The Mcleansboro City Council met last night at the Hamilton County Courthouse. Scott Mareing was there and has this report…
Mayor Dick Dietz swore in James Morris as Fire Chief, praising him and the Fire Department for the outstanding work they do.
Approved was a pay request for the water tower totaling $139,403.45. $126,380.40 from Caldwell Tank for the tower and $13,023.05 from Shawnee Professional Services for the engineering and environmental report for the sanitary sewer lift station. The water tower project is now 56.3% complete and the paint crew should come in by September.
The board members also approved looking at funding proposals on wastewater infrastructure improvements for a fee from Shawnee not to exceed $3,000.
Concerning a settlement from a past due utilities bill from Frontier Communications totaling $7,045.13, the council approved a $5,300 settlement from Fair Harbor Capital, who negotiated with the city.
Police Chief Nathan Taylor discussed with the board members the parameters for a beer garden liquor license. The main points were separating a restaurant from a club, when the beer gardens should open, that there should be fencing enclosing the area of clubs, should there be entertainment allowed and the noise problems that could occur, there should be a liquor commissioner and someone to be his designee when they are not available, and when closing time should be and how much time to give customers after last call to leave. The matter was tabled until next month’s meeting for possible action, as licenses begin on October 1st.
The USDA budget and annual report prepared by Botsch and Associates was approved. Alderman Dale Biggerstaff noted that it’s not good business practice for the same firm to be both in charge of the budgets and as bookkeepers. Mayor Dietz and the board members agreed and the issue will be on next month’s agenda.
Work on the Isaac Walton Cabin is continuing. The septic tank will be put in this week and they are preparing the wheelchair ramp.
As far as building a new city hall is concerned, the committee is visiting the Nashville City Hall next Monday to look at and get ideas on, as it’s similar to Mcleansboro’s.
Also there are several lots the city owns that they aren’t actively trying to sell and not all of them have been appraised yet. The issue will be put on next month’s agenda.
The board agreed to table the possible water main replacement on Meadow Crest until next month to obtain more up-to-date dollar figures.
No action will be taken on the water line to the industrial park as the city doesn’t need to be involved in the matter.
The board went into closed session for 30 minutes to discuss employment of a specific individual and minutes legally closed under the Open Meetings Act. After the session, Walter Rexing was named Assistant Fire Chief and they voted to keep the minutes closed.
Finally, Police Chief Taylor announced that Chase Partain graduated from the academy at Belleville in June and has now been certified as a full-time officer.
