Du Quoin Council Plans to End Charity Roadblocks by 2010
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Local organizations that have for years sustained their veterans programs, scholarship programs and community giving will, no doubt, seek review of the city council's tentative decision to cut the number of downtown fundraising roadblocks to six by 2011 and end them entirely by the year 2012.
Council members aired their concerns Monday night that the roadblocks are a disincentive to travel through downtown Du Quoin on Friday and Saturday mornings.
Places like Benton, West Frankfort and Marion have ended them altogether.
In fact, some commissioners said motorists are going out of their way to avoid being tapped for $1, $5 or $10 at the roadblocks, typically set up at the intersections of South Washington and East Main and on the west side of town at the intersection of North Hickory and West Main.
The discussion came up during the first agenda items which included approving roadblocks for the Cancer Society Relay for Life and a Seventh Day Adventist Church roadbock.
The council granted permission to these two, but made a demand that solicitors provide material to donors as to what the roadblock is for. There is also a demand to exclude out-of-town roadblocks and to wear safety vests.
Commissioners said there is definitely an insurance issue.
Mayor John Rednour asked why there were two Poppy Day collections. He was told one weekend is for the American Legion and a seconde for the VFW.
No one doubts the sincerity of the fundraising. There are just too many of them. And, the town has strayed from the handful of core roadblocks that were common over the years.
Commissioners suggested cutting the number to six in 2011 and none by 2012. Applications for the 2011 roadblocks would be filed in the clerk's office on December 1, 2010--like election petitions--and if there are more than six, a lottery would be held to identify the six which will be approved.
In other action, the council approved:
2010-O04-01: An ordinance authorizing the Prevailing Wage Rates for the City of Du Quoin-Final approval
2010-O05-02: An ordinance amending the current floodplain ordinance to include reference to the new Flood Insurance Rate Map to be effective August 5, 2010.
2010-O05-03: An ordinance amending Section 25-3-4 of the City's Code of Ordinances pertaining to lien filing and recording. The law provides that liens against a single property can be accumulated and then filed all at one time.
2010-O05-04: An ordinance amending Chapter 23 Motor Vehicle Code-Schedule "E" No Parking Zones-South Walnut Street. That "no parking" section will now be lifted.
2010-O05-05: An ordinance authorizing a Mutual Aid Box Alarm system agreement
Resolution 2010-R05-01: A resolution authorizing a Revolving Fund loan to use CDAP funds for an infrastructure improvement project.
Approve/award the bid for power supply to the City (per KWH). Direct Energy is currently the low bidder at 4.869 cents per KW hour.
Approve the funds necessary to convert 300 meters to the touch read system.
Approve to rescind the condemnation orders on the property located at 215 North Hickory.
Approve to proceed with the condemnation on the properties located at 417 West Poplar Street and 219 South Mulberry Street.
Approve to fund 50% of the fireworks display at the DQ Fairgrounds for the July 4th celebration.
Approve to amend the Street Dept. budget to include the purchase of 200 traffic control signs, equipment rental, and a laser level system. The new signs will comply with IDOT rules for use of reflective paint on the signs.
Approve the updated roster for Auxiliary Police Officers
No executive session was required.