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Council has busy one hour session Monday
In a short one hour plus meeting Monday, the city council handled six major topics of discussion.
These included a new CIPS contract, the seemingly never-ending cure to an illegal water line to the southwest, parking for
carnival workers, construction of a new storm water line in the Pineview Subdivision area, recycling and the need for a pump
repair at the waste water treatment plant.
In the end, the council did pass a motion for the first reading of the revised CIPS contract and voted 7-0 (Kessler absent) to
spend no more than $5800 to make the needed repairs at the waste water treatment plant.
Although no motion was made because of the complexity of the replacement of a storm water line in Pineview, the council did
agree to a special meeting if needed.
The CIPS contract was introduced at the last meeting, the council asked to read it and to make any recommendations for
change.
The one major suggestion was the length of the contract, 20 years to 10. But with this, as submitted in a revised contract, the
franchise fee was lowered from $15,880 per year to $14,200.
The council, concerned with an unknown growth future and possible inflation, didn't want to get bogged down for more than 10
years.
The contract also had a clause that basically said that if competing companies are involved, then the council could not treat one
any different than the other.
The council is expected to render a decision at its March 16 meeting.
City attorney Pete LaBarre opened his remarks asking if anyone, including the three homeowners involved, knew of anything
new with the April 1 permit deadline set by the Illinois EPA on the waterline to their homes near the intersection of Divernon Road
and Route 4.
The IEPA contends that an illegal line exists and gave the council until April 1 to obtain a construction permit. The city, however,
contends that it is not its problem.
LaBarre, in answering a letter from Jim McClelland, who owns the land between the city and the affected area, reiterated the
city's position that those who made the improper taps and those who will be adversely affected by the consequences of the taps
are responsible for planning and carrying out the cure.
McClelland had written the city on several occasions, the latest February 20 reminding the city that serious attention is needed
to satisfy the IEPA complaint.
The line was built, probably in the 70's by Larry Castleman who then owned the affected land, known as the Smith Farm.
Originally the city and IEPA had an agreement for one tap. Later, Larry McClelland purchased the land and allowed three
connections for which he paid the monthly bills.
After the IEPA deemed the three additional taps to be illegal, it gave the city the April 1 deadline.
Mayor Joe Powell said that the April 1 deadline was for a construction permit. "That is up to the three homeowners and Larry
McClelland. No plans can be considered until the plan which would include an easement is secured. We have been told that Jim
McClelland would allow that easement."
The council, after a short discussion, agreed to spend $5741.60 to repair one of two pumps at the waste water treatment plant.
The pump will be removed this week and will take 10-14 days to be repaired at the Decatur plant of Vandevanter Engineering,
which the city has on contract to maintain its system.
Supt. Bill Karhliker added that the cost also included the re-building on site of a Flygt Mix Flush Valve at the Barbara Lane Lift
Station. Because of the city's maintenance contract with Vandevanter it received a $603 discount.
Karhliker and Mayor Powell gave the council a rundown on the Pineview project which consists of a broken storm water line on
two pieces of property. One is a 12 inch pipe the other, which is broken, is 18 inches.
Karhliker said that there were two major plans being considered, one to repair 800 feet of the 18 inch tile. Another would be to
install 400 feet of 18 inch line to run to the retention pond at the south end of the area involved.
Karhliker and the mayor stated that four parties would be involved in the cost of either project, the first estimated at $22,130, the
second at $18,100.
This would involve the city, Springfield Plastic, who Karhliker said has been doing everything it can to help which includes
getting the pipe manufacturer to contribute and the contractor for the original construction of the line that is broken. The city
estimated its cost will be between $5800 and $6500.
The carnival parking question, which concerns where 3-4 trailers for carnival concessionaires can be parked, is still up in the
air. The mayor told carnival coordinator Tami Travous that because an electric drop line is needed, which will cost about $500,
the best spot would probably be a lot at the southwest corner of 5th and Madison.
Travous was asked to contact the owner. The mayor also mentioned the lot adjacent to the Legion Home as well as the south
side of East Park.
Fourth ward alderman Marc Landers said that he would have to be in opposition to this because of the nearby homes.
On recycling, Mayor Powell told the council that the recycling company that dropped its service to the city several months ago,
has returned with an offer. Noting that the recycling industry is slightly better today, the company proposed a pickup cost of $125
per pull, up $25 from the previous price.
The city averaged about three pulls a month in the past, but there was concern about out of town use and how long the service
would be available. The council, which would prefer a contract, decided that it would not make a decision until after the next
quarterly meeting (April) of the county recycling committee.
In other business, the council:
— was asked by Landers, who lives near the intersection of Hogan and Kennedy Roads, to patrol Kennedy south of Hogan for
drag racing;
— was told by the mayor that he felt the city was still in the mix for help from the stimulus package;
— was told by Landers, Public Health Officer, to notify the owners of a former car wash at Kennedy and Jackson about its
unsafe condition;
— heard a short report on the economic development committee which will meet again Tuesday, March 10 at 7 p.m. at the city
hall, interested residents invited;
— was apprised that a budget meeting would be held Wednesday, March 18 at 6:30 p.m.
In a short one hour plus meeting Monday, the city council handled six major topics of discussion.
These included a new CIPS contract, the seemingly never-ending cure to an illegal water line to the southwest, parking for
carnival workers, construction of a new storm water line in the Pineview Subdivision area, recycling and the need for a pump
repair at the waste water treatment plant.
In the end, the council did pass a motion for the first reading of the revised CIPS contract and voted 7-0 (Kessler absent) to
spend no more than $5800 to make the needed repairs at the waste water treatment plant.
Although no motion was made because of the complexity of the replacement of a storm water line in Pineview, the council did
agree to a special meeting if needed.
The CIPS contract was introduced at the last meeting, the council asked to read it and to make any recommendations for
change.
The one major suggestion was the length of the contract, 20 years to 10. But with this, as submitted in a revised contract, the
franchise fee was lowered from $15,880 per year to $14,200.
The council, concerned with an unknown growth future and possible inflation, didn't want to get bogged down for more than 10
years.
The contract also had a clause that basically said that if competing companies are involved, then the council could not treat one
any different than the other.
The council is expected to render a decision at its March 16 meeting.
City attorney Pete LaBarre opened his remarks asking if anyone, including the three homeowners involved, knew of anything
new with the April 1 permit deadline set by the Illinois EPA on the waterline to their homes near the intersection of Divernon Road
and Route 4.
The IEPA contends that an illegal line exists and gave the council until April 1 to obtain a construction permit. The city, however,
contends that it is not its problem.
LaBarre, in answering a letter from Jim McClelland, who owns the land between the city and the affected area, reiterated the
city's position that those who made the improper taps and those who will be adversely affected by the consequences of the taps
are responsible for planning and carrying out the cure.
McClelland had written the city on several occasions, the latest February 20 reminding the city that serious attention is needed
to satisfy the IEPA complaint.
The line was built, probably in the 70's by Larry Castleman who then owned the affected land, known as the Smith Farm.
Originally the city and IEPA had an agreement for one tap. Later, Larry McClelland purchased the land and allowed three
connections for which he paid the monthly bills.
After the IEPA deemed the three additional taps to be illegal, it gave the city the April 1 deadline.
Mayor Joe Powell said that the April 1 deadline was for a construction permit. "That is up to the three homeowners and Larry
McClelland. No plans can be considered until the plan which would include an easement is secured. We have been told that Jim
McClelland would allow that easement."
The council, after a short discussion, agreed to spend $5741.60 to repair one of two pumps at the waste water treatment plant.
The pump will be removed this week and will take 10-14 days to be repaired at the Decatur plant of Vandevanter Engineering,
which the city has on contract to maintain its system.
Supt. Bill Karhliker added that the cost also included the re-building on site of a Flygt Mix Flush Valve at the Barbara Lane Lift
Station. Because of the city's maintenance contract with Vandevanter it received a $603 discount.
Karhliker and Mayor Powell gave the council a rundown on the Pineview project which consists of a broken storm water line on
two pieces of property. One is a 12 inch pipe the other, which is broken, is 18 inches.
Karhliker said that there were two major plans being considered, one to repair 800 feet of the 18 inch tile. Another would be to
install 400 feet of 18 inch line to run to the retention pond at the south end of the area involved.
Karhliker and the mayor stated that four parties would be involved in the cost of either project, the first estimated at $22,130, the
second at $18,100.
This would involve the city, Springfield Plastic, who Karhliker said has been doing everything it can to help which includes
getting the pipe manufacturer to contribute and the contractor for the original construction of the line that is broken. The city
estimated its cost will be between $5800 and $6500.
The carnival parking question, which concerns where 3-4 trailers for carnival concessionaires can be parked, is still up in the
air. The mayor told carnival coordinator Tami Travous that because an electric drop line is needed, which will cost about $500,
the best spot would probably be a lot at the southwest corner of 5th and Madison.
Travous was asked to contact the owner. The mayor also mentioned the lot adjacent to the Legion Home as well as the south
side of East Park.
Fourth ward alderman Marc Landers said that he would have to be in opposition to this because of the nearby homes.
On recycling, Mayor Powell told the council that the recycling company that dropped its service to the city several months ago,
has returned with an offer. Noting that the recycling industry is slightly better today, the company proposed a pickup cost of $125
per pull, up $25 from the previous price.
The city averaged about three pulls a month in the past, but there was concern about out of town use and how long the service
would be available. The council, which would prefer a contract, decided that it would not make a decision until after the next
quarterly meeting (April) of the county recycling committee.
In other business, the council:
— was asked by Landers, who lives near the intersection of Hogan and Kennedy Roads, to patrol Kennedy south of Hogan for
drag racing;
— was told by the mayor that he felt the city was still in the mix for help from the stimulus package;
— was told by Landers, Public Health Officer, to notify the owners of a former car wash at Kennedy and Jackson about its
unsafe condition;
— heard a short report on the economic development committee which will meet again Tuesday, March 10 at 7 p.m. at the city
hall, interested residents invited;
— was apprised that a budget meeting would be held Wednesday, March 18 at 6:30 p.m.
Issue Date: March 5, 2009
