The Macomb City Council observed a moment of silence Monday in memory of the late Bruce Biagini. The former city attorney for 19 years and a former legal counsel for Western Illinois University, the 80-year old Biagini died Sunday.
Aldermen voted to spend $275,000 to buy new playground equipment for Chandler Park from Cunningham Recreation. Alderman John Vigezzi said he got one constituent complaint about the price. “We hope to pay it through a grant,” he said, “and it’s a quality of of life issue. Kids are playing in the park all the time.”
City Administrator Scott Coker said the city would replace a 20-year-old set of playground equipment. The concrete playground equipment installed in the 1960s will remain in the park. The city council also approved an additional $187,600 for The Farnsworth Group to produce a streetscape design for the sidewalks surrounding the park. Alderman Dave Dorsett said grants for the playground equipment and for the streetscape would go to someone else if Macomb didn’t apply.
“They provide key improvements in the heart of the city,” he said.
Aldermen also voted to pay Stoneking & Son $14,950 to demolish a house at 432 N. Pearl St., and to hire James Lavin to inspect the home for asbestos remediation. Community Development Director Cesar Suarez said the money will come from the state “Stronger Communities” grant.
The City Council voted to adopt a resolution of support and a commitment of $3,945 in local funds toward $1.5 million in federal Community Development Block Grant funds. Public Works Director Alice Ohrtmann said the money would go toward water main replacements, which is a continuation of a 10-year program to replace old cast iron water pipes.
Aldermen voted to authorize a request for quotes for a consultant to assist Macomb in adopting the international building code. The council also voted to create an arcade event liquor license for the Pregame Arcade Bar at 130 N. Lafayette St., and to seek state approval of the closure of Highway 136 from South Johnson to North Lafayette streets for the WIU Homecoming Parade Oct. 24.
