Mount Carroll Negotiates For a Dump Truck

By JOHN HUGGINS | For The Prairie Advocate News

MOUNT CARROLL – The Mount Carroll City Council will pursue purchasing a 2007 dump truck from Mount Carroll Township. The Township is asking $37,500 for the used truck that has 62,000 miles on it. Comparatively, a new truck would cost approximately $100,000. The vehicle is not in the current budget.

Alderman Mike Risko read the report from the street committee meeting that was held the previous evening, Ald. Bob Sisler had inquired at that meeting as to where the money would come from for the truck. The possibility of selling two older trucks to help offset the cost was discussed. The rest could be divided for the budgets of various departments that would be using the truck.

When Ald. Risko read that the recommendation to the finance committee would be to review and proceed with the purchase of this truck, Mayor Carl Bates asked if he should call the vote because that was the recommendation. There was some confusion over what, or if, there was a recommendation. And, in the minutes of the streets committee, the cost of the truck was incorrect.

“I’m not going to allow you to make a recommendation,” stated Bates. “I will allow you to make a motion to proceed with the purchase of the truck. And, if we get a second, then we vote on it and then it goes to finance.”

Ald. Sisler tried to make a motion to table that motion until they got more financial numbers. City Attorney Ron Coplan said there was nothing to table since there was not a recommendation or motion. After a motion and a second, then Sisler could motion to table it before it went to vote.

Risko made the motion for the council to approve the purchase. Ald. Doug Bergren seconded it. Sisler motioned to table it. Ald. Doris Bork seconded Sisler’s motion. The motion to table failed 4-2. Risko’s motion to proceed was called to vote and passed 5-1 with Sisler voting no.

During the water and sewer committee report the council discussed approving a septic system in the Palisades Heights subdivision. Water and Sewer Superintendent Rusty Handel was not at the meeting to make any recommendations. The council voted to allow them to install the septic system and not connect to the city sewer.

During the police committee report it was noted that a part time officer had been hired. Ald. Sisler noted that policy for the council, along with the mayor, was to approve the hiring of a part time officer. Ald. Bork thought it would be a good idea to have the officers’ pictures in the paper so the people know who they are.

Sharon Pepin from Community Funding and Planning Services announced the final update of the results of the income survey. She reported a 77 percent response rate with 55 percent of those responses falling into the low to moderate income classification. The City now qualifies for CDAP (Community Development Assistance Program) through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunities because it surpassed the minimum required 51percent low to moderate income level.

Other Business

Voted to approve the name of the roadway in the Palisades Heights subdivision “Emery Drive.”

Discussed looking into looping the water line on Galena and Spring Streets.

Discussed abandoned and blighted properties.

Discussed outstanding water bills.