East Central Reporter

Members of the Lawrenceville City Council met Thursday, June 9.

Council members meet regularly to discuss a variety of matters related to the City of Lawrenceville.

Here are the meeting minutes as provided by the Lawrenceville City Council:

CITY OF LAWRENCEVILLE, ILLINOIS

JUNE 9, 2016

MINUTES

The Council of the City of Lawrenceville, Lawrence County, Illinois met in regular session in the City Council Chambers of the City Hall Building on Thursday, June 9, 2016 at the hour of 7:00 p.m. The following Aldermen were present on roll call: Fritch, Holcomb, Blacketer, Howder, Courtney, Lynn, Stevens and Waldrop. Absent: None.

Mayor Wagner called the meeting to order. Waldrop gave the prayer. All present then recited the Pledge of Allegiance while facing the flag.

The Council had earlier received copies of the minutes of the regular Council meeting of April 14, 2016. Mayor Wagner asked for questions or comments. Lynn made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of May 12, 2016. Holcomb seconded the motion. Motion passed on a voice vote.

The Council had earlier received copies of the bills of the City, Sewer and Water Departments for May. Mayor Wagner asked for questions or comments. Stevens made a motion to approve paying the bills for May. Waldrop seconded the motion. Motion passed on a roll call vote 8-0. Yeas: Holcomb, Fritch, Lynn, Howder, Stevens, Courtney, Blacketer and Waldrop. Nays: None.

Mayor Wagner reported the City’s accounts to the Council. The City working budget, is 5% under budget after 1 month of the 16-17 fiscal year. Mayor Wagner praised all City employees for their hard work and dedication to the city.

Mayor Wagner presented Ordinance #1505 to the Council. Ordinance #1505 purposed to approve the Prevailing Wage for 2016. Mayor Wagner asked for questions or comments. Waldrop made a motion to approved Ordinance # 1505. Lynn seconded the motion. Motion passed on a roll call vote 8-0. Yeas: Blacketer, Lynn, Courtney, Waldrop, Fritch, Howder, Holcomb and Stevens. Nays: None.

Mayor Wagner presented the 1st reading of the Annual Appropriation to the Council. The Annual Appropriation for 2016-2017 will be a 1.9% increase over last year, with a projected amount of $5.5 million dollars. Mayor Wagner explained this is the most that the City can spend. It does not mean the City has to spend it all, but the City needs to have it in there if something comes up that the City had not planned on.

There will be an appropriation public hearing at 6:45 p.m. prior to the Council meeting on July 14.

Richard Trowbridge presented the M.F.T. program to the Council. Trowbridge came to ask for the sum of $57,043.37 of Motor Fuel Tax funds to maintain the City’s streets. Mayor Wagner asked for questions or comments. Waldrop made a motion. Stevens seconded the motion. Motion passed on a roll call vote 8-0. Yeas: Blacketer, Waldrop, Howder, Lynn, Courtney, Fritch, Holcomb and Stevens. Nays: None.

Richard Trowbridge presented the M.F.T. program to the Council. Trowbridge came to ask for the sum of $79,992.90 to repave James Street. James Street is in T.I.F. #1, money in T.I.F. #1 account will be use for the project.

Mayor Wagner asked for questions or comments. Blacketer made a motion. Courtney seconded the motion. Motion passed on a roll call vote 8-0. Yeas: Blacketer, Waldrop, Howder, Lynn, Courtney, Fritch, Holcomb and Stevens. Nays: None.

Courtney, Buildings and Grounds Committee chairperson stated to the Council that the committee has chosen a new city sign. The sign will be 69 x 97, all digital with LED lights. The cost of sign will be $31.079.00 plus installation of $5.000.00, Tracy Electric will do the work.

Mayor Wagner asked for questions or comments. Courtney made a motion to purchase a new city sign. Blacketer seconded the motion. Motion passed on a roll call vote 8-0. Yeas: Blacketer, Waldrop, Howder, Lynn, Courtney, Fritch, Holcomb and Stevens. Nays: None.

Stevens, Chairman of the Cemetery Committee, reported to the Council that the committee is revising some rules for the Cemetery. A tree in the cemetery needs to be removed, the committee will check to see the best possible way to remove the tree.

Stevens, Parks Committee chairperson, stated that the plans for the new shelter house will be tabled for this year. Parks department with the Park board will continue improvements to the big shelter house.

Mayor Wagner noted the City has published the ordinances in the local newspaper that are applicable to State laws pertaining to the unlawfulness to engage in the sale, or the discharge of any fireworks within the City limits.

No private fireworks in the City limits will be authorized by the Mayor, City Council or Police Department. Ordinances fines may range from $50.00 – $750.00 per charge.

Mayor Wagner noted that citizens will be fine for leaving garbage cans out on the curb for longer than 24-hours past the sanitation pick up.

Linda Yost, Camp Director of the Lawrence Count Camp Girls. Yost asked the Council for $1,000.00 to sponsor five (5) girls to go to Camp Girls Camp. The basic price of $200.00 covers cabin rental, all meals, group picture, hayride, swimming each day.

Mayor Wagner asked for questions or comments. Lynn made a motion to approve a $1,000.00 stipend for the Camp Girls summer camp. Stevens seconded the motion. Motion passed on a roll call vote 8-0. Yeas: Blacketer, Courtney, Lynn, Fritch, Holcomb, Howder, Stevens and Waldrop. Nays: None.

The Sanitation Committee will meet to discuss ongoing issues.

The “Art and Wine on the Square” event will be held on June 18th, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.in downtown Lawrenceville.

Fireworks will be held on July 3rd, at the new high school. Fireworks will be paid from gambling proceeds.

Lynn made a motion to adjourn. Blacketer seconded the motion. The motion was approved by voice vote. Time: 8:06 p.m.

__________________________

Rodney Nolan, City Clerk