Community News
Gillespie Council approves zoning change for solar power field
Members of the Gillespie City Council on Tuesday night voted 7-1 to approve a zoning change to accommodate a proposed solar field project on the east side of the city. The 45-acre project site, located off Washer Road, technically is outside the corporate limits but falls within a 1.5-mile buffer zone subject to city zoning.
The regular monthly meeting was switched from Monday to Tuesday because of the Columbus Day holiday.
Acting upon the recommendation of the Zoning Board, the council approved an ordinance changing the property’s designation from “open spaces” to “conditional use.” The conditional use designation allows the city to approve projects on a case-by-case basis, as opposed to “permitted use,” which would allow any entity to develop a project on the project as long as they had a proper permit. Conditional use requires a hearing before the Zoning Board during which the applicant must present evidence regarding the nature of the project and how the project will benefit the community. That hearing was held before the Zoning Board two weeks ago, after which the board voted unanimously to recommend reclassifying the property.
Jim Griffin, representing Cypress Creek Renewables, told the council Monday night that the proposed solar field will generate electricity that will go onto the Ameren power grid. Local residents can become subscribers, which will save them an estimated 10 percent on their monthly power bills.
“It will bring significant economic benefits,” Griffin said, “and it will bring additional tax dollars for local taxing bodies.”
The project is part of the state’s solar energy initiative authorized by the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which became law two years ago. The legislation sets a target of meeting 50 percent of the state’s energy needs with renewable energy sources by 2040, and establishes a 10-year ramp-up to build a network of community solar projects capable of generating five megawatts each.
Having cleared the zoning hurdle, the proposed project will need state approval before construction begins.
Letitia Lew, a Cypress Creek engineer overseeing the project, said the proposed project site is located on the south side of Washer Road on the east side of the city. The estimated $10 million project will generate enough electricity for about 1,100 homes.
Previously released information indicates Cypress Creek plans to spend about $4 million locally during construction and provide about 21 prevailing wage jobs. When the system is up and running, Cypress Creek estimates it will contribute $40,000 a year to the local economy.
The expected lifespan of the project is 40 years, after which the developers are obligated to remove solar panels and infrastructure—essentially returning the site to it’s original condition.
The council accepted the Zoning Board’s recommendation on a motion by Ald. Bob Fritz, seconded by Ald. Bill Hayes. Ald. Wendy Rolando cast the sole negative vote. Rolando offered no reason for her vote but hers was one of two votes cast against the project in
June when Cypress Creek first approached the city for a hearing before the Zoning Board.
CATS, CATS, CATS
Ald. Rolando pledged to reach out to 4 Paws 4 Rescue, a St. Louis-based no-kill animal shelter, after three residents complained to the council about a proliferation of feral cats in their neighborhood. Bonnie Robinson, a resident of the neighborhood located two blocks east of Macoupin Street on Maple Street, said 15 to 20 cats were left behind at a house in the neighborhood when the tenants moved away. She said she has since heard that another family plans to move into the area with another 15 or more cats.
Robinson said the cats have not been neutered or vaccinated, pose a health hazard and are reproducing.
“No one is taking care of them,” said Tina Whitfield, another neighbor. “The whole neighborhood smells of cat poop.” Young children, she said, cannot play in sandboxes outside because of the cat waste.
Mayor John Hicks said feral cats are a problem in other parts of the city as well. “I can sympathize with your problem,” he said, adding that some people exacerbate the issue by regularly feeding strays. He said he once proposed trapping and neutering stray cats to preclude them from breeding and expanding the population.
Ald. Rolando noted that city ordinances limit the number of cats a resident can maintain but that ordinance will not address the issue of stray cats. Adopt-A-Pet animal shelter in Benld is filled to capacity, she said, as are other no-kill shelters in the immediate area. Additionally, Macoupin County Animal Control has implemented a policy of responding to municipal complaints only when a single animal has been identified as a threat to public safety.
Responding to a suggestion from another resident at the meeting, Rolando said she would contact 4 Paws 4 Rescue to see if they would accept cats for shelter and adoption. If a facility can be found, the city can then begin a program to trap and remove feral cats in the neighborhood.
“I have nothing against cats,” Robinson said. “I have something against 20 or 30 cats.”
SPECIAL MEETING
Council members agreed to meet in special session at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 18, to consider a new contract with the Fraternal Order of Police, as well as a memorandum of understanding extending Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund benefits to all city employees.
City Attorney Rick Verticchio said the city’s negotiating committee reached an agreement with the police union but copies of the new contract had not yet been provided to all members of the council. He said the council could schedule a special meeting after the bull council had an opportunity to review the contract or it could simply vote to accept the recommendation of the negotiating committee. The negotiating committee included Verticchio, City Treasurer Dan Fisher, Chief of Police Jared DePoppe and aldermen Dona Rauzi and Bill Hayes.
When council members started to ask specific questions about provisions of the contract, Verticchio reiterated his opinion that it would be more practical to hold a special meeting.
The new contract, when approved, will cover police officers and dispatchers. It will be retroactive to Jan. 1 and will remain in effect until May 31, 2025.
A provision of the contract will allow police department employees to participate in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund. IMRF rules preclude the city from offering that option to only one classification of employees. Consequently, the council will consider during the special meeting a memorandum extending the IMFR option to all employees.
Ald. Rauzi said she may also present a recommendation during the special meeting for a caterer to cater the city’s annual Seniors Christmas Dinner on Dec. 3.
No action followed a 15-minute executive session requested by Ald. Rauzi to discuss real estate.
THREE-WAY STOP INTERSECTION
Over the objection of Ald. Janet Odell-Mueller, the council approved an ordinance to make the intersection of South Street and Chestnut Street a three-way stop. The intersection currently is a one-way stop, with yield signs for the other two approaches.
“The problem is people don’t yield,” Mayor Hicks said.
“There seems to be a lot of stop signs going up in this part of town (pointing northwest) and not so much in this part (pointing southwest),” Ald. Mueller said. “You don’t put up stop signs for speed control. You need to have a traffic study done to decide where you really need a stop sign.”
Mayor Hicks, however, pointed out the Police Department concurred with the need to make the intersection a three-way stop.
Brought to a vote on a motion by Ald. Landon Pettit, the measure was approved on a 7-1 vote.
“What Jan brought up is absolutely correct,” Treasurer Fisher commented after the vote. “You can’t use stop signs for speed control. We probably do need to tap the brakes on adding stop signs just because someone requested one.”
HALLOWEEN EVENT INSURANCE
After a sometimes heated exchange, the council voted 6-2 to subsidize the cost of liability insurance for a Halloween event planned at Gillespie Lake. The Spooky Halloween Fright is set for Friday evening, Oct. 20, and all day on Saturday, Oct. 21, and Saturday, Oct. 28. Theresa Pettit, who is planning the event along with several other lake residents, approached the council in August to ask the city’s permission to hold the event on city-controlled property.
At that time, the council voted to waive a $20 permit fee for participating vendors but stopped short of authorizing the event until the sponsors could provide proof of insurance. Pettit went into some detail regarding her search for an insurance policy, including consideration of adding the event to the city’s policy for an additional cost. She brought documentation to show she found a policy with a premium of $411, which she acquired in her name and submitted a request for the city to reimburse the cost of the policy.
City Attorney Verticchio and some aldermen, however, objected to Pettit having apparently distributed fliers identifying the event as a city-sponsored event. Verticchio said the council told Pettit last month that the group would need to get its own insurance for the activities but did not agree to any kind of sponsorship.
“I don’t know how you could leave that meeting thinking the city was sponsoring this event,” Verticchio said. “Yet, you have fliers all over town saying the city is sponsoring this event.”
Pettit agreed the fliers were in error. The sponsoring group was under the impression the city would reimburse them for the insurance. At other events when the city or other donors have subsidized specific aspects of activity, the sponsoring group has posted signs saying a particular band or attraction was “sponsored by” whoever provided the money. She characterized it as a courtesy to acknowledge donors. She told council members that any future fliers would eliminate any mention of city sponsorship.
“I think it’s a moot point,” Ald. Rolando said. “Next year, we will know the protocol.”
Ald. Hayes said he saw no difference between providing money for insurance and providing money for a band, which is a fairly common practice for the council. Fisher agreed, saying that the city occasionally donates $500 to an organization that can be used to hire a band but that does not mean the city is a sponsor of the event.
Brought to a vote, the council approved the expenditure with Ald. Dave Link and Ald. Rauzi voting “no.” Ald. Pettit, son of Theresa Pettit, voted “present.” In addition to vendors, the event will feature bounce houses, games and crafts for kids, a chili cook-off, a wings cook-off, a fishing tournament, bonfires, and a “haunted” trail. There will be a cakewalk, best costume contests and a best decorated campsite contest. Additional activities include a scavenger hunt, pumpkin decorating, raffles, 50/50 drawings, a trunk or treat event and a costumed Halloween parade.
BACKGROUND CHECKS
Mayor Hicks appointed an ad hoc committee to make a recommendation regarding the type of background checks the city would require for potential lake lot renters. Previously, persons seeking to enter into a lake lot lease were subject to a “soft” background check that could be completed in a few minutes online. More recently, city officials demanded a more detailed check conducted through the Illinois State Police.
Lake Committee Chair Ald. Frank Barrett said the more detailed checks were taking up to three months to get back, creating unreasonable delays in approving lease applicants.
“I don’t know why this is even being changed,” said Lake Manager Gary Thornhill. He said he checked with surrounding municipalities and discovered most of them require no background check at all. “In their lease, it states that if the police are called out to their cabin, their lease will be terminated.”
“So they just wait until there is a problem?” Mayor Hicks asked. “I think it would be better to find out if there is a problem before rather than after.”
Barrett lobbied to return to soft background checks. “We’ve only had a handful of problems,” he said, “and we were able to get rid of those ourselves.”
Hicks appointed Barrett, Thornhill and Police Chief DePoppe to work on a recommendation to bring back to the council.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Set trick-or-treating hours from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 30 and 31.
- Approved installation of a total of four street lights at Gillespie Lake and the Welfare Park ballfields.
- Formally approved a resolution amending the lake lot lease agreement for full- and part-time residents, setting the monthly rental fee at the same level. The changes means part-time residents can use their lots for short-term stays throughout the year instead of limiting their use to the spring-fall season.
- Formally approved an ordinance amendment incorporating new rules regarding the operation of golf carts within the city limits. The changes require golf carts to be equipped with seatbelts and reduces the legal age of operators from 18 to 16, provided the operator has a valid driver’s license.
- Approved payment of $1,159 from the Tax Increment Finance Fund to Poggenpohl Redi-Mix, Carlinville.
Comments
Bunker Hill – Zion Lutheran Church in Bunker Hill is excited to announce a rummage sale taking place on Thursday, March 20, Friday, March 21, and Saturday, March 22. The sale will be held at the church located at 609 East Warren Street in Bunker Hill. All proceeds from the sale will be donated to Illinois Valley Meals on Wheels in Macoupin County, a vital program that prepares and delivers over 1,500 meals daily to those in need across three counties.
Donations for the rummage sale are warmly welcomed and can be dropped off at the church’s north entrance starting Monday, March 17. Items of all kinds are appreciated, and your contributions will directly support the dedicated efforts of volunteers who ensure that nutritious meals reach our community members.
The sale will run from 4 to 8 PM on Thursday and then 8 AM to 4 PM on Friday and Saturday, making it convenient for everyone to stop by and find great deals while supporting a crucial service in our area.
For more information about the rummage sale or how to donate, please contact Jane Baker at 618-973-2666.
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FELONIES
Bryer D. Greff, 30 of Virden, is charged with retail theft (<$300) with a previous conviction in connection to a March 1 incident.
Michael J. Weaver, 34 of Carlinville, is charged with methamphetamine delivery (400<900 grams), possession of methamphetamine (400<900 grams), and felon in possession of a weapon in connection with a March 3 incident.
Patrick D. Greer, 39 of Mount Olive, is charged with burglary and theft/unauthorized control (>500<10k) in connection with a January 23 and March 3 incident .
Brian H. Duff, 50 of Alton, is charged with theft/unauthorized control (>500<10k) in connection with a January 30 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Allison S. Cisco, 18 of Carlinville, is charged with battery/causing bodily harm in connection with a March 1 incident.
Andrew C. London, 19 of Wilsonville, is charged with retail theft (<$300) in connection with a March 5 incident.
Shelby L. Veach, 23 of Staunton, is charged with resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee and criminal damage to property in connection with a December 16 and December 21 incident.
Robert J. Zumwalt, 43 of Livingston, is charged with resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee in connection with a December 21 incident.
TRAFFIC
Andrew J. McDaniel, 56 of Littleton, CO, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a February 23 incident.
Connor E. O’Brien, 25 of Riverside, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a February 24 incident.
Anthony M. Reed, 29 of Fayette, MS, is charged with driving on a suspended license and driving 15-20 mph above the limit in connection with a February 22 incident.
Patrick M. Nejmanowski, 58 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a revoked license and driving 21-25 mph above the limit in connection with a February 25 incident.
Michael A. Coates, 49 of Staunton, is charged with driving on a revoked license and operating a motor vehicle with suspended registration in connection with a February 16 incident.
Carl R. Albracht, 50 of Palmyra, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a February 25 incident.
Jessica M. Jenkins, 40 of Gillespie, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a February 24 incident.
Jason L. Peter, 48 of Carlinville, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a February 22 incident.
Matthew D. Knick, 21 of Mount Olive, is charged with driving on suspended license in connection with a February 27 incident.
Julia A. Schall, 68 of Shipman, is charged with driving on a revoked license in connection with a February 27 incdient.
Amy N. Gomer, 39 of Shipman, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a March 4 incident.
Dalton C. Bunyard, 32 of Wood River, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a February 28 incident.
Edward Tumpach III, 33 of Hillsboro, is charged with reckless driving, improper traffic lane usage, and disregarding a traffic control device in connection with a March 5 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Neil Ringer versus Whitney Ringer
- Christina Essington versus John Essington
- Scott Huddleston versus Jessica Huddleston
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Community News
Gillespie council provisionally approves $4 million streetscape contract, greenlights solar project at CCSC
With federal agencies facing budget and personnel cuts, and a spending bill to fund government operations in flux, Gillespie City Council members voted 5-2 to tentatively approve a $4 million contract to complete the long-awaited downtown streetscape project. The contract with Stutz Excavating, Inc., Alton, is conditioned upon the city receiving $4 million in grant funds previously awarded by Rural Development, a program administered by the federal Department of Agriculture and potentially at risk of Department of Government Efficiency cuts and/or Congressional failure to approve a Continuing Resolution to fund the federal government through Sept. 30.
With a bid of $4,032,048.79, Stutz was the lower of two bidders for the project. The second bidder, Kinney Contractors, offered a $4.9 million contract. In addition to the base contract, Stutz offered two alternate bids—$203,000 for additional electrical receptacles on newly installed street light poles, and $210,000 for brick pavers in lieu of stamped concrete for downtown sidewalks. In addition to being less expensive, stamped concrete is recommended for durability and easier maintenance, according to Mike Brandt, and engineer with Curry and Associates Engineering, who presented the bids to the council.
City Treasurer Dan Fisher said the grant requires the project to be completed by the end of 2025. With the grant funds vulnerable, the window for completing the project could narrow.
“The problem right now is we have DOGE making program cuts and the recurring issue of a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the government,” Fisher said. The House is likely to pass the CR, according to Fisher, but the bill could easily stall in the Senate. As part of the CR proposal, all earmarks from this year will be frozen, but Fisher said Gillespie’s grant money was earmarked in the prior year.
“I think we will know one way or another in the next 30 to 60 days,” he said. “The bid is good for 90 days so, in theory, we have three months.”
Ald. Landon Pettit questioned the lack of contingency funds in Stutz’s bid, pointing out unexpected expenses could push the project cost beyond the city’s budget. Fisher said Rural Development recommends contingency funds equal to five to seven percent of the project.
“Ten percent is ideal,” he said. “On a $4 million project, that’s $400,000.”
Additionally, Fisher said, the city is entitled to negotiate with the contractor once the contract is awarded to reduce the scope of the project to rein in costs.
“How can you do that after you sign a contract for $4 million and whatever?” Ald. Janet Odell-Mueller asked.
“We have exactly $4 million in grant money,” Fisher said. “The contract is a unit-based contract. We have the ability to reduce the contract by reducing the contract.” As an example, he said the contract may specify a monetary amount for each linear foot for sewer line installation; the city can reduce the contract by reducing the length of sewer line it decides to install. Ultimately, Fisher estimated the city will have to come up with about $250,000 out-of-pocket to complete the project.
Several aldermen expressed discomfort over entering the into the contract when the grant funds are in doubt.
“We have no guarantee this money is coming,” Ald. Pettit said.
“If we sign the contract and the money doesn’t come,” Ald. Wendy Rolando noted, “we don’t have $4 million dollars to spend.”
Fisher said the grant has been awarded, but the city cannot access the money until after the contract is awarded. If the grant money is stalled, the contract will be void and the project will be terminated.
Ald. Bob Fritz complained that improvements to side streets are no longer included in the scope of work.
“I was under the impression that we would do the streets for one block off of Macoupin Street,” Fritz said Walnut Street is deteriorated along with sidewalks on Chestnut Street. He said he would like to see Walnut repaved to the curbs to provide additional parking just a block away from the business district. Moreover, he said the sidewalk in front of the former Area News building on Chestnut is deteriorated to the point of being impassable.
“It doesn’t make sense to replace that sidewalk before the building is torn downs, because they will mess it up tearing it down,” he said. He proposed delaying parts of the project until the building is razed.
“We have to have the project completed in 2025,” Fisher replied. “We can’t put $4 million of grant money at risk for a $5,000 sidewalk.”
After several minutes of discussion, a motion by Rolando, seconded by Ald. Bill Hayes, to accept the Stutz contract, conditioned upon the city receiving $4 million in grant funds, was approved with Rolando, Hayes, Dona Rauzi, Dave Link and Frank Barrett voting “yes.” Ald. Fritz and Ald. Odell-Mueller voted “no,” with Ald. Pettit abstaining.
With a goal of improving the business climate in the downtown area, the Streetscape project has been under discussion for more than two years. Jointly initiated by Grow Gillespie, a civic improvement group, and the City of Gillespie, the project includes lighting, landscaping and parking improvements in the downtown commercial area with an eye toward stimulating economic growth.
SOLAR FIELD ZONING VARIANCE
With one dissenting vote, the council accepted the Zoning Board’s recommendation to approve a 35-year temporary use permit allowing SunCode Energy to install a power generating solar field on the north end of property owned by the Coal Country Sports Complex. Kent Tarro, representing the Coal Country Sports Association, told the council the solar field will not interfere with existing soccer fields or use of the property by cross-country runners while generating revenue to maintain and operate the recreational facility.
“This is a way to keep us sustainable while using reclaimed coal mine property,” he said.
Brett Jacoby, SunCode attorney, said the 18-acre solar field will generate about five megawatts of energy—enough to power five average sized homes. Located on the north side of the reclaimed “gob pile” left behind from the Little Dog Coal Mine, the solar field will be “virtually invisible” to persons using the sports complex for recreation, according to Jacoby.
Currently tax-exempt, the property is expected to generate $27,000 in property tax revenue in the first year and $654,000 over the life of the permit. The project is expected to produce 25 local prevailing wage construction jobs during the estimated 12-month construction period.
Once the temporary permit expires, SunCode will dismantle and remove all equipment and return the land to the Sports Association, according to Jacoby.
Jacoby told the council that power generated from the the field will be uploaded to the Ameren power grid. Local energy customers can participate by subscribing to the project to realize a slight discount on their power bills.
“There’s no cost to subscribe and subscribers can end the contract at any time,” Jacoby said. “It will take 10 to 15 percent off their monthly electrical bill, so it’s not life changing.”
City Attorney Rick Verticchio reported that during a Zoning Board hearing last week, SunCode officials pledged to offer training sessions for local firefighters and make arrangements for emergency services to have access to the fenced site.
A motion by Ald. Pettit to approve the temporary use permit was approved 7-1 with Ald. Rolando casting a dissenting vote.
SIREN PURCHASE APPROVED
Council members approved spending up to $90,000 to purchase and install four new emergency sirens. Initially, City Treasurer Fisher sidetracked Ald. Fritz’s proposal to purchase the equipment, saying there were no grant programs available and not enough money in the Emergency Services and Disaster Administration fund to cover the cost of new sirens.
“The only grant program available is through Rural Development and they have no funds to distribute until the budget is approved,” Fisher said, again invoking legislative chaos in Washington. He said the city’s ESDA fund had only $62,000.
The council then went on to other matters, only to have Ald. Pettit circle back to the siren issue after a few minutes.
“If we took some money out of the Revolving Loan Fund, some out of ESDA and some out of TIF II—and I know there’s not a lot in that fund—we could cobble together $80,000 and not hurt the General Fund too bad,” Pettit speculated. Pettit said money transferred from the Revolving Loan Fund and TIF II could be repaid over time. After further discussion, his motion to authorize the purchase was unanimously approved.
The equipment, provided by Sentry Sirens, Inc., will be installed at four locations, including the water treatment plant, city cemetery, Community Unit School District 7 campus, and a mobile home court on the city’s southwest side. Fritz said the sirens will blast different signals to indicate severe weather versus other emergencies.
LAKE LOT ISSUE
Following the city attorney’s recommendation, the council voted to secure a property tax “assignment” on a lake lot located at 10227 Fries Lane on which property taxes are delinquent. Council members, however, referred to committee a recommendation to amend lake lot leases to mandate forfeiture if a lease-holder fails to pay property taxes due.
“We don’t want a taxing body to acquire that property,” City Attorney Verticchio said. Monday night’s action secures the property and enables the city to transfer the lease to another lease-holder.
Verticchio said he would like to add a provision to future leases requiring the lease-holder to pay property taxes or surrender the lot. Ald Pettit said he and Ald. Barrett had other recommendations for amending future leases. He proposed tabling Verticchio’s request until after the Lake Committee can meet to make other changes to the lease.
In a related matter, Pettit asked to have the City Clerk’s office compile a list of all surplus real estate the city owns with an eye toward selling the lots. Verticchio said properties that have previously been advertised for sale but did not attract bidders can legally be sold for a price negotiated between the city and the buyer.
“Right now no one is paying taxes on those properties,” Pettit said “We can sell them essentially to recover attorney fees, and start getting tax revenue from them.”
EAST GILLESPIE/EAGARVILLE SEWER CONTRACT
As the City of Gillespie eyes a project to replace deteriorating sewer lines in the city, Verticcho recommended renegotiating satellite contracts with Eagarville and East Gillespie to continue treating waste from both communities. Council members voted unanimously to authorize Mayor John Hicks to enter into negotiations to draft new agreements.
The city apparently plans to seek financial assistance from Rural Development to undertake the project, similar to how it financed a project to replace water distribution lines. Verticchio indicated the new contracts should include new rates to comply with mandates Rural Development will require to underwrite the sewer improvement project.
LAKE POSITION
Following a 30-minute executive session, the council voted unanimously to hire Austin Loftis to step into duties vacated by former Lake Supervisor Gary Thornhill, though the motion to hire did not identify Loftis’ title or address wages. Loftis reportedly had been fulfilling Thornhill’s duties after Thornhill resigned to accept another job. The motion to hire Loftis included a provision for a six-month probationary period.
PROTECTIVE VEST SALE
Acting on a recommendation by Police Chief Jared DePoppe, the council voted to offer a protective vest used by an officer who recently resigned to take another job for sale to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department for $750. DePoppe told the council the vests are fitted specifically to the individual, so it would be essentially useless to the city. He said he based the asking price on the original cost and the amount time it had been used in Gillespie.
HOLLIS RESOLUTION
Council members unanimously approved a formal resolution recognizing Thomas William Hollis, a Gillespie resident who achieved the rank of Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corps before he was killed in action at the age of 19 in Vietnam. Born May 24, 1948, Hollis attended Gillespie High School where he was a star athlete. After graduation, he volunteered for the Marine Corps and was killed on Jan. 28, 1968, in Quang Tri Province as a result of artillery rocket mortar fire. He was one of about 55,000 American soldiers killed in action during the Vietnam War.
Passage of the resolution paves the way for the Illinois Department of Transportation to erect signs honoring Hollis on Illinois Route 16 at the east and north entrances to the city.
CONXXUS SOLICITATION
The council heard briefly from Wendy Nobel, representing Conxxus fiber optic internet, before granting a solicitation permit for Conxxus employees to make door-to-door solicitations of Gillespie residents. Nobel said solicitors will explain various plans available to customers and potential benefits of the newly installed $1.6 million system. Nobel said most residents have received solicitation materials in the mail but “we’ve found people don’t always understand the materials and they’re more comfortable dealing with someone face-to-face.”
Solicitors will check in with city hall on the days they plan to work in the city, and voluntarily provide photos of the solicitors to be posted on the city’s social media page. Nobel there usually will be no more than one person working in the city at a time.
POLICE STATION PAYMENT
Council members approved payment of $1,500 to John Watson Contracting for work associated with reconnecting bathroom facilities in the basement of the newly renovated Police Station building on Macoupin Street. The work was not included in the original bid for the work.
In a related matter, the council approved payment of the second installment of $59,199 to Watson Contracting from the city’s Tax Increment Financing Funds for work completed on remodeling the new Police Station.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Approved advertising for applications for two seasonal worker positions at Gillespie Lake.
- Agreed to spend up to $500 to investigate electrical fixtures at Pomatto Park to determine what is needed for repairs.
- Accepted two bids totaling $950 from Feeley Tree Service to remove two trees located on city boulevards on Cedar Street and on Illinois Route 4 south.
