City of Du Quoin City Council met April 13.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The Minutes of the City Council of the City of Du Quoin, County of Perry, held on this 13th day of April in the year 2020, said meeting held in the Council Chambers of the Du Quoin City Hall.
Invocation:
Aaron Atkins gave the invocation and Mayor Alongi led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Call to Order:
Mayor Alongi called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. with the following individuals attending via WebEx teleconferencing meeting the threshold for a quorum: Commissioners Jill Kirkpatrick, Bob Karnes, and Michael Ward, and City Treasurer Stephanie Cravens. City staff present included City Attorney Aaron Atkins and City Clerk Ruth Hale. Commissioner Charles Genesio joined via teleconferencing at 6:06pm.
Approval of Minutes:
The Council approved the open session Council minutes of the March 23th meeting.
Motion: Commissioner Karnes Second: Commissioner Ward
Ayes: All Nays: None
The Council approved the open session Council minutes of the April 2nd Emergency meeting.
Motion: Commissioner Kirkpatrick Second: Commissioner Karnes
Ayes: All Nays: None
Approval of Bills to be Paid:
The Council approved payment of the bill list.
Motion: Commissioner Second: Commissioner
Ayes: All Nays: None
Ordinances:
A. 2020-O04-01: An Ordinance Extending the Retail Liquor Licenses due date from May 31, 2020 to October 31, 2020 due to the Covid-19 Virus (Public Display)
Motion: Commissioner Karnes Second: Commissioner Kirkpatrick
Ayes: All Nays: None
B. 2020-O04-02: An Ordinance Extending the Video Gaming Terminal Licenses due date from April 31, 2020 to October 31, 2020 due to the Covid-19 Virus (Public Display)
Motion: Commissioner Karnes Second: Commissioner Ward
Ayes: All Nays: None
12. Resolutions:
A motion on this resolution will be taken up during a special Council meeting Friday April 17.
A. 2020-R04-01: A Resolution to authorize Jeff Ashauer to conduct Public Hearings on Behalf of the City of Du Quoin to Provide Application Assistance to Local Businesses for the Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program (Final Approval)
Other Business:
There will be a City Council Special meeting for DCEO Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program Friday April 17th at 11:00am. Jeff Ashauer explained that the grant applications must be processed through the City. Grants vary in award from $10,000 to $25,000 dependent on previous business revenues. There will be a public hearing Thursday April 16 at 3:00pm conducted by Mr. Ashauer. Approximately 40 businesses have indicated interest in pursuing the DCEO funding.
Commissioners’ Comments:
Aaron – nothing additional
Commissioner Genesio – Asked for prayers for those suffering with the Coronavirus, and pray a hedge of protection for everyone, especially the first responders. Also, the County EMA has distributed over 3,000 masks, 300 bottles of sanitizer, and approximately 140 eyewear protection devices to the first responders in the county. They have also filed for the Public Assistance Grant for FEMA to seek possible reimbursement on expenditures related to the Covid-19 response.
Commissioner Ward – Echoed the same as Commissioner Genesio. Stated everyone has a part to play in the response, staying home, washing hands, and all working together.
Commissioner Kirkpatrick – Prayers for everyone impacted by the Coronavirus situation; and thanks to our first responders.
Commissioner Karnes – Said ‘repeat’, everything that was stated. Prays for those that have it and those out risking their lives to care for others. And prayers for all of us to get through this.
Ruth – Expressed gratitude to the Mayor for being proactive and coordinating information to keep the public informed and working with the Commissioners to keep the City running; and by researching grants and loans so our businesses have assistance. Mentioned that a lot of things are happening behind the scene that the public may not necessarily see but it is helping keep us all safe.
Mayor Alongi – Wanted to pray for and thank the first responders. Also, lift up the graduation seniors. The DQ high school will light the football field on Friday for 20 minutes and 20 seconds in honor of the first responders and to recognize the graduating seniors. He also asked the community to remember those in our nursing homes by sending a card or letter to them. The nursing centers will follow guidelines in handling of the mail but really appreciate if everyone reached out. It would mean a lot to their residents. He also thanked everyone in the City for continuing to get things done and our first responders for doing a great job.
Public Comment:
Mayor Alongi announced that the City Hall phone line (618)542-3841 was open for public comment at 6:20 pm for a period of three minutes. No calls were received, and public comment was closed at 6:23 pm.
Executive Session:
None
Adjournment:
The City Council adjourned at 6:27 p.m.
Motion: Commissioner Kirkpatrick Second: Commissioner Karnes
Ayes: All Nays: None
http://duquoin.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Council-Minutes-04-13-2020.pdf
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