Pinckneyville Votes $20,000 in TIF Funds for 204; Inks Police Contract Reopener
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Pinckneyville City Council agreed to give 204 School $19,942 in TIF funds to create additional parking at the school.
Dennis Ginn, Brian Kellerman and new interim Superintendent Brent Kreid asked the city for a total of $110,696 for upgrades. The total cost was broken down into $90,754 for blacktop and $19,942 for a new rock parking area.
Ginn said he had estimates from E.T. Simonds for the blacktop work and from Larry Loos for the rock. The purpose of the upgrades was to make room so cars do not have to park on the highway during school events.
Ginn said that during ballgames, graduation and other crowded events, there is not enough room for parking.
"You can't see to get out," Ginn said. " You really have to get out into the lane."
In other business, the council:
approved an amendment setting the raises of $1 per hour for the first year and $.50 per hour for the second year for the final two years of the current FOP contract. The contract expires April 30, 2013.
voted three to two to extend the Perry-Jackson Child Advocacy Center's lease at 5512 State Route 154 for another year. The Child Advocacy Center does not pay rent on the house, but pays all utilities and maintenance. Commissioners Leonard Heisner and Kevin Hicks opposed the lease extension.
agreed to give the Chamber of Commerce $2,500 for advertising for Mardi Gras from the hotel/motel tax fund.
agreed to purchase $4,140 in CA6 rock for the Utility Department touse on various projects. Beelman's agreed to sell the rock at the motor fuel tax price of $8.28 per ton.
agreed to pay Brand Electric $1,850 to install switches at the southernmost baseball diamond to allow lighting to be switched easily from ballpark lights to campsite lights. The American Thresherman Association will help with the cost.
authorized Mayor Augie Kellerman to spend $900 to have debris on city property on Mildred Drive near the wetland burned. Kellerman said Larry Loos would do the job after he has received approval from the EPA.
approved street closings on South Walnut Street from Mulberry to West St. Louis Ave. and on West St. Louis Ave. to Perry Street for the "Spread the Love for our Fallen Heroes" fund-raising event. Proceeds from the cut-a-thon and street dance will go to build a first responders memorial on the square in Pinckneyville. The event is sponsored by Shear Attitude Salon in Pinckneyville and Matrix.
told Rita Schwebel that the city would inspect the property at 101 East Hawkins Street to determine if it is unsafe and notify the owner, Clinton Keene, that the property must be maintained. Schwebel said that no work has been done on the home under construction for four years. The owner has left the area.
discussed changing energy providers. The city is in the process of soliciting proposals from companies. City Attorney Roger Seibert said Pinckneyville could save $10,000 or more per year by changing providers.
accepted the resignation of Mary Kopshever from the Library Board and reappointed Connie Mathis and appointed Ann Rigdon to the Library Board for three year terms. The council discussed appointing Mayor Kellerman's wife, Connie, to the board, but opted to get input from the Library Board before doing so.
approved closing Ballpark Road August 17 - 21 for the Thresherman Show and to permit the annual Thresherman's parade along the same route as the Mardi Gras parade on Aug. 18.