First steps taken in development of northern Harrisburg
Harrisburg City Council took the initial steps in developing property at the corner of Veterans Drive and Bill Franks Way - commonly known as the state Route 13 bypass - Thursday evening.
Council approved two motions, one to approve city engineering firm Brown and Roberts plat the city property. Part of that property is what the city traded with the Saline County Board with the promise of extending Ford Street and Lieberman Drive and part of which was purchased from Charles Fitzpatrick as an access road.
Council also voted to lease for bid two lots on that piece of property.
Flood control
Commissioner Dale Fowler asked City Engineer Jim Brown to report on progress to mitigate flood control issues of business along Small Street at the north end of the city.
Three property owners - SI Workwear, Bethel Martial Arts Academy and Finders Keepers - have all suffered from flooding since 2008, in one flood event or another. In 2008 the region was hit with flooding, in 2011 the region was for the most part spared, but in April of this year flood waters swept in again, prompting the businesses to ask council what options might be taken.
Brown said there are options - a dirt berm - but a strange berm.
"It is a doable thing, I think, but one that everybody needs to understand what their getting into," Brown said.
A meeting is scheduled in the next few days to discuss the matter with the business owners. Brown indicated if a berm is to be effective, it may have to be in the front of the businesses as well as the back. In 2008 water came in through the front doors.
"You're going to have to go up and over it to get to them," Brown said.
IRT training
Commissioner Dale Fowler reported the U.S. Army Innovative Readiness Team at Harrisburg Middle School is helping local residents and encourages all to take advantage of the services the team provides. Help is free to anyone, regardless of where they live.
Those services include a free heath screening, prescription writing, dental work, dental extractions, eye exams and glasses.
"Yesterday there were a little over 100. Today there were over 80. I want to remind everyone if they know of anyone who can use these services, there is no cost," Fowler said.
The team operates 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day but Sunday through next week.
"It would be a shame if anyone who could use these services didn't get it," Fowler said.
Alley closing
Best One Tire is wanting - and has begun dirt work near - an alley east of the business on Commercial Street and has asked council to close the alley.
The business intends to build a tire storage building at that location.
After some discussion, council authorized City Attorney Todd Bittle to proceed with the legal requirements for closing the alley.
GIS project
Mike Roberts of Brown and Roberts Engineering demonstrated the new geographic information systems computer program that allows the city water department to track hydrants, manholes and water meters using laptop computers installed in trucks and on handheld phones. Roberts said one benefit is in the winter when snow is on the ground the department will be able to quickly find manholes.
"It's pretty significant. I'd say you are ahead of the game for a lot of Southern Illinois," Roberts said.
He described the GIS as a "living system" into which the departments can continually add information. It should also help pinpoint any water break.
During the meeting:
Fire Chief and man in charge of new city construction Bill Summers said a mobile home at 502 A S. Texas St. was non-conforming to building ordinances in that it was 8 feet instead of 10 feet "set back." He said he did not consider this a problem severe enough to demand the owners pick up and move the trailer 2 feet, and council concurred, approving a special use permit for the home.
Water Superintendent Kelly Hefner asked for and was granted council's permission to accept bids from Jim Hayes, Inc. for trucks to replace a 1998 truck and a 2002 truck. Delivery is expected in 120 days.
Council approved $.60-an-hour raises for all non-contractual employees.