Railroad Crossing Closing At Mill and Fourth Streets

By Kelly Costa

During Monday night’s city council meeting, the city received correspondence from Norfolk/Southern Railroad that notified the city of the railroad company’s intention of closing the crossings at Mill Street and 4th Street for track improvements on April 15th. The closing should last approximately one week.

In Correspondence, the city received a letter from Madison Communications notifying the city of their success in exceeding customer protection requirements for 2023 year.

The city also received an email from Zion Lutheran School requesting permission to close Henry Street from Wood Street to Elm Street on April 24, 2024 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. for the Touch-A Truck Event. The city council approved the requests.

The city received a letter of resignation from full-time police officer, Austin Brown. His last day of employment will be April 7, 2024.

In the City Clerk’s Report, City Clerk Dennis Stiegemeier stated that the Economic Interest Statements need to be submitted to Macoupin County Clerk Pete Duncan by May 1, 2024.

In Public Health and Safety, the city council approved a quote from Staunton Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram for a 2024 Durango Police Vehicle at a cost of $45,800.03.

In Finance/Claims, the city council agreed to pay Invoice #9593 from PSC Engineering for Inspection Work on the West Frontage Road Sanitary Sewer Extension Project for $9,310. This will be paid from Line Item 37.71.855.0.

The city council approved Partial Pay Estimate #2 to Gelly Excavating & Construction for work completed on the West Frontage Road Sanitary Sewer Extension Project for $159,919.34. The amount of $156,000 will be paid from Line Item 20.25.890.0 and the balance of $3,919.34 will be paid from Line Item 37.71.855.1.

The city council agreed to pay Invoice #838834 to Sandberg Phoenix for Professional Services rendered for Special Projects in the amount of $1,214.73.

In Personnel, the city council voted to hire Bruce Hutton as a part time Park and Recreation employee.

The city council approved a 3 percent pay increase to non-union City of Staunton employees effective May 1, 2024. This excludes part time Park and Recreation employees

The city council approved a pay rate of $16.38 per hour to all part time Park and Recreation employees effective May 1, 2024.

In Economic and TIF, the city council agreed to reimburse Bart and Patty Brauer 75% of the completed expenses as outlined in the TIF Redevelopment Agreement for a total of $7,233.89. This is 75% of a $9,645.18 total.

In Judiciary, the city council approved Ordinance #2234 a Charity Roadblock by the Lions Club to conduct their annual Tootsie Pop Day Sale Drive at the intersection of Main Street and Route 4 and Main Street and Union Street.

The city council approved Ordinance #2236 the Zoning Hearing granting a Zoning Variance for Real Property located at 302 Panhorst Street.

The city council waived the 1st reading and approved Ordinance #2237 the Adoption of an Ordinance of the city of Staunton authorizing the Issuance of General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2024, of the city in the Aggregate Principal Amount of $1,900,000 for the purpose of paying costs to renovate and replace the Gensing Creek Box Culvert of the city of Staunton.

The city council waived the 1st reading and approved Ordinance #2238 changing the name of a Private Drive off Windy Hill Road to Park Bench Lane.

The 1st reading was given for Ordinance #2239 making appropriations for the Fiscal Year beginning May 1, 2024 and Ending April 30, 2025.

The city council waived the 1st reading and approved Ordinance #2240 adopting the city’s Updated Zoning Map and authorizing its publication.

The city council approved Resolution #2024-05 appointing Nancy Neuhaus to the Staunton Cemetery Board.

The city council approved Resolution #2024-06 appointing Barbara Brown to the Staunton Cemetery Board.

The city council approved Resolution #2024-07 authorizing the execution of a Redevelopment Agreement with Jeff Roller.

The city council approved Resolution #2024-08 authorizing the execution of a Redevelopment Agreement with Mississippi Culture, Inc.

The city council approved Resolution #2024-09 a Contractor’s Application for Payment Number 2 to Kamadulski Excavating for work completed and Invoice #9591 to PSC Engineering for Inspection Work on the Gensing Creek Box Culvert Replacement Project. This is from March 4, 2024 through March 1, 2029 in the total amount of $262,373.25.

Those present for the meeting were Mayor Craig Neuhaus, City Clerk Dennis Stiegemeier, City Treasurer Cindy Pirok, City Attorney Phil Lading, Police Chief Jeff Doerr, Aldermen Ryan Machota, David Manning, David Dias, Terry Tipler, Kristy Berg, and Matthew McKee. Public Works Director Mike Kuethe was absent. The next city council meeting will be on Monday, April 22, 2024 at 7 p.m.