Sangamon Sun

City of Athens City Council Committee met Oct. 5.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Mayor Bob Dowell opened the meeting and thanked everyone for attending. Clerk Cindy McFarland called roll. Those in attendance were Mayor Bob Dowell, Clerk Cindy McFarland, and Aldermen: Ron Canterbury, Tom Herman, Butch Nichols, Chris Reichert and Angella Thompson. Alderman Larry Buhr was absent. Persons in the audience included Gary Richardson, Ryan Seifert, Sarah McCart, Robbie Bluett, Derrick Fritz, Nicole McCormick, Michael Lockwood, Hayley Yoakum, Morgan Gum, and Rex Keiffer.

Mayor Dowell first said that the boil order should be over tomorrow morning. The water samples have been submitted. The cause of the water break was a construction incident at the school and the construction company will be paying for the associated costs. Michael Lockwood stood and explained the incident. Sargent Fritz presented the Police report and vehicle maintenance report, including data collected from the new speed radar sign. Alderman Reichert asked how the data was being used, and about a second radar sign. Sgt. Fritz said they are still collecting data, and one sign may be enough. Alderman Reichert said that he has had a few requests for different locations for the speed radar sign. Sgt. Fritz explained the higher traffic roads he has planned to place the sign. He said it takes two people to move the sign and they have been short-handed. Mayor Dowell said the traffic data may be useful in acquiring sidewalk funding from Congress. Treasurer Ryan Seifert presented the Treasurer Report. Mayor Dowell presented the Streets report. Robbie Bluett presented the Water and Sewer Reports, including a proposal from Midwest Meter for updated beacon software for reading meters. Mayor Dowell said that there are 250-275 re-reads per month, which costs a lot of man-hours. The current meters we use are plastic and often freeze and break. The new meters are metal and a better quality. The new software will read the old meters as well. The Midwest Meter proposal will be on the agenda for Monday. There was no cemetery meeting. Nicole McCormick presented the Office Manager Report and explained that the City's main checking account had been hacked and nine fraudulent checks had been written. The bank has refunded the money back to the City and the State Police have taken over the investigation.

Next on the agenda was the Altorfer preventative maintenance contract proposal for the CAT 305E. It is just now out of warranty. This proposal would be the premium level. Mayor Dowell said this would be on Monday's agenda. Alderman Reichert requested that the Mayor request pricing for the "plus" level contract as well. The Mayor confirmed that he would.

First under old business was the update on problem properties. Mayor Dowell said that the Squires house is down, and we will be looking to put the property up for bid. Legal notices are expensive, so the Mayor said he will check other publications to save money. Alderman Thompson added that our current paper may not reach enough people. The Mayor continued saying that the other problem properties are being addressed in court. Sgt. Fritz has provided more information and photos to our attorney

Next on the agenda was the drawing for the weather radio giveaway in conjunction with Athens being a Storm Ready Community. Morgan Gum drew the name of Melissa Lovelace. Congratulations!

Mayor Dowell asked if anyone had anything under New Business. Alderman Thompson said that she thinks it is the council's job to listen to the public before making a decision about allowing a marijuana dispensary in our town. There was discussion about what the age should be to purchase marijuana and what locations would be appropriate. Mayor Dowell said that Springfield had decided on a 3% tax on marijuana; we need to be discussing this and listening to our constituents. The Mayor said that no one had inquired yet about a dispensary.

Mayor Dowell said that the council has a flier for a new proposal for future branch pick up. Alderman Nichols said that the branch pick-up program is a good perk for our citizens.

That ended the agenda for the evening. The Mayor thanked everyone and asked for a motion to adjourn to executive session. Motion made by Alderman Herman, seconded by Alderman Nichols, to adjourn to executive session at 8:00pm. The council returned from executive session at 8:16pm and adjourned.

https://www.athensil.com/documents/75/Oct_5_minutes.pdf