The Colchester City Council addressed a brief agenda at its July 6 regular meeting, with two members of the community addressing the council during public comments.
Craig Clayborn urged the council not to approve a liquor license for a new business, The Golf Garage, at 205 E. Fulton St. He expressed concern with the sale of alcohol in conjunction with use of golf simulators and training, and pointed out that the adjacent public library as well as the busy traffic intersection might produce problems with golf patrons consuming alcohol. The council agenda had not listed the issuance of a liquor license, so no action could be taken.
O.K. McCombs spoke to a problem in his neighborhood in the southeast section of town with loud parties and other issues. McCombs told the council he has notified city police several times but was not satisfied with the response. He asked what he could do next if a quiet hours ordinance doesn't address the problem, and expressed concerns about retaliation for calling in the complaints.
Victoria Livingston, executive director of Prairie Hills Land Conservancy, was present to answer questions from the council about resolution of problems with derelict properties and the Conservancy's role in purchasing these properties for renovation or demolition. She spoke to the role the agency can play in helping the city to communicate to property owners, as well as steps to take in the event properties aren't remedied as directed. The agency can also play a part in renovation of structures. While the agency works to preserve natural resources and support economic development, it also works to enhance abandoned or derelict properties and return them to productive use.
In other business, the council approved a Technical Assistance Agreement related to Illinois Community Development Block Grant program for the proposed sewer project at a maximum cost of $3,250. The grant will assist the city in meeting requirements toward financing the sewer project. The council also took final action on Ordinance No. 2006-07, an appropriation ordinance for FY26-27. Before the vote, council member Francis Welch expressed concerns that a budget document had not been available in order to reconcile anticipated appropriations with a budget.
'I thought we always had to have a budget before we approach an appropriation ordinance,' she noted.
According to Mayor Mark Clark, the city attorney has noted that the city went on appropriation, not budget, so the budget wasn't necessary to do this piece of the ordinance. The council approved the ordinance with a 6-0 vote.
Council members also approved the services of Gem City collection agency to collect past due bills. The agency will add their fee to the bill for whatever amount is collected.
