Alongi plans to honor forgotten park name agreement

DU QUOIN - "Righting a wrong" is the way Du Quoin Mayor Guy Alongi described it at Monday night's city council meeting when talking about the naming of the city's industrial park.

The property was supposed to be named in honor of the Alvis family, which donated the land for the city to develop. But through years of oversight, the task was never completed by the city.

That will now change.

"We're going to get this right," Alongi said. "We need to honor our agreement. We're going to get a sign made and get the Alvis name on there. Maybe something like the Alvis-Du Quoin Industrial Park."

The council, working short-handed Monday with Commissioners Jill Kirkpatrick and Bob Karnes out of town, agreed to place money in the TIF budget to pay for the signage.

The council also accepted the resignations of Gene Krone and Scott Latta from the Park Board and appointed Lisa Gross and Crystal Harsy to fill the remaining terms set to expire in July 2021. Reappointed to their Park Board seats were Jeannine Baxter, Jami Jo Chaney and Jeanie Burke.

Reappointed to the Zoning Commission for three-year terms were Jeff Myers and Lyle Vanzandt.

Reappointed to the Library Board for a three-year term were Leanna Leek, Betty Eastman and Larry Underwood.

Reappointed to the Historic Preservation Commission for a three-year term were Leanna Leek and Judy Smid.

In other city news, the council:

Placed on public display an ordinance authorizing the city to enter into a contract with Delta Dental to provide employee dental insurance. According to Alongi, the plan with a new provider would save the city about $18,000 a year. There is a 30-day exit clause as part of the agreement.

Placed on public display an ordinance authorizing the city to enter into a contract with Unum to provide employee life insurance at a small savings to the city. At present, the city pays for a $15,000 life insurance policy for each employee.

Placed on public display an ordinance authorizing the city to enter into a contract with Dorgan, Butcher and Phelps LLC to provide public policy consulting. The mayor explained that the cost is $36,000 per year and will help the city in its quest to obtain state grants.

Heard from Du Quoin Weekly Editor Pete Spitler about mow-to-own properties. Spitler explained that the mow-to-own program is a "sweat equity" program in which selected city residents can acquire vacant, city-owned lots adjacent to their occupied properties by maintaining them through mowing and debris removal.

Applicants, he said, must have paid all real estate taxes on all properties that they own in the city and have no outstanding violations on those properties. Residents must own property with an occupied residential or commercial structure immediately adjacent to the desired lot. Generally, there is no cost for the land. There may be an administrative fee, but some cities waive that if the successful applicant makes improvements to the desired lot.

If later approved by the council, the program could go into effect Jan. 1.