Prophetstown Council Reflects on Loss of Hartig Drug

Mayor Ryan Inskeep said it’s been a sad day for Prophetstown as Hartig Drug closed after 20 years in business. The building, located at 316 Washington Street, is owned by the City of Prophetstown. Inskeep said rent has been paid through September, with the company unsure if they’ll be completely out by October; if not, they will pay another month of rent.

The business announced the sudden closure two weeks ago, citing an “unexpected and immediate loss of the pharmacy staff at the Prophetstown location. With a small pharmacy team and limited availability of qualified, licensed pharmacy professionals in the area, Hartig Drug has been unable to secure the staffing necessary to continue operating the pharmacy safely and responsibly.”

Inskeep said he’d like to see another pharmacy move in, but that option will take several months to line up after the city was given two weeks’ notice that the business planned to vacate the building. He encouraged the council to think about the future of the building and what they can do with it. He noted that a resident already expressed interest in making it a gathering place for people to drop in, socialize, and do crafts or other events. He plans to reach out to other local pharmacies or a telepharmacy to see if they can attract a similar business, while admitting that finding a replacement in the current business climate may be difficult.    

“We’re lucky we had what we had,” said Alderman Greg Schmitt, with Inskeep saying they’ll continue to work on it.

Public Comments

Library Director Amanda Burger provided an update on upcoming events at the Henry C. Adams Memorial Library in September and October, including a dreamcatcher workshop, kombucha/fermentation class, a free CPR, AED, and choking rescue training, a Medicare session, paper rocket building, and a haunted Rock River Valley presentation.

Burger, Olivia Pearson, and Jenna Scifres of Prophetstown Proud next reported an overall good turnout for the August 28th Car Cruise-in and Touch-a-Truck, which had dozens of vintage vehicles on Main Street and eleven trucks on display from Public Works, Prophetstown Police, Fire & Ambulance, Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office, Rock River Lumber & Grain, Quality Ready Mix Concrete, National Guard Armory, and a couple tractors and side-by-sides. They thanked Brian Strike and Coty Gluff of Public Works for helping with set-up and tear down, and for the handprint painting on the snowplow, which the kids enjoyed.

The Prophetstown Area Historical Society hosted Christal’s Exotics, Erie Reptiles, and Night Rider Reptiles and had a great turnout. The taco truck didn’t show, but the Boy Scouts had a good turnout for their cookout. They credited DJ Slick Willy for doing a great job announcing the cars and providing good music.   

September’s Fourth Friday is Ladies Night Out on the 25th, with eleven businesses signed up to participate as shopping and punch card destinations, which can be filled out for a chance to win prize baskets at Semper Fi Slots at the end of the event.

October’s Fourth Friday is Main Street Trick or Treat on the 23rd from 5-7 p.m., along with Trunk or Treat at the nearby churches. Registration for the Lighted Christmas Parade on Saturday, November 28th is now open on Prophetstown Proud’s website. 

Items for Consideration and Possible Action

The city received two quotes for a mower to replace the damaged Kubota Zero Turn, with Public Works Director Brian Strike recommending one from Birkey’s Farm Store in Prophetstown. The council authorized the purchase of a 2026 61-inch deck, diesel Grasshopper Zero Turn mower for $18,927, with $15,000 coming from the insurance payout.

The council next discussed Trick or Treat times and decided to go with the traditional 5-7 p.m. on Halloween night on Saturday, October 31st. They tabled action on a water payment plan agreement while waiting for documents from the attorney.  

Items for Consideration

The Library Board has asked the city to consider having one part-time employee become a full-time employee, with all library employees part-time. Since the city does payroll, the change could “affect a lot of other things and could creep into other accounts,” said Inskeep. Office Manager Wendy Schultz and Inskeep may go to the next library board meeting on the fourth Tuesday to discuss the change. Schultz noted that wages, payroll, IMRF, FEIN number and W-2s are all handled by the city.

Inskeep said last month the council discussed moving Light up the Park from the campground to Eclipse Square and asked if they had received any feedback since then. The council was supportive of the change, with Inskeep saying it “seemed like a done deal.”

Police Chief Bruce Franks said the biggest issue for the campground is getting it ready on limited time, finding volunteers for the ticket booth, and making sure the park is ready for vehicles to drive through  in the winter. At Eclipse Square, they can have the lights on a timer every night instead of weekends, and they have enough lights and displays in storage to fill up the park. Most lights are energy-efficient LEDs and electricity is available onsite. He also thanked Public Works employees for always going above and beyond in getting the displays ready.

Inskeep next reported that he checked in with Hanford Insurance for city employees’ Blue Cross Blue Shield plan renewal, with 2027 quotes to be available in November or December. He will set up a meeting or have a representative come to a council meeting. Also, there was “no headway” on the cargo container leases, as they’re still waiting on an updated letter from Strike.

Consent Agenda

The council approved as presented the August 11th  meeting minutes, financial report, bills payable, and the following building permits:

• Diane Mosher, deck, $2,400
• 401 Market LLC, addition, $1,450,000
• Advent Christian Church, roof, $0
• Kelly Brooks, roof, $9,831.33
• Stephen Prater, roof, $22,726
• Calvin Bebon, demolition of back porch/cement, $5,000
• Maris Peterson, windows/siding/soffit, $50,000
• Andi Bryan, shed, $500
• Ashleigh McEvoy, fence, $3,000
• Sheryl Payne, roof, $20,133

Reports of Department Heads

Chief Franks reported that the department’s two new officers, Jered Cross and Jason Brubaker, graduated Aug. 20th and passed their state certification exam. Both are working and progressing quickly in their training. Franks and Cross participated in the Fourth Friday Touch-a-Truck.

For equipment purchases, Franks ordered three new badges. Officer Will Lukehart is helping with a few shifts since the department is losing officer Boyd VanDellen, as he’s reached his maximum hours for the year and plans to retire at the end of 2026.

For August, the department issued 16 verbal warnings, 5 written warnings, and 7 State citations; one accident was reported, and there were 69 calls for service. A new speed radar sign on Riverside Drive has been installed to help remind motorists of their speed and promote safer driving within the city.  

In the Public Works report, Strike reported that the equipment shed has been completed with the installation of spray foam, and all equipment and materials have been moved back into the building and properly arranged; they also had to seal up a few holes in the roof. A new handrail was installed on the loft above the workbench in the Public Works shop to improve employee safety.

For the water department, Kurita and PC Tech were onsite to assist with troubleshooting the communication issue between Well #4 and the control panel at the new water plant. For the sewer department, Public Works worked with Hinrichs Plumbing to address and resolve the sewer issues affecting the library.

In streets and roads, both city plow trucks were taken to Walnut for their required six-month inspections. A load of universal patching material was hauled in for use in repairing pavement patches at the following locations:

• 8th Street and Jackson St.
• 9th St. and Jackson St.
• College Ave. and Birch St.

For parks and community events, the 05 International Harvester truck was painted with handprints for the Touch-a-Truck event as a community activity for the kids. A special thanks to Coty and Betony Gluff for the idea and helping with the project, as “their involvement helped make the event a fun and memorable experience for the kids.” Public Works crews set up and then removed barricades and traffic-control equipment for the event.

The road closure permit for the Homecoming parade on Thursday, September 17th has been approved, with Route 78 closing from 5-7 p.m.

Old Business

Mayor Inskeep reported that the Subway parking lot purchase is in the attorney’s hands. A building inspector will provide a report for a house on Locust Street following an inspection. All residents received a letter regarding drinking water, which is mandated by the state every year and no action was needed. The city will start the tax levy process in September for the council to review in October to pass it by the November or December meeting to file it with the County Clerk by the required date in December.  

Election packets are available at City Hall during regular business hours for the positions currently held by Mayor Inskeep, Aldermen John Gibson, Terry Strike, James Miller, and Village Clerk Connie Jensen. The packets must be returned Nov. 16-23 to be on the ballot for the April 6, 2027 Consolidated Election.

The next regular meeting of the Prophetstown City Council will be on Tuesday, October 13th at 7 p.m. at City Hall.