Toulon acts on ordinances and subdivision

By John A. Ballentine

TOULON – The City Council deliberated on four ordinances Monday, passing three and tabling one for later consideration. In addition, the council made a decision concerning the city’s subdivision in southern Toulon.

The council unanimously passed an ordinance leaving the city’s franchise fee with Mediacom at 1 percent. That allows the city to collect approximately $2,100 in fees and reflect no change in customers’ billing.

A livestock ordinance for Toulon passed by a 4-1 vote and prohibits residents from keeping livestock year-round within city limits. This affects new livestock, not livestock currently existing in Toulon. Art Nutzhorn voted no, while Connie Jacobson, Ryan Kelly, Jason Musselman and Donna Lefler voted yes. Rob Finney was absent.

An ordinance that extends the deadline to March 31 for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) money for Ben and Julie’s Café Market passed unanimously. This allows the business to collect approximately $30,000 that is in escrow. The previous deadline was Dec. 31, 2019, but the business did not open until Tuesday.

The council discussed a cannabis ordinance to impose a 3 percent tax on sales within Toulon or to prohibit the sale and presence of legalized cannabis stores. The council voted 4-1 to table action for more consideration. Nutzhorn voted no, while Jacobson, Kelly, Musselman and Lefler voted yes.

After months of discussion, the council decided not to sell three lots, plus farm acreage to the Dean family of Toulon. Linda Dean offered $5,000 to the city, but the council believes the lots and acreage are worth considerably more.

In his report, Director of Public Works Rob Kamerer said several residents have refused city employees access into their homes to change water meters that are broken or dysfunctional. Presently, those residents pay a minimum charge for water, but with new meters, they would pay the true charge for their usage.

Mayor Larry Hollis suggested the City turn off water service to residents who don’t allow access. The council agreed. Moving forward, residents who don’t allow access will have their water service shut off.

Cemetery mowing has been extended on a contract with M and M Lawn Service for another year at the current rate. The City will add a spring cleanup to pay for a slight increase in what M and M charges for the upcoming mowing season.

Finally, a jetter the City owns has quit functioning and the council is considering purchasing another one in cooperation with Princeville for $22,000. A jetter forces high pressured water into sewer lines to clear tree roots and debris. Toulon and Princeville would split the cost. “It isn’t that often we would need it, but when you need it, you need it,” Kamerer said. The council is waiting to make a decision until it receives more information.