City tables zoning ordinance, discusses American Thresherman Association contract, new building
Following a zoning hearing continued from June 9, Mayor August Kellerman tabled discussion and action on the ordinance until the July 28 meeting.
City Attorney Roger Seibert said that the ordinance will have to be amended to provide for a seven-person zoning board of appeals.
Bob Brand also asked the council to change the section that deals with rebuilding non-conforming structures. Brand said the ordinance, as written, would result in a number of vacant lots in the city if a major disaster ever struck. As written, homes destroyed by fire or a tornado could not be rebuilt within the original footprint if it did not conform to setbacks and other standards.
Seibert said an exception could be added for any disaster which destroyed two or more homes, allowing rebuilding within the confines of the regular building.
Zoning Commission member Mike Kovic said the ordinance will need to be updated frequently. However, he feels it is a better fit for the city than the county's zoning ordinance which is currently the legal standard.
In other business, the council:
• discussed the placement of a mill inside the center ring at the fairgrounds by the American Thresherman Association (ATA). Commissioner David Stone said the intended site is in the northwest part of the park near a grove of trees. The mill is 16 x 20 feet and 15 feet high at the peak. Commissioner Sam Fulk will go look at the site to offer a second opinion. The council will also research whether or not new structures are allowed per the grant agreement that allowed the city to build the walking track.
• accepted a check from the ATA for five percent of their gate from the previous year as is stipulated in their lease. ATA members Josh Giacomo and Gaylen Greer asked the council to consider revising the lease. Greer said he would like to see the language updated. Giacomo said he wants the city to think about how much work the ATA does in the park and what would work best for the two entities. He said there are several trees that need to come down. That would cost more than the $2,931 in gate receipts. Normally, the city gives the ATA $2,500 for advertising each year. The ATA and the council should meet with the park manager and the fair board before making any decisions. The city, ATA and fair board used to each provide $5,000 for the local share of a maintenance grant. However, the grant is not as lucrative these days.
• passed a resolution allowing for the removal of unsafe structures at 801 Wilson St. and 406 E. Clinton Street. The city will pay for the demolition then place a lien on the property to recoup their money.
• heard from Commissioner Sam Fulk that Richard Pyatt met with the Cemetery Board of Managers and agreed to research which plots are available in the city cemetery. He will create a map, allowing the city to sell the available plots.
• approved payment of the annual NPDES permit fees for the sewer plants. STP #1 will cost $7,500 and STP #2 will cost $5,000.
• passed a resolution declaring a 1987 dump truck, a chipper and five semi storage containers as surplus property. Fulk said he will sell the equipment.
• passed a resolution allowing a collection agency to collect payment on overdue fines for the city. City Attorney Roger Seibert said the city is owned approximately $1,000, mostly from tickets issued in the 1990s.
• passed a resolution allowing Mayor Kellerman execute an agreement with the Southern Illinois Electricity Aggregation Consortium.
• heard that bids on the soccer park will be opened at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23. The council will award the bid at the July 28 meeting.
• approved a request by the Pinckneyville Fireman's Association to collect funds at the four-way stop and square on Saturday, Aug. 16 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The funds will go to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
• approved a request by the KC Hall to collect funds at the four-way stop and square on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Two-thirds of the funds go to the Dist. 50 special education program and one-third to Southern Illinois Special Olympics.
• passed a resolution approving the annual Pinckneyville Community High School Homecoming Parade on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 2:30 p.m.