Pinckneyville council places PFAS litigation on file, approves $279,585 boring machine purchase and routine personnel moves

The Pinckneyville City Council on June 9 placed on file contracts to pursue AFFF (PFAS) litigation, approved buying a Vermeer boring machine and trailer for $279,585 to support a multi-year gas-line replacement, and cleared routine financial and personnel items.

Mayor Robert L. Spencer introduced Resolution No. R-2025-17 to enter into contracts with Stag Liuzza, L.L.C. and Gardiner Koch Weisberg & Wrona to participate as a plaintiff in AFFF (PFAS) litigation; the council voted to place the resolution on file. City Attorney Don Bigham told the council the action is to join a class action with other municipalities.

Commissioner Joshua L. Kuhnert introduced Resolution No. R-2025-18 to accept a bid from Vermeer Midwest to purchase a Vermeer boring machine and trailer for $279,585.00. Kuhnert said the city must replace about six miles of plastic gas lines over the next three years and that contracting out the boring would cost more than $900,000, making purchase and in-house use more cost-efficient; the resolution authorizes the mayor and Commissioner Kuhnert to negotiate financing. Mayor Spencer noted the machine could be used for the lead line project.

The council also approved routine items: acceptance of the resignation of Street Department employee Jason Schleifer effective May 30, 2025; hiring Keith Hubler as a full-time Street Department worker and Roger Holt as a part-time worker; approval of the treasurer’s report showing Total Gross Payroll of $1,097,619.29 for the payroll period ending May 2025; and accounts payable with added invoices totaling $16,216.34 (including Clearwave $1,349.64, Egyptian Electric $345.40, IMGA $14,452.30, and Marlin Leasing Corp. $89.00).

Other approved items placed on file included Resolution No. R-2025-16, authorizing a Community Center management agreement with Rhonda K. Shubert, and a motion to name one soccer field at the new soccer park after former Commissioner David Stone; the city will order a sign in his honor. Commissioner William B. Stotlar moved approval of the treasurer’s report and presented payroll figures to the council.

Council members voted to approve attendance at the Illinois Municipal League 112th Annual Conference (Sept. 18–20, 2025). On that item Commissioners Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar and Mayor Spencer voted YEA; Commissioner Kevin B. Hicks voted NAY.

The council authorized requesting a traffic engineering survey from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to study reducing the speed limit on Water Street from 40 mph to 30 mph in the school corridor; the motion to request the survey passed unanimously.

All motions and resolutions noted above were recorded by roll call. Several items were described and placed on file for further financing or administrative action (for example, financing negotiations for the Vermeer purchase). The meeting recessed to executive session at 6:35 p.m. to discuss employee matters and litigation and returned at 6:42 p.m.; the council adjourned at 6:43 p.m.

Quotes from the meeting include Commissioner Kuhnert saying the gas-line replacement "is required by EPA," and City Attorney Don Bigham explaining the PFAS action is to join a class action with other municipalities. The meeting record shows unanimous votes on most items; the lone recorded dissent was Commissioner Hicks on the IML conference attendance vote.

Next steps: financing negotiations for the Vermeer purchase as authorized by the resolution, implementation of the hires and purchases charged to the Water Fund and other funds, and any further steps required once the IDOT traffic engineering study is received.