East Central Reporter

City of Lawrenceville City Council met May 10.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

The Council of the City of Lawrenceville, Lawrence County, Illinois met in regular session in the City Council Chambers of the City Hall Building on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at the hour of 7:00 p.m. The following Aldermen were present on roll call: Fritch, Holcomb, Courtney, Stevens, Waldrop, Howder and Blacketer. Absent: Volkman.

Mayor Wagner called the meeting to order. Waldrop gave the prayer. All present then recited the Pledge of Allegiance while facing the flag.

The Council had earlier received copies of the minutes of the regular Council meeting of April 12, 2018. Mayor Wagner asked for questions or comments. Courtney made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of April 12, 2018. Stevens seconded the motion. Motion passed on a voice vote.

The Council had earlier received copies of the bills of the City, Sewer and Water Departments for April. Mayor Wagner asked for questions or comments. Holcomb made a motion to approve paying the bills for April. Blacketer seconded the motion. Motion passed on a roll call vote 7-0-1. Yeas: Holcomb, Fritch, Courtney, Waldrop, Stevens, Howder and Blacketer. Nays: None. Absent: Volkman.

Mayor Wagner reported the City’s accounts to the Council. The City working budget, at 90.1%, is 9.9% under budget after 12 months of the 17-18 fiscal year. Mayor Wagner indicated the City has been under budget five years in a row. Mayor Wagner praised all City employees for their hard work and dedication to the City.

Aaron Mefford presented the M.F.T. program to the Council. Mefford asked for the sum of $134,755.00 of Motor Fuel Tax funds to repaved City streets this year.

Mayor Wagner asked for questions or comments. Courtney made a motion to approved supporting the summer M.F.T. program. Stevens seconded the motion. Motion passed on a roll call vote 7-0-1. Yeas: Holcomb, Fritch, Courtney, Howder, Stevens, Blacketer and Waldrop. Nays: None. Absent: Volkman.

Mayor Wagner read the minutes of the T.I.F meeting to the Council. The City will resurface several streets within T.I.F #2 this summer. The resurface project is estimated to cost $69,510.00. The T.I.F #2 account does have the money for the project.

Mayor Wagner asked for questions or comments. Courtney made a motion to approve resurface streets in T.I.F#2. Waldrop seconded the motion. Motion passed on a roll call vote 7-0-1. Yeas: Blacketer, Howder, Fritch, Courtney, Holcomb, Stevens and Waldrop. Nays: None. Absent: Volkman.

Aaron Tipsword, assistant Superintendent of the Utilities Department, explain to the Council that Wells 13 and 15 iron build-up problem has been solved and with a proper routine maintenance schedule the wells will be at full strength.

Tipsword reported that Well 12 production is dropping do to a build-up of iron that needs to be addressed, the work will be done by Brotcke Well & Pump Service from Fenton, Missouri.

Mayor Wagner asked for questions or comments. Fritch made a motion to approved spending up to $22,848.00 to repair a well. Blacketer seconded the motion. Motion passed on a roll call vote 7-0-1. Yeas: Courtney, Fritch, Howder, Holcomb, Blacketer, Waldrop and Stevens. Nays: None. Absent: Volkman.

Fritch, Utilities Committee chairperson, informed the Council the Utnited States Department of Agriculture has money in grants or low interest loans to awarded to communities to improve infrastructure. The City with the help of LAMAC engineering needs to produce a professional engineering report and an environmental report. If awarded, It could bring the City anywhere from $100,000.00 to $2,000,000.00 to realign the sewers. The proposal is for $25,000.00.

Mayor Wagner asked for questions or comments. Fritch made a motion to approve $25,000.00 for a professional engineering report and an environmental study. Holcomb seconded the motion. Motion passed on a roll call vote 7-0-1. Yeas: Blacketer, Fritch, Howder, Holcomb, Courtney, Stevens and Waldrop. Nays: None. Absent: Volkman.

Mayor Wagner reported that the City’s current electric rate with Homefield Electric Consortium is 0.06127. If the City agrees with the consortium to June of 2022, Homefield can lower the rate to 0.04967, saving the City $40,000 to $60,000 over the next four years.

Mayor Wagner asked for questions or comments. Waldrop made a motion to approve continue relationship with Homefield Electric and lower the electric rate. Fritch seconded the motion. Motion passed on a roll call vote 7-0-1. Yeas: Blacketer, Fritch, Howder, Holcomb, Courtney, Stevens and Waldrop. Nays: None. Absent: Volkman.

Mayor Wagner announced plans to enter into a parking contract for approximately 75 spaces with a business located in downtown Lawrenceville.

Mayor Wagner asked for questions or comments. Courtney made a motion to approve entering into a parking contract with a local business. Stevens seconded the motion. Motion passed on a roll call vote 7-0-1. Yeas: Blacketer, Fritch, Howder, Holcomb, Courtney, Stevens and Waldrop. Nays: None. Absent: Volkman.

Illinois Department of Transportation is planning to do repairs on the Embarras river Bridge on U.S. Route 50. Starting about June 15, the bridge will be down to one-lane to repair drainage.

Residents of Lawrenceville will notice a “slight increase” in their monthly water bill starting in June. It is the rate the federal government says the City has to maintain. The payment for the water plant based is on a 38-year loan, because it was financed through federal funds.

Courtney made a motion to adjourn. Waldrop seconded the motion. The motion was approved by voice vote. Time: 7:35 p.m.

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