Pinckneyville council files streetscape grant, approves event closures and tables remediation agreement

At its June 24 meeting, the Pinckneyville City Council placed Resolution No. R-2024-26 on file supporting streetscape enhancements for three blocks of South Walnut Street and authorizing submission of a grant application. Commissioner Sammy D. Peradotta told the council the grant—available every two years—covers improvements such as sidewalks, curbs and gutters for the project area bounded by Water Street (Illinois Route 154) to the north and West Randolph Street to the south.

During the same meeting the council approved two event-related requests from the American Thresherman Association to close Ballpark Road Aug. 12–19, 2024 and to route the Opening Power of Parade on Aug. 14 at 5:00 p.m., and approved a $1,500 donation from the hotel/motel tax fund to help cover advertising. First Baptist Church received approval to close part of West St. Louis Street on July 26 and Aug. 9 for its Kidz Faith Camp.

City Attorney Don Bigham described a proposed highway authority agreement with Southern FS, Inc., to facilitate remediation of fuel-tank contamination affecting South Duckworth Street; he said the city is not liable for remediation but would agree not to disturb the street and that the city might vacate the affected portion because it is part of the FS parking lot. Mayor Robert L. Spencer said he had not been able to reach the responsible Southern FS contact, so the council tabled the matter until the next meeting.

Other council business included scheduling oil-and-chip street work July 9–11, approving a treasurer’s report showing ending and unrestricted balances for May 2024, and approving accounts payable that added three invoices totaling $13,885.49. Laura Loos used public comment to say no one had contacted her about an easement for the streetscape project; Commissioner Peradotta said he would notify the project's engineer.