South West Illinois News

City of Pinckneyville City Council met June 8.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

ROLL CALL

Mayor Robert L. Spencer called the public hearing of the Pinckneyville City Council for the review of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Economic Development Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program to order at 5:45 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall. Members present: Commissioners Ricky J. Cicardi, Kevin B. Hicks, Sammy D. Peradotta, William B. Stotlar, and Mayor Robert L. Spencer. Mayor Spencer declared a quorum present. Administrative staff present: City Clerk Melissa S. Kellerman, City Attorney Don Bigham, Police Chief Kenny Kelley, Fire Chief Jim Gielow, and Economic Development Coordinator Carrie Gilliam. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the public was invited to attend by social distancing in the lobby area and the Council Chambers of City Hall or by calling in on a conference line.

PUBLIC HEARING

Economic Development Coordinator Carrie Gilliam stated she would read through the Grant Program and asked the audience to hold their questions or comments until the end. She stated the following:

In 2019, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity allocated $4,000,000 for Economic Development funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant Program. With the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus and its detrimental impact on small businesses, the State is using its option to adjust allocations to address specific needs to benefit Illinois’ non-entitlement communities in case of unforeseen circumstances, as included in the Consolidated and Action Plans. This allocation, along with unspent and recaptured funds from previous allocations has been made eligible in a total of $20,000,000 for the DOWNSTATE SMALL BUSINESS STABILIZATION PROGRAM.

The City of Pinckneyville is applying on behalf of five eligible businesses located within the city limits of Pinckneyville. The activities that will be undertaken with grant funding, if approved, will be working capital to assist with losses sustained during the last few months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to applying for these grants the City also has several projects that should be considered by the CDBG program. They are listed in order of priority: 1) Replacement of century old sanitary sewer, 2) Sidewalk and Storm Sewer Drainage along West Water Street near Mann Drive as significant flooding occurs, 3) Storm Sewer Drainage along First street north of Randolph, 4) Replacement of the grandstand at the City Park/Fairgrounds, 5) Water Tank Maintenance, 6) A Community Gathering place or Community Center

Economic Development Coordinator Carrie Gilliam asked if there were any questions or comments regarding the proposed City projects. There were none.

She then gave a brief discussion regarding the grants to be submitted for the Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program. Each of these businesses greatly benefit and are highly valued by our City. The amount requested is based upon a budget completed by each business. The following businesses have applied for a CDBG Grant: 1) Audra’s Footprint - $20,000 to assist with salaries, building payments, utilities and other working capital, 2) DeSigns Unlimited - $15,000 to assist with salaries, equipment and supplies, utilities and other working capital, 3) McDaniels Furniture - $25,000 to assist with employee salaries, 4) Moore Brothers of Southern Illinois - $25,000 to assist with employee salaries, 5) Shear Attitude - $20,000 to assist with employee salaries, building payments, utilities and other working capital.

Economic Development Coordinator Carrie Gilliam asked if there were any questions or comments regarding the CDBG Grant Applications. Commissioner Hicks asked her to repeat the request by Moore Brothers of Southern Illinois. There were no other questions or comments.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion made by Commissioner Cicardi, seconded by Commissioner Stotlar to adjourn the public hearing. On roll call: Commissioners Cicardi, Hicks, Peradotta, Stotlar, and Mayor Spencer voted YEA. NAYS: None. Motion declared carried and the public hearing was adjourned at 5:53 p.m.

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