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

The Beardstown City Council met Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Beardstown City Hall and approved a $3,061.50 contribution to the Cass County Overall Economic Development Committee and the appointment of City Clerk Brian Ruch to the Police Pension Board.

The council, convened by Mayor Tim Harris at 6:56 p.m., first dispensed with the reading of the minutes from the April 16, 2024 meeting after a motion by Alderperson Eric Harbin, seconded by Dawn Seward. The motion to approve the minutes passed unanimously by voice vote. The consent agenda was then approved under the Omnibus Vote Designation on a motion by Mary Davis, seconded by Harbin, and passed unanimously by roll call.

Under disbursements for the period ending May 7, 2024, Council approved a contribution of $3,061.50 to the Cass County Overall Economic Development Committee. The motion by Dawn Seward, seconded by Mary Davis, passed by a 6–0 roll call vote; Alderpersons Lisa Buhlig, Ron Culves, Mary Davis, Eric Harbin, Keith Schramm and Dawn Seward voted yea. Chris Baer and Shawn Taylor were recorded as absent.

The council also approved 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 moved by Mary Davis, seconded by Lisa Buhlig, and approved unanimously by voice vote.

Council members received routine departmental reports. The Water Superintendent reported April pumping of 13,799,644 gallons and a 12‑month total of 191,405,488 gallons. The Police Department reported 1,160 calls answered in April (10,126 year‑to‑date), and listed April enforcement figures including 15 criminal arrests and 57 traffic arrests. The Fire Department reported 33 incidents in April (25 city fires and eight rural fires) and 280 total incidents for the 12‑month period; mutual aid and rescue calls were included in those totals. Code enforcement and zoning officers submitted no reports for April.

With no public comments and no further business, Alderperson Lisa Buhlig moved to adjourn, seconded by Dawn Seward; the meeting adjourned at 7:03 p.m.