Chamber Asks City to Renew Perry County Enterprise Zone for Another 10 Years
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Mayor Augie Kellerman agreed to pursue renewing the Perry County Enterprise Zone for another 10 years.
Pinckneyville is one of four municipalities in the Enterprise Zone. The other three are Perry County, Du Quoin and St. Johns.
Peggy Sims, representing the Pinckneyville Chamber of Commerce, said that Perry County Economic Development Coordinator Jeff Ashauer provided figures showing 250 certificates and 5,000 exemptions have been issued over the life of the enterprise zone. Sims said about half of those were in Pinckneyville.
The most popular benefit of the enterprise zone is an abatement of sales tax on building materials.
Some surrounding communities honor the enterprise zone tax abatement and some don't.
The council agreed to pursue the issue since the city is not losing sales tax on building materials and residents of the city benefit from it.
Sims said the Chamber's main interest in the enterprise zone was as a benefit for the Illinois Rural Heritage Museum and High School Basketball Hall of Fame Museum and as an enticement for new businesses.
In other business, the council:
heard from Commissioner Kevin Hicks that anyone who had property damage from flooding may call the Pinckneyville Police Department and leave their name and address for FEMA. Residents, businesses and municipalities in Perry County are eligible for reimbursement of up to 75 percent of the damages. FEMA will collect the names and addresses from the Police Department in a few days.
approved the necessary documents to sell the city-owned building at 111 South Walnut Street. Sealed bids on the property must be turned in to the City Clerk's office by 4 p.m. on Monday, July 25. The bids will be opened at 7:30 p.m. on July 25. The building has been appraised. The city cannot sell the building for less than 80 percent of the appraised value.
placed on file for public inspection contracts for the low bidders for motor fuel tax materials. The low bidders were: Illini Asphalt for 15,000 gallons of Bituminous materials (furnished and applied) at $2.3750 for a total of $36,625 and 750 ton of Seal Coat Aggregate CA-16 (furnished, rolled and spread) at $29.950 for a total 19,462; Beelman Logistics LLC for 1,000 ton of Surface Material CA-6 at $8.28 for a total of $8,280; Barr Trucking Inc. for 75 ton of Emulsified Patch Mix CA-16 at $59.5 for a total of $4,462 and 100 ton of BAM Patch Mix CA-10 at $47.8 for a total of $4,780 and Beelman Ready Mix for 100 CY YD of Furnish Class SI Concrete at $75 for a total of $7,500.
approved payment of up to $15,000 for the city's share of the work done on South Grant Street and South East Street. So far, a bill for $10,324 has been received. The additional funds will be spent only if more invoices arrive.
awarded the mowing contract for Fairground, Blue Bunting and Kiwi Roads to Complete Lawn Care of Oakdale. The first year of the contract has been pro-rated to $5,700. The second year will cost $7,700.
placed on file for public inspection approval to purchase new/used equipment and vehicle for the Police Department. Commissioner Hicks said he did not have any prices yet.
approved the purchase of $17,755 in materials from HD Supply for the West Lake Road water line upgrade. The upgrade is mandatory.
authorized Mayor Kellerman to hire a part-time employee to assist Economic Development Coordinator Carrie Gilliam. Gilliam will be taking maternity leave soon. The part-time employee will be paid $9 per hour and will work two to three days a week.
placed on file for public inspection an ordinance prohibiting the riding of bicycles on sidewalks. Commissioner Sam Fulk said the purpose of the ordinance is to protect the city from liability in case of accidents.
accepted the resignation of Mary Roe format he Library Board at the end of her term, which expires in July.