The Macomb City Council this week voted to accept an Ameren Illinois road use agreement. Public Works Director Alice Ohrtmann said the utility has purchased the northeast corner at the intersection of Deer Road and Grant Street for a staging area and laydown yard. She said trucks and other equipment would enter Deer Road from U.S.136.
The council also Monday approved a $100,000 agreement with Crawford, Murphy, and Tilly Consulting Engineers for design work on 2026 roadway improvements. Ohrtmann said projects would include concrete repair and replacement along Bayberry Lane, mill and overlay for asphalt pavement repairs in the Rolling Meadows subdivision, and pavement replacement along University Drive. She said project construction would total about $1.6 million.
Aldermen approved a $13,000 contract with Laverdiere Construction for Johnson Street storm sewer modification. Ohrtmann said a concrete creek crossing would be installed to allow one resident to access the southeast portion of his property.
In other business, aldermen approved a $75,526 annual contract with TripMaster Scheduling Software for new computer servers and GPS systems for city buses and transit vans. Transit Director CallaBria Putrino said buses would be equipped with voice announcements per federal ADA requirements. Mayor Mike Inman said all payments would be from state and federal grants.
The council authorized an Illinois Department of Natural Resources cemetery preservation grant application for funding to enable Oakwood Cemetery to restore older gravestones. Ohrtmann said some cemetery monuments are 150 years old and that the Oakwood Abbey Mausoleum is more than 100 years old. “This is a great opportunity,” she said.
Aldermen endorsed the mayor’s appointment of Alderman Ashley Katz to the Macomb Historic Preservation Commission, and his reappointment of Brandon Nelson to the Macomb Equal Opportunity and Fair Housing Commission.
The city council also approved residential rehabilitation grant applications for 1328 East Carroll Street, 519 North Randolph Street, 611 North Campbell Street, and 1622 East Wheeler Street. Each property is eligible for up to $5,000 in home repair funding.
Mayor Inman began the council meeting with a moment of silence in memory of former city plumbing and building inspector Dale Firof, and former convention and visitors bureau director Katherine Walker. The mayor also issued a proclamation declaring Saturday as Macomb Lions Club Candy Day.
