Pittsfield City Council met May 16.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Pittsfield, Pike County, Illinois, was held on Tuesday, May 16, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was held at the City Council room at 215 North Monroe Street. The following officers were present: Mayor John Hayden, City Clerk Cindy Prentice, and Aldermen Kevin Ketchum, Ed Knight, Paul Lennon, Robert Ritchart, Bill Scheiwe, Robert Wilson, and Robert Wood.
Absent: Alderman Kevin Wombles.
Mayor Hayden presided.
Alderman Ketchum moved to approve the minutes of the last regular Council meeting.
Alderman Knight seconded the motion.
Roll Call:Yea:Knight, Lennon, Ritchart,
Scheiwe, Wilson, Wood (6)
Nay:None (0)
Present:Ketchum (1)
The motion carried.
Alderman Ketchum moved to approve the Treasurer’s Monthly and Annual Reports.
Alderman Wood seconded the motion.
Roll Call:Yea:Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart,
Scheiwe, Wilson, Wood (7)
Nay:None (0)
The motion carried.
Mr. Stewart from Hog Daddy BBQ told the Council he would like to host a block party one Sunday afternoon per month this summer (June through September) from the alley near the Mike’s Tavern building to International Eyecare. They would keep the alley clear for emergency traffic. The time would be 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. They would like to have a band, vendors, and a ride-in bike show. He has also talked with Tim Halpin with NAPA about having a car show on his lot and he said it’s okay. Farmers State Bank said as long as they don’t block the drive thru and keep the area clean, they are okay with the block party. They thought maybe the Moose might want to join in as well. They would like to sell alcohol but would need to get a Special Event License from the City so they could obtain one from the State. The State license cost $150 for one day and goes up increments for additional days. The barbeque restaurant is the only business in that half of the block that is open on Sundays so no other businesses would be affected. The owners are versed on procedures for large events. If alcohol is served, the area will be highly policed and would be from beer wagons. There would be no glass bottles. They were thinking the fourth Sunday of each month throughout the summer. Mayor Hayden said an existing liquor license holder cannot obtain a special event license from the City. There is also a limit of three special event licenses in one year and there must be at least 30 days between each event. The license cost $50 per day. Alcohol purchased from the restaurant could only be consumed inside or on the sidewalk (the restaurant premises) and not in the street. Someone who is not currently a liquor license holder would have to apply and be responsible for the Special Event License. They were hoping to go in with a charity to make the event bigger. Chief of Police Yelliott stated he does not want pedestrians and vehicles in the same area. He would suggest the entire half block be closed. Mayor Hayden suggested Hog Daddy BBQ do further research, decide who will request the Special Event License, and return to the Council with more detailed information such as a date, time, and who will be applying for the license.
Alderman Wood moved to authorize Street & Alley Foreman Jeff Griggs and Chief of Police Kenny Yelliott to discuss wordage on truck signage from the alley next to Niemann Foods’ Haymaker’s store on and off Adams Street and order the signs to be placed there soon.
Alderman Wilson seconded the motion.
Roll Call:Yea:Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart,
Scheiwe, Wilson, Wood (7)
Nay:None (0)
The motion carried.
Alderman Ritchart moved to approve hiring Peyton Jones, Jonathon Rumple and Wessley Davis as summer help.
Alderman Ketchum seconded the motion.
Roll Call:Yea:Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart,
Scheiwe, Wilson, Wood (7)
Nay:None (0)
The motion carried.
Alderman Ritchart moved to approve the Finance Committee Report and the Clerk be directed to issue the claims thereon.
Alderman Ketchum seconded the motion.
Roll Call:Yea:Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart,
Scheiwe, Wilson, Wood (7)
Nay:None (0)
The motion carried.
City Clerk Prentice explained changes in the delinquent turn off policy. Any bills must be paid by
4:30 p.m. on the last business day of the month and turn offs will begin at 8:30 a.m. the first business day of the month so the Gas and Water Department can get started on the turn-offs earlier in the day.
Paperwork has been sent to Illinois Department of Transportation for the 260th Avenue project and IDOT has said the process will be expedited. The project will be paid out of Motor Fuel Tax funds.
Adams Net has given written notice they will be cancelling their tower lease and will have their property removed from the tower by August 31, 2017.
The process to begin the project on the three taxiways at the airport has begun. The total project cost is $445,000.00 and the City’s share is approximately $11,000.00.
Mayor Hayden said he has concerns about both the Higbee property and the Irving building. The property owners need to be given notice and be forced to do something. He has concerns the Irving building will continue falling. City Attorney Mike Hollahan said the City could get a court order stating the owner must tear it down. Attorney Hollahan will talk to Zoning and Building Administrator Tom Reinhardt and send a letter to the owner of the property. Mayor Hayden said he will be talking to Charlie Dolbeare regarding the Higbee property within the next day or two. The City may have to call the Attorney General’s office and just tell them to proceed.
Chief of Police Kenny Yelliott said they have issued 74 ordinance violations in 2016 and have issued 30 so far in 2017. The majority are for grass and litter.
Alderman Wood moved to go into closed session at 7:33 p.m. to discuss sale of property and personnel.
Alderman Ketchum seconded the motion.
Roll Call:Yea:Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart,
Scheiwe, Wilson, Wood (7)
Nay:None (0)
The motion carried.
Alderman Wood moved to go back into open session at 7:57 p.m.
Alderman Ketchum seconded the motion.
Roll Call:Yea:Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart,
Scheiwe, Wilson, Wood (7)
Nay:None (0)
The motion carried.
Alderman Ketchum moved to accept the proposal from Todd Smith to purchase the 10-acre property near the work camp for $25,000.00 to build storage units, with the stipulation that he builds the units within one year and if he does not, the City has the right to purchase the property back for $25,000.00.
Alderman Knight seconded the motion.
Roll Call:Yea:Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart,
Scheiwe, Wilson, Wood (7)
Nay:None (0)
The motion carried.
Alderman Ritchart moved to hire Brian Johnson and Silas Greening as police officers at mutually agreeable dates, subject to the signing of a reimbursement contract and completing pre-hire requirements.
Alderman Lennon seconded the motion.
Roll Call:Yea:Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart,
Scheiwe, Wilson, Wood (7)
Nay:None (0)
The motion carried.
Alderman Knight moved to adjourn this meeting at 8:02 p.m.
http://www.christiancountyil.com/2017minutes/AFP06152017.pdf
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