Purchase 10 acres; $200k under budget on sewer project
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By David Porter
Arcola is another step closer toward a new subdivision on the city’s southwest corner. The Council voted Monday night to use tax increment financing (TIF) 6 funds to by 10 acres from Five Fish Farms. There is just under 10 acres more that city hopes to purchase in the future. The price for the first 10 acres was $300,000 plus closing costs.
Bill Wagoner, city administrator, affirmed that the city’s plan is to give the land to a developer on the condition of building new homes. He said lots would be given in increments of five.
He said the city has “a general layout” of what the subdivision might look like. The Council had previously authorized the purchase; Monday’s vote was to use TIF funds. Wagoner said “the paperwork caught up” so the city is “ready to close.”
Mayor Jesus Garza was absent from the meeting; Scott Hensley was elected mayor pro tem.
In other business, the city’s engineering firm reported that the south side sewer project is under budget. Wagoner said after the meeting that the project is expected to come in about $200,000 under budget, but he expects the city to add work to the lift station to use up the surplus. Otherwise, the city would have to return grant funds to the state.
“We don’t want to give the money back,” Wagoner said, “and it’s more paperwork for them. They don’t want it back.”
The decrease in costs stemmed from finding plastic pipe that did not have to be replaced, Wagoner said.
The Council authorized the third pay request to Hoerr Construction on the project in the amount of $175,546.80.
The Council also approved a resolution seeking a temporary closure of Rt. 133 for the Broom Corn parade in September, and ratified a joint water agency agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation regarding the Rt. 45 widening project.
The state is widening part of Rt. 45 in Champaign County, but the water line owned by Tuscola and Arcola runs along the route, so some of it may need to be buried deeper or rerouted. Most of the cost will be paid by the state, Wagoner said. There is a small section on a state right-of-way where the costs will have to be shared by the two cities.
Earlier in the meeting, Hannah Myers gave an update on community development. She said the next Sweep, Sip & Stroll event downtown is Thursday. The city’s new festival district rules will apply with an area partitioned off for outdoor alcohol. Purple cups and purple wristbands will be used to identify those partaking in that. The event is set for 5–8 p.m. July 23 and is billed as family-friendly with games, a bounce house, and face painting as well as food trucks and other activities.
She noted that the “touch a truck” event will take place Aug. 1 at Moore Park.
During public comment, Fredy Moreno alerted the Council to a need for improvements to the soccer fields at Moore Park. He said referees and others have expressed concerns about safety due to the condition of the fields. He said he hopes the city and the various groups involved at the park can work together toward a solution.
Wagoner noted that the city is working with a company to address some of the issues.
It was also noted at the meeting that the city will be seeking bids to reroof the Community Community Center.