01-12-2012

GREENVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING

The Greenville City Council met Tuesday night.  Bicentennial Steering Committee Chairman John Goldsmith reported structuring the committee and selection of subcommittees were accomplished in the first meeting.  It appears there will be several events over the course of the bicentennial year with one big event wrapping up the celebration.
The council authorized the use of Kolis Consulting and Dunham Independent Inc. to write a grant application to secure 2012 housing rehabilitation program funds.
The council discussed their past decision to not develop a Historic Preservation Ordinance.  Since there are new council members, it was decided to put together an educational meeting with the preservation group.  The meeting is for educational purposes only and infers nothing more.
City Manager Dave Willey reported work on the Unified Development Ordinance has picked up and the council may expect a presentation on the UDO.  He also proposed setting a series of meetings where city budget items may be discussed, leading toward a more participative formal 2012-2013 budget.
The council approved allocation of motor fuel tax funds, almost $307,000.00, for maintenance of roads in 2012.  They also approved a contract for materials for the road maintenance.

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BOND COUNTY HEALTH BOARD MEETING

The Bond County Health Board met Monday night.  During the financial report, Administrator Maxine Barth reported the Health Department is owed more than $420,000.00 from various grants, programs and reimbursements for fiscal year 2011.
Regarding professional education compensation, the Personnel Committee recommended revising the Education Compensation Program to include all full-time employees.  The board approved the recommendation. The program adds 50 cents per hour to employee's wages who complete a bachelor’s degree while employed by the health department and 75 cents per hour to those who complete a master’s degree.  The program had been available only to employees in nursing and mental health.
A report on employee health insurance indicated Blue Cross / Blue Shield is the provider and 30 BCHD employees have signed up for the insurance.
There was no influenza report for the month.  The board adjourned to executive session to discuss the administrator’s evaluation.

HIGHLAND INITIATING COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE

The City of Highland has recently put a high-tech fiber-optic system to use.  City Manager Mark Latham said the City of Highland has been in the process of building a fiber-optic system to bring fiber-optic technology to every home and business in Highland for about three years.  They are currently about half done with this project and Latham estimates they will be completely finished before the end of 2012.  The video side of the service was fully launched January 1, 2012.  They currently provide approximately 350 high-quality digital video channels.  According to Latham, they also offer an excellent package including telephone and internet.  Highland is the only city in Illinois to provide their own communications services to their residents.  Latham said the fiber-optic system will allow the city to better remain up-to-date with current technology.

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FIRE CALL AT BUSINESS ON THE SQUARE

Greenville Firefighters responded Monday, at 8:04 a.m., to a fire call from a business on North Second Street on the square in downtown Greenville.  According to the fire report, firefighters investigated and found no fire.  The cause of the alarm is believed to be exhaust from a normally functioning furnace.  Firefighters were on the scene about 45 minutes.

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NATIONAL ART HONOR SOCIETY STUDENTS TEACHING CLASSES IN JANUARY

Greenville High School’s National Art Honor Society is offering several art classes to the public in January.  Art teacher Mary Beth Kuenstler said students teach the class which has been offered for three years. They write their own lesson plans and teach the drawing and painting, and ceramics classes.  This year, they will be offering a "Mommy and Me" class which is available Saturdays from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.  This class is ideal for anyone who may wish to bring a child or grandchild between the ages of 3-7.  The drawing and painting class is from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., and the ceramics class is from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.  These classes are for those who wish to do more specific artwork.  The drawing and painting class costs $40.00 for the four-week course.  The "Mommy and Me" class is $25.00 for all four weeks.  If you have any questions, call the school at 664-1306.

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