Two Taylorville city offices in limbo
by Tom Latonis
Breeze-Courier Writer (TAYLORVILLE) — All eight members of the Taylorville City Council met in closed session for nearly 2-and-a- half hours Tuesday night, but did not come to a conclusion on what to do with the offices of city treasurer and human resources officer.
The closed session began at 7:20 p.m. and concluded at 9:45 p.m. Today (Wednesday) Taylorville Mayor Bruce Barry said no action was taken following those discussions. Under the Council’s agenda, the executive session was to “discuss the performances and/or employment and/or removal and/or dismissal and/or resignation of the City Treasurer (Kellie Hamell) and/ or of the Human Resource Manager (Andrea Conrath), and any vacancy in and/or the appointment and selection of a person or persons to fill either or both of such offices and compensation relating to either or both of such appointments or relating to the removal dismissal or resignation of and/or any severance agreement concerning the Human Resource Manager and any and all subject matters relating thereto. . .”
Mayor Barry said a lot of topics were discussed, but he could not elaborate on any of those discussions. He said the discussions will continue at the next city council meeting. In other matters before the Council, an amendment to the city’s liquor control ordinance passed on a 7-2 vote. It now allows liquor stores, restaurants, golf course and convince stores to begin selling liquor at 6:00 a.m. on Sundays for an additional $300 fee. This is paid over the cost of a license holders receives. Licensees can also choose to sell liquor on Sundays beginning at 12:00 noon for an extra $200 over their regular license fee.
First and third ward aldermen Jim Olive and Larry Budd voted, “no”. Mayor Bruce Barry cast a “yes” vote.
City Attorney Rocky Romano and Mayor Barry announced the trustees of the Taylorville Fire Protection District voted to order a new water tanker for the fire district. It will take a full year to build at a cost estimated at $463,000.
Romano said the trustees opted to purchase now because starting in March, the cost of the same vehicle would go up 25 percent.
Once delivered, the city will pay a lease fee to the district for the use of the vehicle.
In other fire district news, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dave Oldham, has reportedly submitted his resignation to the Board.
No replacement has been announced. A trustee for a fire protection district must be appointed by the Christian County Board.
Mayor Barry thanked Oldham for his service on the Board. He noted, counting this purchase, under Oldham’s administration, the city has been provided three new pieces of fire fighting equipment.
Petersburg Plumbing and Excavation was approved to complete sewer linings and repairs on East Palmer St. at a cost not to exceed $20,568. It was stated the city does not have to seek competitive bids for anything costing less than $25,000.
Mayor Barry said the city is familiar with and satisfied with Petersburg’s work on projects in the city. Alderman Steve Dorchinecz voted “no.”
The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m., according to the mayor.
