Sangamon Sun

City of Athens City Council met Jan. 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Mayor Chris Reichert. Roll call was performed by Clerk Rhonda Ethell. All the Aldermen were present.

Mayor Reichert asked for the police report which was given by Chief Becker.

All vehicle maintenance is up to date.

Request to purchase a Provision in car camera system for the Ford F150 Squad truck at a cost of $2995 using the CIEG money. The remaining balance to be taken from the police mobilization fund.

The police department is fully staffed and trained operating 24/7 patrol coverage. One ordinance violation was handled during the month of December.

Athens officers responded to 141 calls for service, conducted 32 traffic stops issued 16 citations and 16 verbal warnings. Two traffic crashes during the month.

Next Mayor Reichert called for Treasurer Fritz to give the treasurer's report and public works report.

Transfers were made in the amounts of $35,000.00 for the water plant and $20,200.00 for the wastewater plant payments to the Alternate Bond Fund. $43,248.55 was transferred from the ABF to the General fund for payment to Kuhn & Trello Engineering for work on permitting and planning of Wells 8 & 9. Motor Fuel taxes for the month were $6,976.48. Video Gaming received $3901.88 in tax revenue for the month. After the $1,800.00 Low Prairie loan payment was made $210.00 was transferred to the Streets fund.

Streets: A good portion of the month making repairs to the vac truck that was a LESO acquisition. Wiring and rust were the main issues. They also had to fabricate brackets for the street sweeper, repair brake lines on the chip rock spreader. A few days were spent filling potholes and trees were trimmed at the community park. Sewer: The sludge permit for the wastewater plant was received. The contractor that hauls the sludge hopes to be here in January, weather permitting. Complaints of a residential sewer backing up on Hickory Street. After investigating it was found that part of the sewer main was obstructed with dirt, rocks, and tree roots. We were able to use the sewer jetter/vac truck and clear the obstruction.

Water: We installed 2 water services during December and had to dig up an existing meter pit that a customer had unknowingly buried. Sanding and prep work continues at the water plant. We hope to start painting in the next week. After seeking bids for the rehab of filters 1 & 2, a sales rep from contacted me and provided me with information that the filters had been rehabbed in 2009 when the “new” side of the plant was added. With this new information we switched focus and I have met with 2 contractors to look at replacing the valves in the plant that control filter function. All the filters have an excess amount of water leaking by the valves. This means we are pumping and treating more water than we need to. This water never makes it out of the plant and is not measured as finished water. I have also asked them to bid installing a meter to measure the amount of water that is used internally at the plant. Currently this is not done and there is a very large amount of finished water used to push chemical feeds. Being able to obtain this number will allow us to calculate our water loss more accurately. The water used internally currently is only read by our finished meter. We also received notice that our permit for well #8 is under review at the IEPA. This process can take 35-70 days. I have also been in contact with Brotcke Well & Pump. They hope to return this month to attempt at locating a location for well #9.

Mayor Reichert then discussed new business:

Audit review was completed. The City has had the same auditor for the last 10 years discussion to change auditors will be put on Monday’s agenda.

Old business:

2 bids for cemetery farm ground received: Steve DiGiovanna at $226.00 per acre and Brown Family Farms at $225.00 per acre. Voting will be on Monday. One bid received for lawn maintenance at $5200.00 for mowing season.

Garbage mailings have gone out and is on pace for April start date. Water bill adjustments 2022 reason code column will be corrected.

Acknowledgement given to Jeff Lopian for organizing the Veterans signs.12 Signs have been put up on main street.

Receipt of letter of thanks from the Lions Club for the donation for Toys for Tots in the name of Larry Buhr.

Meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM.

https://www.athensil.com/documents/75/Meeting_Minutes_Jan_6.pdf