New Pinckneyville Grandstand?
The Pinckneyville City Council Monday authorized Commissioner David Stone to pursue a DCEO grant to rebuild or renovate the grandstand at the Perry County Fairgrounds.
Stone said council approval was the first step in the process. From there he will continue discussions with the Perry County Fair Board and American Thresherman Association, which use the Grandstand and gather cost estimates for the project.
The direction of the project will be determined by how much, if any grant funds are available, Stone said.
The council also approved a lease agreement with Randy Junger with an option to purchase the former Wickwire building on North Main Street. Commissioner Sam Fulk said the city will move its street department there. The street department's equipment is currently housed on Waterworks Road, in an area that floods. The city will pay $1,000 per month and can purchase the property at a cost of $121,000.
Among other items discussed:
•approved a TIF agreement for $35,000 with Eric R. Karsten. Karsten is purchasing the property housing the NAPA Auto Parts Store at 409 S. Main Street. The TIF funds are approximately 20 percent of the total project and will be used to buy the real estate. City Attorney Roger Seibert said he would have a contract ready within 60 days.
•passed a resolution approving a partial recision of the TIF agreement with Big Cat Motors. The Carlsons, who own Big Cat Motors received $45,000 in TIF Funds to purchase and develop a piece of property attached to the lot where the car dealership is located. Seibert said the Carlsons have indicated that it is not feasible at this time to develop the property. They will return the $25,000 borrowed for development within 60 days or immediately upon sale of the property if that happens sooner.
•approved TIF rebate payments for 2011 taxes, payable in 2012 totaling $86,632 to: Community Link- $13,743, Contempri Industries- $2,661, Graff's Tooling- $439, Perry Point Development- $63,411 and CDAP Revolving Loan Account- $6,648.
•passed a resolution reversing a previously granted waiver combining two lots in the Wildwood Subdivision. The original agreement with Wildwood stated that a home had to be built on each lot that was purchases. The city granted a waiver allowing one home owner to buy two lots and build a home on only one. Splitting the property back into the original two lots allows the owner to sell them separately.
•authorized the City Clerk to open a new checking account for the business sales tax funds. The recent audit found that the funds are being kept in a low-interest account in Springfield. A local account will make the funds more easily accessible and pay a higher interest rate.
•approved the purchase of an Anderson Greenwood Relief valve at a cost of $7,757. The valve is a secondary piece of equipment required by law. Gas comes into the city at a higher pressure level than is used in distributing it. The valve handles the pressure change.
•approved the purchase of a new influent flow meter for the east sewer plant at a cost of $4,100. The old meter was struck by lightning on Sept. 1. Commissioner Stone said he hopes to recoup all or part of the cost of the new valve through insurance.
•approved a donation of $2,500 to the 2012 Duster Thomas Hoops Classic basketball tournament from the hotel/motel tax fund.
•authorized Mayor August Kellerman to sign a letter and documents requesting an extension of the grant to build the Illinois High School Basketball Hall of Fame and Museum. Dave Pirsein, representing the Foundation for Pinckneyville, said fund-raising for the project is still on-going.