Wednesday, April 2, 2008 2:15 PM CDT
Council backs TIF money on four business projects
By HERB MEEKER, Staff Writer
hmeeker@jg-tc.com
MATTOON — City commissioners Tuesday approved tax increment financing grant agreements totaling $99,898 for four business locations, including one for a longtime business in the south U.S. Route 45 TIF district.
Bob Dunn, owner of Dunn’s I-57 Marathon, plans to complete relining for the interior of storage tanks, installation of tank monitoring and driveway repairs for his gas station at 4025 U.S. 45 just north of the interstate. The TIF grant agreement would provide $15,000 over a 10-year period to Dunn, based on a recommendation of the Mattoon TIF Incentive Committee.
“I want to thank the council for supporting me on what I’m doing,” Dunn said prior to the unanimous vote Tuesday night in the Mattoon City Council Chambers.
Mayor Dave Cline and commissioners Joe McKenzie, Randy Ervin, Rick Hall and David Schilling voted for the TIF agreements.
Other projects approved for TIF grants, all within the city’s midtown TIF district, are $31,742 dispersed over 10 years for replacement of awnings, plumbing, electrical service and concrete at Sanders & Co, 1400 Broadway; $10,630 over five years for electrical, plumbing, heating, venting and air conditioning, wall renovations and flooring for upstairs space above Sound Source Music, owned by Mike Kallis; and $42,525 over 10 years to Marilyn McClean for window replacement, facade work and emergency structural repairs at 1516 Broadway to complete a design similar to the original 1888 building there.
A TIF district generates money for renovations and commercial development through increases in property tax assessments as property is improved. The city has assisted many commercial property owners over the past two years through TIF incentive agreements.
The city has three TIF districts — midtown, Broadway Avenue East and south Route 45 — with active businesses, and one, I-57 East, under development.
Also Tuesday, the council approved a $19,331 annual premium for basic life, accidental death and dismemberment and dependent basic life insurance from Fort Dearborn Life Insurance Company through the Checkley Agency, Inc. of Mattoon. This insurance package over the next two years would require monthly expenses paid by city employees and retirees.
In other business, the city is fulfilling its commitment to install a water line along County Road 1000N, which now links with the new interstate exchange two miles north of town. Agreements for rights-of-way acquired by Coles County for the road construction promised to provide land owners access to potable water service.
However, the city will opt for a 10-inch water main instead of a 6-inch, which is the minimum on extensions to the city water system. The cost sharing has the city paying $14,263 for the new line that could provide water to future development sites north of town.
Public works Director Dave Wortman informed commissioners that lightning damaged two pumps at the lift station at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center. A portable pump is now working there, but it requires a city worker to be on duty at the site. Wortman will seek emergency repair quotes for repairs in the next few days.
Mattoon City Attorney Preston Owen said city insurance will not cover this type of damage termed an “act of God.” Wortman was asked by commissioners if smoke was showing from the pumps, which could provide a loophole for insurance coverage.
“No, the pumps were under water,” Wortman said with a grin.
Contact Herb Meeker at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.
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Harry Potter wrote on Apr 2, 2008 1:20 PM: