Beardstown Council approves equipment purchases and fireworks funding; tentative union pact fails for lack of second

The Beardstown City Council on June 4 approved several municipal purchases and a community contribution while a motion to approve a tentative labor agreement failed to advance.

Alderperson Lisa Buhlig moved that the council approve the lease/purchase of a 2024 John Deere 331G skid steer from Martin Equipment for $34,948.00; Alderperson Keith Schramm seconded the motion, which passed by roll call vote 6-0 (Alderpersons Buhlig, Culves, Davis, Harbin, Schramm and Taylor voting yes; Alderpersons Chris Baer and Dawn Seward absent). The council later approved the purchase of a Groves washer from Dinges Fire for $5,222.00 for use by the Fire Department after a motion from Alderperson Keith Schramm, seconded by Alderperson Mary Davis; that measure also passed 6-0 by roll call.

The council also approved a $3,000 contribution to the Elks Fireworks Fund on a motion by Alderperson Ron Culves, seconded by Alderperson Eric Harbin; the contribution passed 6-0 by roll call.

Earlier in the meeting Alderperson Eric Harbin moved to approve a tentative agreement between the City of Beardstown and United Food & Commercial Workers District Local 431, which represents Public Works and City Hall employees. The motion received no second and "died due to a lack of a second," and no formal approval was recorded in the minutes.

The record shows the council voted to enter executive session under Exemption 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) for collective bargaining and later confirmed by voice vote, on resuming regular session, that the council had approved entering executive session. The transcript lists the executive-session entry time as "At 6:1 pm," which appears to be a transcription error; the minutes record that regular session resumed at 7:13 p.m.

The meeting also included routine department reports: the water system reported 15,726,234 gallons pumped year to date; the police report listed 1,106 calls answered and 8 criminal arrests year to date; and the fire department reported 25 incidents year to date. Code enforcement and zoning reports were attached to the minutes. The agenda listed disbursements for the period ending June 4, 2024.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Tim Harris at 6:06 p.m. and adjourned at 7:36 p.m. The minutes of the May 21 meeting and the consent agenda were approved earlier in the meeting. The transcript does not specify which city fund(s) will cover the approved purchases or the fireworks contribution.

Votes at a glance

- Minutes approval: Motion by Alderperson Eric Harbin, seconded by Alderperson Shawn Taylor; result: passed unanimously by voice vote. - Consent agenda: Motion by Alderperson Shawn Taylor, seconded by Alderperson Eric Harbin; result: passed unanimously by roll call. - Enter executive session (collective bargaining, Exemption 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2)): Motion by Alderperson Ron Culves, seconded by Alderperson Mary Davis; result: council entered executive session; confirmation vote passed by voice on resumption of regular session. - Tentative union agreement: Motion by Alderperson Eric Harbin; result: died for lack of second (no approval recorded). - Lease/purchase — John Deere 331G skid steer ($34,948.00): Motion by Alderperson Lisa Buhlig, seconded by Alderperson Keith Schramm; result: passed by roll call, 6-0 (Baer, Seward absent). - Elks Fireworks Fund contribution ($3,000.00): Motion by Alderperson Ron Culves, seconded by Alderperson Eric Harbin; result: passed by roll call, 6-0 (Baer, Seward absent). - Groves washer for Fire Department ($5,222.00): Motion by Alderperson Keith Schramm, seconded by Alderperson Mary Davis; result: passed by roll call, 6-0 (Baer, Seward absent).

Next steps noted in the minutes: none specified beyond standard follow-up on approved purchases and attached departmental reports.