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A repeat of last year continued Monday night when Edwardsville City Council members voted, 3-2, to table the issue of contributing funds to the city’s annual AutumnFest event.

Council members took the same action on April 13, 2009, when the AutumnFest committee came before the governing body. This year’s reason for the delay was a mixture of concern about the city’s current financial situation and the absence of City Administrator Michael Webb from the meeting.

“I think we should table this issue until Mike (Webb) is here because of financial issues,” said Craig Crider as he made his motion, which was quickly seconded by John Eickhoff.

Representing the AutumnFest committee was Phyllis Freeman, who is also Edwardsville’s city clerk. Freeman said the committee had “another good weekend of fun” planned for this year’s AutumnFest, which will be Sept. 17 and 18.

“We feel it’s an activity the community has come to enjoy every year,” Freeman said. “It’s giving back to (the residents) what they give to us all year long in their taxes.”

Last year the committee asked for $6,000 in funding, but because of financial shortfalls within the city’s budget, $4,000 was awarded to the festival.

The AutumnFest committee is again asking for $6,000 this year.

Not all the council members agreed, however, to tabling the issue. Both Chuck Adams and Mark Bishop voted against Crider’s motion.

In a later interview following Monday’s meeting, Bishop, who will be in charge of the AutumnFest barbecue contest this year, said he supported funding the festival.

“It’s the same thing we did last year, the same amount,” Bishop said. “I just don’t think things are going to change when Mike (Webb) comes back. I voted for it last year. We were a little bit strapped for cash, but I think it’s a good thing for the community.”

Also in a later interview, Adams seconded Bishop’s thoughts about the effect the festival has on the community.

“It’s something I support greatly,” Adams said. “A community, especially in these down times, needs to come together, celebrate and become a tight and close unit. (I voted ‘no’ on the motion because) I didn’t want to wait. I thought it was appropriate to move forward. It keeps the community unified. It’s one way everybody in the city can see their tax money at work, providing services to the families.”

Two residents in attendance at the meeting, however, did not agree with Adams and Bishop and voiced their opinions to not fund this year’s festival.

During the public comments portion of Monday night’s meeting, Edwardsville resident Gary Carpenter expressed his concerns about giving money to the festival.

“With the city in such bad financial shape I don’t think we need to spend any money on a party this year,” Carpenter said.

Kenneth Brown also addressed the council, saying there were several road projects that could use the city’s attention and funding more than AutumnFest.

The council will discuss the issue at a later date, yet to be determined.

In other business, the council:

• Approved, 5-0, minutes from the April 26 meeting.

• Approved, 5-0, payment of bills totaling $90,543.77.

• Confirmed, 5-0, the mayoral appointment of Sara K. Worrall to the Edwardsville Planning Commission. Worrall will serve a three-year term that will end December 2010. Robert Craven completed his term and asked not to be reappointed.

• Heard a reminder from Mayor John “Tiny” McTaggart about the city’s annual clean-up day, which will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 15.

Edwardsville residents may bring bulky items, furniture, metal, appliances, etc. to the collection site at Edwardsville City Hall, 690 S. 4th Street. Residents must show proof of residency by providing a driver’s license with a current Edwardsville address or a current utility bill with a current Edwardsville address.

Paint, batteries, tires, oil, anything flammable, corrosive, or potentially explosive liquids, concrete, stone, dirt or asphalt shingle will not be accepted. However, the Wyandotte Hazard Waste & Recycling Center, 2443 S. 88th Street in Kansas City, Kan., will be open May 22. The center, which is just south of K-32 on 88th Street, will accept most liquids as well as paints, batteries, oil and tires, with a limit of 10.

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