Pinckneyville to reinstate leaf collection

The City Council placed on file for public inspection an ordinance establishing a municipal service for disposing of vegetative matter. Anyone who would like the city to pick up their leaves/debris may submit a written request at City Hall and pay a $20 deposit.

Tree trimmings should not exceed three inches in diameter. The debris should be raked into piles no further than five feet from the right-of-way of any street for collection.

Cost is $20 for up to a half truck load (2.5 cubic yards) and $45 for a full truck load (5 cubic yards). Additional charges beyond the deposit shall be billed to the customer for payment within 30 days.

The ordinance prohibits burning vegetative refuse on city property. The fine for violation is $100 to $500.

In other business, the council:

• awarded the contract for the cemetery drainage project to Haier Plumbing and Heating for the low bid of $100,715.

• passed an ordinance authorizing the settlement of local ordinance violations at City Hall, as placed on file at the previous meeting. Those cited for ordinance violations in Pinckneyville will have the option of paying their fines directly to the city at the Police Station. Anyone who would prefer to pay through the court may still do so. Moving violations citations will still have to be paid through Perry County Circuit Court.

• agreed to work with Circuit Clerk Kim Kellerman and county employee Beth Cassity on the 'Chris Harvey Owns the Night' 5K run/walk planned for Oct. 11. Deputy Harvey is battling a brain tumor. Kellerman and Cassity said they are still working out the details, but plan to begin the race at 7 p.m. on Oct. 11. Since it is a night race, there will be a lot of glow-in-the-dark items used. Cassity said organizers will put reflective tape on the back of each participant. Commissioner Sam Fulk recommended adjusting the route so participants don't have to cross the state highway. If the race crosses the highway, a state permit is needed. The council offered the use of City Hall for registration and/or a starting point. The council also told Cassity she could drive Deputy Chris Harvey in her ATV that evening. Kellerman was given permission to mark the route with landscaping paint. Anyone interested in participating can send their entry fee to Kim Kellerman P.O. Box 219 Pinckneyville, IL 62274. Prior to Oct. 11 the fee for runners is $20 and the fee for walkers is $15. On Oct. 11 the fee for runners will be $25 and the fee for walkers will be $20. Make checks payable to the Chris Harvey Benefit Fund memo- 5K run. In case of rain, the event will be moved to Pinckneyville Community High School.

• authorized payment of $25,000 from Business District Funds to Stuart Wright of Wright's Inc. Wright supplied invoices for the recent remodeling done to the building. In order to receive reimbursement through the facade grant program, Wright must supply a cancelled check. The facade grant reimburses up to $10,000.

• granted permission for First Baptist Church to distribute free ice cream coupons at locations around the square and four-way stop from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sept. 24.