Macon Reporter

Village of Warrensburg Village Board met Oct. 25.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER: Acting Village President Hackl called the Emergency Special Meeting to order at the Warrensburg Village Hall on Friday, October 25, 2024 at 8:13 p.m.

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited.

ROLL CALL: Present: Acting Village President Hackl, Trustees Netherton, K. Hood, and Fisher. Also present were DPW Allen, Stephanie Brown, from Chastain Engineering, and Attorney Jankowicz. Absent: S. Freeman and VAC Booth.

DPW Allen began the meeting by indicating that it was his opinion that the entire lift station should be retrofit as per the Vandevanter Engineering Proposal #OP-607496 dated October 21, 2024 for the Smith & Lovelass Lift Station. The engineer’s estimate is $124,805.25. He indicated that although the engineer had presented a proposal for a quick fix which would only be placing one side, the cost would be $40,835.31, and the pump was not keeping prime.

It was DPW Allen’s strong recommendation that the Village not attempt to do a short- term fix of the problem and should move ahead with the entire lift station retrofit.

For purposes of discussion, Trustee D. Fisher moved to award the contract to Vandevanter Engineering for $124,805.25, for the entire lift station retrofit for the Smith & Lovelace Lift Station at the Warrensburg waste water treatment plant. Trustee K. Hood seconded the motion.

Discussion followed on the needs of the sewer treatment plant and the finances. Acting Village President Hackl indicated that the sewer fund showed a current balance of $32,718.05 and the Sewer Illinois Funds showed a current balance of $172,075.09, with $12,813.33 assigned to the Vehicle Fund, leaving a balance of $159,261.76. Additional interest of $750.00 would accrue on October 30, leaving available Illinois Funds of $160,011.76. Adding that to the sewer fund balance left available funds of $192,789.81.

PW thought that there might be some additional engineering fees to determine whether or not motors needed to be geared down and to make sure that the new pumps would be operating at full capacity. The board discussed necessary upgrades with adjustment for current conditions.

S. Brown was asked if the Village went ahead and made this expenditure if future grants or state loans would allow reimbursement back to the Village for this expense. S. Brown indicated that there could be no reimbursement back to the Village.

Trustee D. Fisher thought that although our pending water project is important, the problem with the sewer is more important and he has concern about possible EPA fines.

Trustee B. Netherton thought it was pointless to put a band-aid on the sewer and the entire lift station should be retrofitted.

Trustee K. Hood noted that an estimate of 14-16 weeks for delivery was not desirable. It was pointed out that might be the worst-case scenario.

DPW Allen indicated that the proposal from Vandevanter did not include the cost of providing a vacuum truck or pump and that would be the Village expense as well as possibly putting in a valve.

Hearing no further discussion, the Board voted as follows on the motion with a roll call vote.

Yes - Trustees B. Netherton, K. Hood, D. Fisher, and L. Hackl N0 - None. Motion carried unanimously.

Acting Village President Hackl thanked everyone for coming to the meeting.

S. Brown suggested that Acting Village President Hackl continue to talk with State Senator Sally Turner to check on the availability of a 2026 appropriation for this life safety issue. Acting Village President Hackl said he would and he would also be checking on the determination of hours for the Village’s disaster cleanup earlier this year.

The Board also discussed checking with State Representative Mary Miller for funds.

Having no further business to come before the board, Trustee D. Fisher moved and Trustee K. Hood seconded the motion to adjourn. Motion carried on voice vote.

The meeting adjourned at 8:33 p.m.

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