Deal or No Deal
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Robert Haines of the Pinckneyville-Du Quoin Airport Board of Directors went before the Pinckneyville and Du Quoin city councils Monday with a request for approximately $44,000 split between Pinckneyville and Du Quoin as the local match for up to $907,000 in state and federal airport grants.
"This couldn't have come at a worse time," Mayor John Rednour told Haines. Others agreed as both towns fight to keep their budgetary heads above water.
The project is for seven new T-hangars, the apron around them and a parking lot. The federal government covers 95% of the project, and the state covers 2.5% of the non-revenue producing costs, leaving the two cities with the remainder of the cost. Mid-discussion, Pinckneyville commissioner Martin Beltz shifted to a topic that was not of the discussion: the use and status of a fuel tank at the airport that was no longer in use.
Haines told the Du Quoin council earlier that fuel is no longer sold at the airport. Though the grant comes at a time when Pinckneyville is carefully watching its money, the council said they would further discuss the request, speak with the city of Du Quoin on the subject and decide in the near future.The councils and Haines were in agreement that should one city decide to not provide the money, the entire project will be scrapped.
Du Quoin commissioner Kathy West broached the subject of whether rent from space in the airport's hangar's could pay off a $44,000 note to accomplish the project. Haines said hangars rent for $80 a month and said that about 80 percent of the hangar space is leased. The idea has possibilities.
Haines impressed upon both councils that this grant offer has been five to six years in the making and might not come this way again. The grant demands that work be approved and completed by the end of the fiscal year.
Other action of the Pinckneyville council includes the following:
Approved a request by the Knights of Columbus to collect funds on Oct. 25 at the four-way stop and intersections around the square from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the Mentally Retarded Learning Disabled Drive.
Approved the date for Trick or Treat on Halloween, Oct. 31, 2008, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. for ages 13 and under to visit houses with porch lights on.
Approved the H.M. & G. Inc. Engineering Agreement that was placed on file at the previous meeting for Engineering Certain Motor Fuel Tax Funds for FAU Resurfacing W. St. Louis (Grant to Mill Street), South Walnut (Kaskaskia to Water Street), and North Walnut (Laurel to mid-block).
Commissioner August Kellerman discussed the recent mailing of letters and feedback concerning the collection of delinquent utility bills. Kellerman authorized that letters to those late with payments in utilities and that the employees at the front desk and the city attorney had received a great deal of negative feedback because of it. Kellerman said that if there is further problem to come to him about it. The city attorney stated that the council cannot provide extensions on payment of utility bills. Those delinquent in payment of utilities may face a shut off, except during extreme heat or cold.
A short discussion took place about Comcast's actions of dropping three channels recently. Commissioner Kellerman said that he and the city attorney would write a letter to send to them requesting a change. The city's franchise contract with Comcast is almost up and if the current trend continues, Commissioner Kellerman said that it may be possible to look for another cable company.
Placed on file a resolution authorizing a development agreement between the city and Nathan T. Meagher in the amount of $25,000.
Appointed the voting delegate and alternate delegate of the 95th annual conference of the Illinois Municipal League Sept. 25 to 28. Those appointed were Commissioner Stone as voting delegate and Commissioner Davis as alternate.