South West Illinois News

City of Du Quoin City Council met May 8.

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 24th day of April. Commissioner

Genesio moved, Commissioner Ward seconded a motion to approve the minutes. Motion passed; all ayes.

Approval of Bills:

Commissioner Spencer moved, Commissioner Whitley seconded a motion to approve the bill list for May

8, 2017. Motion passed; all ayes.

Guests:

None.

Proclamations:

None.

Appointments:

None.

Ordinances:

A. 2017-O04-06: An Ordinance Prohibiting Possession of Cannabis. Commissioner Ward moved,

Commissioner Spencer seconded a motion that 2017-O04-06 be approved. Motion passed; all ayes.

B. 2017-O04-07: An Ordinance Prohibiting Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Commissioner Ward

moved, Commissioner Genesio seconded a motion that 2017-O04-07 be approved. Motion passed; all ayes.

Resolutions:

A. 2017-R05-01: A Resolution Condemning 201 East Poplar Street. Commissioner Spencer moved,

Commissioner Whitley seconded a motion that 2017-R05-01 be approved. Motion passed; all ayes.

Public Agenda:

None.

Other Business:

Mayor Alongi said that he thought the City had the support of landlords regarding property inspections

based on the public hearing earlier. One item not discussed at the public hearing was the timeline to

remedy properties. After much discussion, the Council thought that two to five days was appropriate to

remedy immediate threats to basic life and safety and up to 60 days to remedy structural issues.

Second, Mayor Alongi said that the Historic Preservation and Tourism Committee are now 501 (c)(3) and

that City Attorney Aaron Atkins was drafting ordinances as to how they would be structured.

Commissioners’ Comments:

City Attorney Aaron Atkins on behalf of Deborah Chastain thanked all those that helped with her art

show.

Commissioner Genesio asked the public to keep their ditches clean of debris. Second, he said that the

Street Department would be installing a large culvert in the 800 block of North Division Street.

Commissioner Ward said that someone recently created fake news about a local restaurant and posted it

on social media. He urged the public to be cognizant of fake news.

Mayor Alongi promoted the City Pool open house on Friday. Second, he said that the City is currently in

the process of refinishing the tennis court and relocating the basketball goals to the old skate park.

Public Comment:

A resident addressed the Council regarding ownership of a cul-de-sac. She said that she lived on 825

North Pope Street and was told by her neighbor that the City owned the cul-de-sac, not her. Mayor

Alongi advised her to work with City Attorney Aaron Atkins to determine who owned it. Second, she

requested that the City stop spraying for mosquitos near her blueberry bushes as she was worried they

would lose their organic certification. She is going to check with the certifier to see if it is an issue.

Adjournment:

The City Council adjourned at 6:38 p.m., motion by Commissioner Spencer, seconded by Commissioner

Genesio; all ayes.

http://duquoin.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Council-Minutes-05-08-2017.pdf