Beardstown council approves $379,761 sewer payment and TIF grants, rejects tentative union agreement

BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — The Beardstown City Council on Tuesday approved a $379,761.65 payment for a USDA sanitary sewer replacement project, approved three tax-increment-financing (TIF) renovation grants for downtown businesses and rejected a tentative union agreement covering Public Works and City Hall employees.

Mayor Tim Harris called the meeting to order at 6:27 p.m. City Clerk Brian Ruch recorded a quorum with Alderpersons Lisa Buhlig, Ron Culves, Mary Davis, Eric Harbin, Keith Schramm and Dawn Seward present; Alderpersons Chris Baer and Shawn Taylor were absent.

The council approved Payment Resolution No. 6, a disbursement of $379,761.65 for the USDA Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project. Alderperson Dawn Seward moved the payment, and Alderperson Eric Harbin seconded; the measure passed by a 6-0 roll call vote. The resolution listed payments to Hood Construction Group Midwest LLC for $370,015.02 and Benton & Associates, Inc. for $9,746.63.

The council also approved three TIF renovation grants aimed at downtown property improvements. Alderperson Mary Davis moved, and Alderperson Dawn Seward seconded, a grant for 88 Bar & Grill LLC not to exceed $14,500. Alderperson Lisa Buhlig moved, and Alderperson Eric Harbin seconded, a grant for Carrie Magerl d/b/a Magerl Law Office not to exceed $7,625. Alderperson Dawn Seward moved, and Alderperson Harbin seconded, a grant for First National Bank of Beardstown not to exceed $41,787.50. Each grant passed by 6-0 roll call vote.

During the meeting the council approved routine items on the consent agenda and accepted financial reports for May 2024, which reported combined fund balances and departmental overtime totals as provided by the city clerk.

At 6:33 p.m. the council entered executive session under Exemption 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) for collective bargaining; it resumed regular session at 7:22 p.m.

After resuming, the council considered a motion to approve a tentative collective-bargaining agreement between the City of Beardstown and United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 431, the union representing Public Works and City Hall employees. The motion, made by Alderperson Ron Culves and seconded by Alderperson Lisa Buhlig, failed on a roll call vote: Dawn Seward voted yea; Lisa Buhlig, Ron Culves, Eric Harbin and Keith Schramm voted no; Mary Davis abstained. Chris Baer and Shawn Taylor were recorded as absent.

Mayor Harris reported that street work tied to the sewer improvement project is nearing completion and that repairs to the Bley Building on Main Street are progressing. Alderperson Dawn Seward raised concerns about multiple unmowed lots and urged stricter enforcement action for repeat offenders.

The meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m. on a motion by Lisa Buhlig, seconded by Mary Davis.

Votes at a glance: Payment Resolution No. 6 (USDA Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project) — approved 6-0; TIF renovation grant, 88 Bar & Grill LLC — approved 6-0 ($14,500 not to exceed); TIF renovation grant, Magerl Law Office — approved 6-0 ($7,625 not to exceed); TIF renovation grant, First National Bank of Beardstown — approved 6-0 ($41,787.50 not to exceed); Tentative UFCW Local 431 agreement — failed (Yea 1, No 4, Abstain 1).