City officials have received numerous calls about ATVs and golf carts on streets. | File photo
City officials have received numerous calls about ATVs and golf carts on streets. | File photo
The Mt. Pulaski City Council met July 12 to discuss concerns about all-terrain vehicles and golf carts being driven on city streets.
"The Mt. Pulaski City Council meets on the second and the fourth Tuesday of each month. The first meeting of the month is the regular voting session. The City Council will vote on items that have been previously discussed and also review and approve the City's Account Payable ledger."
Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the city:
City of Mt. Pulaski - City Council Meeting VOTING SESSION Tuesday, July 12, 2016 6:30 PM
Call to Order
Roll Call-City Clerk
Pledge of Allegiance
Recognition of Guests
Minutes
Claims and Accounts
Public Comments—Agenda Items Only:
Reports by Officers:
• Police Chief Lynn Freer: o Public Works Dir. Matt Presswood:
• City Treasurer Jim Sutton:
Old Business:
New Business: Discuss new bar request
Other Business:
PUblic Comments — Non Agenda Items:
Executive Session: Final plans & vote on demolition of 313 Buckles Drive
Adjourn
Mt. Pulaski City Council Meeting Tuesday, July 12, 2016 6:30pm
Present: Mayor James Fuhrer, Alderman Bobell, Maxheimer, Neaville and Utterback, City Treasurer Jim Sutton, City Attorney Tom Van Hook, and Public Works Director Matt Presswood.
Absent: Alderman Howe
Recognition of Guests: Rich & Marilyn Edwards, Helen Fine, Sean McCormick
The City Council meeting was called to order, Mayor Jim Fuhrer presided. Mayor Fuhrer led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The minutes from the previous meeting stand as presented.
Claims & Accounts: After a reading of the current bills, a motion was made by Alderman Neaville and seconded by Alderman Utterback to approve the bills as presented. All voting yea- the motion carried.
Public Comments – Agenda Items Only:
Reports by Officers:
• Police Chief Lynn Freer: Stated there are several weed and grass Ordinance violations that are being worked on.
• Public Works Director, Matt Presswood: Stated the crew has been working on street and alley repairs and trimming trees back. The sidewalk project at the Grade School is going to begin this week. The hope for this project is to be completed in one (1) week.
• City Treasurer, Jim Sutton: The deposits to date are $39,306.72
Old Business:
New Business: Mayor Fuhrer stated as the liquor commissioner it is his decision to grant a liquor license. A mass e-mail that was sent out and we did get some responds. Mayor Fuhrer asked the council what their thoughts were on a new bar. Alderman Neaville stated that there is a liquor license available. Any place a new bar is located citizens will have concerns. Alderman Knauer stated he has received a lot of complaints. Alderman Maxheimer is opposed to the area and has concerns about the children down at the dairy bar. Alderman Utterback is opposed to it. Alderman Bobell stated the Dairy Bar is not open year round. He is here for the public and has had a lot of public opinion on this and is opposed to the new bar. Mayor Fuhrer and Lynn have talked and there is a safety concern everywhere. Mayor Fuhrer stated he is going to grant Mr. Lucky the liquor license. An article will be put in the paper explaining why. It is Mr. Lucky’s business and he has the right to put what he wants there as long as he abides by the City Ordinances.
Other Business: Alderman Utterback stated he has had a lot of calls for the ATV and golf carts and it makes no difference to him on whether they are allowed in town. Mayor Fuhrer, Lynn, Alderman Maxheimer, Neaville and Bobell are against allowing these types of vehicles in town. Lynn stated that
kind of driving style these vehicles are made for is not for road use and people are not used to seeing them. There are a lot of hazards with these types of vehicles on the streets of Mt. Pulaski. Lynn feels we will have a lot of problems with them.
Mayor Fuhrer stated an invitation was extended from Iliopolis for a meeting next Wednesday if any Alderman could attend with him. Illiopolis is doing a co-op and is reaching out to other communities to see if they are interested in joining.
Public Comments – Non Agenda Items: Rich and Marilyn Edwards stated they are strongly against a new bar in the building next to the Dairy Bar. Is the City going to allow a new bar run another business out of business like his business? There is a huge safety concern with the children if a bar is opened there. The value of the homes in that surrounding area will decline. Rich asked if it is legal according to the statues to allow a bar in that location. Tom Van Hook stated it is a business in a business district so it is legal.
Helen Fine stated a safety concern for the children and does not think this is a place where a bar should be located.
Sean McCormick stated the businesses in Decatur have declined since the openings of these gaming parlors. He has seen the decline in Decatur and fears it will not help our community.
Executive Session: A motion was made by Alderman Neaville and seconded by Alderman Bobell to exit regular session and enter into executive session for 30 minutes for. All voting yea – the motion carried.
A motion was made by Alderman Neaville and seconded by Alderman Utterback to exit executive session and enter back into regular session. All voting yea- the motion carried.
After a discussion a motion was made by Alderman Knauer and seconded by Alderman Utterback to accept the lowest bid for the demolition of 313 Buckles Drive. All voting yea - the motion carried.
With no further business to discuss, a motion was made by Alderman Bobell and seconded by Alderman Neaville to adjourn the meeting. All voting yea –the motion carried.
Kelly Cowan- City Clerk
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