Obama Stimulus $$ to Repave Cole St.
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ The City of Du Quoin will use approximately $201,000 in federal stimulus money to completely repave East Cole Street from North Division Street east all the way to the IOOF Cemetery.
The project would mirror the complete repaving of East Park Street last fall.
Street commissioner Kathy West told the council she hopes the paperwork and engineering can be in place to repave Cole Street by late fall. If not, the work would be done in early 2010.
The federal stimulus package is a multi-billion dollar jump start to the nation's economy and one of the guidelines is for municipal, county and state projects to be "shovel ready."
"There should be enough money to get us a little past (North) Line Street (alongside the IOOF Cemetery," she told the council.
The council will hold a special meeting at 7:30 a.m. Thursday to reconsider downtown street closures for the upcoming Heritage Days Festival May 2 & 3. Complete details of plans so far appear today's Page 4. The council may also consider applicants for the vacancy on the Du Quoin Fire Department created by the retirement of Captain Joe Riggio.
In other action, the council:
Approved a roadblock application submitted by the Local Laborer's 773 for May 2. Commissioner said their research indicates that most cities in Southern Illinois have banned downtown roadblocks altogether. Commissioner Rex Duncan reminded commissioners that most of the 2009 roadblock fundraising schedule has been approved and advised that if the council takes such an action to make it effective January 1, 2010.
Approved the annual Arbor Day Proclamation and City Clerk Blaine Bastien advised the council this is the fifth year the city has received the Growth Award through the Tree USA program.
The council continues to allow amendments to the city's two-year body of work on a new Code of Ordinances. The book had been scheduled for final approval, but City Attorney Aaron Atkins wants one more meeting with Police and Fire Commissioner Linda Fronek and the company producing the book before he signs off on the codification.
Approved Ordinance 2009-O04-01, an ordinance approving the Du Quoin Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Plan and Project.
Approved Ordinance 2009-O04-02, an ordinance designating the Du Quoin Tax Increment Project Area. The ordinance is placed on public display before final approval.
Approved Ordinance 2009-O04-03, an ordinance adopting Tax Increment Financing. The ordinance is placed on public display before final approval.
Approved resolution 2009-R04-01 authorizing the mayor to execute any/all documents related to a CDAP grant for design engineering on the Old Du Quoin water system upgrade. The project is not part of the President Obama stimulus initiative. Instead, funding would be through an Illinois community development grant. The city reached agreement last year to merge the Old Du Quoin system into the city's own system.
The council heard an update on the "Operation bootstrap" entrepreneurship program. Program director Robin Laur Russell extended her appreciation to the city for its cooperation. She said the Du Quoin portion of the program begins on Tuesday. Fifty participants will go through five weeks of training and between 10 and 15 of the program graduates will receive $3,500 grants to help launch their own business initiatives. She added that local tutorial business classes will also be held through Man-tra-con free of charge on business concepts, cash flow and financial management.
The council continued its discussions on Neighborhood Utility Vehicles. Apparently three permits have been put on hold because of conflicts in the ordinance. The police department and city attorney will meet to reconcile any conflicts in the ordinance.
The council voted to to enter into an agreement with Direct Energy to supply electricity for the City of Du Quoin and authorized the mayor and/or city clerk to execute any/all necessary documents. The agreement should save the city upwards of $10,000 to $15,000 a year.
Approved a resolution to rescind the condemnation order on the property located at 516 N. Pope Street
Approved a resolution to rescind the condemnation order on the property located at 401 S. Walnut Street.
Approved the addendum to the current laborer's contract that would increase the payroll pension withholdings from $28.40 to $30.80 at no cost to the city to be effective April 16th, 2009
Nominated and appointed public works director Dale Spencer to serve as liaison between the administration and the park board.
Accepted the resignation of longtime park board member Linda Murphy with deep regret. Mayor John Rednour and council members individually expressed their profound appreciation for her commitment to improving the quality of Du Quoin's recreational facilities during her tenure on the board. Commissioner Rex Duncan: "Her commitment and dedication have been outstanding."
Approved the hiring of parttime police dispatcher Elise Brandenburg. Attorney Atkins said advertising for the position was not required, but would have been better public policy and advised all departments to advertise for these positions in the future.
Reappointed Lowell (Randy) Smith to the Fire Pension Board for a three-year term.
Approved $11,972 in funds necessary to modify four lift station level sensing controls.
Commissioner West congratulated Linda Fronek on her re-election and extended her sympathy to members of the Robert Armstrong family on the recent death of wife Mary Armstrong.