Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-15-1963 Council Meeting Minutes January 15, 1963 Canton City Council held a regular meeting on Jan. 15, 1963, in the City Council Chamber. Mayor Cook called the meeting to order at 7:06 P.M. Present: Aldermen Howard, Sebree, Staley, Wright, Herbener, Hurst, Long, Skinner, Gibbons, Abbott, Berry, Horton, George, and Bender. Absent: Nor;e. Pledge of Allegiance was followed by a Prayer by Alderman Howard. Alderman Howard moves, Alderman Staley seconds a motion to accept the minutes of previous meeting and place on file. Roll call vote. AYE: Unanimous. Mayor Cook called for reports of Standing Committees. Alderman Herbener, reporting for the Traffic Committee, showed a slide of the pro- posed parking areas on the square and reported a need for traffic control. 1. On Feb. 1961 a traffic survey showing that 17.2 of every cars ofi the northwest corner turned left at least three times and one in every five continued around and around the square. By cutting eight feet from the west side, eighteen feet from the east side and twenty-five feet from each end of the park, places for 120 parking stalls would be available. Another reason for trimming down the park area was that the trees, mostly elms, needed to be removed; band stand not usable for musical pre- sentations because of the poor acoustics and needs work done;2the park is used for ice cream socials and in the new proposal, a place would be provided for such service. 3. Parking. The City has provided for two long-time inexpensive parking areas but in the area around the park, 3�,of the cars are using 221 of the avail- ark for less than 60 minutes, 15� stay able space (97% park in other manner: 83,E p between 1 and 12 hours while a 3% of the 151 stay longer than 12 hours) . By 1965 Canton, as now progressing, will need 150 to 200 long-tern parking spaces (of these spaces 80 to 100 have a long-ten feature - balance parking rate) . Several ideas have been, presented: to close off the square co— The pletely, or close the east side of the square, or remove the entire square. present park size: 380' by 106, would be reduced to 330' by 801 in the accepted proposal. The Traffic Committee believes the proposal covers three things: 1.. will regulate and control the traffic. 2. 120 more parking spaces at a great saving. 3. Maintains integrity of the Jones Park, which, if challenged, is a part of our inheritance, although it isn't as attrgctive as it could be. The plan will cost approximately $15,000.00 but will pay for itself over a period of three years. Alderman Herbener stated that the Council must not make a hasty decision but let the people read and hear about the plans and if there is a better proposal, the Council should discuss that also. A general discussion followed -- for and against the proposal. Mr. William Malmgren, representing 758 petitions against the proposed plan of deminishing Jones Park, gave the petitioners viewpoint and presented the petitions to the City Clerk. Alderman Wright moves and Alderman Hurst seconds a motion to accept the Petitions and place on file. Roll call vote. AYE. Unanimous. Alderman Howard moves and Alderman Berry seconds the motion that the City Council take whatever action is necessary to get this proposition on-a referendum vote of the people on April 16, 1963. More discussion. Alderman Hurst moves to amend this motion by adding on the same referendum "to widen route 78 through the City of Canton". Alderman Wright seconds this motion. It was noted that 251 of the voters in the last General Municipal Election would have to petition to get a question on referendum ballot and a decision that Alderman Hurst's motion was not pertinent to the motion made by Alderman Howard. Alderman Wright then withdrew his second and Alderman Hurst withdrew his motion. Roll call vote. AYE: Unanimous. Mayor Cook called for reports of Special Committees. Alderman Hurst, reporting on the meeting with the Division of Highways regarding widening of Route 78 through the City, stated that the State was still interested in the project although no funds were available at this time. Alderman Hurst moves that the question of widening of Route 78 through the City of Canton be placed on ballot so that the people could voice their opinion in favor of or against the widening of Route 78 through the City as proposed by the State of Illinois plans that were presented to the Council in the past there might be some variations required by the State -- placed on ballot only if the petitions required are available by that date. Alderman Wright seconded this motion, and wished to add'Ithat the Council take such action as necessary to place the question on the Anril 16, 1963 ballot". Roll call vote. AYE: Alder- men Howard, Sebree, Staley, Wright, Hurst, Long, Skinner, Gibbons, Abbott, Berry, Horton, George, and Bender. NAY: Alderman Herbener. (13 AYES and 1 NAY) . Motion carried. Alderman Long reported that plans for the new vault were in the hands of three contractors and these men had submitted sealed bids but he wished to hold over until the next Council meeting. Cost of the building is over $1500.00, therefore, necessary' to advertise for bids. Alderman Wright moves that bids be returned un- opened to contractors and hope they are presented at next Council meeting. Wa! Ald- erman gender seconded the motion. Voice vote. AYE. Unanimous. 55 Communications to the Council. Jan. 15, 1963) Cont. Alderman Herbener excused from Council chamber 9:13 P.M. Returned at 9:22 P. M. WtM5t f m tie iv' io f H' h a re rdin th R solution p r pr' tin R of Nlo�or'Puff �ax R or ie paymen o principal Enr8 intere61t due Jan. 1963 on Sections 36CS, 37CS, 39CS, 41CS, 42CS, 43CS, and 44CS approved in the amount of $40,345.51. Alderman Bender moves and Alderman George seconds a motion to place the letter on file. Voice vote. AYE: Unanimous. Resolution for street lights on East Elm Street between Twelfth and Thirteenth Avenue and in the circle at end of Edmar Drive read. Alderman Sebree moves and Alderman George seconds a motion to adopt the Resolution. . Roll call vote. AYE: Unanimous. This being Resolution No. 339. Bond for Gerald Fidler, Auxiliary Policeman, properly approved by the Finance Com- mittee presented. Alderman Herbener moves and Alderman Staley seconds a motion to accept same and place on file. Roll call vote. AYE: Unaminous. Alderman Bender asked Alderman Herbener if he would investigate and recommend re- moval of stop sign on Second Avenue and Maple Street, also that the swinging lamp C; on East Linn Street and Fourth Avenue needed to be replaced with a larger lamp and C\3 suggested a Resolution be drawn on same. Alderman Berry recommended that two parking stalls be reserved on East Elm Street near the main entrance to the I. H. C. for use of Joseph Butch and Swanie Grzanich, (both disabled), also to consider removing parking on the north side of East Elm Street between Second Avenue and Fourth Avenue and change the south side to diagonal parking. Alderman Staley moves that the two parking stalls be granted for disabled persons, seconded by Alderman George. (Street Superintendent Myers to work frith Mr. James Shaw in marking off the proper places) . Voice vote. AYE: Unanimous. Chief of Police Lindzey instructed to investigate parking of cars on Second Avenue and Elm Street and also near the Graham Hospial where there is a "no parking" zone. First reading of an Ordinance pertaining to the Police Department. Alderman Staley moves and Alderman Wright seconds a motion to suspend the rules. Roll call vote. AYE: Aldermen George, Horton, Berry, Gibbons, Skinner, Long, Hurst, Herbener, Wright, Staley, and Sebree. NAY: Aldermen Bender, Abbott, and Howard. (11 AYES and w NAYS) . Motion carried. Alderman Staley moves and Alderman Wright seconds a motion to place the Ordinance on its passage. Discussion as to the need for extra police to relieve the present personnel on Sunday and to help in cases of emergency. Roll call vote. AYE Aldermen Staley, Wright, Hurst, Berry, Horton, and George. NAY: Aldermen Howard, Sebree, Herbener, Long, Skinner, Gibbons, Abbott, and Bender. (6 AYES and 8 NAYS). Motion lost. Alderman Horton asked to be relieved of his duties on the Police and Legal Committee. First reading of an Ordinance pertaining to street improvement on Hickory, Holly, Lewis, Hanlon, Sam Scott Streetsaand Sixth Avenue (known as 63-A) next on the agenda. Alderman Wright moves that the minutes read that the Clerk read a portion of the Ordinance, seconded by Alderman Bender. Voice vote. AYE: Unanimous. It was stated that it was necessary that this Ordinance have a complete reading at a Council meeting. Clerk read a portion of this Ordinance. Alderman Wright then moves that the Clerk be instructed to write in the minutes of the Council meeting that same has been read and complete the reading at the next Council meeting. Alderman Bender seconded this motion. Roll call vote. AYE: Aldermen Bender, George, Horton, 'Berry, Abbott, Gib- bons, Skinner, Long, Herbener, Wright, Sebree, and Howard. Voting "PRESENT": Alder- men Hurst and Staley. (12 AYES and 2 PRESENT) . Motion carried. Complete reading of this Ordinance to be made on Feb. '5, 1963. Discussion regarding the Yield Right of Way signs ordered placed on the Southwest and northeast corners of Second Avenue and Vine Street (Ord. passed Aug. 1957), the sign on the northeast corner is not in place. There has been one accident at this location and Alderman Howard inquired if the City would be responsible. Street Superintendent Myers to see that the sign is replaced. Alderman Wright moves to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Berry. Voice vote. AYE: Unanimous. Canton City Council adjourns at 10:18 P. M. ti City Clerk v