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Benld Council accepts bid for MFT maintenance program, approves phone system upgrade

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Oil & Chipping (Stock photo)

Oil & Chipping (Stock photo)

Thanks to road oil bids that came in lower than anticipated, the City of Benld will be able to expand its motor fuel tax maintenance program for city streets this year. Council members voted unanimously Monday night to accept a bid of $1.48 per gallon for 9,450 gallons of bituminous seal coat from Macoupin County Asphalt, Carlinville.

The total bid was for $13,986–more than $6,000 below the engineer’s estimate of $20,317.50.

The bid is a lot cheaper this year than in years past–almost 50 cents difference

“The bid is a lot cheaper this year than in years past–almost 50 cents difference,” said Adam Gerstner, an engineer with Henry, Meisenheimer and Gende Consulting Engineers, Carlyle. HMG had estimated bids would be in the neighborhood of $2.15 per gallon this year. Gerstner said he had discussed the bids, which were opened last Tuesday, with Ald. Jim Kelly and suggested “maxing out” the $20,317 engineer’s estimate approved by the Illinois Department of Transportation in order to take advantage of the lower price and add more streets to this year’s maintenance program.

Macoupin Asphalt’s bid was identical to a bid submitted by JTC Petroleum, Maryville. On a motion by Ald. Peyton Bernot, seconded by Kelly, the council voted unanimously to accept the bid from the most local vendor. One other bid was submitted by Mike A Maedge Trucking, Highland, for $1.561 per gallon, for a total bid of $14,751.45.

In other action, on a motion by Ald. Brian Frensko, seconded by Kelly, the council voted to expend $2,102.40 for Madison Communications to upgrade the city’s phone system. The upgrade, which includes the cost of new phones, will enable the city to take advantage of expanded services and a monthly rate that is about $76 lower than what the city formerly paid for service from Frontier Communications.

The council voted in February to switch its phone service to Madison Communications, but later learned the city’s outdated phone system would have to be replaced to receive service from Madison. Last month, Mayor Gloria Sidar reported to the council that Frontier also had said the phone system needed upgrading and offered of bid of $3,000 three years ago for such an upgrade.

Justin Waldrop, representing Madison Communications, told the council Monday night that the new system will be the “latest and greatest” and will provide all the features the city requested, including call forwarding, caller identification, conference calling and voice mail. The system will tie all of the city’s buildings together and will offer an option for an automated attendant. The system also has the capacity for call forwarding in the event internet service to city hall is disrupted for any reason.

“It’s a very sophisticated phone system,” Waldrop noted.

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The council approved the upgrade unanimously on a motion by Frensko, seconded by Kelly. The city’s monthly bill for phone services will drop to $665.23.

COAL SEVERENCE TAX RESOLUTION

In other action, the council unanimously approved a resolution of support in favor of imposing a five percent severance tax on the value of coal mined in Illinois. Copies of the resolution will be sent to State Sen. Andy Manar and State Rep. Avery Bourne who represent districts in which Benld is located.

Representatives of the Community Futures Initiative, an arm of the Eco-Justice Collaborative, presented details of the proposal at last month’s meeting of the council.

If the new tax becomes law, it will generate about $141.5 million in new revenue annually to be divided equally among the state General Fund, local communities where coal is mined and a trust fund to finance economic development and recovery from environmental impacts left by coal mining activities. Communities such as Benld conceivably could benefit from the trust fund for dealing with mine subsidence events.

ATRAZINE FUND REIMBURSEMENT

On the recommendation of Mayor Gloria Sidar, City Attorney Rick Verticchio was directed to draft a proposed resolution directing a percentage of revenue collected through a sewer maintenance fee charged to consumers to replenishing the city’s Atrazine Fund. The city expects to tap the Atrazine Fund for the $108,875 cost of replacing the so-called Shehorn Lift Station in the 200 block of Park Avenue. Sidar indicated the city should take steps to replenish the Atrazine Fund to maintain a reserve for future projects.

“When something happens, we don’t want to be running around looking for grants that aren’t out there or, as a result of that, not make repairs that need to be done,” Sidar said. Replenishing the fund, she said, will ensure money is available when the city needs it for sewer related repairs.

In a related matter, Ald. Kelly reported the lift station replacement is completed and in operation. The final bill includes $7,000 for Ameren-IP to run a power line to the facility. Kelly said he is withholding final payment to Haier Plumbing and Heating, Okawville, until “we make sure all the neighbors are happy.”

Kelly also reported he had secured a quote of $1,500 to $2,600 from the Illinois Rural Water Association to conduct video surveys of sewer lines in areas of the city affected by mine subsidence in the event those sewer lines begin to malfunction in the future.

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“As of right now, the old girl is working so we are going to leave her alone,” Kelly said.

If problems do arise, the city presumably hopes to have enough cash in the replenished Atrazine Fund to do necessary repair work.

DERELICT PROPERTIES

Verticchio briefly addressed a request submitted last month by Robert McClain asking the city to designate him as the exclusive contractor to raze derelict properties the city has acquired. McClain had offered to do the work free of charge in exchange for salvage rights for materials removed from the sites.

“I have some concerns,” Verticchio said. For liability purposes, he advised against making McClain an agent of the city. “You don’t want him to be an agent, you want him to be an independent contractor. If he’s an independent contractor, you need to determine whether it needs to be competitively bid.”

If you can pull it off for zero dollars, you are going to win every bid

Since McClain offered to do the work for free, Verticchio said he should have no problem being chosen as the low bidder. “If you can pull it off for zero dollars, you are going to win every bid,” Verticchio told McClain, who attended Monday night’s meeting of the council.

If the council picks McClain for contractual demolition work, Verticchio said, the city would then need to get documentation that he is properly and adequately insured, as well as documentation that any waste materials are being deposited in a certified landfill.

An alternative for McClain, according to Verticchio, would be for him to buy derelict properties from the owner before the city takes legal action to acquire the deed.

“In the future, when we have a property in the city that needs to be knocked down, we can let Mr. McClain know,” Verticchio said. “Maybe he will buy it and we can give him six weeks to clean it up.”

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Mayor Sidar reported she is waiting to hear from representatives of the Corderra family regarding a small brick building currently owned by the city and located west of the Benld Library. The family reportedly wants to buy the building back for $10,000 and offer it back to the city on a long-term lease with a token fee.

“All we have to do is part a plaque on the wall saying it is from the Corderra family,” Sidar noted. Current plans for the building are to use it as a storage facility for the library.

In other city property action, the council voted unanimously to accept a bid of $1,005 from Paul and Linda Rasmussen to buy one lot in the 700 block of North Eighth Street that was previously acquired by the city in a nuisance action.

Verticchio reported that two nuisance lots on South Seventh Street should be sold to a private buyer before the council’s next meeting and the new owner will have started cleaning up the property.

TANK INSURANCE ISSUE

After several minutes of discussion, Mayor Sidar said she would contact the city’s insurance carrier to find out what, if anything, needs to be done regarding children climbing on a military tank displayed in small park next to the railroad tracks off Central Avenue.

Verticchio recommended contacting the insurance company after Sidar expressed concerns about liability if a child is injured while playing on the tank.

“This speaks to the issue of what’s known as an ‘attractive nuisance’,” Verticchio said. While the tank is not designed for children to play upon or meant for that purpose, it can be argued that it is attractive for them to do so. The alternatives, he said, are to check with the insurance company to see if additional coverage needs to be added, putting a sign on the tank prohibiting climbing, or “put a fence around it, in which case, why even have it?”

CIVIC CENTER TABLES

After hearing a report from Norm Emmons, representing Build Benld, the council voted to buy four new tables for the Civic Center. Emmons had reported that the Italian-American Club had decided to buy three new tables to add with three new tables the Build Benld organization plans to donate. Cost of the tables is about $80 each. Ald. Mickey Robinson, who moved to make the purchase said he would check with the vendor to see if there might be a quantity discount for buying all 10 tables in one transaction.

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Emmons also reported that Build Benld plans to donate to the Police Department’s efforts to raise funds to buy body cameras for its full-time officers, though the amount of the donation has not yet been determined.

In other matters, Mayor Sidar announced that the annual city-wide clean-up is set for June 4, rather than June 11 as announced at last month’s meeting of the council.

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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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