The Macomb City Council voted Monday on a one-year renewal of the city's mass transit contract with Western Illinois University. WIU will pay $85,000 per quarter for student transportation services. The university will also hire student security guards to ride the buses.
There will be three weekday student routes, two evening routes, one Sunday midday route and one late night downtown Saturday/Sunday route. The city will provide Amtrak drop-offs on Monday through Saturday, and at 11:04 a.m. and 9:40 p.m. on Sundays.
Aldermen also voted to authorize payment of $114,541 to Florida-based Holland Pump for an emergency bypass pump for the University Drive sewer lift station. Sewer Plant Director Josh Peters said the existing pump has not worked for four years. It was installed in the 1970s and parts are no longer available.
Also approved was the low bid of $41,685 from the Otto Baum Company of Morton for tuckpointing at the Macomb Fire Station. Fire Chief Dan Meyer said the work should be finished by April 30.
The council voted to approve a $23,400 engineering contract with IMEG for the design of concrete replacement of the public safety alley that serves the Macomb Fire Department, Macomb Police Department and McDonough County Jail. Also approved was authorization of publication of a request for quotes for professional engineering of community travel plans for Illinois Department of Transportation compliance with the federal Safe Routes to School program. Public Works Director Alice Ohrtmann said Macomb received a $100,000 federal grant this year for evaluation of existing sidewalks and curb ramps.
Advertisements were authorized for bids for crack sealing and pavement striping. Ohrtmann said $70,000 has been budgeted to seal cracks on the Downtown Square and on South Dudley Street, and that $30,000 has been budgeted for pavement striping on the Square, University Drive from Western Avenue to Wigwam Hollow Road and at the East Grant/Randolph streets intersection.
The City Council voted to approve an ordinance annexing 12208 N. 1050th Rd. and 2312 Maple Ave. into the city. The properties are owned by Ben and Jill Beck, who have expressed the desire for city water service. City Attorney Lisa Scalf said the properties will remain zoned as agricultural.
The council adopted a resolution authorizing a professional services agreement for establishment of a STAR Bond District by Jacob & Klein Attorneys at Law and the Economic Development Group.
'Things have been excellent with everything they've done so far,' said Alderman John Vigezzzi, noting the firm's past management of Macomb Tax Increment Finance districts.
Aldermen also accepted a July activity report from the Macomb Police Department. The department received 1,414 calls for service during the month and officers made 49 arrests. There were 13 theft cases and six burglaries. Police overtime totaled $16,975 in July.
