Beardstown council authorizes I‑DOT walk/bike agreement, tables $86,717 dispatching contract; approves purchases, carnival permit

The Beardstown City Council on April 2 approved a resolution authorizing Mayor Tim Harris to execute an agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation for a Multi‑Use Walk/Bike Path project and tabled an intergovernmental dispatching‑services agreement with the Cass County ETSB.

The I‑DOT resolution was moved by Alderperson Mary Davis and seconded by Alderperson Dawn Seward; it passed by an 8–0 roll call vote. Separately, a proposed intergovernmental agreement to provide dispatching services for calendar year 2024, in the amount of $86,717.98, was moved by Alderperson Chris Baer and seconded by Alderperson Dawn Seward and was tabled by a 7–1 roll call vote (Alderperson Eric Harbin cast the lone no vote). Tabled means the council deferred action on that agreement rather than approving it.

Council members also approved a $12,618.62 repair quote from Jacksonville Dodge Charger Chrysler‑Dodge for work on a 2014 Dodge Charger (motion by Eric Harbin, seconded by Chris Baer; vote 8–0) and authorized purchase of a Trimble 7 handheld meter reader for the Water Department from Midwest Meter for $11,700.00 (motion by Dawn Seward, seconded by Shawn Taylor; vote 8–0). A request from the Shriners to host Connors Family Amusements on the City Square April 12–14, 2024 was approved by voice vote (motion by Mary Davis, seconded by Dawn Seward).

The council received routine department reports. The Water Superintendent reported 14,690,157 gallons pumped in March and 177,605,844 gallons for the May 1–April 30 reporting period. The Police Chief reported 1,061 calls answered in March (8,966 year to date), 14 criminal arrests in March (67 YTD), and other activity counts as listed in the department report. The Fire Chief's monthly column listed N/A for March; the year‑to‑date total was shown as 220 incidents.

Mayor Tim Harris also told the council the USDA sewer project is moving along, work has started on the Bley Building on Main Street, and that Harry Juarez has been hired as the city's new Ordinance/Zoning Officer. The meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m. on a motion by Mary Davis, seconded by Dawn Seward.

Votes at a glance:
• I‑DOT Multi‑Use Walk/Bike Path resolution — moved Mary Davis, seconded Dawn Seward; roll call 8–0 — approved.
• Cass County ETSB intergovernmental dispatching agreement ($86,717.98) — moved Chris Baer, seconded Dawn Seward; roll call 7–1 (Harbin opposed) — tabled (deferred).
• Repairs to 2014 Dodge Charger (Jacksonville Dodge Charger Chrysler‑Dodge) — moved Eric Harbin, seconded Chris Baer; roll call 8–0 — approved ($12,618.62).
• Trimble 7 handheld meter reader (Midwest Meter) — moved Dawn Seward, seconded Shawn Taylor; roll call 8–0 — approved ($11,700.00).
• Shriners carnival permit (Connors Family Amusements, April 12–14) — moved Mary Davis, seconded Dawn Seward; voice vote — approved.