Glen Carbon Homecoming Set For June 17 and 18
By Kathy Turner
Despite frigid January temperatures, the Glen Carbon Village Board used their last regular meeting in January to begin planning and contracting for the 2022 Glen Carbon Homecoming. COVID-19 cancelled the 2020 and 2021 event, so this year will represent the first homecoming since 2019. As a result of approved contracts, the entertainment and concessions have been locked in for June 17 and 18, 2022. Carnival rides and concessions will be provided by Premier Works, Inc.
Live entertainment has also been contracted. No Diggity Band will perform on Friday, June 17, and Dirty Muggs will perform on Saturday, June 18.
As part of his meeting announcements, Mayor Robert Marcus urged local businesses, organizations, and individuals to consider sponsorships and/or vendor services for the 2022 Homecoming. Applications for sponsors and vendors can be found on the Village’s website under the heading Homecoming.
In other business, the board approved Amanda Martell’s appointment to the Community Events Committee. Marcus encouraged other residents to contact him if interested in filling vacancies on other Village Committees. Information about the committees can also be found on the Village website.
Two grant applications were approved by the Board. The first, an application for the 2022 Madison County Building and Zoning Environmental Grant program, will provide funding for an EV Charging Station at Schon Park. The charging station will accommodate two vehicles at a time and will cost approximately $30,000 which would be fully funded by the grant.
The second grant is offered through the Agency for Community Transit (ACT) and is a Community Action grant. Funding secured would be used to provide a new accessible van for the Senior Center. Again, the grant funds would cover 100% of the costs and would give the Village a second accessible van to service residents.
Finally, the Board approved a resolution to request proposals for the possible purchase of the Village’s Water System and Sewer System. This is the next step by the Board to secure permanent water services for the Village.
Earlier this month the Board approved a contract to provide a study of the Village’s current water system to determine its sustainability. The Village of Glen Carbon currently contracts with Illinois American Water to provide potable water services. Village officials are studying options for the future that may include a continuation of the contract with Illinois American Water, a collaborative agreement with Maryville, or operation of their own water and sewer plants and a new well.
The resolution approved on Tuesday, January 25, will prepare the Village for the potential sale of the Village’s current water and sewer plants should other options be pursued. Bidders will have an option to bid on the water and/or sewer plants separately or a combination of the two. Should bidders seek the purchase, they will be required to provide in their bid the rate of services for residents and businesses. The Village maintains the right to reject any or all bids should that be a necessary action.
As a discussion item, the Board reviewed entries by residents for a Glen Carbon Slogan contest. As part of a public relations expansion, it was decided to open a contest for the submission of potential slogans for the Village to be used in promotional materials and inclusion in the Village logo. The Board was presented eight slogans as the finalists and members were asked to review the finalists and be prepared to discuss the final decision at the next meeting.
