Shelbyville council covers wide range of topics
The opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag and the consent agenda were almost automatic. A spokesperson for a downtown lending library project could not be at the meeting, so that item was tabled, then the city had to handle insurance renewal.
Liquor discussions then ensued. The council temporarily suspended the council meeting on a 4-0 vote, with
There was a request to approve a beer garden at the Iron Keg.
"The idea is to give our customers a place to sit outside and smoke and drink and visit," Sims said. "It would still be within the zoning for business. The lot is combined with our business. There is a paragraph in the license that says that liquor cannot be served off the premises. This would be on the premises. The fence would be there, so it would not be an eye-sore."
Commissioner Schafer asked about bands coming in to play in the beer garden and Sims said it is not in their plans currently.
"The sheriff is very concerned about the noise level after
Schafer said the idea of a beer garden is a novel idea. City Attorney
"In other communities, the liquor license is not tied to the beer garden," Kiley said. "They usually have a separate application for a beer garden license."
"Well, we need to look at it if we're going to create a beer garden license," Firnhaber said.
Kiley addressed Sims: "It would make sense for us to figure out what we would want first and see if that would fit with what you are wanting."
Mayor
Sims seemed to agree with that.
Mayor Johnson mentioned, while they were discussing liquor, that Casey's general Store had inquired about a change were they to sell hard liquor.
"We can think about that as we look at these things." Johnson said.
City Engineer
"How is that compared with last year's cost?" Firnhaber asked.
"Cost of material and spreading it has gone up," Schafer said. "Considering that, it's in line with probably about the last 5 years."
The bid was approved unanimously. Spesard then brought up an inter-governmental agreement with the State for work to be done on
"A grant had been approved in the fall to upgrade
There was also an agreement to be approved for a bike path along Rt 16 out towards Walmart.
"This is for phase 1 engineering for the path project. The agreement is for 80% to be paid federal," Spesard said. "A firm has already been hired, they are just waiting on the agreement. There also is a resolution attached that needs to be approved that says the city will pay the 20%,
"Is this something we need to do, so we can apply for the next part of the grant?" Firnhaber asked. "Yes." said Spesard. The agreement and the resolution were both passed unanimously.
Trees and the Chautauqua were discussed under other business.
"These trees will then eventually die," Schafer said. "The company has offered to cut down the trees, which would be on the boulevard. What does not fit in their chipper, they would leave and we would be responsible for hauling them off. Now, when they get done trimming them and leave, these trees are ugly. We'll take a hard look at this, but I am leaning to remove them. We will have to eventually, anyway, at our cost. All we're out (if they remove them) is picking up what's left."
Firnhaber was concerned with the integrity of these trees, especially in high winds on the boulevard next to traffic, after they are center cut. The city crews are already going around cutting down trees on the boulevard that are tearing up sidewalks.
The 20-year discussion about what to do with the
Commissioners Shanks, Schafer and Mayor Johnson met recently with
Commissioner Shanks said he will be in town again on Wednesday.
"He will give us numbers for repair of the trusses and for demolition and facts and figures on replacement buildings," Shanks said.
Commissioner Firnhaber asked if a company out of
Shanks reported that Collins said that if a structure is 30% damaged they don't recommend saving it. Shanks reported that Collins said the Chautauqua was about 5% deteriorated. Firnhaber questioned that.
"When I look at the Chautauqua, I think, just a 5% estimate (of detrioration) seems...wow!" she said, incredulously.
Schafer replied that this is the start to compile the information Firnhaber was looking for.
"I'm not a structural engineer," Schafer said. "There are deficiencies for sure (in the Chautauqua), but I'll defer to their expertise."
In other business, the city approved the sale of 319 N. Douglas for
The council adjourned to go into executive session concerning litigation.
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