Carthage public hearing, May 7

A public hearing is Wednesday, May 7, at Carthage city hall for public comment on the future plans of the Prairieland Investment Group in regards to the former Carthage College property.

All property owners within 250 feet of the campus were sent letters about the hearing. Prairieland Investment Group will make a presentation at the meeting before accepting public comment and questions.

The hearing begins at 5:15 p.m.

The council passed a water and sewer fee hike of 5 percent across the board. The motion also included increasing the water meter deposit from $75 to $140. The increase was needed to deal with increasing costs.

“We're still one of the lowest, if not the lowest rate in the county,” said Mayor Jim Nightingale.

The council decided not to switch to a monthly water bill this year. They will switch to handheld scanners to read water meters.

“It seemed like we were changing too many things all at once,” said Nightingale. “We want to get the scanners working first.”

New watermains were installed at Marion Corner Apartments and the former Carthage College.

Skip Grotts asked the council to look into possibly graveling an area of boulevard in front of his apartment house across from County Market. Delivery semis have to turn wide onto the street and are leaving ruts in the area.

Grotts asked for a letter explaining the costs of removing his property from the TIF district. He was given an estimate of $4,500 to $4,800 to pay for this process. He declined to say in front of the council why he wants his property removed from the TIF district. Nightingale offered to meet with him one-on-one to discuss his reasons.

“Once we've gone through all the work and expense of putting it (property) in, it's more expense to take someone back out,” said Nightingale.

Nightingale announced that Franklin Hartzell was leaving the Plan Commission. Hartzell served on the Plan Commission for 45 years.

Residents wishing to live in Marion Corner Apartments can apply for an apartment beginning Thursday, May 1. Anyone who supplied a pre-application receives an application in the mail.

The council passed a resolution of support for the community bike and hiking trail project. The group needed the resolution to continue working on funding from matching grant. The vote said the council supports the project and is providing a match for the grant through any work they can do on the project. No city money is being given for the trail. The project is estimated to cost $1.1 million.

The council is working on having a representative from Mediacom cable come to a council meeting to answer questions about poor service. Two previous meetings were canceled by the representative at the last minute. The city's cable franchise agreement expires in May 2009.

City attorney John Glidden is drawing up a new peddler's fee ordinance that increases the fee from $10 per year to $25 for five days. Solicitation is only allowed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Solicitors have to provide a copy of their driver's license, proof of insurance and the city is running a background check on them.

In other news, the council:

n Accepted the low bid of $30 per mowing from Housewright Lawn Care to mow Kibbe Museum and around the fire station. It includes trimming and blowing off sidewalks.

n Read a proclamation making the week of April 20 to 26 Kiwanis Club of Carthage week. The club is celebrating its 85th year in existence.

n Approved closing part of the square on July 4 and 5, for the Fourth of July parade and dance.