Taylorville Council votes to bid out hunting grounds

Royale Bonds

Breeze – Courier Writer

TAYLORVILLE — The Taylorville City Council voted Monday night to bid out Lake Hunting Grounds.

There were concerns of the city losing money if they went through with bidding process. Alderman Skultety, who is familiar with hunting, said, “I’m all for bidding it out. I would roll the dice and take the chance.”

The motion to approve to bid leases for Lake Hunting ground for two years was passed 6-2. Aldermen Jeremy Wilson and Jim Olive voted no.

At the last City Council meeting, held on Monday, August 2, there were tensions among some of the Aldermen and the Mayor about the approval of payment for tree removals that had already taken place. At last night’s meeting, Aldermen Kathy Driskell had more questions regarding the rationale for the removals.

“My question is why do we need a new sidewalk out there for the kids when there is an existing brand new sidewalk on the side of the hospital the kids can use?,” she asked.

“We’ve needed to fix that sidewalk for years,” said the Mayor. “I thought it was a necessity to fix that sidewalk. If you go down that street now it’s probably the best looking street in Taylorville. I think we owe it to our school children that they have a walk way.”

Aldermen Driskell commented, “We have a safe route before this was even done. I don’t understand why it was pushed through as an emergency to get it done before school.”

Mayor Barry then clarified that the vote at the last Council meeting was not to remove the trees but to determine if Ward Five would pay for it. Ward One already approved the tree removal.

Aldermen Megan Bryant asked City Attorney Romano if the tree removal process was done was proper protocol.

“It wasn’t proper protocol,” the attorney said.

Health and Building Officer Andy Goodall had the job duties of the Airport Manager added with a 10% salary increase, which is $57,369.31. The move was approved 7-1 with Aldermen Steve Dorchinez voted no.

Other action by the Council included:

Motion to direct the Mayor to send a letter to the BFPC to hire a replacement firefighter due to resignation of Firefighter Dodd;

Approve bid the lease of 27.02 acres of Lake farm ground.