Beardstown council approves $3,061.50 contribution to Cass County economic development, appoints city clerk to police pension board

Beardstown — The Beardstown City Council on May 7 approved a $3,061.50 contribution to the Cass County Overall Economic Development Committee and appointed City Clerk Brian “Petie” Ruch to the City’s Police Pension Board for a two-year term ending April 30, 2026.

Alderperson Dawn Seward moved to approve the contribution; Alderperson Mary Davis seconded. The motion passed by a 6–0 roll call vote. Those voting in the affirmative were Alderpersons Lisa Buhlig, Ron Culves, Mary Davis, Eric Harbin, Keith Schramm and Dawn Seward. Alderpersons Chris Baer and Shawn Taylor were absent. The council record lists the motion as: "That a contribution in the amount of $3,061.50 to the Cass County Overall Economic Development Committee be approved." The minutes do not specify the city fund source for the payment.

Earlier in the meeting, the council approved the April 16, 2024 minutes after a motion by Alderperson Eric Harbin, seconded by Alderperson Dawn Seward; that motion passed unanimously by voice vote. The council also approved the consent agenda under the Omnibus Vote Designation on a motion by Alderperson Mary Davis, seconded by Alderperson Eric Harbin; that motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.

On personnel matters, Alderperson Mary Davis moved and Alderperson Lisa Buhlig seconded the appointment of City Clerk Brian "Petie" Ruch to the Police Pension Board for a two-year term ending April 30, 2026. The appointment was approved unanimously by voice vote.

The council received routine departmental reports for April. The Water Superintendent reported 13,799,644 gallons pumped in April and 191,405,488 gallons pumped for the May 1–April 30 year-to-date period. The Police Chief reported 1,160 calls answered in April (10,126 year-to-date), 15 criminal arrests in April (82 YTD), 57 traffic arrests in April (416 YTD) and other incident counts as detailed in the April police report. The Fire Chief reported 25 city fires and eight rural fires in April, one rescue call and a total of 33 fire/rescue incidents in April (280 year-to-date, including mutual aid and rescue calls).

There were no reports submitted for Code Enforcement or the Zoning Officer for April. With no public comments and no further business, the council adjourned at 7:03 p.m. on a motion by Alderperson Lisa Buhlig, seconded by Alderperson Dawn Seward.

Votes at a glance:
• Approval of April 16, 2024 minutes — motion by Alderperson Eric Harbin; passed unanimously by voice vote.
• Consent agenda approval — motion by Alderperson Mary Davis; passed unanimously by roll call vote.
• Contribution to Cass County Overall Economic Development Committee, $3,061.50 — motion by Alderperson Dawn Seward; passed 6–0 by roll call vote (Buhlig, Culves, Davis, Harbin, Schramm, Seward; Baer and Taylor absent).
• Appointment of Brian “Petie” Ruch to Police Pension Board (term to April 30, 2026) — motion by Alderperson Mary Davis; passed unanimously by voice vote.