Du Quoin Council Vetoes Two-Day Leaf Burning Suggestion
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ A perennial discussion of blending the respiratory health of the community with the need to burn leaves and yard waste each fall ended Monday night in the veto of a proposal that would allow leaf burning two days a week.
The proposal got some traction from commissioners Red Duncan and Kathy West, but was beaten by a vote of 3-2. Mayor John Rednour, police and fire commissioner Linda Fronek and finance commissioner Cha Hill all said they believe that better enforcement of existing ordinances is a better alternative than the two-day proposal.
Du Quoin Fire Chief Brett Crain became the voice of reason, telling the council that the fire department would rather ban burning altogether. If that isn't possible, he said he was against the two-day proposal because it would force homeowners into bad situations. For instance, if burning is allowed on, say, Tuesday and Saturday--it could rain on Tuesday, then it could be windy on Saturday. Crain doesn't relish the risk of homeowners setting fires in 30 mph winds because that was the only day they have left.
City ordinance currently provides for burning up until 7 p.m. May 1 through October 31. Burning is allowed all day and night between Nov. 1 and April 30.
Commissioner Fronek said in small communities, residents have no alternative in disposing of their yard waste. She has already asked the police and fire departments and health and safety officers to enforce the existing ordinance.
Commissioner Duncan shared with the council, city engineer Ted Beggs' estimate of the cost of repairing the Du Quoin Municipal Swimming Pool to stop leaks which this past summer amounted to tens of thousands of gallons.
Beggs estimates the cost of repairs to the pool itself at $35,000 and the total cost of all repairs at the pool at $82,600. That work would involve repairs to the wading pool and to the shower facilities at the pool. Duncan will further assess the costs this week, seek bids and bring his research to what will probably be a special meeting of the council. The entire council believes the work needs to be performed now and is expected to label it an emergency repair to avoid the bid process.
In other action:
Mayor John Rednour encouraged commissioners and department heads to cut expenses where possible and look for new sources of revenue in the wake of what promises to be a budget shortfall by the end of the year. He told department heads to cut overtime and supplies. "I do not want to put the real estate tax back on," he said.
He said he is looking at the merits of raising the city's communication tax from 1 percent to 5 percent. He said a 5 percent tax is common in most communities.
The council acknowledged a $50 pledge from Wal-Mart for a community paint program, a fund which townspeople and shop owners could access to improve their property. Details will be published as the project evolves.
Approved a parade permit submitted by the Du Quoin Pep Club to facilitate the Du Quoin Homecoming Parade.
Approved ordinance 2008-O08-01: An Ordinance permitting the use of neighborhood electric vehicles (NEV) within the Corporate limits of the City of Du Quoin effective January 1, 2009.
Approved ordinance 2008-O09-01: An ordinance adopting a cable television ordinance pertaining to service provider fees and PEG access fees.-Final Approval
Approved ordinance 2008-O09-02: An ordinance imposing a Cable and Video Customer Protection Law as it relates to State Statutes.
Approved ordinance 2008-O09-03: An ordinance addressing Construction of Utility Facilities in the Rights-of-Way within the jurisdiction of the City of Du Quoin-Final Approval
Approved ordinance 2008-O09-04: An ordinance establishing a $75 charge for after-hour disconnection and reconnection requests-Final Approval
Jeff Ashauer of the South Central Transit Authority told members of the council that ridership on a new shuttle system from Du Quoin to SIU with connecting rides to John A. Logan College is growing, but said CTA will amend some of the times to better suit riders. That schedule will be published when it becomes available.
The council approved the appointment of Joy Upton to the Du Quoin Library Board. She is an Edwardsville resident and librarian who is returning to Du Quoin
Tabled funds necessary to purchase surveillance equipment for Keyes City Park
Approved the $18,000 in funds necessary to camera and clean 3800 feet of sewer mains in the northeast area o Du Quoin.
Approved to continue the agreement with the 911 organization.
Commissioner West said she is working with the Illinois Department of Transportation to install a crosswalk that would cross South Washington Street in the vicinity of Pizza Hut , Mc Donald's Dairy Queen and Wal-Mart.
The council again voiced its unhappiness with Comcast for raising prices and cutting services. Mayor John Rednour and Commissioner Kathy West have a meeting scheduled with a Comcast representative in the coming days.