City council re-votes on drive-thru liquor sales

Royale Bonds

Breeze – Courier Writer

TAYLORVILLE — At Tuesday night’s Taylorville City Council meeting, a motion to reconsider and/or approve an ordinance that allows designated drive-up facilities for the sale and delivery of alcoholic beverages in their original unopened container was passed 4-3. Aldermen Steve Dorchinez, Kathy Driskell and Larry Budd voted no on this motion.

Initially, this motion did not pass at the last City Council meeting. Alderman Larry Budd said, “I don’t think this is the way we should be operating, bringing stuff back because it didn’t go the way you wanted to go so I will be voting no.”

Alderman Kathy Driskill said she agrees with Alderman Budd.

The City Council voted against raising the salary of the Street and Sewer Superintendent by 5%. The motion failed with 3 in favor and 4 against. Aldermen Jim Olive, Larry Budd, Steve Dorchinez and Megan Bryant voted no on this motion.

Budd said, “When this was done, we had told the health and safety officer that he would have to wait for his increase until there was an evaluation done. And I personally believe this is a smack in the face to him because we told him he had to wait. There’s not been an evaluation on this. I don’t have nothing wrong with Mike whatsoever on this at all, but I think there’s a gentleman that we know picked up extra duties and we’re telling him you have to wait but the Street Superintendent doesn’t have to wait.”

Alderman Steve Dorchinez said he thinks raises should be considered annually, along with evaluations.

A motion to prepare an ordinance to place a four -way stop sign at 1100N 1500E Road, with the approval of the Locust Township Highway Commissioner, was tabled because it is not clear whether or not those roads are in the city. Alderman Jeremy Wilson said the roads are in the city according to the map. He and Megan Bryant voted against tabling the motion.

“How come this hasn’t been checked before right now?,” Bryant asked.

Taylorville school district was given the property located at 828 W. Vandeveer St. There was a $1,600 bill in back taxes on the property. The school district paid $800 and the Mayor’s Clean Up committee paid the other half. There was no cost to the city, except tearing the building down. The school district will use it the property for the buildings trade class.

Alivia Foraker was honored as Youth of the Month. She won 3 gold medals in the US Trampoline and Tumbling Association National Championship in Rochester, Minnesota.