CITY OF LAWRENCEVILLE, ILLINOIS

DECEMBER 12, 2019

MINUTES

 

The Council of the City of Lawrenceville, Lawrence County, Illinois met in regular session in the City Council Chambers of the City Hall Building on Thursday, December 12, 2019 at the hour of 7:00 p.m. The following Aldermen were present on roll call: Fritch, Stevens, Holcomb, Winkles, Courtney, Volkman, Waldrop and Blacketer. Absent: None.

 

Mayor Wagner called the meeting to order. Waldrop gave the prayer. All present then recited the Pledge of Allegiance while facing the flag.

 

Mayor Wagner presented the “Key to the City” to Pamela and James H. Nolan II, longtime residents and leaders in the community. Mr. and Mrs. Nolan II are being recognized for the countless work and service behind the scenes to improve the community.

 

The Council had earlier received copies of the minutes of the regular Council meeting of November 14, 2019. Mayor Wagner asked for questions or comments.  Waldrop made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of November 14, 2019. Winkles seconded the motion. Motion passed on a voice vote.

 

The Council had earlier received copies of the bills of the City, Sewer and Water Departments for November. Mayor Wagner asked for questions or comments. Courtney made a motion to approve paying the bills for November. Holcomb seconded the motion. Motion passed on a roll call vote 8-0. Yeas: Holcomb, Winkles, Waldrop, Fritch, Courtney, Volkman, Stevens and Blacketer. Nays: None.

 

Mayor Wagner reported the City’s accounts to the Council. The City working budget is on pace after 7 months of the 2019-20 fiscal year. Mayor Wagner praised all City employees for their hard work and dedication to the city.

 

After hearing from residents, aldermen weighed issues related to the possible sale of recreational marijuana, zoning, peripheral expenditure, whether to allow a marijuana dispensary within the City limits and how this could affect the ability to secure federal grants. Mayor Wagner presented Ordinance #1547 to prohibit adult-use cannabis business establishments within the City of Lawrenceville. Mayor Wagner asked for questions or comments. Waldrop made a motion for Ordinance #1547. Stevens seconded the motion. Motion deadlocked on a roll call vote 4-4. Yeas to not allow recreational sale of marijuana: Stevens, Blacketer, Fritch and Waldrop. Nays to allow: Holcomb, Courtney, Volkman and Winkles.

 

When the vote of the Aldermen has resulted in a tie, the Mayor shall cast the tie-breaking vote. Mayor Wagner said he did his homework on the issues and heard from many people. Wagner’s primary concern was the ability to secure state and federal grants for the city, and he was convinced that it will not have an effect. Mayor Wagner voted No to ordinance #1547 for a 5-4 vote against the ordinance. The Mayor added that to allow cannabis business establishments will give the city a good deal of control over the situation.

 

“We can control where it’s going to be in town, through zoning, the hours and the parking. We can control just about everything that goes with it,” Mayor Wagner said.

 

Mayor Wagner reported to the Council the winning bid for the City’s sewer line project to install sewer lines on the east side of the city came from Insituform Technologies from St. Louis, MO for $468,954.40.  Mayor Wagner asked for questions or comments. Fritch made a motion to accept the bid for the City’s sewer line project. Blacketer seconded the motion. Motion passed on a roll call vote 8-0. Yeas: Blacketer, Volkman, Courtney, Fritch, Winkles, Waldrop, Holcomb and Stevens. Nays: None.

 

Mayor Wagner informed the Council that the city has an agreement for an easement at the industrial park.  A 10-foot easement for Telecommunications Management LLC., for the purpose of installing fiber-optic cable. Mayor Wagner asked for questions or comments. Fritch made a motion to approve the agreement. Waldrop seconded the motion. Motion passed on a voice vote.

 

Mayor Wagner noted that the Lawrence/Crawford Association for Exceptional Citizens is requesting a stipend. The Lawrence/Crawford Association for Exceptional Citizens operates a workshop in Lawrenceville.  Mayor Wagner asked for questions or comments. Fritch made a motion to approve a $1,000.00 stipend to L/CAEC. Waldrop seconded the motion. Motion passed on a roll call vote 8-0. Yeas: Blacketer, Winkles, Courtney, Fritch, Volkman, Holcomb, Stevens and Waldrop. Nays: None.

 

Mayor Wagner reported IDOT decided the traffic signal at the intersection of Illinois Route 1 and Lexington Avenue will not be removed.

 

City Hall will be closed on December 24-25 for Christmas and December 31 at noon for New Year’s Eve.

 

Waldrop made a motion to adjourn. Blacketer seconded the motion. The motion was approved by voice vote. Time: 7:50 p.m. The next city council meeting is January 9, 2020.

 

 

__________________________

Rodney Nolan, City Clerk