•July 13, 2016•

The Moultrie County farm is up for cash rent. Members of the building and grounds committee agreed to advertise for bids on the 217.58 acre county farm, continuing the two year lease.

Committee chair Gary Smith noted the farm had earned the county $85,000 in net income, and the two year lease program has worked well for those farming the land and the county. In order to submit a cash rent proposal the bidder must own 40 acres or live in Moultrie County. Provisions to maintain soil quality will be included with the committee moving toward an August 3 bid opening for the November 1, 2016 through October 31, 2018 contract.

The existing contract is $417A plus a portion of the lime cost.

In an additional committee report Rick Matthews noted a $1795 circulating pump replacement is necessary at the Moultrie County jail. Matthews said he would rebuild the existing pumps to allow for a future back up.

•July 13, 2016•

Sullivan police are searching for a Polaris RZR UTV that was stolen from Sullivan Auto Center late Saturday or early Sunday.

Police Chief John Love asks that residents be on the lookout for the vehicle in case it was abandoned locally.

Anyone with information may call Sullivan Police Department at 217/728-4351.

•July 6, 2016•

Citywide clean up is a Sullivan City Council commitment: How to accomplish it quickly is the hovering question?

At the June 27 meeting public health and safety commissioner Bill Hagen recommended putting the money from recycling toward citywide clean up.

Mayor Ann Short noted city clerk Monte Johnson had pursued outside bids, and Area Disposal of Peoria could do the clean up in September or October for $2300 per truck load (four to nine truck estimate).

Mayor Short noted appliances, electronics, and tires wouldn’t be accepted; construction items bundled and mattresses wrapped in plastic were among Area Disposal restrictions placed on the citywide clean up.

“For that kind of price we should look at alternatives,” Commissioner Mike Kirk said, suggesting the city could rent a large dumpster and pay city employees overtime for the Area Disposal price.

Commissioner Mike Mossman noted one community had a fenced central site where citizens could show a city utility bill in order to dump unwanted items.

Mayor Short reminded the council that past experiences prove that such a location would have to be secured to prevent random trash dumping. The item was taken under further advisement.

Bob Hagen and a group of SHS class of 1971 grads requested a block of Washington Street closed for the Saturday, October 8 45th class reunion.

Hagen explained that classes graduating before and after the class of 1971 are invited, and they are planning to have a band play downtown that night, opening the event to the public.

The proposed location of the stage is Washington Plaza, next to The Little Theatre. The plaza will be removed by then, allowing the band to play on a stage occupying the parking spaces in that half block.

Hagen noted the class would like to make a donation toward the expense of the city providing utilities to the stage for the event.

October 8 is also during homecoming weekend and the SHS Alumni banquet. Permission was requested to start at 5:30 allowing the band to play 60s, 70s, and 80s rock and roll until 10 p.m. The council approved the class reunion plan for Saturday, Oct. 8.

Ordinances enacting net metering and interconnection policy for the electric department were approved.

A resolution adopting a three minute rule for public comments was approved, with Mayor Short emphasizing it would be enforced only if a member of the public became unruly.

Raffle licenses were granted to American Legion Post 68 and Sons of American Legion Post 68.

Council went into closed session to review executive session minutes. None were released.

Those attending included mayor Short, commissioners Hagen, Ken Johnson,  Mossman and Mike Kirk; clerk Johnson, treasurer Sarah Golden and police chief John Love.

•July 6, 2016•

Eastern Illinois University Presidernt David Glassman announced  some financial relief was experienced with the state’s recently passed stopgap budget measures.

The approved appropriation for Eastern is $26.2 million. We will also receive the remaining amount of MAP funding ($3.5 million) that Eastern advanced to our students in Spring 2016.

It is our understanding that the funds allocated to higher education are tied to available sources and that Eastern should receive the funds in the near future.

•June 29, 2016•

Free eye screening for diabetic retinopathy is available on the Sullivan IGA parking lot 9 a.m. to noon Friday, July 1.

The Sullivan Lions Club sponsored screening is in conjunction with the Lions of Illinois Foundation and Illinois Retina Associates, S.C.

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of new blindness in adults in the United States. Early detection is a major factor in the prevention of visual loss.

The screening may determine whether you have a retinal problem associated with macular degeneration.

Since early detection of such disorders is critical, persons with diabetes or those 55 or older are encouraged to take advantage of this free screening.