Members of the Benld City Council on Monday night accepted of bid of $18,480 from Ranger Excavating for preliminary work on developing the former site of the Benld Elementary School as a sports park and outdoor recreation area. The preliminary work includes demolishing and excavating existing softball field fencing, demolition and excavation of dugouts, and removal of concrete associated with existing basketball courts and former parking/traffic areas.
In cooperation with the Benld Sports Association, the city plans to develop the 11-acre site as a sports and outdoor recreation park. Community Unit School District 7 transferred the deed to the city after a mine subsidence event destroyed the seven-year-old Benld Elementary School. With the city acting as the sponsoring agency, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources awarded a $600,000 Open Spaces and Land Acquisition Once the park is developed, maintenance and operations will be turned over to the Sports Association.
HEALTH INSURANCE RENEWAL
The council also unanimously to renew a policy with Blue Cross-Blue Shield to provide health care coverage for city employees. The city’s share of providing health care coverage for employees will increase from $2,324.58 to $2,527.53.
NUISANCE PROPERTIES
Following a 30-minute executive session with City Attorney Rick Verticchio, the council voted to declare as public nuisances the following properties: 503 South Hardwood, 407 South Illinois Street, 300 South Second Street, 500 North Seventh Street and 200 East Central Avenue.
Verticchio reported that the owners of the former lumber yard property on Central Avenue are getting bids on replacing the building’s roof. Once they accept a bid and show evidence of having paid a deposit, Verticchio said he would ask the court for a continuation instead of pressing for possession of the property.
“We don’t really want that building,” Verticchio said.
Verticchio also said he expects to finalize a purchase agreement with Chuck Price to finalize the transfer of 301 East Central Avenue in two to three weeks. The council approved Price’s bid of $5,000 to acquire the parcel last month. The agreement reportedly will allow Price to make contractual payments toward the purchase price with a provision to relinquish the parcel if he fails to erect a permanent structure. Price reportedly plans to initially locate his niece’s coffee truck on the property, with plans to later establish a BBQ business
In a somewhat related matter, the council unanimously rejected a bid of $1,000 to purchase city-owned property at 408 South Main Street. No bids were received for the purchase of city-owned property at 206 North Main Street.
ANIMAL CONTROL RESOLUTION
On the recommendation of the City Attorney, the council approved a resolution that adopts the county’s recently revised animal control ordinance in order to retain access to the services of the Macoupin County Animal Control Department. The County Board adopted a more stringent animal control ordinance in April. Communities wishing to retain a relationship with the County Animal Control Department are required to adopt the county’s ordinance as their own.
According to the resolution, terms of the animal control ordinance will be enforced by the Gillespie Police Department, which provides police protection services to the city. The resolution further affirms the city’s intention to enforce the ordinance and levy fines and reaffirms the city’s position as a municipal partner of the Macoupin County Animal Control Department.
The resolution specifically cites provisions related to dogs running at large and acknowledges that if “for any reason, the (Gillespie) Police Department determines that a dog running at large is a danger to law enforcement officers that Animal Control personnel of Macoupin County can be contacted.”
LIBRARY BOARD APPOINTMENTS
On a motion by Ald. John Balzraine, seconded by Jerry Saracco, the council confirmed the appointments of Vicki Laughlin, Dona Hubert and Stacy Jarman to three-year terms on the city library board of trustees.
In a related matter, the council granted permission for the library to use the city park for a Trunk or Treat event on Oct. 29.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Approved a routine annual ordinance requiring contractors doing work for the city to pay their employees prevailing wages as determined by the Department of Labor.
- Set Oct. 14 as the date for a city-wide clean-up event. Residents will be able to leave refuse on the curb for pick-up. Limitations on the amount of refuse and the materials that will be picked up will be imposed.