Altamont Has Two Golf Cart Crossings on Route 40

Altamont city council members finalized two golf cart crossings on US Route 40 at this week's meeting.

One crossing will be on 3rd Street, allowing access to Schmitt Park; the other is on Edwards Street, allowing access to Altamont Grade School and the adjoining residential area.

Those who want to use a golf cart in town will have to pay a $50 calendar year fee to the City Clerk's office. The golf cart will have to undergo a safety inspection before the license will be issued.

Work continues on a crossing across Illinois Route 128.

The Council approved the reassignment of a lease for the former Dairy Bar building from Alvin and Deb Schultz to Daniel Angel Onate and Josefina Rivera, who operate El Rancherito restaurants in Effingham and elsewhere. Onate and Rivera have not applied for a liquor license yet as some renovation work will be done before the restaurant opens.

Council members approved a $132,000 payment to Kieffer Brothers Construction for reconstruction work on West Division Street, and permission was granted for street closings downtown on November 15 and 16. The Altamont Chamber plans to host a Downtown Celebration featuring a skating rink. The rink will be set up on the triangle in front of the former Clarkson's Furniture building.

The Altamont Council also approved a 3% municipal cannabis retailers tax, in case retail sales take place in Altamont after becoming legal on January 1, 2020. The Council also purchased a used pickup truck for use by the Zoning Administrator for $8,000.