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Amid anticipated increasing costs, Benld Council moves to seek bid for sewer improvement project

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Mayor Jim Kelly listening as Justin VonderHaar explains how rising costs could affect the city’s planned sewer improvement project.

With expected increases in the cost of materials, members of the Benld City Council voted unanimously to seek bids for an extensive sewer improvement project on the city’s east side. The city has been approved for a $505,000 Community Development matching grant administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The city is committed to spending $98,934 in local funds, representing a 25 percent match to comply with the terms of the grant program.

Ald. Jerry Saracco moved to seek bids, noting “it’s not going to get any cheaper.”

Justin VonderHaar, an engineer with HMG Engineers, told the council that rising prices could force the council into a position of making some hard decisions when the bids are opened. If the low bids exceed the engineer’s original $600,000 estimate, the council can opt to either rebid the project or opt to pay the difference with local funds. Because the grant was awarded on the basis of the project proposal, reducing the scope of the project apparently is not an option.

VonderHaar said the city could apply for supplemental grant funds to cover the additional costs, but he said it’s unlikely such an application would be successful.

The originally proposed project involved replacing about 3,400 feet of deteriorating sewer lines on the city’s east side and relining about 1,600 feet of lines that can be salvaged by lining.

VonderHaar said Mount Olive also is planning a significant sewer rehabilitation project and he recommended that Benld and Mount Olive advertise for bids at the same time. The existence of two projects in close proximity, he said, may encourage contractors to submit more attractive bids in hopes of securing back-to-back projects within a few miles of one another.

“You can wait (to seek bids),” VonderHaar said, “but so far, if we wait, the cost goes up and up.”

VonderHaar said HMG will advertise for bids for both the Mount Olive and Benld projects in late March or early April with an eye toward awarding contracts on April 18.

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In other actions related to the sewer project, the council voted unanimously to establish a separate bank account for grant funds and voted to increase the bond for the City Clerk to $250,000. The bond increase is required to administer grant funds. The Illinois Municipal League will insure the bond at a cost of $750 for the year.

Before leaving the meeting, VonderHaar reported to the council that new legislation will require all municipalities to inventory pipes used to deliver water to homes by April 15, 2023. The intent of the legislation is to identify homes serviced with lead pipes with a goal of replacing those pipes with PVC or copper lines.

Justin VonderHaar, an engineer with HMG Engineers, told the council that rising prices could force the council into a position of making some hard decisions when the bids are opened.

The expectation is that grant funds will become available at a later date to help pay for replacing lead water supply lines, according to VonderHaar.

EAST CENTRAL BANK BUILDING

On the advice of City Attorney Rick Verticchio, the council voted unanimously to approve an emergency resolution declaring the former bank building at 223 East Central Avenue a public nuisance and entering into a contract Schafer Excavating and Demolition to raze the building as soon as possible. The action follows the report of a structural engineer who deemed the building unsound and in danger of collapse. The building currently is barricaded to keep pedestrians and trespassers away.

Following a 20-minute executive session during which the council discussed pending legal cases with Verticchio, Verticchio advised the council that liability insurance the city has on the structure will expire in 45 days, after which the city would be vulnerable for damages if someone was injured because of the building’s condition.

Shafer offered a bid of $134,800 to demolish the two-story brick building and haul away debris. Mayor Jim Kelly said the debris will go to a certified landfill and Shafer will wet down the building during demolition to control asbestos.

PART-TIME ORDINANCE OFFICER

On a motion by Ald. John Balzraine, the council authorized Mayor Kelly to advertise for applicants to fill a position as a part-time ordinance enforcement officer. Kelly said the previous Jake Simmons will not return to work due to employment commitments with his full-time job.

Kelly said the city hopes to hire someone with a police background or experience, ostensibly to ensure the new officer is able to carry a firearm when serving ordinance violations on local residents. The mayor, however, said he had spoken with Gillespie Police Chief Jared DePoppe who assured him a police officer would be made available to accompany the ordinance officer when needed if the new ordinance officer is not certified to carry a weapon.

AUDITOR CONTRACT

After some discussion, the council voted to accept Scheffel Boyle’s proposal to perform the city’s annual audit with the stipulation that the accountants produce an audit report by Sept. 1. Scheffel Boyle, who has done the state-mandated audit for the past several years, proposed conducting the audit at a cost not to exceed $14,500, plus $4,500 if the firm is required to produce a separate audit report for grant funds.

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Ald. Jim Tilashalski insisted on giving the accounting firm an earlier deadline for producing the audit report. State law requires the audit to be filed before the end of October, but Tilashalski said the audit contains critical information the council needs to consider in making financial decisions earlier in the year.

“I don’t think its unfair to request a much earlier date,” he said before moving to accept the proposal with a provision for an earlier deadline.

OTHER ACTION

In other action, the council:

  • Voted to accept revisions to the zoning map recommended by the Zoning Board. The changes primarily correct errors that have been a part of the map since it was first adopted several years ago.
  • Approved the purchase of about $4,000 in supplies for the Maintenance Department. The purchase will replenish the Department’s inventory of fittings, water meters and other supplies.
  • Gave the Mayor power to act on accepting or rejecting an aggregate contract bid to supply electrical power for city properties. Bids for alternate power suppliers will be opened on March 24 and must be accepted or rejected that day.

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Gillespie teen wins drive safe Chicago video contest

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Wins $2,000 Prize and Video She Created will Air on 160 TV Stations Nationwide

CHICAGO – Emily Bergen, 16, a student at Gillespie High School in Gillespie, has won the annual Drive Safe Chicago public service announcement contest.  Antonio Knott, 15, of Merrillville High School in Merrillville IN, placed second in the voting, and Noelani Elizalde, 17, also from Merrillville High School, was third. 

Sponsored by the National Road Safety Foundation in partnership with the Chicago Auto Show, teens from Illinois and surrounding states were invited to submit ideas for a 30-second PSA about sharing the road with other passenger vehicles, trucks, motorcycles and pedestrians.

Three finalists were selected and each worked with an Emmy Award-winning producer to transform their PSA submissions into 30-second TV public service announcements.  The public was then able to vote for their favorite online.  More than 1,400 online votes were cast.

The winner received $2,000 and will be featured on nationally-syndicated Teen Kids News, reaching more than 160 TV stations across the country. The first runner-up got $1,000 and the second runner-up won $500.  All three finalists’ teachers received $100 gift cards.

Bergen’s winning PSA shows a young driver starting her car and pressing a “share the road” button.  As she drives, an AI voice warns her of a bicyclist, a pedestrian and children in a school zone. The voice then reminds her, “Cars don’t come with devices like me, which is why you need to know how to share the road.”

“The carnage on our roads can be reduced if drivers remain aware of others who share the road,” said Michelle Anderson of The National Road Safety Foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes safe driving. “We think the creative ideas about sharing the road from our Drive Safe Chicago winner and runners-up convey that message effectively.”

“Although today’s new cars are safer than ever, with technological advances that are proven to help avoid crashes,” said Chicago Auto Show Chairwoman Kelly Webb Roberts, “drivers must still be aware of others they are sharing the road with, whether it’s a car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrians.”

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The National Road Safety Foundation says driver error accounts for 94 percent of all fatal crashes, with speeding and driver distraction among the leading factors.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 40,990 people died on U.S. roads and highways in 2023, with hundreds of thousands of injuries and an estimated annual cost of more than $340 billion.

View Bergen’s winning video below:

Bergen’s video is also featured center on the National Road Safety Foundation’s website with the runners-up videos to the right and to the left: https://m.shortstack.page/NLxMqT

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L&C announces fall 2024 honors lists

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Lewis and Clark Community College

Students earning a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or higher out of a possible 4.0 are named to the President’s List. Those students earning a grade point average between 3.25 and 3.74 are recognized each semester on the Dean’s List.

Further requirements are listed in the college’s online catalog at http://catalog.lc.edu. All questions should be directed to the Enrollment Center at (618) 468-2222. Below is an excerpt containing students residing in Macoupin County.

President’s List

BENLD – Ryleigh L. Phillips; Zander E. Rieffer; Emily R. Schoen; Tristen B. Wargo;

BRIGHTON – Brandon M. Adams; Ike D. Austin; Lainie L. Behrends; Reagan Beilsmith; Ian C. Brantley; Tina M. Brass; Lane Cox; Madison P. Fenstermaker; Hunter D. Gillis; Hailey Gula; Alexis R. Harrop; Gavin Humm; Thomas D. Kunz; Nicholas O. McGee; Audrey A. Perkins; Ava J. Pulley; Alyssa J. Schuchman; Addison Strohbeck; Sydney A. Valdes; Abby Van Doren; Piper L. Voorhees; Madelyn E. Zarges;

BUNKER HILL – Alex Betts; Grant J. Burch; Kayleigh K. Butler; Abigayle L. Collins; Denise Deias; Braden T. Fulton; Dillon M. Guess; Maya R. Henfling; Hannah J. Herrmann; Madalynn Hilyard; Madelyn Landreth; William Manar; Kaylee L. Richert; Andrew Sanner; Abby N. Spraggs; Noah A. Thyer;

CARLINVILLE – Jack E. Beard; Matthew J. Eldred; Jack Goby; Stephanie K. Harding; Gabriel R. Henson; Alexsis A. Kalaher; Weston E. Kuykendall; Lillian McCurley; Emerald Ondrey; Joanna M. Roemer; Jessica N. Strubbe; Karleina J. Tipps; Samuel L. Wilson;

GILLESPIE – Lauren E. Bertagnolli; Ean L. Davis; Lanie G. Doty; Kennedy G. Helmkamp;

MEDORA – Aubrey M. Reno; Anneliese M. Shatley; Haleigh Sinclair;

SHIPMAN – Alyssa L. Beck; Gracie B. Darr; Addison A. Jeffers; Tyson Kahl; Josiah A. Schuette; Bailee A. Sorgea;

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SOUTH ROXANA – Lyndsey M. Johansen; Caden O. Lara; Savanah M. Stogsdill;

STAUNTON – Julie A. Aloisi; Samantha R. Anderson; Zane P. Anderson; Shane Baker; Lilly M. Bandy; Grace Bekeske; Gianna Bianco; Carson G. Buffington; Kiersten L. Carlson; Karla J. Castillo; Izabella Claussen; Lillian Dothager; Olivia M. Favre; Eli J. Henke; Alexis A. Hester; Samantha D. Hoffman; Harold I. Irvin, III; Dylan Jarden; Korryn O. Keehner; Nicholas L. Raphael; Alexis P. Schaaf; Brady Seelbach; Carli L. Skinner; Cole Sternickle; Tyler J. Thompson; Lilly Trettenero; Lillyan S. Troeckler;

Dean’s List

BENLD – Ridge A. Braundmeier; Kaitlynn E. Conner; Elizabeth M. King; Alyssa S. McCollum; Marria D. Middleton; Alyssa F. Schuette;

BRIGHTON – Garrett R. Beuttel; Troy J. Brooks; Emily Y. Cambron; Jacob G. Carpenter; Lucy Childress; Olivia Cody; Logan T. Crane; Tristyn N. Ditterline; Kaylin G. Gerard; Cooper J. Hagen; Ashlyn K. Hall; Evan Hanold; Samuel J. Harshbarger; Amelia R. Hines-Pattan; Ella J. Kadell; Daylin M. King; Kayla A. Lemarr; Tucker Mayhew; Elizabeth L. Milford; Stacey M. Mynatt; Blythe E. Roloff; Jordan R. Short; Shiann Vinson; Grace A. Wylde;

BUNKER HILL – Cole T. Burch; Hanna N. Heeren; Madelynne K. Heflin; Taylor Miklavic; Katelyn J. Miller; Abigail G. Scott;

CARLINVILLE – Boedy E. Baker; Emily A. Barbre; Zachary Chapman; Ella R. Clevenger; Alana N. Dixon; Alison J. Dixon; Nathan Dyer; Addison Eldred; Saralynn I. Joiner; Henry S. Kalaher; William G. Meyer; Chloe A. Payne; Amy L. Pocklington; Jack Rives; Lanna P. Vanderpoel; Ella C. Wise; Braley M. Wiser;

GILLESPIE – Reese E. Bussmann; Regan E. Bussmann; Addie M. Hayes; Karter Mix; Adrianne B. Niemeyer; Grace J. Vandoren; Shannon L. Wright;

MOUNT OLIVE – Libbie M. Nowell;

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PIASA – Anna C. Fink;

SHIPMAN – Kaden G. Cottingham; Rocky Darr; Kathryn M. Mueller; Sayuri Owada; Rocky J. Rose;

STAUNTON – Rylee K. Baugh; David S. Dann; Belle M. Darte; Jacob A. Dillon; Vivienne Dothager; Sean T. Fleming; Kennedy L. Legendre; Zander MacHota; Savannah M. Missey; Nicholas Monahan; Nicole M. Narup; Kelley Perrine; Christopher S. Pritchett; Alivia Royer; Katie N. Schalk; Lakesi Settles; Priya E. Siegfried; Justin A. Smith; Kylie A. Tomso; Whitney Weller;

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Gillespie to host blood drive on Feb. 17

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Gillespie Community will host a Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Monday, February 17 at 900 Broadway, inside Gillespie Methodist Church Gym.

To donate, please contact Brenda Lowe at (217) 710-1336 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 60020 to locate the drive. You may also call ImpactLife to schedule at 800-747-5401. Appointments are requested.

Potential donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission form available through www.bloodcenter.org) and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo I.D. is required to donate.  For questions about eligibility, please call ImpactLife at (800) 747 5401. Donors who last gave blood on or before 12/23/24 are eligible to give at this drive.

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