Staunton Star - Times - Published in the Interest of the Staunton Community for Over 143 Years

by Kelly Costa

The first reading of an ordinance that would amend Staunton's Zoning Code was given at the city council meeting on Dec. 13. The potential changes refer to camping trailers at residences and mobile homes.

In part, the amended zoning code says that only one camping trailer will be allowed on one lot of a dwelling and can't be used as living quarters or a commercial office. Camping trailers and recreational vehicles can't be parked in a front yard except on a driveway and can't be parked on a public street for more than a seven-day period.

Mobile homes must be in an R-3 zoning district and used as a dwelling for the owner or renter. No mobile homes shall be placed on individual lots in R-1 or R-2 zoning districts. All mobile homes must be skirted and anchored according to city regulations. Existing mobile homes may be replaced within six months of removal of the existing mobile home.

Mobile home parks must be not less than two acres and meet specific lot size specifications and provide two off-street parking spaces per lot.

The amended zoning code will be voted on by the council at the next meeting on Monday, Dec. 27.

The first reading was also given for Ordinance #2150 authorizing the levy and collection of taxes for the city of Staunton. The period affected is the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2021, and ending April 30, 2022.

It provides a tax levy of $658,613 made up of the following: Corporate Fund- $284,613; Insurance - $145,000; Social Security - $90,000; Recreation - $17,000; IMRF - $45,000; Band - $1,000; Library - $76,000.

The council will take a vote regarding the tax levy at the next regular city council meeting.

In other business, the council approved Ordinance #2149 amending the Liquor Code for Staunton in regard to the number of available Class D Licenses from five to six.

A resident of Albrecht Road was a guest at the meeting and asked the council if the city was planning to extend water lines down Albrecht Road. There are approximately nine houses on Albrecht Road. He was told the matter will be discussed at a water meeting.

The owner of S and K Storage also attended the meeting, and he asked the council if they would consider installing a street light near his property which is a dark corner. A street light on this corner would also benefit the bike trail and the South Water Tower Park. Mayor Craig Neuhaus said that the city was considering installing more lighting at city parks for security reasons. The council will discuss the lighting issue.

City Clerk Dennis Stiegemeier announced that the city clerk’s office will be closed on Friday, Dec. 24, and Monday, Dec. 27, for the Christmas holiday. All public works employees, except one water treatment plant employee, will be off those days as well.

In Public Health and Safety, the city council approved spending up to an additional $6,000 for police department remodeling.

In Park and Civic Improvement, the city council agreed to pay an invoice from Hap Industries, Inc. (Christmas Décor Systems) for Main Street Christmas decorations in the amount of $3,472.50. This is the third payment of a three-year agreement that was approved at the June 10, 2019, city council meeting.

In Finance and Claims, the city council authorized Mayor Neuhaus to sign an engagement letter with C.J. Schlosser & Company, LLC, confirming services for the city audit for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2022. The fee for audit services this year is $9,200.

In Streets and Sewer, the council approved a proposal from Vandevanter Engineering for lift station repairs at the Canadian Crossing and Hi Café lift stations for $13,595.

Payment of invoices from Laughlin Electric in the amounts of $1,540 and $3,035 for Main Street electrical repairs was approved.

The collector's report included the following:

Staunton Police Department - Reports $25, Ordinance violations $300;

Staunton Area Ambulance Service - Dispatch fee $500;

Staunton Super 8 Motel - Hotel/motel tax - $2,115.96;

Prairietown Feed Service - Jarman farm income - $1,651.93;

State of Illinois - American Rescue Plan Act Relief dollars $347.87, Personal property replacement tax $1,642.56, MFT tax $10,549.21;

Macoupin County Circuit Clerk - Fine disbursement $300.46, E-citation fee $9.83,Arrest agency fee $98, Police vehicle fund $.50;

Illinois Public Risk Fund - 2021 safety grant $6,755.

Those present for the meeting were Mayor Craig Neuhaus, City Clerk Dennis Stiegemeier, Public Works Director Mike Kuethe, aldermen Rick Johnson, Jeff Scanzoni, John Moore, Ryan Machota, David Manning, and David Dias. Alderman Chad Plenske, Police Chief Jeff Doerr, and City Attorney Phil Lading attended electronically. Treasurer Cindy Pirok and Alderman Randy Hanks were absent.

The next city council meeting will take place on Monday, Dec. 27, at 7 p.m.