West Central Reporter

Christian County Highway/Building/Grounds/Environmental/Welfare/Zoning Committee met March 13.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committees:

Present: Phil Schneider, Chairman Craig Corzine 

Charles DeClerck Chad Michel

Absent: Mike McClure

Others present: Tim Carlson, Joe Stepping, Deb LeVault, Cliff Frye, Julie Mayer, Beckie and Ed Cleeton, Brian Wilbur and Jan Bland.

The meeting of the Highway/Building/Grounds/Environmental/Welfare/Zoning Committee was called for on Monday, March 13, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. in the Christian County Courthouse. The purpose of the meeting was County building issues, highway business and any other matters properly brought before the Committee. There were no public comments.

Highway Business

Project Updates:

• Repairs to Mt. Auburn Bridge No. 7 (Section 13-10114-00-BR) are nearly complete. All the piling and railing repairs have been completed and the contractor is finishing riprap and shaping dirt. 

• A pre-job for the County Highway No. 12 (Bear Creek Rd) recycling and overlay project is scheduled for March 23rd. This project will get started as soon as the weather permits. Due to the nature of the work, there will be some temporary partial closures of the roadway during construction. 

• Craig Corzine inquired about Assumption Bridge #17. Cliff indicated ROW is moving forward and they hope to have that acquired yet this spring. Phil Schneider indicated he has had inquiries about improving the visibility at the East end of the Bear Creek Road (County Highway No. 12). Cliff indicated he had discussed this issue with the District Traffic Engineer and he will allow us to put up a County Highway Marker on one of IDOT’s existing sign posts on IL Rt. 29 to help with locating the intersection after dark. They will not allow us to add reflectors or reflective sheeting to the stop sign post. The Highway Department will erect the County Highway Marker and we will see if this helps the situation. Culvert quotes and used equipment bids will be on the agenda for next month’s meeting.

Building Business

Circuit Clerk Julie Mayer reported a space option for jury trial exhibits. Since the small fire at the document storage location a couple of months ago, she had been looking for other options initially at the Solid Waste building and basement of the Jail. While Zach Hicks was building the Probation conference room, extra space could be made for these exhibits. As construction was in process, a decision needed to be made quickly. After conversations with Phil Schneider and Tim Carlson, construction proceeded. This will be paid for from the document storage fund. Also, during the Probation project, it made sense to extend the wall to enclose the break room. It would not cost any more than was estimated in the entire project. After conferring with Phil and Tim, the project proceeded.

National Day Of Prayer Bible Reading Marathon

The annual request from Melissa Jones of the Christian County National Day of Prayer Taskforce requested was received for permission to conduct the marathon Bible reading under the north portico from about April 29 through May 3. A motion was made by Chad Michel and seconded by Craig Corzine to approve the event. The motion carried.

Recycling Bin Usage To Be Decided By Smaller Entities

Joe Stepping reported that as the contract with Advanced Disposal would be expiring in April, he has been explaining to the participating villages and cities the termination of the County’s Solid Waste sponsored drop off recycling program. Joe has offered to all the entities the use of the recycling bins, but they must make arrangements with a hauler or other businesses for the pickups and the costs associated with the pickups of the recycled materials. The County will allow the use of the bins for those interested in continued recycling drop offs. The County will implement a hold harmless agreement with each participating entity. At this time, Edinburg, Tovey and Owaneco will not continue to provide the drop off program bins. Assumption, Stonington and Mount Auburn will use the blue drop off bins. Pana, Taylorville and Morrisonville have not made any decisions that are known as of this date. Beckie and Ed Cleeton attended the meeting noting that they will be developing a trial curbside program in Taylorville and other areas. Residents would not have to be a Cleeton’s customer to participate in the recycling curbside service. They will make the details available soon. Currently, the County has in place a recycling contract with Waste Management for the schools and the county buildings. Additionally, the new owners of Midstate Salvage will offer a continuation of the drop off recycling effort at their facility in Taylorville. Although the county is ending their funding, we are glad there will be options to continue recycling.

A motion was made by Chad Michel and seconded by Charles DeClerck to allow the contract with Advanced Disposal to terminate therefore reducing the annual expenditure of about $70,000. The motion carried.

A motion was made by Charles DeClerck and seconded by Craig Corzine to adjourn.

The motion carried.