City turns to grant for solution

Douglas Ratermann of HMG Engineers assures Mickey that the streets will not be rocked immediately before the Tour de Coal.

Diana Wallace and Mike Marinacci explained their concern over the recent sewer problems during a regular scheduled council meeting on February 13. “I would like to know what you guys are going to do about my house,” Diana Wallace opened, “You guys don’t open those flood gates or whatever you do when it rains.” Wallace lives on South Illinois Street and explained that she collects all the water in her basement when the lift station is not turned on. According to her, this has happened the last two years to her and this year it cost her over $5,000 to clean her basement and live somewhere else for the 4 days it took to clean up.

Diana Wallace explained that it cost $5,000 to clean her basement the last time.

Jeff Hendricks advised Diana Wallace that the city has applied for a grant, but the incident she is referring to happened because the float corroded. He explained that it is on a circuit breaker and it got stuck and kicked out. “So I just take a $5,000 hit,” Diana responded, “I was told that the switch was not turned on and as soon as the firemen turned it on, my basement emptied.” Hendricks went on to say that was not the problem, the float corroded. “Like I stated, we are trying to address the issue with the lift stations,” Hendricks explained, “I will look into it.”

Mike Marinacci spoke next and explained this is the fourth time it has happened to his house. “Mine isn’t as bad, because I dug up my sewer line and reconnected it after putting a flop valve in it,” Mike explained. Mike said he took a shower for 20 years in his basement and never recalled sewer coming back up through the valve. His question for the city was who installed the sewer line. “I can’t answer that question,” Hendricks said, “I don’t know.” Robinson went on to say that the job was done by Prairieland in 1981-1983. “They have to carry a bond and the EPA can pull that bond at any time.”

Anytime you are involved with the EPA, Mike explained, there is not a statute of limitation with them. “I worked in a coal mine and they can go back 40 years and still make the company fix the problem,” Mike explained, “If they are out of business, they take their bond and come and fix what they won’t fix. There is not limitations with the EPA.” Mike advised to call the sewer company and get down to business. He explained that everyone knows Benld does not have any money, but the sewer company does so that is who they have to go after. If the sewer company won’t fix it, we call the state and see what the problem is.

“It was sewage water, it was waste,” Mike explained and Diana Wallace agreed. Mike Hendricks explained that he has been working on it for a year and has received numerous calls. “There is just no money to repair the lift stations,” Hendricks said, “But I am working on a solution.” Each system will need to be checked or even smoked checked to see what the problem is, Mike advised, but something is wrong when there is that much pressure coming through the drains.

Douglas Ratermann from HMG Engineers explained to the city council that this years program will be the same as the last 5 years except this years program. The oil and chipping is expected to take place in early September or late August. The dollar amount would be the same as the years passed unless oil prices change. “I will come up in July or August to take a look at the streets to see if they need any shoulder work,” Doug explained, “If so, we will make sure and do those streets when we come back to do them.” The estimate figure of maintenance cost is $30,728.60 which is just budget numbers. The council accepted the 2012 figures after a 4-0 vote.

Mickey Robinson explains that the $700 cleaning bid is very cheap.

The city received the first bill for the holiday lights which was $266 for the first month, the next month’s bill will be announced after it is received. The bids for the flagpole in Veteran’s Memorial Park were accepted and the council voted 4-0 to have Reid’s Service replace the light on the flagpole with a dusk to dawn photo cell light fixture.

In other new business, the city renewed a contract with Corpro to maintain the water tower which tests all the wiring and adjusts the tower for corrosion. They also fix anything that is needed and keep data of all the recordings. The council voted 4-0 to renew the contract at a cost of  $700. The council also renewed their contract with Midwest Environmental that tests the waste water at the lagoons and records to the EPA of the findings. The new contract, which is $425 per month (an increase of $50), was carried 4-0.

The council then went on to accept a cleaning bid of $700 which consists of buffing, scrubbing, and installing 3 coats of burnish to the civic center floor. The bid was awarded 4-0 to National Maintenance and Cleaning of Litchfield. The kitchen, the men’s restroom, the women’s restroom, and the concrete in the back will all be done in the initial bid. The company will return as requested for $100. All money collected from rentals will be designated in a special account for the upkeep of the civic center.

In closing, the council approved business and liquor license to Anita Bowmn who is leasing the current Log Cabin. The council also went on to hire Jassen Stinnett as a part time police officer to replace Eric Howard and choose to table Buzie Bertagnolli’s donation request to help purchase a teledart gun.