 Two ordinances and a resolution were brought to a vote. Much had
been said on each of the following subjects in prior meetings.
Zoning violations have been a frequent subject of meetings and past
discussions. The need for new building permits for smaller wind
towers has been under discussion for some time; an earlier proposal
was sent back to committee for review and more detail. And, there
were several long discussions in committee and at board-of-whole
meetings about bringing the policy and procedures resolution up to
modern times.Zoning amendment adds detail for a fine against
violators
The modified Zoning Ordinance 14.3 now reads as follows:
Any person, firm,
or corporation who, after notification of violation and method of
correction, continues to violate and/or refuse to obey any provision
of this ordinance, shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a Class B
misdemeanor, and shall be fined two hundred and fifty dollars
($250.00). Each day a violation exists or continues shall constitute
a separate offense.
In short, if individuals are found guilty in court, they will
have to pay $250 for each day a violation is not corrected after
being informed of it.
The zoning ordinance amendment adding a $250 fee for violations
was approved 11-0.
New intermediate wind tower building permit fees
A new building permit structure was added to the zoning ordinance
to aid in the development of intermediate-sized wind farm towers.
There was nothing specific in place for smaller wind turbines. What
was available was cost-prohibitive. The new structure was designed
for wind towers that are typically for private, noncommercial use
and under 2 megawatts.
The amendment follows the Illinois
statute structure, using electrical energy production potentials
divided as follows:
Approved 11-0.
Policy and procedures resolution
This resolution was first approved in April for 30 days of public
display. Due to the way meeting dates fell, June was the first
opportunity to vote on the matter.
The document of several pages serves as a companion to Robert's
Rules of Order and adds more definition for board direction, such as
for bid letting, meeting order, public comment time and other board
orders.
The revised policy and procedures resolution was also approved
11-0.
There are 12 members of the board. John Stewart was absent for
the evening.
Appointments
The board also unanimously approved Garland Gehrke to the review
board.
County waterways remain dangerous; state intervention sought
During the General Assembly report, board chairman Terry Carlton
said that he met on Wednesday with Rep. Rich Brauer and discussed
the Salt Creek incidents. The county is seeking solutions to keep
people from getting on area creeks when conditions are
life-threatening.
The numbers have been added, and in a three-year period Logan
County has had an inordinate number of water rescues. There have
been 27 rescues in 36 months, and four deaths. What's worse is that
many of these incidents were avoidable.
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Local officials are trying to focus on prevention. They've tried
posting warning signs at waterways and have made announcements in
the media. The signs have been taken down almost as soon as they
have been put up, presumably by those the warning is there to
protect.
Not only are officials interested in saving lives through
prevention, but they must also consider safety of the rescue
personnel. Often debris-filled floodwaters have put first
responders' lives at risk.
In addition, the extensive manpower and long hours that are
needed reduce the number of personnel available to attend to other
incidents. It takes a toll on manpower and on finances from all
departments.
Waterways are currently very dangerous and everyone is asked to
stay off them.
Citizens should also remain vigilant of weather conditions.
Saturated ground and heavy rains have caused and could cause more
flooding of roadways.
Licensed county gaming and video machines vs. state gambling
machines
Gloria Luster said that June 18 is the last day for liquor
licenses. Gaming and video machine licenses for those entities would
also be due at the same time.
After the meeting Luster said that for some establishments, there
has been some confusion between the county's video and gaming
machine licenses and the gambling machines that the state of
Illinois is planning to deploy soon.
No machines currently in establishments in Logan County or
elsewhere in Illinois now are supposed to have a payout. The video
and gaming machines in Logan County can continue as they have been
and will still be licensed through the county. They must have the
county license sticker on them.
The state will be offering licensed gambling machines that have a
payout for winnings.
The grant Santa is coming again
Emergency Management Agency and 911 Dispatch director Dan
Fulscher was happy to share that he received word this week that
Logan County would be receiving a grant of $148,100 that completes
the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System radio work portion of the
new 911 system.
[By
JAN YOUNGQUIST]
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