The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By: Shirley Linder, Editor
At the Monday, April 1st Village of Stronghurst board meeting trustees voted on the amended liquor ordinance.
The amended ordinance states the selling of liquor times as Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. until 11 p.m. On Saturday selling time is from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and on Sunday from 12 noon to 11 p.m.
Closing time is 12 midnight every day. The ordinance also amended the section on Annual Proof of Sales stating it is to be filed with the village clerk no later than June 1st of that year.
The board also passed an ordinance adding a section on special events, where the Liquor Control Commission can issue a temporary permit for special events such as New Year's Eve, Poker Runs, Fall Festival, etc. Each event is to be judged on an individual basis, which includes how much the board will charge for the special permit.
On behalf of the Stronghurst Booster Club Lori Taylor requested a $250 donation for the flowers that will be placed in the uptown planters and at the park. On a motion by Amanda Kane, seconded by Bruce Caldwell the motion passed with Jerry Nortrup casting the only "no" vote.
Lori Taylor also asked permission for the Stronghurst Booster Club to put another above ground feature (a turtle) at the spray park which was agreed upon.
She discussed the leak in the fountain at the spray park and told the board the Booster Club will have it taken care of.
Ronnie Gittings said the pods on the spray park are bent and are ridiculously expensive and Lori said the Booster Club had been in contact with the installer and they would be back to take care of the problem. She informed the board the Dr. Pogue Fun Run will be July 13th and the brick sale will end April 30th.
David Knutstrom, who is a member of the zoning board, asked the rules for when a permit is requested.
Stronghurst Grain is requesting a permit to put up another bin, and while within the legal rights, David inquired about letting the neighbors and public know about it before signing the permit.
David felt citizens need to know that the board cares about its community and are not just letting people do as they please without the public's input or being able to express their thoughts. He had gone the extra step and already talked with some of the neighbors out of common courtesy.
The board closed out the 2017 Water System Improvement Project between the Village of Stronghurst and Maguire Iron. Maguire Iron reduced total pay by $12,200 for not meeting deadline. Final project cost total was $1,064,854.00. To date the Village of Stronghurst has paid Maguire $1,023,201.30 and will make the final payment of $41,652.70
Ronnie Gittings reported they still haven't solved the problem with the master meter and well meter not matching up, but are still working with two different companies to get it resolved. He said he needed to compose and mail a letter to all water customers on the status of lead in the water. He also said the letter would say when they will be working on valves and flushing hydrants.
In other business the board:
The board entered executive session at 7:09 p.m. for the purpose of annual employee wage review. Mayor Schaley said the board awarded a $1.00 an hour increase to all employees, not including the police department.
Present: Mayor Brendan Schaley; Employees, Mike Bohnenkamp, Jerry Nortrup, Shane Reed, Bruce Caldwell, Amanda Kane, (David Vancil, Absent); Employees, Hollie Allen, Ronnie Gittings, Attorney Mariah Wallace; Guests, Mike Swisher, Sara Evans Brown, Rob Root, Randy Jarvis, Lori Taylor, David Knustrom Shirley Linder
The next meeting will be Monday, May 6, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. Public is welcome.