No cameras in Corner Pocket or the Legion
The Du Quoin City Council Monday placed on public display the promised set of new liquor ordinances, previously outlined in articles in the Du Quoin Evening Call.
The ordinances recodify the type of license that an establishment has and adds one more category: package liquor establishments that also have video gaming. There are two of those businesses in Du Quoin and it will cost them $2,500 a year for a license.
The only substantive change to the ordinance is that it grandfathers in two establishments that serve alcohol--The American Legion and the Corner Pocket lounge--that do not already have video surveillance equipment.
Both Corner Pocket owner Leonard Rice and Chet Armstrong representing the American Legion say their establishments would rather pay an annual non-compliance license fee which is $500 higher and not install the equipment.
Their argument is principally on th grounds of expense and invasion of privacy of patrons.
The Legion and Corner Pocket will not be required to install the equipment nor pay the higher licensing fee under the changes to the original plan.
The ordinance sets closing time at 1:30 a.m. and there will be no provision for extended hours during special events. So, don't ask.
Other Action
In other action, the council continued its conversation about a 5 percent entertainment tax on ticketing at the Du Quoin State Fair and vendor licenses for concessionaires or vendors at Du Quoin State Fair and other events. Previously, only vendors operating in the Du Quoin business area had to pay the $25 annual licensing fee. The council is still working out the details for things like flea markets and Miller Spectacular Shows carnival but the end result is expected to a flat, higher fee.
In other action, the council approved redevelopment agreements for Southtowne Shopping Center, the Down Here Christian Gift Shop and the owner of the new Wonder Wash.
The city will contribute $200,000 from the city's south side business development tax revenue to the estimated $630,000 Southtowne Shopping Center redevelopment facade and parking plan. It will be the seventh successful city partnership on the south end.
A Christian gift shop next to Mc Daniel's Furniture store could get up to $2,000 in help with its $10,000 building renovation plan. Finally, the city is offsetting $6,000 in utility installation costs at the new Wonder Wash by trading the right to use some of the Wonder Wash property for city parking.
City attorney Aaron Atkins swore in the city's newest fulltime officer, Josh Cushman, 24, who had previously been a Perry County deputy and named Will Denton to a parttime police department position.
The council approved the $1 per month water bill service charge increase with the funds going into a restricted account for infrastructure repair.
The city will let the Swimmng Indians take the lead on a car raffle to benefit swimming pool renovations. Ticket sales money will go into the renovation fund and the expense of buying the car to be given away will come out of the fund. It is believed the raffle will generate upwards of $16,000 toward the renovations.