Council addresses Dorrisville water issues
The Harrisburg City Council addressed the water system infrastructure project for the Dorrisville area and discussed of the impact of budget cuts proposed by Governor Rauner during Thursday's meeting.
The Dorrisville water infrastructure project has a projected cost of over a million dollars and will be a multi-year project. A grant from the Illinois Department of Community and Economic Development will pay half the cost of the project.
"This is a big deal for us," said Kelly Hefner, Harrisburg Water and Sewer Department superintendent. "It will significantly improve the water service in that part of town and greatly cut down on recurring costs of water main breakage and resulting street damage."
Hefner stated that, because of the age of the water system in this area, the city spends some fifty to sixty thousand dollars each year repairing breakages and street damage. The project will ultimately improve water service in the area southwest from Hobson Street and Robinson Street, encompassing practically all of the Dorrisville area of Harrisburg.
"We will be buying right of way on private property in order to route the water system under sidewalks not streets," Hefner said, adding, "Sidewalks are a lot cheaper to repair than streets in the event of breakages."
Phase I of the project will begin this summer and Hefner pointed out that there will be a number of benefits apart from fewer repairs.
"This will significantly improve water flow for firefighting purposes and this may result in an improved fire rating and, in turn, residents may see reductions in their insurance," Hefner said.
The council approved all matters related to initiating the project with unanimous votes.
In another water-related matter, the council heard from City Engineer Jim Brown as to the need to improve the treatment of water to remove levels of effluents such as heavy metals and nutrient contamination in order to meet new Illinois Environmental Agency standards for these contaminants. The council discussed with Brown various options and Brown pointed out that, existing facilities could be used to improve waste water processing and come into compliance with IEPA regulations on these contaminants.
"It's going to be a long process to get through with this agency in this matter," Brown warned the council. "You are looking at a two-year time frame."
After discussion, the council voted to authorize the changes in water treatment necessary to correct the problem.
The council heard from Mayor Dale Fowler and passed a strongly worded resolution imploring the governor and general assembly to not impose cuts in the Local Government Distributive Fund. This is a shared fund, collected from municipalities by the state to help municipalities throughout the state pay for essential services and insure the quality of life expected by its residents. Governor Rauner has called for a 50 percent reduction in the local share of the income tax in his Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Address. Fire protection, police, street and alley, water and all manner of city workers would be affected by these cuts. Harrisburg would lose $464,341 in funding and would feel the impact of this in all areas of services provided by the city.
"This would severely damage us if he (the governor) gets this through," said Commissioner Ron Fearheiley.
The council voted unanimously to approve the resolution and forward a copy to the governor and general assembly.
"I also want my department heads and local union officials to be aware of the impact this measure will have on city finances if passed," Fowler said. "I hope and ask for the unions to be patient with us in upcoming contract negotiations in light of the impact this possible cut in funding could have on the city budget."
At the end of the council meeting, Fowler informed the council that the Saline County Chamber of Commerce had awarded Harrisburg with their Large Business of the Year Award. Fowler displayed the plaque for the council and audience and stated that he was grateful the the chamber for their selection of Harrisburg for the honor.
In other action the council:
Approved the application for a Mobile Home Permit at 1308 Largent St.
Accepted the resignation of Michael Gall from the Police and Fire Merit Board and appointed Mason Sloan to replace him for a new, three year term. Gall is resigning because he has relocated away from Harrisburg.
Accepted the bid for $3,210.00 from Prairie Archaeology and Research to conduct an archaeological survey on the site of the proposed new Pankey Branch Detention Impoundment. This will be constructed on the south side of Highway 13, west of the levy. This survey is required by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources prior to beginning construction of the impoundment.
Amended a surcharge ordinance affecting an increase in the rate that businesses are charged for Biological Oxygen Demand and Suspended Solids treatment by the water department. Hefner said after the meeting that restaurants and health care providers like nursing homes and hospitals are mostly affected by this ordinance and the fees will be handled on a case by case basis.