Small Town News

City will allow sign at intersection to promote antique show downtown

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A promoter will be allowed to put up a sign at the four-way stop intersection of Route 133 and Vine Street, but he will not be able to use signage downtown to direct potential customers to an antique show at the Annex Building behind Delbert's.

The village board on Monday night upheld an earlier decision banning signs from downtown when they denied Robb Layman permission to place an 8-foot by 12-inch banner-type sign on the gazebo in the parking lot at the corner of Vine and Progress streets.

The sign would have read "Five Days of Country" and would have easily indicated the location of a five-day antique show Layman is promoting for Tuesday through Saturday, November 10-14, in the Annex Building. Hours for the event are 9:30 a.m To 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday and 9:30 a.m. To 7 p.m. on Friday.

Layman is bringing his antique show to town in conjunction with other antique shows that are scheduled for Friday and Saturday.

"Signage is getting out of hand," commented Terry Clark, who presided over the meeting in the absence of Mayor Matt Bernius.

Attorney Bob Crossman added that the last time the board took up the subject they banned signs from public property.

Clark said the city council, by not taking action to remove signs already displayed at the four-way stop, has allowed the signs to be displayed temporarily.

Trustees Karen Good and Paul Pearce said they have no problems with the banner or a similar sign being displayed at the intersection. Dave Tiffan said he had mixed feelings.

Karen Good moved to delay enforcement of the sign ordinance at the intersection of Vine Street and Route 133 (Columbia) until the board has had a chance to review and update its policy. The motion passed 4-0, allowing signs to remain at the intersection. However, the signs must be placed on private property, not state property along the highway.

Clark read some notes from Mayor Bernius, including the fact that after much discussion and many meetings, a collective bargaining agreement is finally in place; he also thanked Bruce Wood, Ron Dadiris, and The Great Pumpkin Patch for the terrific display of pumpkins at the Pumpkin House. The display attracted viewers from all over the state.

Dave Tiffan will contact Sherry Stewart concerning the city's employee healthcare insurance. It is time to renew the policies, and the premium is going up about 28 percent over last year. Tiffan wants to arrange a meeting with Stewart, the board, and the employees to discuss options for next year.

Trustees commented that residents continue to burn leaves within city limits despite the board's prohibition on burning. Police Chief Mike Goodman said officers have driven down every street on some days looking for the source of smoke and cannot find any fires. Goodman said he has seen smoke coming from farms located just out of the city.

"If the wind is in the right direction, the smoke comes into the city," he said.

Tiffan also suggested placing time to discuss the recycling bin on the agenda for the next meeting. People are abusing the service by placing items that are not recyclable. Tiffan said the bin fills with trash, yard waste, old furniture, and other garbage.

"It's time for us to decide whether to continue the service as is, do away with recycling completely, or try some other strategy," he said.

Karen Good reminded the others that deputy village clerk Erica Carter is looking into companies that provide curbside recycling.

Paul Pearce said he has had several inquiries about the city's plans to sell the water plant. In response, he said no decision has been made, and none will be made until the village board gets more information. The board is working with consultants to determine the value of the water plant and system, plus the city cannot sell the public utility without first having public meetings and placing the proposal before the voters in a referendum.

"No decision has been made," he repeated.

Clark commented on the recent Trick or-Treat hours downtown. The activity brought many children and their parents to the stores where the kids could wear their costumes and go door to door in a controlled setting.

"It was a very positive activity," he said. "Well received."

Police Chief Goodman acknowledged the high school Student Council for sending him a Thank You for the police department's assistance along the Homecoming Parade route.

Grant Corum reported that the new Public Works Building should have gas and electricity on and in use by the next regular board meeting.

Attorneys Ken and Bob Crossman recommended the board pay a $196 drainage tax bill that was left unpaid by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The tax is due on the old railroad right-of-way that is now where Penn Station is located. The IDNR transferred ownership of the property to the city.

The board accepted the Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Insurance quote which is a 7 percent increase over last year. The village will pay the premium in two payments, one in November and the other in May.

The board authorized Grant Corum to advertise for bids on outside concrete work at the public works building. Corum estimates it will take 8,500 square feet of fiat concrete at 320 West Progress Street.

The board's next regular meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Monday, November 16. The board meets in the Board Meeting Room at the Municipal Building, 120 East Progress Street. Meetings are open to the public.



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