Farina
GOVERNMENT
No one submits bid for Save-a-Lot building
No bids were received for purchase of the former Save-a-Lot building on West Main Street. Sealed bids were scheduled to be opened at the Monday night Salem City Council meeting, but none were received. City Manager Annette Sola says they will now seek requests for proposals from real estate firms...
Altamont City Council Approves Contract For Sanitation Services
The Altamont City Council met for their regular meeting Monday and acted on a few different items. The Council voted to deny commercial use for 208A North Tenth St., in accord with the zoning board recommendation. They also voted to approve publishing of request for alternate proposal regarding sale of 107 North Main Street. The deadline for submission is Aug 8th at 9am.
Solar issues discussed further at joint meeting of Vandalia City Council & Fayette Co Board
Solar issues were discussed further during a joint meeting of the Vandalia City Council and Fayette County Board on Monday afternoon. One of the longer topics of discussion during the meeting was dealing with a proposed solar project that will is to be located within 1.5 miles of the City of Vandalia’s City limits. The project was approved by the Fayette County Board last year. But, City Attorney Ryan Connor has stated because the project is within 1.5 miles of the city’s limits they have joint jurisdiction with the county. Connor says the company with the solar project will be coming before the City’s Zoning Board next month for a special use permit.
Marion County Board on split votes moves forward on window replacement projects
The Marion County Board has voted 8 to 5 to move forward with a $400,000 window replacement project at the courthouse. The acceptance of the bid from Gardner-L and M Glass of Taylorville is contingent on the board finalizing a loan at its next meeting to pay off the project over a ten to 15 year period.
Vandalia Statehouse Painting back at Vandalia City Hall
The painting of the Vandalia Statehouse is back at Vandalia City Hall. At the former Vandalia City Hall, the large painting of the Vandalia Statehouse was on the wall behind the council. But, when City Hall moved to its current location, the painting stayed in what is now the Vandalia Public Safety Building. But, with a new wall built at City Hall, the large painting of the Statehouse is back behind the council table. The painting was moved to City Hall on Monday.
Salem Community High School Board gets construction update and raises breakfast and lunch prices
The Salem Community High School Board agreed to raise breakfast and lunch prices at Monday night’s meeting after learning an Illinois State Board of Education Audit found they are too low. Superintendent Dr. Brad Detering says to expect a dime increase each of the next few years in breakfast and lunch prices to come into compliance.
Special Use Committee Meeting Held
A Special Use Committee meeting between the Fayette County Board and the Vandalia City Council was held at the City Hall on Monday, July 22 at 4 p.m. for the purpose of discussing issues of solar and zoning and an update on the former Evans Public Library building. Surprisingly, there were only five residents attending, three of which spoke. A 14 page draft of an Ordinance amending the Vandalia Zoning Code at Section 17.06.140 was handed out. This covered the requirements to erect, construct, install, or maintain a Small Solar Energy System, including “adequate roof access…allowed for emergency personnel”, cautionary labels, and dimensions. Included was an item stating, “Reflection angles from Solar Collection surfaces shall be oriented away from residential buildings.” Dimensions and placement of these residential panels was also outlined. Mayor Ricky Gottman added that a pole mounted panel was something new. Attorney for the City Ryan Connor said that these models could not exceed 22’ in height.
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