GODFREY — Milkweed will no longer be classified as a “noxious weed” in the village of Godfrey, after an ordinance amending the definitions of weeds was approved by the Village Board Wednesday.
The issue had come up in September, when a resident noted that the plant is the only food source for the monarch butterfly. The state recently changed the status of milkweed, and the ordinance brings the village into line with that.
HB 0685, which was signed by Gov. Bruce Rauner in December 2017, prohibits counties and municipalities from classifying milkweed as a “noxious” weed.
The board also approved authorization to seek bids for surveillance cameras for Glazebrook Park.
In other business the board:
• Approved a resolution for the demolition of 304 Tampa St.
• Approved the purchase of a new John Deere Tractor for a final cost of $14,352.71 after trade-in. Director of Maintenance Jim Lewis was also given permission to seek bids for gasoline and diesel fuel for the Parks and Street departments for 2019.
• Approved spending up to $5,000 for “blended athletic soil” for baseball fields. Collinsville Ice and Fuel will provide the material.
• Approved allowing Village Engineer Rich Beran to apply for Local Federal Rail Safety Program funding for the Pearl Street resurfacing project, and also approve a chance in scope of services for the project with the Lochmueller Group of St. Louis, at a cost of $23,350.
• Approved a façade improvement grant of $4,425 for Wade Seiler and Countryside Builders for 7107 Montclair Ave.
• Approved the purchase of new computer and software from Williams Office Products for the village’s Economic Development office at a cost of $1,780.
Reach reporter Scott Cousins at 618-208-6447.
Credit: theintelligencer.com
