Harrisburg City Council met February 15.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
Mayor John McPeek presided over the meeting with Commissioners Richard Harper and Mike Weirauch answering roll call. Commissioners Natalie Miller and Beth Montfort were absent.
Mayor McPeek led the group in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Harper made a motion to approve the following items under the Consent Agenda:
1. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 1, 2018.
2. Bill from Brown & Roberts for 2017 USEPA Sludge Report in the amount of $392.50.
3. Brown & Roberts for Chase Environmental legal consultation in the amount of $442.00.
4. Ray O’Herron Inc. for equipment for L. Leverett in the amount of $34.81 to be taken out of Council Contingency.
5. Harrisburg Lake:
Renewal:
Jim and Jennie Hughes - Fourth Addition, Lot 24
Lynn Mourning - First Addition, Block 2, Lot 9
Commissioner Weirauch seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
Mayor McPeek opened a bid from Pinoy Construction for the demolition, removal and disposal of 24 South Jackson in the amount of $9,564.20.
Mayor McPeek opened a bid from Fred Cooley and Son Excavating for the demolition and removal of 24 South Jackson in the amount of $11,995.00.
Mayor McPeek opened a bid from Roger Angelly Trucking and Excavating for the demolition, removal and disposal of 24 South Jackson in the amount of $14,500.00.
Commissioner Harper moved to accept the bid from Pinoy Construction in the amount of $9,564.20 for the demolition and removal of 24 South Jackson. Commissioner Weirauch seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
Mayor McPeek opened a bid from Aaron and Lara Shaw for 117B West Lincoln in the amount of $200.00. He stated this had been properly advertised some time ago. Commissioner Harper moved to accept the bid. Commissioner Weirauch seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Harper moved to authorize Attorney Todd Bittle to prepare the necessary paperwork to complete the sale. Commissioner Weirauch seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Harper made the statement that Angie Underwood was now classified as a non-union, non-contractual employee.
Commissioner Weirauch stated he believed a similar study had been done when Saline Valley built their prep plant and wanted to know what would change in 40 years geologically. He asked about earthquakes, mine subsidence or contamination. Buchheit responded that subsidence was not an issue but the quality could have changed from mining contamination. Commissioner Weirauch stated he realized that surface might be affected because, being an agriculture community, chemicals may have been an issue. He also wondered what would have happened in 40 years that would have created another pocket of water.
•Identifying sources of water, of which there are four alternatives
•Use of Illinois State Water Survey and Illinois State Geological Survey information
•Determine if there is sufficient quantity for each alternative
•Test quality of water from each alternative
•Determine what treatment process may be needed
•Develop treatment process, if necessary
•Determine how to get the water to the City
•Give an opinion of the costs, both capital and operating
•Develop unit cost and compare to current
•Evaluate current supplier
•Create an independent assessment of current supplier
•Consider alternatives and look at costs
Buchheit responded he had seen contamination issues arise as well as quantity issues but he did not expect quantity to be an issue with the current supplier. He continued that ground water quality-wise was more stable. He stated surface water could have chemicals issue and work could can be done to protect surface water. He stated that every supplier had their own problems but engineering can solve any problem. What engineering can’t do is to figure out a way to make it cost effective.
Buchheit stated a lot can change in 40 years such as demographics, usage and infrastructure degrading. He stated he understood asking why things were different than 40 years ago. He stated that technology has changed dramatically, treating water has changed, how water can be delivered has changed, types of materials used has changed.
From the audience, Elizabeth Woodworth asked how much this study was going to cost and where the money was coming from. Mayor McPeek stated the money would come from the Water Department. Commissioner Harper stated it would cost $40,000.00.
Woodworth stated the study would tell just where the City could get water and asked if that meant a new plant. Commissioner Harper stated maybe and maybe not. The study may show that the City should say with Saline Valley or even go with Rend Lake. He wanted the study to make a sound decision. Buchheit compared the study to buying a new house and wanting to know as much as possible before making a purchase.
Commissioner Harper stated that he knew, if the City stayed where it is, it would cost a million dollars a year and that was $40 million in 40 years and he wanted to know if that was the best decision for the City.
From the audience, Rick Lane stated he thought it was essential the City do a water survey to see if there is a better alternative. He stated he knew the City water bill would be between $82,000.00 and $84,000.00 a month under the new proposed contract so the $40,000.00 was just a half month’s cost to see where the City is at.
Woodworth stated it was a long term solution, not a solution for next month. Commissioner Harper stated that was what the City was interested in - long term. He stated the rate increases from Saline Valley were a concern. Mayor McPeek stated he was sure they were going to raise again this year even though the City did not pass the rate increase from last year onto its customers. He was also concerned that they were trying to steal some of the City’s customers. Woodworth stated she would be dead before anything got done and it takes money to do anything and the City does not have money. Buchheit stated it would take about six months for the study.
Commissioner Weirauch wanted to wait and discuss the study with the entire Council. Commissioner Harper asked for a Resolution number. Commissioner Harper moved to pass Resolution 18-0215 a Resolution to Execute Agreement with Henry, Meisenbeimer & Gende Inc. Mayor McPeek seconded. By roll call vote, Commissioner Harper and Mayor McPeek voted yes. Commissioner Weirauch voted no. Motion carried.
Commissioner Weirauch stated the report from McClure on the old junior high would be available for the packet at the next meeting.
Commissioner Harper moved to adjourn. Commissioner Weirauch seconded. By roll call vote, all voted yes. Motion carried.
Adjourned 6:32 pm.
http://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/3acc7b_bcc6312bcbe94c1f8469c856b01d6316.pdf
Alerts Sign-up