Lanark Council Gets Updates on Infrastructure Projects

By Mike Kocal

A project update was the highlight of the October 6 Lanark City Council meeting. Nick Wagner of MSA Professional Services reviewed the report with Mayor Ed Stern and Aldermen Ann Lindsay, Mark Macomber and Tom Kocal. Absent were Aldermen Ron Strohecker, Ken Weaver and Ed Fehlhafer.

Wagner reported that the Southside Sanitary Sewer Extension lift station, force gravity pipe and manholes have been installed, but still need to be tested. The lift station panel arrived late last week, so once the electrical work is completed, the testing will take place and then the lift station can be put into service. The last item will be to connect Eastland Motor Sports to the new sanitary system and remove the temporary holding tank.

Loberg Excavating of Pearl City was approved for payment application #2 in the amount of $71,152.28. Loberg also submitted a request to extend the contract Substantial Completion date of Oct. 4 to Oct. 23. Loberg said they can still meet the Final Completion date of Nov. 4. Itemized fees, expenses and penalties will be submitted by MSA at the Oct. 20 council meeting.

A Storm Water Pond feasibility Study has been completed by MSA. The proposed project is being considered to assist the City in evaluating how to remedy the poor storm water drainage situation in the South Argyle/East Prairie St. area. The proposed location is suitable to construct a storm water retention pond to help control localized flooding, but only for a "10-year severity or less" storm, a 2 acre-feet (approx. 600,000 gallon) pond. Other localized storm sewer upgrades would also need to be addressed in order to connect the pond to the existing 36-inch diameter storm sewer. Estimated cost of the project is a little more than $250,000.

In other action, Council will sell the old police vehicle, a Chevy Tahoe, by taking bids. This vehicle has been replaced.

Trick or Treat hours were also determined, set for Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 31, from 4 pm to 7 pm.

Jim Fox, External Affairs Manager with ComEd reported to Clerk Hawbecker that ComEd will be performing service improvements and service upgrades at the B63 substation on Rochester Street from December 2009 to January 2010. Work will not impact any residents or City functions, but there will be ComEd workers, trucks and equipment at this location throughout the work activity. The scheduled work will enhance the overall reliability at this substation and in turn enhance service to Lanark customers.

Council entered executive session at 9:17 pm to discuss pending litigation and personnel. They reentered regular session at 10"13 pm. Council approved paying 55.18 hours of vacation pay to former Police Chief Ron Page. The check for payment will be sent to the IL Dept. of Labor, along with a letter.

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