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City council levies annual taxes, retains attorney
By Cindy Iutzi/Gate City Staff Writer
The Hamilton City Council unanimously approved all three readings of the 2007-2008 tax levy ordinance Monday and hired an attorney to represent the city for a matter that could come before the zoning commission.
The $475,990 levy includes by fund: general corporate, $109,194; police department, $26,589; fire department, $26,589; sanitation department, $800; street lighting department, $17,336; audit fund, $3,500; streets and bridges, $35,452; Social Security-IMRF (Social Security, $28,000; Medicare, $7,000; and IMRF, $40,000); tort judgment (insurance), $74,597; ambulance fund, 0; municipal band fund, $3,108; permanent streets, 0; motor fuel tax fund, 0; water and sewer (water department), 0; water and sewer (sewer department), 0; sewer improvement fund, $34,556; library fund, $34,556; library fund, $60,269; and working cash fund, $9,000.
Council members agreed to hire Bruce Biagini of Macomb, Ill., to represent the city's interests if matters about the possible expansion of the Gray Quarry, Inc., operation in Hamilton come before the Hamilton Zoning Commission. Biagini would replace city attorney Stan Tucker to avoid a possible conflict of interest. Tucker also represents W.L. Miller and Gray Quarry.
The city had an indication that the quarry would consider expansion when Bob Miller, vice president of W. L. Miller asked Montebello Township Trustees this spring to vacate one-half mile of Tower Road to facilitate the expansion of the quarry. A part of Tower Road is maintained by Montebello Township, but ownership of the road itself is uncertain. The quarry and the property being eyed for expansion lie within 1 1/2 miles of Hamilton city limits and are subject to zoning by the city.
According to Finance Committee Chairman Dale Richardson, Biagini is the attorney for Western Illinois University in Macomb. He has co-authored a book about zoning, “Advanced Zoning and Land Use.”
“I'd say he knows something about zoning,” Richardson said.
In other matters, the city council passed the first reading of an ordinance to make the part of Third and Fourth street north of Main a one-way street.
The ordinance explains that parts of Third and Fourth streets south of Walnut that lie on the edge of the Mississippi River bluff “are difficult to negotiate, particularly with snow removal and deicing equipment.”
After the ordinance is enacted, violators will face a fine of $75 to $500.
Mayor Stephen Woodruff read a letter from the First Christian Church in Hamilton asking for non-perishable food items, laundry and cleaning supplies, paper products and frozen food for the Hamilton Ministerial Association's Hamilton Community Food Pantry.
The church, at 81 S. 19th St., hosts the food pantry.
In November the food pantry served 26 families, one of the community pantry's record months, Woodruff said.
The food pantry has a freezer and accepts frozen deer meat.
“There are churches, local organizations and individuals who contribute to the pantry on a regular basis,” said church secretary Paula Hendricks. “However, it is difficult to keep up with the large demand.”
In other matters, city council members:
Were introduced to the new Hamilton Public Library head librarian, Nancy Denton. Denton will replace Barbara Breheny who is retiring after 29 years and 11 months as librarian.
An open house is being held for Breheny from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the library Saturday.
Approved the appointment of John Phillips to the Zoning Commission.
Noted committee meetings including: Water and Sewer, 7 p.m. Monday; Streets, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13; and Health and Safety, 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 13.
Heard sewer work on Illinois Route 96 in Hamilton would be finished Monday night.
Were told the Streets Committee is looking into the removal of a sidewalk along Route 96 north of Hamilton on or adjoining Jim Hoffman's property.
Authorized the fire and police chiefs to sign the E-911 Call Response Service.
Asked Tucker to draft an ordinance to require downtown Broadway property owners to clean snow and ice from sidewalks.
Agreed to spend $650 on the employee Christmas party and turkeys for those who do not go to the party.
Decided not to offer direct deposit to employees.
Approved a building permit for First Baptist Church, High Street, handicap ramp, value $1,100.
The $475,990 levy includes by fund: general corporate, $109,194; police department, $26,589; fire department, $26,589; sanitation department, $800; street lighting department, $17,336; audit fund, $3,500; streets and bridges, $35,452; Social Security-IMRF (Social Security, $28,000; Medicare, $7,000; and IMRF, $40,000); tort judgment (insurance), $74,597; ambulance fund, 0; municipal band fund, $3,108; permanent streets, 0; motor fuel tax fund, 0; water and sewer (water department), 0; water and sewer (sewer department), 0; sewer improvement fund, $34,556; library fund, $34,556; library fund, $60,269; and working cash fund, $9,000.
Council members agreed to hire Bruce Biagini of Macomb, Ill., to represent the city's interests if matters about the possible expansion of the Gray Quarry, Inc., operation in Hamilton come before the Hamilton Zoning Commission. Biagini would replace city attorney Stan Tucker to avoid a possible conflict of interest. Tucker also represents W.L. Miller and Gray Quarry.
The city had an indication that the quarry would consider expansion when Bob Miller, vice president of W. L. Miller asked Montebello Township Trustees this spring to vacate one-half mile of Tower Road to facilitate the expansion of the quarry. A part of Tower Road is maintained by Montebello Township, but ownership of the road itself is uncertain. The quarry and the property being eyed for expansion lie within 1 1/2 miles of Hamilton city limits and are subject to zoning by the city.
According to Finance Committee Chairman Dale Richardson, Biagini is the attorney for Western Illinois University in Macomb. He has co-authored a book about zoning, “Advanced Zoning and Land Use.”
“I'd say he knows something about zoning,” Richardson said.
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The ordinance explains that parts of Third and Fourth streets south of Walnut that lie on the edge of the Mississippi River bluff “are difficult to negotiate, particularly with snow removal and deicing equipment.”
After the ordinance is enacted, violators will face a fine of $75 to $500.
Mayor Stephen Woodruff read a letter from the First Christian Church in Hamilton asking for non-perishable food items, laundry and cleaning supplies, paper products and frozen food for the Hamilton Ministerial Association's Hamilton Community Food Pantry.
The church, at 81 S. 19th St., hosts the food pantry.
In November the food pantry served 26 families, one of the community pantry's record months, Woodruff said.
The food pantry has a freezer and accepts frozen deer meat.
“There are churches, local organizations and individuals who contribute to the pantry on a regular basis,” said church secretary Paula Hendricks. “However, it is difficult to keep up with the large demand.”
In other matters, city council members:
Were introduced to the new Hamilton Public Library head librarian, Nancy Denton. Denton will replace Barbara Breheny who is retiring after 29 years and 11 months as librarian.
An open house is being held for Breheny from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the library Saturday.
Approved the appointment of John Phillips to the Zoning Commission.
Noted committee meetings including: Water and Sewer, 7 p.m. Monday; Streets, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13; and Health and Safety, 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 13.
Heard sewer work on Illinois Route 96 in Hamilton would be finished Monday night.
Were told the Streets Committee is looking into the removal of a sidewalk along Route 96 north of Hamilton on or adjoining Jim Hoffman's property.
Authorized the fire and police chiefs to sign the E-911 Call Response Service.
Asked Tucker to draft an ordinance to require downtown Broadway property owners to clean snow and ice from sidewalks.
Agreed to spend $650 on the employee Christmas party and turkeys for those who do not go to the party.
Decided not to offer direct deposit to employees.
Approved a building permit for First Baptist Church, High Street, handicap ramp, value $1,100.
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