Pinckneyville council tackles array of items
Pinckneyville council tackles array of items
By Beth Bolling
Contributing Writer
The state of Illinois still owes the city of Pinckneyville nearly $1 million, Treasurer Rick Reese told the city council this week, although partial payments are expected by the close of the fiscal year today, June 30.
Reese told council members at their meeting Monday that the faltering state still owes the city $901,675.06, but that the city has been told that it would receive two checks from the state totaling about $200,000 this week.
In other news from the June 26 meeting:
The city's businesses are taking advantage of business district funds. LMH Rentals LLC requested and received approval for up to $10,000 from the city. The business plans to use the money to prepare part of the building at 16 S. Walnut St. for Angel Care Center, a physician office to open at that location.
Continuing with that theme, another ordinance will provide Ashby and Smith with business district funds up to $25,000; and yet another will provide up to $10,000 for facade improvement on the building located at 515 W. Water St.
Business district funds are derived from a tax the city places on businesses within a district, funds from which may be used to pay for larger improvement projects in the area.
The council approved a request from Leigh Blackorby, owner of the Twisted Vine, to close Jackson Street beside her business from the Square to Walnut Street on Friday and Saturday nights on an as-needed basis. She will supply the road barriers. The city will revisit the request at the end of September. It was also approved to close St. Louis Street between Mill and Front streets July 8 for an auction selling contents of a house.
Commissioner Sammy Peradotta requested to have a resolution placed on file approving and authorizing a contract with Samron Midwest Contracting in the amount of $81,964 for sidewalk improvements along the road beside Murphy Wall Bank, along Water Street, north on Main Street and then east on Jackson Street. The measure was approved.
The council agreed to enter into a lease with the Jackson Perry Child Advocacy Center for the property located at 5512 State Route 154 east of Pinckneyville. The standing arrangement allows the center to use the property in exchange for maintenance and payment of utilities and insurance.
The council approved Commissioner David Stone's request to have Midwest Underground clean the grit chamber at Sewage Treatment Plant No. 1 at a cost of $4,960. The council also approved Stone's request to hire Daron Chandler as a part-time worker in utilities.
The council approved a resolution that allows the city to enter into an agreement with PDC Laboratories to do chemical testing of the city's drinking water quality.
A few months back, the council approved $5,000 to be used for rock at the fairgrounds in various places. However, the American Thresherman Association paid for the rock. Therefore, Stone requested that the money be used for painting the pavilions, sheds, concession stands and archway at the park. The city has received a bid of $3,800 to do the painting. Since the money had already been designated for use in the park, the request was approved.
A resolution authorizing the notice of a sale of municipally owned property at 407 S. Main St. was approved. Bids will be publicly opened and read at the Aug. 14 meeting.
The council approved an ordinance allowing Patton/Eagle Limited Partnership to receive $8,000 in financial assistance from the city for clean-up. This clean-up was necessary after a sewer line caused damage to their property.