A matter of routine business for city council
It was a business-as-usual meeting of the Pontiac City Council Monday at the Eagle Theater. The council passed a number of ordinances, as well as other items on the agenda, with three items going through with at least one nay vote.
The most “controversial” item — at least, the one that saw the most nay votes — was dealing with Pontiac Towers' special use and variance request for the placement of solar panels on its property.
It was only controversial in that two aldermen voted against the special use permit and variance request by Pontiac Towers.
One of the buildings already has solar panels placed on top and the idea is to have a field of panels located between the Vermillion River and the resident buildings. This is in a floodplain but there is no housing close enough to create an issue, said the representative for Pontiac Towers.
He also said that the power generated will be used in common areas of the facility and that it will mean a 15 percent decrease in the power bills for the residents.
It was also pointed out that the trees along the river and in the area will not be a hinderance and that the area will be maintained.
The special use request is for the accessory structure and the variance is for the size of the field.
Current City Administrator Bob Karls said that similar projects are likely to be taking place and that this is a state-driven thing.
“It's not going to be the last time we will see this, so we want to get out in front of it in terms of what the future projects (is),” Karls said. “It's not only this sort of project that you're going to see, but also residential from the roof top down to the side yards. It's something we'll have to address.
“Also, this is an initiative that's driven by the state, so I think you will also see legislation that will take a lot of control.”
The council approved the requests by a 7-2 vote with Brian Gabor and John Wille voting against. Curt Myers was absent.
The council voted 8-1 to approve an ordinance recommended by the Planning Commission to allow regular requirements for adult-use cannabis growing and businesses within the city.
A major restriction is that these “cannot be located within 1,500 feet of the property line of a pre-existing public or private nursery school, preschool, primary or secondary school, daycare, daycare home or residential care home.”
It was pointed out that this does affect the decision made by the council at its July 5 meeting that allowed for a variance.
Alderman Frank Giovanini voted against this measure. He also voted against the variance at the July 5 meeting.
In an unrelated matter dealing with cannabis, the council approved a retail occupation tax amendment to a measure that was approved a few years ago. Monday's action created a 3 percent retail sales tax. This was needed because of a change made by the state after the city passed its original ordinance.
The third item that received a nay vote was the electrical aggregation program, which was passed at the first July meeting two weeks ago. The program is a two-year agreement with an opt-out option for residents.
It passed 8-1 with Jayme Bradshaw voting against.
The city agreed to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Cornell Fire Protection District regarding ambulance coverage. Pontiac Fire Chief Jake Campbell said that he was approached about an agreement in May after it was learned that a private business in Streator will be ceasing ambulance operations soon.
The agreement calls for a three-year deal at $19,800 per year. The year of service is from Aug. 1-July 31.
The Pontiac Public Library Trustee terms expired on June 30. On Monday, the council approved Eric Hoover, Kathy McLean and Connie Snyder to be reappointed for a new three-year term to the library board.
This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Pontiac City Council approves ordinances at regular meeting
