West Central Reporter

City of Macomb Committee of the Whole met Jan. 27.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

The Committee of the Whole of the Macomb City Council met on Monday, January 27, 2020 at 5:15 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of City Hall at 232 East Jackson Street, Macomb, IL.

Mayor Inman called the meeting to order followed by roll call.

Roll call was taken and the following were present: Alderman Mike Wayland, John Vigezzi, Tom Koch, Gayle Carper, and Tammie Leigh Brown-Edwards. In addition to the Mayor and Aldermen, others present were; Deputy Clerk Renee Lotz, City Attorney Kristen Petrie and City Administrator Scott Coker. Also, in attendance were Water Treatment Plant Manager Kent Cox and Community Development Director John Bannon. Aldermen Annette Carper and Dennis Moon were absent.

Public Comment. None

The first item on the agenda for discussion was on an engineering agreement with IMEG Corporation for the design and permitting of water main replacements for South Dudley Street from Jefferson to Franklin Streets in the amount of $11,900.00. WTPM Cox explained he was seeking permission to approve the proposal from IMEG Corporation for the design and permitting of the water main replacement for South Dudley Street. The water main lies under the west side of the south bound lane on Dudley. The lines have an age of the 1930’s and is made of cast iron. There have been 4 main breaks in the section between Walker and Franklin Streets since 2014, two of them in December of 2019. He stated it is in the future plans to repave Dudley Street and would ask the main be replaced before the new surface would be installed. He stated the cost of the proposal has been incorporated into the budget re-estimates from the Water Fund for the current fiscal year.

He explained that the area is not eligible for the low-income area CDBG Grant Program, however it is eligible for the IEPA Low Interest Loan Funding with a 75% principal forgiveness. He stated he has put in a pre-application, at no commitment that was due by the 31st of January.

Mayor Inman explained that it had been discussed late last budget year, the need to resurface Dudley Street, which we have had initial engineering costs on just the repaving portion approximately $400,000.00. In the light of that, it would be prudent for us in replacing the cast iron main in advance of any repaving.

He stated that part of this agreement would be to do the design engineering and give an estimate for costs of engaging in that. Would that necessarily preclude us for a defined area from Jefferson south to Franklin, and there’s need for resurfacing north of Jefferson to Jackson. We might be able to do the repaving of the street from Jackson to Jefferson, then do the replacing of water main and then pick up the balance of the repaving next construction year.

Alderman G. Carper asked if the project of main replace and surface replace had to be done in conjunction.

Mayor Inman stated no, not at all, water main would be done with one lane reduction on Dudley.

WTPM Cox stated that would be determined in the design. He hopes to complete it as other projects; the new main out from under pavement, relocated in the boulevard in the city right of way, under sidewalks or in the terrace.

Mayor Inman stated the engineering design would sort all of that out. Possibly the old main could be abandoned and not even have to excavate the roadway.

WTPM Cox stated, that’s what they’ve been able to accomplish in the other projects, that would be his hope in this one.

There was discussion on the area of old cast iron within the city and the expense of replacement. It would take years to replace.

Mayor Inman stated we’re not unusual in this, and where we’ve had a low to moderate income level, we’ve been successful in receiving grants; two we’re enjoying right now at close to $1 million dollars’ worth. In the areas where we’re not eligible, we incur those costs directly from the water fund. Some are helped with the low interest loans from the IEPA with as much as a 75% forgiveness.

There was no further discussion and Mayor Inman stated this would be placed on the agenda for final action at Monday night meeting.

The second item on the agenda was an update on the Complete Count Census. CDC Bannon presented council with an example letter that would be sent out by the Census Bureau that contains a URL and Census ID for each address location. He stated the letters will be sent out to the public in March. He stated whomever fills out the form, should fill it out for every single person at that address location. Should the letter be lost, they can still go on line and enter with the address. The process is to go on line, enter the URL and fill out the nine questions on the form.

His understanding is that there will only be one letter per address location, no matter how many people live at the address. Should there be multiple people at an address, the Bureau would like one person to fill out the form for all people at that address.

He presented an example of the actual letter, as well as another type of census also being sent out by politicians in congressional areas. The questions and the content of the questions are not the same. He urged people to look for the 2020 Census on the letter with the U.S. Department of Commerce on the top.

Mayor Inman stated; if the public has questions, they may call any office at City Hall and receive help.

Alderman G. Carper suggested a posting of the sample letter be placed on social media.

CDC Bannon stated that could be done, the letter as well as the questionnaire to be filled out.

He stated we were a recipient of a WIRC grant, for advertising on the transit buses, yard signs have been printed, fliers, stickers and posters for local businesses to place, the factories are willing to place computers on the premise for their workers to fill out the census at work, we’ve been working with the schools and we’ll have a census Sunday. The message would be the same; it’s important that everyone be counted.

The assisted living places, are counted as group quarters and the Bureau would go directly to the facility and interact with the management to get their count.

There was no further discussion.

There being no further business to come before the Council, Alderman Vigezzi moved, seconded by Alderman G. Carper to adjourn the meeting, all Aldermen voting “Aye” by voice, Mayor Inman declared the motion carried and they adjourned the meeting at 5:41 p.m.

https://cityofmacomb.com/01-27-2020/