Pinckneyville resident questions commissioner's electronic attendance
Doris Beaty called for Commissioner Sam Fulk to resign his position due to chronic absenteeism, allowing someone else to be appointed.
She questioned the Pinckneyville City Council on why none of the other commissioners objects to Commissioner Sam Fulk attending meetings via phone.
"I thought when you were elected, you had a responsibility to have a physical presence at the council meetings," Beaty said.
She also questioned how the department he supervises runs without his physical presence, stating that conference calls are not a substitute for hands-on management.
Fulk explained that Illinois state law allows for electronic attendance by council members. The law requires that three members be present to conduct the meeting.
"Five members are present-- four in person and one by phone," Fulk said. "Not because we have to be, but because we want to be."
Fulk added that he believes the law allowing electronic attendance was passed so as not to discriminate against the employed. Without that option, many people would not be able to serve until they are retired.
Beaty asked Fulk well the city would operate if all of the commissioners decided to stay home and wear comfy clothes, participating only by phone.
"Body language and eye contact are important," Beaty said.
In other business, the council:
• unanimously agreed to begin demolition proceedings on abandoned properties in the city, following the recommendation of City Attorney Roger Seibert. Mayor August Kellerman said the cost of demolishing a home would be between $2,000 and $4,000 each. The city would place liens on the abandoned property to recoup their costs. The Mayor said there is a lot of work to be done on Laurel Street.
• authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to sign documents for an airport agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation Division of Aeronautics for runway improvements to include adding a new porous layer, re-striping and sealing. There is no cost to the city. Airport Board members Kevin Kuhnert and Stephen Moss said that the Pinckneyville-Du Quoin Airport is able to afford their five percent share of the project due to income from hangar rentals and land leases that were put in place several years ago. The state will pay five percent of the cost and the remainder will come from $150,000 in federal funds set aside for the airport each year.
• passed a resolution appropriating $131,000 in motor fuel tax funds for the 2014 maintenance program and authorized the advertisement of bids.
• approved the purchase of two 55 gallon drums of Excalibur mosquito spray from Mug A Bug at a total cost of $5,208.
• passed an ordinance enacting and adopting a supplement to the Code of Ordinances for the city. Each year the council approves the resolution to allow the previous year's ordinances to be incorporated.
• agreed to allow the Pinckneyville Fireman's Association to hold their annual Good Friday fish fry at the KC Hall on April 18.
• extended the contract with Jim Boyd for maintenance at the City Park, ball diamonds and soccer park for another year. Boyd will be paid $16,000.
• granted permission for the Optimist Cub to collect funds on Saturday, May 24 from 7 to 11 a.m. at the four way stop and locations around the square.