Troy approves study, plans for possible TIF district
By Pat Pratt
ppratt@timestribunenews.com
Troy City Council on Monday swore-in returning members following the April election, approved funding for improvements for two storefront and an agreement to develop plans for a new tax increment financing district.
Alderpersons Troy Turner, Debbie Knoll, and Dan Dawson, were sworn-in at the beginning of the meeting. Of the council members, only Dawson saw a challenger in the election. Alderperson Tony Manley was set to be sworn in, but was absent from the meeting.
In the citizen participation portion of the meeting, Knights of Columbus member Chris Bergmann voiced concerns about signage announcing the organization’s recent chicken dinner being removed.
City ordinance states signage is not allowed for events outside of Troy city limits. The event was held at the Knights of Columbus Hall located at 8729 Lebanon Road in Blackjack, a few miles south of town.
However, Bergmann said the event uses local suppliers, helping the local economy, and the Knight’s council hosting the event is based at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Troy.
Mayor David Nonn, following Bergmann’s comments, said the city was not seeking to harm the organization’s fundraiser and Bergmann could have reached out to him directly to discuss the matter.
City Administrator Jay Keeven said following the meeting that city employees charged with enforcement have to apply the ordinance equally. He said the city has had issues on prior occasions of organizations and individuals with no ties to Troy erecting event signage, which is what the ordinance seeks to quash.
In other news from the meeting, Nonn thanked recently retired Police Chief Brent Shownes for his more than 29 years of service. Shownes was not at the meeting. His last day was Friday. Assistant Chief Chris Wasser has been appointed interim chief and will be sworn-in at the May 15 meeting.
Council members approved funding for storefront improvements for two businesses in Troy, through the matching-grants Downtown Storefront Program.
The first will assist a new salon to be located in the 100 block of Market Street with about $4,000 of an estimated $8,000 in improvements. The second approval will assist with founding about $5,000 of a $10,000 storefront improvement project at Time Out Bar and Grill.
An agreement with Moran Economic Development for professional services to further development of a new Tax Increment Financing District was approved.
The proposed district would encompass roughly the areas along Formosa Road north of Illinois Route 162. It would also include the business district along Illinois Route 162 to SrA Bradley R Smith Drive to the east and city limits to the west, with the southern boundary set at Collinsville Road.
As part of the agreement, Moran will complete a feasibility study to assess if the properties in the proposed district are eligible. Moran will develop the TIF plan and present it to the council and attend a public hearing before any plans are enacted. The city’s cost for the services is $29,500.
A routine annual item, council members approved a resolution for the review of closed session meeting minutes.
The next meeting of the Troy City Council is set for 6:30 p.m. May 15 at the City Council Chambers in the Troy Municipal Building. 116 E. Market Street.
