Pinckneyville City Council approves fireworks sales, advances resolutions; Mulberry Street purchase faces lone dissent

The Pinckneyville City Council met on Feb. 9, 2026, in Council Chambers and approved multiple resolutions, authorized temporary retail fireworks sales within the city limits, and voted 4–1 to place a proposed sales agreement for 110 West Mulberry Street on file.

Mayor Spencer opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. and the council approved the previous meeting minutes and the Treasurer’s Report. Commissioner William B. Stotlar reported that “Total Gross Payroll was $208,766.20 for the payroll period ending January 2026,” and noted regular hours (6,112.50) and overtime (263) were both down from last year. The council approved the treasurer’s report on a roll-call vote.

The council approved accounts payable with three added invoices: Stuard & Associates ($335.00 for elevator re‑inspection), Door Doctor ($190.00 to reprogram remotes), and IMGA ($212,215.86 for purchase of gas), a total added amount of $212,740.86.

Past correspondence and community proposals were discussed. Rhonda Shubert proposed a Flag Day event on Sunday, June 14, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the city-owned lot between the Community Center and the Perry County Jail Museum to mark America’s 250th year; council members supported planning for community activities and discussed opening the City Hall time capsule during next year’s local anniversaries.

The council voted to allow a temporary consumer fireworks stand to operate in Pinckneyville the week leading up to July 4, 2026. Pastor Jerron Hurst of Victory Church of Jesus Christ, who introduced the proposal and said prior similar events were compliant with State of Illinois requirements, explained the stand would use two 40‑foot shipping containers that would be locked overnight and reported to the state for inspection. Commissioner Kevin B. Hicks moved to approve the request; the motion carried on roll call with all members voting YEA.

During public comment, resident Matthew Hazelwood pressed the council about snow‑plowing policy, arguing that “there is no reason why the plows cannot go down the alleys” and stating that South Perry Street is effectively an alley despite its signage. Commissioner Sammy D. Peradotta responded that the city prioritizes clearing roads for emergency vehicles and does not plow private business parking lots; the council did not change its plowing policy at the meeting.

On consent business, the council adopted Resolution R‑2026‑04 authorizing an agreement with Economic Development Resources, L.L.C., and Resolution R‑2026‑05 authorizing grant assistance for renovations at 202 East Water Street (Luthy Water Street Property LLC); both passed on roll call with all members voting YEA. Mayor Spencer introduced Ordinance O‑2026‑01, a sales agreement for property at 110 West Mulberry Street (the Moose Lodge property). The motion to place the ordinance on file passed with Commissioners Hicks, Peradotta, Stotlar and Mayor Spencer voting YEA and Commissioner Joshua L. Kuhnert voting NAY. When asked by Jeff Egbert of the Weekly Press whether Commissioner Hicks was affiliated with the Moose Lodge, Commissioner Hicks said he was a member; the council did not take further action on the question at the meeting.

After adjourning to executive session to discuss personnel, real estate, and litigation, the council returned to open session and then placed Resolution R‑2026‑06 (employment contract for Assistant Fire Chief) and Resolution R‑2026‑07 (an intergovernmental agreement with the Pinckneyville Rural Fire Protection District) on file; both motions passed on roll call. City Attorney Don Bigham confirmed, in response to a question from the Weekly Press, that the City and the Rural Fire District would split the Assistant Fire Chief’s pay and benefits equally.

The meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of Jan. 26, 2026 minutes: YEA (Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, Mayor Spencer) — motion carried. - Treasurer’s Report (payroll figures reported by Commissioner Stotlar): YEA (unanimous) — motion carried. - Accounts payable with added invoices (Stuard & Associates $335.00; Door Doctor $190.00; IMGA $212,215.86 — total added $212,740.86): YEA (unanimous) — motion carried. - Permission for temporary consumer fireworks sales (request by Pastor Jerron Hurst): YEA (unanimous) — motion carried. - Resolution R‑2026‑04 (agreement with Economic Development Resources, L.L.C.): YEA (unanimous) — motion carried. - Resolution R‑2026‑05 (grant assistance for 202 E. Water St.): YEA (unanimous) — motion carried. - Ordinance O‑2026‑01 (sales agreement for 110 W. Mulberry St.) placed on file: YEA (Hicks, Peradotta, Stotlar, Mayor Spencer), NAY (Kuhnert) — motion carried (4–1). - Adjourn to executive session and return: YEA (unanimous) — motion carried. - Resolution R‑2026‑06 (Assistant Fire Chief employment contract) placed on file: YEA (unanimous) — motion carried. - Resolution R‑2026‑07 (intergovernmental agreement with Rural Fire Protection District) placed on file: YEA (unanimous) — motion carried.

The council did not adopt new snow‑plowing rules at the meeting; residents seeking changes may raise the issue for future agenda consideration.