The City Council of the City of Du Quoin met April 24.
Here is the minutes as provided by the council:
Call to Order:
Mayor Alongi called the meeting to order at 6 pm with the following individuals present: Commissioners
Michael Ward, Dale Spencer, Charles Genesio, and Gerald Whitley. City staff included City Attorney
Aaron Atkins, City Treasurer Stephanie Cravens, and City Clerk Andrew Croessman.
Previous Meeting Minutes:
The Council reviewed the minutes of the regular meeting held on the 10th day of April. Commissioner
Ward moved, Commissioner Whitley seconded a motion to approve the minutes. Motion passed; all ayes.
Treasurer’s Report:
Monthly Treasurer’s Report for March 2017: City Treasurer Stephanie Cravens said that the opening
balance for the General Fund was $520,826 and the closing balance was $568,578. Total General Fund
income was $513,070, with expenses of $465,394. In regards to the Water/Sewer Fund, she said that the
opening balance was $198,929, and the closing balance was $240,225. Water/Sewer Fund income was
$220,833, with expenses of $179,593. She said that total cash for all the City’s funds increased from $1.63
million to $1.91 million, resulting in a net income of $282,760 for March. Commissioner Spencer moved,
Commissioner Ward seconded a motion to approve the Monthly Treasurer’s Report for March 2017.
Motion passed; all ayes.
Approval of Bills:
Commissioner Spencer moved, Commissioner Whitley seconded a motion to approve the bill list for
April 24, 2017. Motion passed; all ayes.
Guests:
None.
Proclamations:
City Attorney Aaron Atkins read the National Small Business Week Proclamation that proclaimed April
30 through May 6, 2017 as National Small Business Week in Du Quoin.
Appointments:
Commissioner Ward moved, Commissioner Whitley seconded a motion to reappoint Mr. Ted Harsha to
the Du Quoin Fire Pension Board. Motion passed; all ayes.
Commissioner Ward moved, Commissioner Whitley seconded a motion to reappoint Mr. Doug Clark to
the Du Quoin Police Pension Board. Motion passed; all ayes.
Ordinances:
A. 2017-O04-01: An Ordinance Authorizing the City to enter into Contract with Health Alliance to
provide Employee Health Insurance. The City will save a maximum of $155,952 per year by switching
from BlueCross BlueShield to Health Alliance. This amount does not include the cost of self-insurance.
Commissioner Spencer moved, Commissioner Ward seconded a motion that 2017-O04-01 be approved.
Motion passed; all ayes.
B. 2017-O04-03: An Ordinance Authorizing the City to establish a Restricted Health Account to SelfInsure
Employee Copays and Maximum Out of Pocket Expenses. This Ordinance requires the City to
deposit the full amount of savings of $12,996 per month into a restricted account to use to self-insure.
Once a balance of $155,952 is met, anything above that amount can be used for future premium increases.
Commissioner Spencer moved, Commissioner Genesio seconded a motion that 2017-O04-03 be approved.
Motion passed; all ayes.
C. 2017-O04-04: An Ordinance Authorizing Entering into an Intergovernmental Agreement with Perry
County Unit Road District regarding Road Maintenance. Commissioner Genesio said that this Agreement
swaps City rock for the County grader use to maintain Bob Green Drive and Pignut Road. Commissioner
Genesio moved, Commissioner Whitley seconded a motion that 2017-O04-04 be approved. Motion
passed; all ayes.
D. 2017-O04-05: An Ordinance Authorizing the City to enter into Contract with A+ Mowing to provide
Lawn Service for Blighted/Condemned Properties. This Contract is to cut 17 lots every two weeks at a
cost of $595. Commissioner Spencer moved, Commissioner Genesio seconded a motion that 2017-O04-05
be approved. Motion passed; all ayes.
E. 2017-O04-06: An Ordinance Prohibiting Possession of Cannabis. City Attorney Aaron Atkins said that
this Ordinance sets the minimum fine at $200. He also said that it was presented to the Perry County
Circuit Court and did not receive any feedback on it. Therefore, he thought it was ok to put on public
display. Commissioner Ward moved, Commissioner Spencer seconded a motion that 2017-O04-06 be put
on public display. Motion passed; all ayes.
F. 2017-O04-07: An Ordinance Prohibiting Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Commissioner Ward moved,
Commissioner Whitley seconded a motion that 2017-O04-07 be put on public display. Motion passed; all
ayes.
Resolutions:
A. 2017-R04-01: A Resolution Authorizing Du Quoin Business District Redevelopment Agreement with
Nancy Chen and the China Buffet Restaurant. This requires the China Buffet to clean up their property
and contract with a septic service to maintain the grease interceptor that Business District Funds are being
used for. Commissioner Whitley moved, Commissioner Genesio seconded a motion that 2017-R04-01 be
approved. Motion passed; all ayes.
B. 2017-R04-03: A Resolution Accepting Bids for Motor Fuel Tax Materials. Commissioner Genesio said
that for this street maintenance year the City will be purchasing 27,000 gallons of oil and 3,000 tons of
aggregate rock to do 40 roads at a cost of roughly $140,000. He also said that they were looking into
resurfacing roads with new polymer oil and cinders at a fraction of the cost of asphalt. Commissioner
Genesio moved, Commissioner Spencer seconded a motion that 2017-R04-03 be approved. Motion
passed; all ayes.
Public Agenda:
Mr. Billy Rogers addressed the Council about closing a portion of Main Street for the Du Quoin Chamber
of Commerce Farm to Table event. He proposed closing East Main Street between Mulberry and Division
Street from 3:00 to 11:30 p.m. on June 15th. He said that so far the event has received overwhelming
support and were expecting 150 people to attend. Commissioner Genesio moved, Commissioner Ward
seconded a motion to close street from 2:30 to 11:30 p.m. Motion passed; all ayes.
Other Business:
Mayor Alongi said that General Acrylics would start work to reseal the City Tennis Courts tomorrow. He
also mentioned that he is working with the Park Board to relocate the basketball goals to the old skate
park.
Mrs. Deborah Chastain said that she will be displaying her drawings of historic Du Quoin buildings on
May 6th from 10:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Commissioners’ Comments:
Commissioner Genesio said that he would like to see the brick on Peach Street preserved when a new
water service is installed.
Commissioner Ward thanked Ted Harsha and Doug Clark for serving on the Pension Boards.
Commissioner Spencer said that cleanup day was a success. Second, he said that on April 28th the City
would be planting trees in the Park for Arbor Day. Lastly, he said that the City would start issuing tickets
for tall grass on May 1st
.Commissioner Whitley questioned whether the brick on Peach Street was preserved and if it was worth
the expense to do so.
Mayor Alongi said that a public hearing to discuss property inspections is scheduled for May 8th at 5:00
p.m. Second, he said that the City Pool Open House will be on May 12th from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. Lastly, he
said that the tennis courts would be painted red and green based on an online poll from the public.
Adjournment:
The City Council adjourned at 7:05 p.m., motion by Commissioner Spencer, seconded by Commissioner
Genesio; all ayes.
http://duquoin.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Council-Minutes-04-24-2017.pdf
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