The Taylorville City Council conducted a lot of business in their 40-minute meeting Monday night at City Hall.
Joe Hauser of the Taylorville Planning and Zoning Commission, brought to aldermen 2 recommendations. The first was a request to table the request by Bernie and Joe Curvey, to re-zone the former West School property from residential to commercial, citing neighborhood concerns about the proposed zoning. Aldermen agreed and did not act on the Curvey’s request. The Curvey’s are to come back to the Planning and Zoning Commission with a revised request.
The 2nd recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission, was from the City Council’s Ordinance Committee, asking that lot widths for proposed subdivisions be revised in R-2 residential areas. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of this change to the full City Council, and aldermen OK’d that recommendation 8 to nothing.
Taylorville aldermen Monday night heard the status of a lawsuit against the city, brought by Christian County Integrated Services and Siegrist Builders, over the Hathaway Homes subdivision proposed by the agency on the city’s south side. Aldermen earlier this year twice veto’ed the plans, then on advice of attorneys representing the city’s insurance carrier, voted to OK the subdivision, but C-C-I-C-S and Siegrist did not drop the lawsuit. Newly appointed city attorney Rocci Romano told the Taylorville council, that after discussions with the attorney representing the city’s insurance carrier, Romano will not be involved in the suit.
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Romano added it’s hoped the 2 sides can settle before the suit goes to trial.
It was a special evening of recognition for 2 special Taylorville residents, at Monday night’s Taylorville City Council meeting.
Reverend Richard Wamsley, senior pastor at Taylorville Christian Church, was recognized for his 27 years of service to the church and the community, during Monday night’s City Council meeting. Wamsley, who is retiring, was given a plaque recognizing his contributions to the community.
And, eleven-year-old Rebecca Wiggins, daughter of Kate Hames of Taylorville, was given a proclamation announcing May 20th as “Rebecca Wiggins Day” in the city. Wiggins has raised money the past 4 years, for the American Red Cross’ “Project I-T” providing technology to wounded soldiers. This year, Wiggins raised some 7-thousand dollars.
Taylorville City Council members saw the swearing-in of several people, and approved several mayoral appointments, at their Monday night meeting. Aldermen saw the oath of office administered to returning alderman Ernie Dorchinez, as well as new firemen Kirk Rainey and Alfred Fox. New city treasurer Jacque Nation was appointed to the Fire Pension Board, retiring city treasurer Terri France was appointed to both the Police Pension and Library Boards, and Barbara Grabner-Kerns was appointed to the Tree Board. And, assistant fire chief Mike Crews was appointed Acting Fire Chief following the retirement of fire chief Jeff Hackney.
Taylorville aldermen Monday night approved several motions brought from various city council committees. They OK’d a resolution resurfacing Pawnee and Cherokee Streets, approved closing a portion of Cherokee Street May 27th for the annual Memorial Day Services, OK’d contributing 3-thousand dollars to the Optimist Club to go towards fireworks for the 4th of July celebration, and directed the Mayor to sign the Direct Energy Contract to lock in electric rates for city offices for a 2-year term.
Aldermen Monday night voted to transfer 50-thousand dollars from the general fund to the water fund as a re-payment of a loan from the water fund; OK’d forwarding city budgets to the city treasurer for further refinement, and OK’d the Optimist Club to solicit funds at West Main Cross and Webster on Flag Day June 14th to support the annual fireworks celebration.
Taylorville council members OK’d spending some 15-hundred dollars for landscaping around the Municipal Building, approved Taylorville Police to purchase 5 vests costing just under 4-thousand dollars, and instructed police chief Dave Herpstreith to apply for the 2013 COPS Hiring Grant application. Aldermen also approved water superintendent Dave Speagle to spend up to 10-thousand dollars for lab fees.
