Democracy on the Front Lines
City Administrator’s Blog
Walter Denton
February 20, 2008
Here is a summary of Tuesday’s City Council meeting items. Click here to see the full texts of the resolutions, ordinances, and staff reports.
1. Resolution to Purchase 135 Cottage Hill Drive: This piece of property is located off of Venita Drive just across the street from the Sleep Inn. The City now owns the entire block west of Venita in preparation for a railroad overpass. The City was recently approved for a state grant to build the Venita Dr. overpass in 2011.
2. Resolution Urginig the State General Assembly to Adopt Reforms that Protect Police and Fire Pensions: A recent study indicated that police and fire pensions throughout the state are drastically underfunded. The City’s resolution supports a bill in the state legislature that seeks to protect the pension funds and enable them to be become solvent. (More on this in a later blog.)
3. Fireworks Ordinance (approved first reading): This is a housekeeping item that brings the City’s ordinance into compliance with the state statute.
4. Mobile Home Park Ordinance (approved first reading): When the City becameHome Rule, the state relinquished responsibility of inspecting mobile home parks. This ordinance copies the state statute and authorizes the City to inspect the parks.
5. Nuisance Ordinance Amendment Relating to Number of Animals (approved first reading): The ordinance is in response to the long debate over the zoning variance for a kennel on Vine Street. Both staff and the City Council agreed that the zoning code should not be used to enforce the number of animals in a residence. As a result, the Nuisance Ordinance is being amended so the number of animals is enforced as a police power and will not have to go through the City Council for deliberation.
6. Ordinance Transferring the Bond Volume Cap (approved second reading): This is a routine item allowing the Southwest Illinois Development Authority (SWIDA) to issue bonds for development projects in the Metro East. There is no cost or risk to the City.
Now you’re up to date. There is a special Community Development meeting on Thursday night at 6 p.m. to discuss the proposed Sign Ordinance. Next Monday night, committee meetings will be held for Finance and Administration at 5:30 p.m., Community Development at 6 p.m., and Public Works at 7 p.m.
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