The Nauvoo City Council, along with 16 in the audience, met Tuesday, March 13, in the council chambers at the Nauvoo City Center on a pleasant evening. Acting Mayor Tacy Nelson gaveled the proceedings to order at 7:30 p.m.
The aldermen unanimously voted to hire Every Nook and Cranny to clean the City Center (excluding the library and food pantry). Cleaning will be done weekly for $40 per week for the first month so that the vendor can determine how much to charge thereafter. (The other bidder wanted $400 per week (cleaning).
Now that the Nauvoo Public Library has set up operations in the new City Center, the aldermen discussed what to do with the old library building located at 1270 Mulholland. The unanimous vote was to sell it. Following advice from City Attorney Diane Vine, a resolution to sell the structure will be voted on next month.
Currently the semicircular table at which the aldermen and support staff sit during meetings has only four microphones. This makes it hard for some in the audience to hear what they say, unless they lean into the mic. In a discussion regarding whether to purchase additional microphones for city council meetings, it was decided to postpone any such purchase until the next fiscal year, which begins May 1.
The city council set fines for parking violations, which will be $35 for the first offense, $50 for the second offense, and $75 for each violation thereafter. The aldermen also voted to reallocate the city’s Volume Cap to WIEDA (Western Illinois Economic Development Authority) for regional purchases. WIEDA is a local economic development tool for Adams, Brown, Cass, Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Mason, McDonough, Morgan, Pike, Schuyler, Scott and Warren counties. This authority offers tax free bond financing and enterprise zone opportunities for qualifying companies. WIEDA is one of 10 Regional economic Development Authorities (RDAs) throughout Illinois. Collectively, these RDAs serve 91 of the 102 counties in Illinois and have been operational for over 20 years.
The city council took action on several permits, the most noteworthy ones being approving the interior renovation at 1395 Mulholland (Lock 19 restaurant), pending approval by inspector and fire chief. The EPA is also checking for any gasoline leaks under the proposed parking area for Lock 19 (there used to be a Sinclair gas station there– the gas tanks were taken out a few years ago). Lock 19 will have to lower its new sign from 25 feet to 20 feet to meet city code. They have 90 days to do so. Also, 1595 Mulholland (formerly known as Mayfly) is being converted into a three-bedroom nightly rental.
New alderman Barb Schafer, also of the Nauvoo Community Center Capital Campaign Committee (NC5), announced a grand opening/open house pasta dinner will be held on the City Center front lawn (weather permitting) on Saturday, April 13, from 4-6 p.m. Funds raised will be used to help purchase an irrigation system, a sign, handrails and lobby furniture.
Nauvoo resident Janet Hill, representing the Economic Development Commission, reported on a recent conference she attended on behalf of the city. She said there is much money available and we are urged to apply, and they will even help with the application process.
Nauvoo resident Gene Shurts asked about the old school building, asserting that it was intended to be an “incubator” for new businesses, but seems to be used as storage space. He also asked why the city taxpayers have to pay some of the utilities ($12K/yr) instead of the occupants paying. He would like to see a change.
During comments from the public, one resident voiced the need for more spaces for buses downtown. The aldermen assigned the Streets, Buildings and Grounds Commission to look into the matter.
The meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m.
