Traffic improved with parking and safety issues to be settled with 'No Parking' on W. Praire Street

By Kelly Costa

During Monday night’s city council meeting, the city council waived the 1st reading and approved Ordinance #2218 establishing No Parking on the north side of West Prairie Street from the City Alley adjoining the City Impound Lot to North Edwardsville Street/State Route 4. The city has conducted a review and analysis and has determined this area meets the requirements for a no parking area, and corresponding painting, and signage needs to be installed to improve traffic flow, parking, and safety issues.

In Correspondence, the city received an email from Jason Steinmeyer, Cub Master for Cub Scout Pack 8034, requesting to use the South Water Tower Park on Thursday, Sept. 14 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for Pack 8034’s recruiting night. Steinmeyer is asking to have the park rental fee waived. The city council approved the requests.

The city also received a request from Stacy Slifka, representing the Staunton FFA Alumni, asking to use the Fireman’s Park on Saturday morning, Sept. 16 for their annual tractor ride. Slifka is asking to have the park rental fee waived. The city council approved the requests.

In the City Clerk’s Report, City Clerk Dennis Stiegemeier announced that as of the Aug. 31, deadline, there are duck blinds that were not registered. The duck blind numbers are 4 and 8.

In Finance and Claims, the city council approved advertising for construction bids for the East Main Street Sewer Extension Project.

In Tourism, the city council agreed to close the following streets for the upcoming Strassenfest:

Main Street from Wood Street to Union Street on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023 from 6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.

Elm Street from the Associated Bank entrance going north to Duda Garden on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023 from 7 a.m. until Monday, Sept. 18, 2023 at 10 a.m.

In Judiciary, the city council approved Ordinance #2216 a Pre-Annexation Agreement with Larry F. and Janice M. Spour regarding property located at 9425 Schaefer Road but not physically annexing the property to the city’s corporate boundaries at this time.

The city council approved Ordinance #2217 a Pre-Annexation Agreement with Angela L. Rose regarding property located at 1928 N. Reservoir Road but not physically annexing the property to the city’s corporate boundaries at this time.

In New Business, names were drawn for the two unregistered duck blinds. The drawing winners were Joe Foster and Brian Robeza.

Those present for the meeting were Mayor Craig Neuhaus, City Clerk Dennis Stiegemeier, City Treasurer Cindy Pirok, Police Chief Jeff Doerr, City Attorney Phil Lading, Public Works Director Mike Kuethe, Aldermen Ryan Machota, David Manning, Terry Tipler, Kristy Berg, and Matthew McKee. Alderman David Dias was absent. The next city council meeting will be on Monday, September 25, 2023 at 7 p.m.