

The council added 416 East Elm to a previously prepared resolution to declare 307 E. Elm as nuisance properties, after neighbor Geri Meyer voiced concerns to the council about the condition of the house.

“It’s a dilapidated house,” Meyer said, citing loose siding and a large whole that allows raccoons and other wildlife to enter the home. “It’s right there on what I call the main drag, and I was just wondering when someone was going to do something about it.”

Ald. Dona Rauzi said she spoke to the property owner, who assured her he was working with a contractor to start work on the house within the next two weeks.

“That’s exactly what he told me when I moved in two years ago,” Meyer commented.

“Other than that, I don’t know what I can do,” Rauzi explained. “I can’t force him to remodel his house.”

City Attorney Rick Verticchio agreed. “While you can’t force him to do it, this council can declare it a public nuisance,” Verticchio said, which would give the property own 30 days to at least start the work or face further legal action. “If you need to give him more time, you can do that but the first step is to declare it a nuisance.”

FOOD TRUCK ORDINANCE

On a motion by Ald. Rauzi, the council voted unanimously to amend an existing food truck ordinance to offer an annual permit at a cost of $300. The current ordinance required a daily permit fee of $25. Rauzi’s motion included a provision to waive fees for food truck operators who have already spent $300 or more for permits this calendar year.

Rauzi said the amendment will benefit food truck operators, and simplify record keeping for the Deputy City Clerk.

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LJ AVENUE PARKING

Also on a motion by Rauzi, the council voted 6-1 to rescind a previously approved ordinance banning parking on the west side of  LJ Avenue. The school district plans to post no parking signs in front of gates to the football field and along a 50-zone zone to restrict parking near a fire hydrant.

The issue has been somewhat controversial since Community Unit 7 School District rerouted buses at the beginning of the school year to synchronize class starting and ending times for all three attendance centers. 

Ald. Janet Odell-Mueller case the sole negative vote. Ald. Rauzi, Ald Rolando, Ald. J.Q. Halteman, Ald. Dave Link, Ald. Frank Barrett and Ald. Bob Fritz all voted in favor of the measure. Ald. Bill Hayes was absent.

In a related matter, the council tabled further discussion of repairs to Plum Street.

Without taking formal action, the council agreed to have Ald. Fritz survey the city for missing street signs. Ald. Rolando said she had several phone calls regarding missing signs on Broadway and Frey. Mayor Pettit said street signs also frequently go missing from several other streets, including Baker and High. He said street signs are relatively inexpensive and the city should have money to pay for them. He recommended finding which signs are missing and placing an order for all of them.

“If there are some that go missing all the time, go ahead and order extras,” he said.

CIVIC CENTER CHANGE ORDER

Council members voted unanimously in support of Ald. Fritz’s motion to approve a $7,272 change order for ongoing remodeling work at City Hall and the Civic Center. Fritz said contractors discovered that the original fiberglass ductwork installed when the building was constructed is deteriorating and releasing fiberglass fibers. Mayor Pettit assured the council the city has available Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds to cover the expense.

The council also voted Monday night to close out the TIF I fund and transfer remaining funds to TIF II.

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SIDE-BY-SIDE

The council authorized the expenditure of up to $15,000 for a new Kawasaki 4×4 side-by-side for use at Gillespie Lake. The city previously used a UTV belonging to the former lake manager, who took his personnel equipment with him when he changed jobs.

The new machine will come from Action Powersports, Litchfield.

OTHER ACTION

In other action, the council:

• Tabled action on a policy regarding workers who want to return to work early after a medical leave. Attorney Verticchio is expected to review the proposed policy to resolve possible liability issues.
• Accepted a bid of $925 to be paid from Motor Fuel Tax funds from Emmons Tree Service, Carlinville, to remove three trees from boulevards on Chestnut and Maple streets.
• Referred a proposed ordinance to govern burning back to committee for further work before being presented to the full council.
• Referred to committee the issue of whether or not to hold a city-wide clean-up day. Mayor Pettit said the city’s cost for the event could be up to $18,000 for dumpster rentals. Meanwhile, Ald. Rauzi again pointed out that adopting a single-provider city-wide trash hauling service would include two annual city-wide clean-ups at no cost to the city. Ald. Rolando said a city-wide program would reduce costs for local consumers and limit the number of trash hauling trucks on city alleyways.

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has set June 13 through 16 as Illinois free fishing days for 2025. During these four days, anglers can fish without purchasing a fishing license, salmon stamp or inland trout stamp in Illinois. The goal is for non-anglers to discover or rediscover the fun of fishing and to introduce children to the activity.

Groups and organizations that need fishing equipment and educational materials can complete the online form and IDNR will furnish materials while supplies last. 

Outside of the free fishing days, Illinois requires anyone over the age of 16 to have a fishing license to fish. Exclusions apply to active-duty military and people with disabilities. Standard fishing licenses can be purchased for $15 at vendors throughout Illinois or online. Learn more about fishing in Illinois at ifishillinois.org.

In a significant historical breakthrough, Dr. Helaine Silverman, co-author of the University of Illinois Mythic Mississippi Project, has dedicated a new marker at Union Miner’s Cemetery in Mt. Olive, Illinois, revealing the original burial site of legendary Irish-born labor leader Mother Jones. The marker was unveiled on May 4th, commemorating her early resting place before her remains were transferred to her monument’s base.

The monument itself, dedicated on October 11, 1936, honors Mother Jones and four local martyrs from the Mt. Olive area who tragically lost their lives during a shootout with Chicago/Virden Coal Company guards on October 12, 1898. The discovery of her initial burial site was made possible through historic photographs from coal mining historian Jim Alderson’s collection in Gillespie, Illinois.

Mother Jones holds an enduring place in American labor history, and her connection to the region is a vital part of the Mythic Mississippi Project. This research initiative, led by Silverman and co-author Devin Hunter, PhD, aims to document the rich history of coal mining activities in mid and southern Illinois, emphasizing the importance of the Mississippi River as a conduit of regional development and labor struggles.

This discovery not only sheds new light on Mother Jones’ life but also enriches the broader narrative of coal mining history in Illinois. The complete study and ongoing research can be accessed at https://mythicmississippi.illinois.edu.