Pinckneyville City Council takes first look at lighting and clock for downtown
Commissioner Sam Fulk said he and the city's engineers are working on the final details to complete plans for a $350,000 project to install decorative lighting and a clock on the square.
Fulk showed photos of the new 17 x 42- inch Gettysburg light fixtures. They will most likely be installed on 19-foot poles.
The lighting will extend one block in each direction from the square.  There are several options for the light poles, including banner bars and flag sockets.
Fulk said he hopes to change the lighting around McDonalds and City Hall to match. He will speak to McDonalds about it.
The new clock is double-sided and will be installed on the corner across the street from the Perry County Jail. Pinckneyville's clock will have a different base.
Benches and lighting will surround the clock.
Representatives from IDOT said in April that they would be install matching fixtures in the roundabout to built at the intersection of Routes 13 and 154 next summer.
In other business, the council:
• discussed abating a portion of the interest on the Higman building (former TUMS factory). City Attorney Roger Seibert told the council he sent a letter to the building's owner immediately after the last city council meeting. The letter offered to abate half of the interest instead of all of the interest on the loan, as Higman had requested. Seibert has not received a reply. The council concluded that nothing more will be done until Higman responds to their offer. Higman currently owes $60,000 in interest. The interest on the loan was five percent. The last payment made on the property was July 3, 2013.
• approved the purchase of $5,411 in new SCADA software to monitor the city's water and sewer systems. The council approved the purchase of new computers at the previous meeting in anticipation of the software upgrade.
• passed a resolution approving a subordination agreement for A Taste of Fantasy LLC in favor of the Du Quoin State Bank. The city and bank had a previous subordination agreement, but since additional funds will be lent, a new agreement must be approved. A Taste of Fantasy operates the Pinckneyville Dairy Queen. Co-owner Ting Ni said the outdoor remodel will begin July 24. She hopes it will be completed by Labor Day.
• agreed to donate $2,500 to the sixth annual Family Night in the Park which will be held July 25 from 5 to 9 p.m. $1,000 will come from the hotel/motel tax fund and $1,500 from the public affairs fund.
• approved closing intersections at Sullivan and Clinton, Laurel and Sullivan, Clinton and Gordon Streets from 10 a.m. July 19 to 8 a.m. July 20 for the annual St. Bruno parish picnic.