New squad car still in the works

Dave Link returned to Monday nights meeting on January 9 to inform the council that work is still in need to be done on the lots on Macoupin Street. Dan Fisher advised Link earlier in the day that essentially 90% of the work is complete and just touch up work is needed yet. “The front corner of my building is loose,” Link explained, “That is where they tore the other building off and left my building jagged.” About 5 years ago the city went to Link about a corner on his building that was jagged, so, according to Link, he had to have his building fixed.

When the contractor came in to tear the buildings down, he supposedly damaged a corner of Link’s building and “I say he needs to fix it.” Link went on to say that he was told that the contractor was going to saw the buildings so it would be a nice, clean cut before any work was started. “Now, they came in and tore them down and left the bricks loose,” Link stated, “It needs to be fixed and I hope the council does not pay them in full until it is fixed.”

Dave Link explains to the council that damage needs fixed on his building.

The dirt was spread over the lots, but it settled about 18 inches after the recent rainfall. More dirt will be dropped off in the spring to be spread over the lots again. The sewer lines were grouted and sealed off while the well was pumped out and then sealed off. The water lines were disconnected by the City of Gillespie.

The council then discussed the wind energy system ordinance due to the new school plans. The new school plans to install a wind energy with blades 22 feet long and a tower of 100 feet tall. The blades have to be so far off the ground. Dave Tucker is visiting a wind energy system in Arcola to document how it will operate. According to Tom Hyde, the system will be silent. The City of Gillespie plans to charge $25 per foot permit fee for the construction of a wind energy system.

“It sounds a little high, but it is a money making venture,” Tucker suggested. A building permit is required for the wind system. According to Tucker, the biggest issue is the noise level. “In a normal wind, the system is working 3-4 seconds per revolution while the tip of the blade is going about 120mph,” Tucker informed the council, “With the blades only being 22 feet long, it will not make much noise.”

Chief of Police Jared DePoppe informed the city that the police department brought in $600 from ordinance fees in December. All of the ordinances have been resolved besides two, those two need “[a] little bit more time because of the nature of the ordinances.” DePoppe then questioned the council about squad cars since the department was approved up to $10,000 to purchase a new squad car. The 8-0 decision came at the end of December’s meeting, but Mayor Hicks advised DePoppe that the matter is still under discussion.

Chief of Police DePoppe advised the council that the department collected $600 from ordinances.

Jim Alderson asked the council what the deal was on the new squad car. “We just approved up to $10,000 last month,” Alderson started, “But then we were talking about purchasing a new dump truck. What is the priority here?” Mayor Hicks responded and said both vehicles are needed. Both vehicles are going to be purchased in used condition, but the council has not came across anything worth purchasing so far. “It sounded like one or the other last meeting, but we are getting both.”

The council then approved the water chemical bids under new business. The bids actually decreased according to Don Shuey from the water department. After the water chemicals were passed 8-0, the sewer chemical bids were approved 8-0 as well.

In other new business, the council accepted and approved property bids for lots 1 & 2 on block K on 300 and 302 Shelby Street. Mr. Cross submitted a sealed bid of $1,500 for the two lots and the council accepted it. The second property under auction was a property on 312 Frey Street. The bid was accepted from Thomas Ottersburg while the amount was not announced. The council then waved the building permit for the new BenGil Elementary school.

The Public Health Department contacted the City of Gillespie about renting the empty lot where the old IP Building stood. The Health Department would like to park the diesel buses on the lot while the City of Gillespie will make use of it as the impound lot. The lot will be cleaned up and flattened into a parking lot with parking spots painted on the concrete. A fence will surround the lot and all gates will be locked. The City is still looking into surveillance cameras or motion alarms as the Health Department invests about $15,000 into the lot.

The Health Department would like a 20 year contract on the lot, but the City would like to settle on 5 years. Frank Barrett advised the council that the lot will be cleaned up and leveled in the weeks coming. The council approved a 5 year lease on the lot for $400 per month by a 8-0 vote. City Attorney Kevin Polo will draw the contract up for both parties to sign.

In closing, the council got the ‘no parking’ signs in for Park Avenue Street. The council discussed what side to install on the signs on and the mutual decision was the north side. Alderman Ronald discussed a case where the ambulance had to back up on the street because it could not pass through.