South West Illinois News

Pinckneyville City Council met Aug. 14.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

ROLL CALL

Mayor Robert L. Spencer called the regular meeting of the Pinckneyville City Council to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall. Members present: Commissioners Kevin B. Hicks, Sammy D. Peradotta, David M. Stone, William B. Stotlar and Mayor Robert L. Spencer. Mayor Spencer declared a quorum present. Clerk West asked to add an invoice to Audra’s Footprint in the amount of $1,115.00 for eclipse shirts. Mayor Spencer then announced the agenda was set. Administrative staff present: City Clerk Larry S. West, City Attorney Donald Bigham, Police Chief John Griffin, and Fire Chief James Gielow.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Kevin B. Hicks.

PREVIOUS MINUTES

Commissioner Hicks made a motion to approve the previous minutes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Stone. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Peradotta, Stone, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Treasurer Reese stated that total bank balance were $5,356,902.45 at the end of July. He then stated that unrestricted bank balances were $475,926.85 at the end of July. This represents a $22,135.32 decrease from last year. Ms. Beth Boling asked how much the state owes the city. Clerk West responded they owe $849,877.95. Commissioner Stotlar made a motion to approve the treasurer’s report. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Stone. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Peradotta, Stone, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Commissioner Stotlar made a motion to approve accounts payable and the addition to accounts payable. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Peradotta. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Peradotta, Stone, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

CORRESPONDENCE

Commissioner Stone announced that the American Thresherman’s Association event will be held at the park from August 17, 2017 through August 20, 2017. The parade will begin at 5:50 p.m. on August 17, 2017. He then announced the Pinckneyville Public Library will be hosting an open house on August 25, 2017 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in celebration of the Library’s 100th anniversary. There will be cake and punch and the public is invited. He said if you haven’t been to the Library in a while, you need to come. Ms. Kathy West has done a wonderful job leading the Library. He also noted that eclipse shirts will be available at several vendors in the city and at city hall. The proceeds will go to the Jake Bender Pool. He then stated that the pool would be closed after August 20, 2017.

STREET CLOSURE

Commissioner made a motion to approve a request from the First Baptist Church for a street closure of St. Louis Avenue by the church from Noon-2:00 p.m. for hosting a community solar eclipse event. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Stotlar. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Peradotta, Stone, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

STREET CLOSURE

Commissioner Hicks has received a request from the Twisted Vine to close Jackson Street from the square to Walnut Street for Labor Day, September 4, 2017 from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and to close the same street on October 27, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. and on October 28, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Chief John Griffin stated that on October 28, 2017 that this would cause a problem due to Mardi Gras. This is an exit route for Mardi Gras and the parade. Commissioner Hicks stated that the street could be closed after 10:00 p.m. but not before. Ms. Blackorby of the Twisted Vine asked for permission to close the street after 10:00 p.m. if she felt it was necessary. Commissioner Hicks stated that would be fine. Commissioner Hicks made a motion to approve the request except for the October 28, 2017 closing. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Peradotta. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Peradotta, Stone, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

PURCHASE OF FLASHING LED LIGHTS

Commissioner Peradotta stated that approximately one month ago the street department purchased two flashing stop signs and placed them at the elementary school. These signs triggered positive feedback from the people of Pinckneyville. He said the signs he seeks to purchase will be installed at St. Bruno, the High School, and two at the end of Mulberry Street. A flashing ‘Wrong Way’ sign would be installed on Mulberry Street. Commissioner Peradotta made a motion to approve the purchase of the signs. The motion failed for the lack of a second.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT

Commissioner Stotlar made a motion to place on file Resolution No. R-2017-26, a resolution to authorize and approve an intergovernmental agreement between the Illinois Office of the Comptroller and the City of Pinckneyville. Clerk West explained this is necessary to enter into the Illinois Debt Recovery Program. He stated that some people owe the city for utility charges and for police charges. This program will allow the Comptroller to garnish the amount of the debt and pay the city. Clerk West noted that there are no fees to the city for this. The fees are charged to the debtor by the Comptroller. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Stone. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Peradotta, Stone, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried.

OPENING OF SEALED BIDS

Attorney Bigham said that the council had approved a resolution to accept sealed bids on the property located at 407 S. Main Street in Pinckneyville. The bids were to be delivered to city hall by 2:00 p.m. August 14, 2017 and would be opened at the city council meeting on August 14, 2017. Attorney Bigham then opened the only bid submitted by Mr. Bruce Cope and Ms. Karla Nehring. He stated that the bid for the property is $78,600.00. The property would be used to develop a laundromat on the property. The building would be a 40’x50’ steel building and construction would begin after closing. The facility has an anticipated new employment of one to five jobs. Ms. Nehring stated that the facility would have 17 washing machines and 20 dryers. Mr. Cope said that the biggest of the washers have the capability of washing six loads of laundry. Ms. Beth Boling asked if the facility would have dry cleaning to which the answer was no. Mayor Spencer thanked the two of them for bringing this needed facility to Pinckneyville. Attorney Bigham said council should review this offer and then convene to make a decision.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Ms. Leigh Blackorby said she thought the laundromat will be good for the city. She drive to DuQuoin to wash large items and curtains. Also, some mothers would like to get the laundry done in one day instead of doing it every day.

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Hicks made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Stone. On roll call: Commissioners Hicks, Peradotta, Stone, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried. The meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.

http://ci.pinckneyville.il.us/may2017-current