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Taylorville council approves business-district amendments, infrastructure funding and property demolitions
Summary
At a regular Taylorville City Council meeting, members approved multiple business-district agreement amendments, leases and contracts, authorized up to $925,000 for the West Main Cross improvement project, and approved demolition of four derelict properties; a proposal to cut power at the industrial park failed amid liability concerns.
The Taylorville City Council on a regular session approved a package of routine and project-specific measures, including amendments to business-district agreements, two real-estate leases, multiple construction-pay requests and funding authorizations for a major street improvement.
The council unanimously approved first amendments to business-district agreements with Central Illinois Optometric Associates (900 West Springfield Road), the Christian County Historical Society (1791 Morrison Drive) and the Christian County YMCA (900 McAdam Drive). Mayor Barry’s appointment of Maryanne Lowry to the library board was also approved by roll call.
A resolution to appropriate up to $925,000 in Rebuild Illinois, motor-fuel tax and local funds for the West Main Cross Improvement Project was adopted 6–1 after the city attorney cautioned that any use of local funds must be covered by a current appropriation ordinance or a supplemental ordinance. Rocky, the city attorney, advised council members that local funds cannot be spent unless properly appropriated.
The council authorized change order number two to Illinois Valley Paving for $52,446.88 for work at the Taylorville Food Center improvements and recommended pay request number two to the same contractor; the clerk noted that payment would be held until certified payroll and lien waivers were received. The council also authorized Benton & Associates to seek proposals for the Adam Street construction project and approved a $3,200 Benton engineering proposal for Safe Routes to School grant application administration funded from the public relations line item.
On personnel and city services: the meeting included sworn oaths for newly promoted fire personnel and the hiring/appointment of the city auditor for the 2024–25 audit. Several aldermen pressed the administration about outstanding audits for prior years and urged revisions to the auditor agreement; the auditor selection vote passed 5–2.
The council approved demolition of four structures—1133 East Elm Street, 902 East Thompson Street, 809 East Lewis Street and 625 Cheney Street—after a motion to table the item failed; the final approval vote was 4–3. During public comment several residents said the demolition process lacked transparency and asked who would pay related costs such as dumpsters.
A separate proposal to turn off power in the industrial park as a cost-saving measure was discussed and failed on a 6–1 vote; members raised liability concerns and noted the lights are considered a marketing feature for the town.
The council accepted the treasurer’s report and approved payment of bills totaling $736,278.76. The meeting adjourned at 7:43 p.m.
