State Pays $396,914 of What It Owes
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Commissioner Augie Kellerman announced that the state paid $396,914 for four months worth of utility bills for the prison. However, the Pinckneyville Correctional Center still owes $827,144. Kellerman suggested adding a fine to the overdue bills or threatening to shut off service.
"If you're late on a payment to the state, there's a fine attached," Kellerman said. He added that Franklin County Detention Center was millions behind on their bills until creditors threatened to cut off services. The bills got paid.
The remainder of the financial news for the city was good. The bond account is funded and the gas bill is paid.
Kellerman said the total payroll numbers for the first six months of the year are up $34,444 or 5.2 percent over last year. Though increased, the payroll is still $15,180 below what it was in 2006.
In other business, the council:
heard from Floyd Bostick that he wants a water line on his property moved so that the ground can be sold. Bostick said that the city owns the water lines that supply water to several homes in the area. Without an easement, running new lines to those homes would be much more difficult. Commissioner David Stone said that many of the houses in that area are not metered and should be. Mayor Joe Holder said that it has always been city policy not to extend water lines beyond the city limits. Normally, residents outside the city form a water district, install and maintain their own lines and simply purchase water from the city. In the case of subdivisions inside the city limits, developers install the necessary lines to meet specifications then petition the city to take over maintenance of the lines. Holder said he would have to research the situation then give Bostick a written response to his request. Commissioner Kellerman said that there is a leaking water line in the area that needs to be repaired. The city did not install the line, but it is city water that is leaking. Bostick brought the matter of the water line to Stone's attention over a year ago. Stone said that other projects have a higher priority at this time.
agreed to purchase two new air conditioning units for City Hall at a cost of $4,890 each. Commissioner Kellerman said the units are 19 years old and are not efficient. They run almost constantly during the summer months. The unit for the Police Department was recently repaired at a cost of $1,800. Fire Chief Jim Gielow reminded the council that the units at the Fire Department are the same age. He suggested planning to replace them in the next year or two.
approved the purchase of a new scale for the Water Department at a maximum cost of $3,500. Commissioner Stone said the scale that is used twice a week is no longer functioning. Repairs take six to eight weeks and cost a minimum of $1,056. Also, parts for the broken scale will no longer be available after 2011.
agreed to extend 200 amp electrical service from the Exhibition Hall across the road to the west to be used at events such as the Pinckneyville Night in the Park. The cost for the electrical service is $2,000.
approved the amended proposal that was placed on file at the previous meeting for improvements to the alley between McDonalds and Thomas Home Improvement. Kellerman Brothers will complete the work at a cost of $17,162.
authorized the payments of $91,789 and $26,040 ont he Brown Street project once USDA grant funds have been received. The project is complete.
approved awarding contracts to the low bidders for the 2010 Motor Fuel Tax program. The low bidders were Illini Asphalt- $55,312, Beelman Ready Mix- $7,430 and $5,626 and Barr Trucking- $4,143.
approved the payment of the annual NPDES permit fees to the IEPA for Sewer Treatment Plant #1- $7,500 and Sewer Treatment Plant #2- $5,000.
approved a contract with CALCO to relocate a natural gas distribution line on Route 154 near the new turn lane for the hospital. CALCO was the low bidder at $99,003. The contract was placed on file at the previous meeting.
passed an ordinance amending the flood plane maps to include updated by IDNR and adding unincorporated areas that may later be incorporated into the city.
authorized the necessary road closings for the PCHS Homecoming Parade on Friday, Oct. 1. and agreed to request approval from IDOT to close Route 13/127 from 2:20 to 2:30 p.m. that day.
granted permission for First Baptist Church to distribute Coca Cola products at the four-way stop on July 8, on condition that a certificate of insurance is provided to the city.
authorized the Fire Department to host a topon the Fire and Iron Motorcycle Club poker Run on Aug. 7 and to collect funds at the four-way stop on Aug. 21. The poker run will benefit the American Red Cross Little Egypt Network. The collection will benefit Muscular Dystrophy Association.
authorized Pinckneyville Community Hospital to collect funds for the Red Cross Little Egypt Network on July 10.